Chapter 710 - Petty Trade

'Although Ray is slightly like me, I once had his blood to help me with my evolution. None of these evolutions gave me a talent like [Exotic Escort] but he must have a way to strengthen himself by s.e.x.u.a.l intercourse... so, Ray is still holding back,' Nik looked at Brian, 'Meanwhile, Brian is still an enigma. A fusion of 2 rank 9 monsters and even if he admits that he doesn't have any form of inheritance from his past self, just how much of it is true?'

'Meanwhile, I don't want to show the capabilities of the dream core or Pickle... but I feel that it is only a matter of time before the symbiotes will gain popularity now that Wakanda has found a way to synthesize the slime mass with partial nanotech...'

'Wait...'

"Ray, how much is the integration level of your bloodline?" He inquired while Ray snorted, "Why would I tell you that?"

"Forget it then," Nik smiled, "But can you share your experience in evolution? I'll go first and you tell me if there's anything missing."

With that, Nik began to explain the process of evolution with the evolution spirit as the guide during that time. This experience was something only Nik had earned since he was the first to evolve and get his bloodline level equal to what Brian and Ray were given at the same time.

Brian and Ray listened to Nik's experience with an eager expression but soon, Ray's expression crumbled and he finally began his story of first evolution.

"First of all, I do know about the Evolution Atlas but I didn't find it at all. Not even the evolution spirit. Instead, I was transported to some dark location where I was forced to evolve. No options, no nothing."

Furrowing his brows as if he understood something he inquired, "Your integration is still below 90?"

Even Brian gazed at Ray with a severe expression.

Common, Uncommon, Rare, Extreme, High, Mystical, Legendary, and Unique.

These are the eight categories of a bloodline that affect the body and mind.

The category itself is developed by keeping the integration level of a bloodline in mind. Integration is an aspect of a bloodline that allows a living being to exist with any bloodline having an integration level lower than 20% afflicted by various ailments that make life difficult.

For instance, Nik's previous bloodline was a rare bloodline but the L.u.s.t Apostle Lineage is an extreme one, similar to Temporal Fiend Bloodline coursing through Brian's veins. An extreme bloodline would usually have an integration value of 80-90% but this was merely a general categorization. Exceptions to this very truth are not unknown to the world. The first and foremost exception to this categorization is Ravager/Beyonder Bloodline. Other rare exceptions may include higher-tier bloodline sacrificing integration value for more power, or, lower-tier bloodline sacrificing raw benefits for integration value.

In this case, Nik's and Brian's extreme-tier bloodline can be considered rather average, having relatively modest powers and integration value.

Meanwhile, Ray...

The youth sighed and shook his head.

"After so many adventures, I know that the opportunities that assist with the complete evolution of bloodline are quite rare. I got one this time through a demon, probably rank 6, named Mephisto. His bloodline runs the opposite and that is why he cannot exist in the world for too long because of his lack of integrated bloodline... however..." Ray thought for a moment and shook his head. Cheerful and airheaded he may be sometimes, but he knew well to keep his secrets to himself and Nik and Ray didn't push forward, too.

"Well, now you know the advantages of my method," Nik smiled, "So, in essence, I will offer two services for the time being. Fusing any and every item you may have. And helping you evolve in a much more moderate manner. Do note that you'll have to provide the blood for which options you want," Nik smiled, "And... I may trade another peculiar product aside from shards of Eternal Ice but only if I get something better in return and not some hellfire."

"Done, I'll pimp Yar out for you!"

"And I'll make Krodh your servant for a few days, use him as you feel like."

Ray and Brian gave a toothy grin while Nik chuckled.

"Pickle, be a dear and come out," Nik smiled.

A white blob formed from his clothes and turned into Pickle as Nik started explaining the stuff about Klyntars and their op god Knull.

"But rest assured, I won't trade with symbiotes that are connected to the hive but a much more controlled product and as we speak, I can promise you that I will develop a version that is not affected by the shackles of this world so that they can have the attribute similar to traveling world with us."

Both Ray and Brian's gaze constricted.

If Nik's words were true then this might be his greatest project that will develop artifacts comparable to rank 8!

