PHOENIX RISING (Book One In The Phoenix Hunter Series)

★CHAPTER 21★

  

     The whooshing sound of my spatial box opening and closing echoed throughout my apartment, a constant, rhythmic beat that accompanied the night.  I worked tirelessly, fueled by a strange mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.  I ate,  I worked,  I ate,  I worked,  my mind focused on the endless stream of loot.

Each gem,  each Mana Crystal,  each healing draught,  each copper coin,  was a tangible manifestation of my success as a hunter. I didn't even know when morning came until the sun came up.

The sun rose,  casting a golden glow across the city,  and finally,  I was done.  My body ached,  my mind was weary,  but a sense of triumph washed over me.

I sat at my desk,  a mountain of loot spread out before me,  and began to make a list.  It was a task that took me hours,  my eyes tracing over the numbers,  a symphony of zeros and ones.

- 655,000 copper coins
- 131,000 healing draughts
- 131,000 Mana crystals
- 1310 white gemstones
- 6550 gold gemstones
- 40,800 blue gemstones
- 24,628 orange gemstones
- 22,012 red gemstones
- 20,200 green gemstones
- 15,500 purple gemstones

I stared at the list,  my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

If I sold all of this,  I would have enough money to last me for two years.  I had amassed a fortune beyond my wildest dreams.

It was a moment of pure, unadulterated joy.  I had come to this world with nothing,  a boy lost and adrift.  Now,  I was a hunter with so much money.

And it had all started with a single decision:  to take control of a Gem Bunny.

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the bustling marketplace. I hurried towards the jeweler's shop, my steps quick and determined. The Spatial Box, hidden beneath my Dragonhide Armor, felt reassuringly heavy against my chest. A treasure trove of gemstones and mana crystals that promised to make me a wealthy man.

The jeweler, his face weathered but his eyes twinkling with an avid curiosity, greeted me with a warm smile.  “Welcome, welcome,” he said, his voice deep and rich, like the finest aged wine.  “It's a pleasure to see you again, friend.”

He gestured towards a plush velvet seat and I settled in gratefully.  The aroma of spiced tea, brewed from the finest leaves, filled the air, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.  We chatted for a while, catching up on recent events,  the jeweler's keen eye taking in my new armor and the way I carried myself with renewed confidence.

Finally, he asked, “What brings you back to my humble stall today, my friend?  Do you have more treasures to trade?”

“More treasures?” I chuckled, feeling a thrill run down my spine.  “You wouldn't believe it, but this time, it's way more than yesterday.  Way more.”

He leaned forward, his eyebrows raised in anticipation. “How much more?  Tell me, how much more are you offering?”

I reached into my Spatial Box, and with a flourish, brought forth a mountain of gemstones.  They glimmered in the sunlight, a dazzling array of blues, greens, reds, oranges,  purples,  golds, and whites, all perfectly cut and polished.

“One hundred and thirty-one thousand gems,” I said, my voice steady, my heart pounding with excitement.  “And one hundred and thirty-one thousand mana crystals.”

The jeweler's jaw dropped.  He stared at the mountains of gems and mana crystals, his eyes wide with disbelief. “This...  This is the highest haul I've ever had to deal with at once in a while.”

He took a deep breath,  his eyes gleaming with a mixture of awe and excitement.  He then activated his skill, the gems all glowed brightly, and with a flourish, he announced, “The price remains the same for each gemstone,  as it was during our last transaction.  And,  due to the larger quantity, it will take a bit longer to process.  But I assure you, you will see your money when you return.”

“No problem,” I replied, feeling a wave of confidence.  “I'll be back soon.”

I turned and walked out of the shop,  a grin splitting my face. The Spatial Box had proven itself invaluable. 

I headed back to the food section of the market, stuffing items into my Spatial Box,  my heart brimming with anticipation.  Other buyers and hunters around held one of these, meaning the craftsman had released his spatial boxes into the market, I was amongst the first to own one of these revolutionary boxes, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

After buying a few things, I walked away from the marketplace and went to search for a restaurant. I found one, Lillies Food Joint, a charming little place with a warm atmosphere. I sat down, ordered a meal, and relished the taste of fresh, home-cooked food.

The rest of the afternoon was spent sightseeing. I wandered through the bustling streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. I bought a few things I couldn't afford before, like seven pairs of fine clothes from a skilled seamstress,  each one crafted with meticulous attention to detail and exquisite taste.  I paid her handsomely, feeling a sense of satisfaction at my newfound wealth.

Hunters passed by, their gear shining brightly in the sunlight.  Children ran about, playing games and laughing, oblivious to the worries of the world. I stood at a fountain in the city, looking at it with a smile on my lips, enjoying the solitude.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city.  It had been four hours since I left the jeweler's shop.  A wave of anticipation washed over me.  I had spent the day savoring my newfound fortune, but now it was time to return and claim my reward.

With a spring in my step and a heart full of expectation,  I headed back to the jeweler's store.
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