"Of course, right now, you will get a watered-down version. It will come in various strengths and each symbiote I create will have a different rate."

He knew that cutting the connection with the hive mind is something that Ray can achieve with Strange's assistance and because of that, he added a bit more, "And unlike usual, my symbiotes will be melded with the awesome nanotech. It will be like a living armor for the both of you!"

Ray and Brian looked at each other, excitement flickering in their gazes.

Even if Brian wasn't as promiscuous as Ray or Nik, he did find someone he cared about... after many short-term relationsh.i.p.s. Even in his new homeworld, this was his second relationship and with such an item, he could clearly provide a great defensive tool for his partner. The symbiote armor's benefit to Ray was even more obvious since he had seen Nik in action.

"Hmm, well, it looks like I shouldn't hold back either," Brian smiled as it was Nik's and Ray's turn to feel a bit expectant for they wanted some great goodies in return for their goods.

"At my third adventure, I was extremely lucky to gain a rare talent. I won't name it, but it helps a person to boost their ability to understand insight for ten days. The multiplier of the boost actually depends on the overall foundation of the said target but I can only cast this talent once every ten years I live. So, it's a one time service for both of you. Aside from that, I have a rare mineral that I happen to loot from some idle space blacksmith. It's called Ur and has great conductivity with energy. And... just because of that evolution service you offered, I will share one liter of my blood with you."

Nik was stunned. He had been wanting to get his hands on Brian's blood for so long and even now, Nik wanted it for himself because this was a bloodline that once flowed through Kaal's veins. Meanwhile, Brian's talent for upping one's understanding of insight was already quite lucrative but instead of letting glee control his thoughts, Nik shook his head.

"What you are offering is an Extreme-tier bloodline while my services will potentially provide you with a High-tier bloodline. Don't play me for a chump, please."

Brian sighed, "Fine, I just hoped that you would be slightly stupid..."

Nik's expression darkened while Ray snickered.

"Aside from my blood for an equal price to you two, I will share with you... these..."

He said while motioning his hands as an orb appeared on top of his palm.

"Go ahead," Brian grinned, "Appraise it using the system."

Looking at each other, Ray and Nik appraised the item and they felt a little stunned.

[Sap of the First Tree: A+

Use: The item can heal extensive injuries of a soul and recover damages at a quick pace.]

"How many of these do you have?"

Nik inquired as Brian shrugged silently. Meanwhile, Ray huffed. By now, he had learned about the specialty of rank 6 and he understood that his information on breaking through rank 6 wasn't the greatest item out there in the trade anymore.

"So, should we message each other later or conclude the trade right now?" Nik inquired. He wouldn't be bothered either way but Ray mused for a moment and chimed, "Let's do it now. My guys got their own problems so I would be busy, hey, in fact, do you remember when Strange said that some beings were troubling him and he sealed them up?" Ray inquired as Nik nodded.

"Well, they are doing it again. A pair of siblings, one brother and the other is a sister. Why don't you help me out on this?" He smiled while Nik counted in his mind.

If he really accepted such a proposal, his schedule might just end up breaking and he would have to leave the school for good...

'In fact, I should really let go of school. It doesn't help me with my Karma nor my current situation. Instead, I can use that time to focus on Paradise and figuring out Morgan's situation.'

"Sure," Nik shrugged, "But only next week."

"Cool—" Ray began when his expression flinched and Nik felt something entering the range of his senses. It was a familiar figure and he simply let the entity hold him from behind when a mature voice tickled Nik's ear, "Sweety, did you miss me?" She blew hotly as Nik tilted his head back slightly.

"You have no idea, Yar," Nik chuckled as the voluptuous familiar let go of Nik and walked towards Ray before pulling a chair for herself.

Brian nodded at the woman with a wry smile while Ray continued without feeling bothered at all, "So? What about you guys? Willing to discuss terms of trade now?"

"Let's do it. We all got our own situations and I even have to find a place for stay at the moment," Saying so, Brian looked at his 'friends' intently only for Nik to shrug, "Sorry, pal. My place is packed full. But give me a bit of time, I'm in the process of furnishing an island."

"Aw, even my place—"

"Fine, fine," Brian grumbled before looking at Nik, "You should show a piece of that eternal ice so that we can appraise its grade."

Nodding, Nik snapped his fingers, and a sky blue shard formed out of thin air and while it looked like pulling out an item from a storage unit, to Ray's and Brian's keen senses it felt different. Nik was actually capable of producing every resource he mentioned which instantly meant a limitless supply of trading materials.

'I'll have to discuss the terms of trade next time once again,' Both Brian and Ray couldn't help but think that. The value of trade depended on the rarity of the item and not its rank itself. Now that they know that Nik can create this so-called Eternal Ice based on his own energy, they didn't wish to truly expend their hard-earned resources and possibly, extinguishable ones in the next trade.

'Hmm, I think this will go well,' Nik thought idly. After having a master-tier insight of wisdom, his mind started working more rationally. This trade, for him, wasn't the one to gain more resources but attain the greatest benefit. Using the ice he can produce, he wished to gain more of Hellfire so that he can gain affinity with the variant of element and use it on himself while turning into a fire being himself.

But when it came to Brian, Nik still felt stumped. However, he had known the man long enough to ignore the secrets the man might hold.

[Eternal Ice: B+

Use: A form of everlasting ice that works extremely well with sealing arts.]

The information from the appraisal was simple for the main task of the Transmigration Heart was to allow its host to become freer and not inspect and note down the abilities spread across the existence.

"Before we begin, I'll need to get paid for my services in fusing that restrictive device. The one chain you had commissioned from me," Nik smiled and looked at Ray, referring to the item used in suppressing and taming his recent target— Ghost Rider.

"Uh, fine. I'll be honest and pay with—"

"I want the flame," Nik demanded, "48 wisps of it."

"Keh, 48? I provided the material for the fusion, remember? Not more than 21 wisps!" Ray growled while Yar chuckled, drinking from the jar and not partaking in any talking.

"21?" Nik laughed in anger, "Dude, have you not heard of the saying— Don't Mistreat the Service Provider?"

"No," Ray responded.

"If you pay your doctor less, he might poison you next time!" Nik sighed.

"I don't need a doctor," Ray shrugged.

"I won't take anything less than 42 wisps!" Nik stared at the pretty boy as the young white-haired youth glared at Nik. Even though Ghost Rider could create more and more of these resources, why wouldn't he want more for its value? He needed complete benefits!

"Fine," Ray grumbled as he took out a strange bubble with a dark-maroon wisp of flame flickering within. For a moment, Nik's attention was focused on the bubble and then he looked at Ray but before he could say anything, Ray smirked smugly, "My elemental wrappers are not going to be traded anytime soon!"

"Whatever," Nik rolled his eyes as he accepted the 42 bubbles before he began, "I'll trade one shard of eternal ice for one wisp of Hellfire."

"Fine, it works for me."

In the terms of element, both were the same. The guy under Ray's command could create more Hellfire while Nik could continuously produce shards of eternal ice.

After trading yet another 50 Ice shards/hellfire, Ray began, "What about you, Brian? I'm a bit interested in that metal you told us about. Ur, was it?" In reality, Ray wasn't interested. He had enough weaponry and he found blacksmithing as a profession for himself quite displeasing. However, there were just too many partners that loved strange metal and rods, except for the obvious two they are getting daily.

Even Nik looked at Brian as the man thought for a moment before taking out a greyish ore with a grainy blue sheen.

[Uru: B

Use: A highly energy conductive ore.]

"Hey," Nik pointed out, "this ore is called Uru, and you've been calling it 'Ur'."

Brian furrowed his brows and mumbled with an exasperated expression, "I thought the last 'u' is silent. You can't expect me to know all the words man..."

'Wasn't Uru only available in Asgard, at least, that's what Thor's memories proclaimed... then how did Brian find out a huge stash of a rare metal— even in a godly dimension— just lying around?'

Still keeping the information to himself to not raise the price of the ore, Nik asked for a barter exchange against his shards of eternal ice which Brian translated a bit higher but not too much, making Nik feel that Brian might really not know about the true qualities of Uru. Nik had first hand experienced the Mjolnir and had been wanting to get his hands on Uru from then on. However, he couldn't just stride into Asgard.

***

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