Amon walked out of Walton Academy around lunchtime.
Although students weren’t exactly supposed to leave the academy grounds during school hours, Amon had already figured out that the security around the side entrance wasn’t particularly strict.
Besides, he had a perfectly reasonable excuse if someone stopped him.
’I’m buying lunch.’
It wasn’t even completely false.
Amon shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked down the street.
He enjoyed the fresh air after spending the entire morning inside the academy.
His body was still aching from the fight, especially around his ribs and shoulder.
’That fight really showed me how weak my body is.’
If it weren’t for his enormous mana reserves and the Frost Monarch Cultivation Method, he probably wouldn’t have been able to defeat five awakened students at once.
Amon sighed before opening his System panel.
His eyes immediately moved toward one of the abilities he hadn’t properly examined yet.
[Wife Bond System].
Amon selected it.
A translucent blue screen immediately appeared in front of him.
╔══════════════════════════════╗ [WIFE BOND SYSTEM] ╚══════════════════════════════╝
[Registered Wife: Seraphina Vale]
[Trust Level: 58]
[Compatibility: 95%]
[Relationship Status: Married]
[Basic Attributes]
Level: 10
Strength: 41
Agility: 52
Vitality: 47
Defense: 44
Intelligence: 76
Spirit: 29
Mana: 91
Luck: 17
[Abilities]
[Ice Manipulation — A]
[Frost Barrier — B]
[Absolute Frost — A]
[Frost Step — B]
[Ice Mana Reinforcement — A]
Amon’s eyebrows rose slightly as he looked through the information.
’Her stats are pretty fucking high.’
Compared to his pathetic physical attributes, Seraphina was practically a monster.
’I wonder why she didn’t just slap me and snatch back the remote. No way...ahe would want that to happen.’
However, one particular stat caught his attention.
Spirit, which was only 29.
Amon immediately opened the information about the attribute.
[Spirit]
[Determines mental resistance, soul stability, perception, and resistance against external corruption.]
[High Spirit significantly improves survival against supernatural influence and corruption found within certain dungeons.]
Amon’s expression became serious. ’So Spirit isn’t just another mental stat.’
He had already heard that dungeons could affect the minds and bodies of awakened individuals.
The deeper someone went into certain dungeons, the greater the danger became.
Corruption was one of the biggest reasons inexperienced adventurers died, even when they were physically strong enough to defeat the monsters inside.
’And if Seraphina’s Spirit is this low...’ Amon frowned.
She might be powerful, but that didn’t mean she was safe.
His eyes moved toward his own status.
[Spirit: 9.]
Amon’s expression immediately became ugly.
’Mine is even worse.’
He closed the panel before rubbing his chin.
He needed something that could increase Spirit.
Unfortunately, anything capable of permanently increasing an attribute like Spirit was extremely valuable.
Even temporary Spirit-enhancing potions could cost tens of gold coins, while permanent treasures were usually found inside dangerous dungeons.
’But I have Merchant’s Divine Insight.’ Amon’s lips slowly curled upward. ’If there’s something cheap hiding somewhere, I’ll find it.’
He immediately changed direction, as the second-hand market wasn’t far from where he was standing.
The familiar streets of the second-hand market soon appeared in front of him.
Amon walked through the crowded streets while examining the different stalls.
Most of the things were useless, but Amon wasn’t worried.
He only needed one treasure, and the time he would waste looking around would be worth it.
After walking for several minutes, Amon eventually noticed a small shop tucked between two larger stores.
An old wooden sign hung above the entrance.
Amon pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The shop was filled with old objects that had clearly been collected over many years.
A middle-aged man was sitting behind the counter while watching the television mounted against the wall.
He glanced at Amon for a moment before returning his attention to the news.
Amon didn’t bother with him as he immediately activated [Merchant’s Divine Insight].
Information began appearing beside the objects around him.
’Worthless.’
’Worthless.’
’Overpriced.’
’Worthless.’
Amon continued walking deeper into the store.
While searching, the television suddenly caught his attention.
"...the number of newly discovered dungeons continues to increase throughout the kingdom."
The news anchor stood in front of a map showing several red marks scattered across different regions.
"According to the latest report, several previously unknown dungeon entrances have appeared near residential areas."
Amon’s expression slowly became interested. ’Residential areas?’
The anchor continued.
"Authorities are currently evacuating several locations while adventurer associations work to investigate the newly formed dungeons."
Amon glanced toward the television as the next image showed a large dungeon entrance surrounded by soldiers.
"The Duke of Edinburgh has warned citizens to remain cautious, stating that the rapid increase in dungeon activity could lead to unforeseen dangers if the phenomenon continues."
Amon’s eyebrows slightly tightened.
’That’s not good.’
Dungeons appearing near cities was already dangerous, but the fact that their numbers were rapidly increasing made the situation even stranger.
Amon eventually turned his attention back toward the shop.
He continued walking, and his eyes suddenly stopped.
A small black stone was sitting inside a dusty wooden box.
It looked completely ordinary, but the moment Amon looked at it, information appeared.
[Stillmind Soulstone]
[Grade: Silver]
[Seller’s Price: 8 Silver Coins]
[Actual Value: 640 Gold Coins]
[Effect: Permanently increases Spirit by 3 points after successful integration.]
[Additional Effect: Slightly increases resistance against mental interference.]
[Additional Effect: Reduces the rate at which dungeon corruption affects the user’s mind.]
[Compatibility: High]
[Usage: Can be safely integrated by awakened individuals.]
Amon’s eyes widened.
’Found it.’
Six hundred and forty gold coins, and the shopkeeper was selling it for eight.
That was already an incredible deal, but what really interested Amon was the fact that it could permanently increase Spirit.
’Three points.’
It might not sound like much, but it was still a massive upgrade and, more importantly...
’Seraphina should be able to use this.’
Amon immediately picked up the stone.
He walked toward the middle-aged shopkeeper and placed it on the counter.
"How much?"
The man glanced at the stone before looking at Amon.
"Eight silver coins."
Amon immediately took out the money.
"Here."
The shopkeeper counted the coins before pushing the stone toward him.
"Thank you for your business."
Amon put the Stillmind Soulstone into his bag.
He couldn’t stop the smile from appearing on his face.
’This is exactly what I needed.’
He turned around and happily walked toward the exit.
As Amon stepped outside, the television inside the shop continued broadcasting the news.
The anchor’s voice suddenly became more serious.
"There has also been an update regarding the health of His Majesty the King."
Amon stopped for a moment, glancing back up.
"...According to palace officials, the King’s condition has deteriorated further over the past few days."
Amon slowly turned his body toward it.
The television showed an old photograph of the King.
"The royal physicians have declined to provide further details, but citizens are being urged to remain calm while the royal family continues to handle the situation."
Amon stared at the television from outside the shop.
’The King is getting worse too?’
For some reason, the news left him with an uncomfortable feeling.
Too many strange things were happening at once.
More dungeons were appearing, and the King was becoming increasingly ill.
Amon frowned slightly before shaking his head.
’It’s none of my business.’
He turned around and continued walking.
There were already enough problems in his own life.
He still had to improve his body, become stronger, make money, and survive the upcoming Potential Assessment.
Of course, he also needed to find out how to get the other half of Seraphina’s cultivation technique.
Amon touched the bag containing the Stillmind Soulstone.
A small smile returned to his face.
’I’ll give this to her first.’
After all, if the [Tenfold Return] rewarded him based on how much his gift benefited his wife...
’I wonder what I will get in return.’
Amon had no intention of wasting a single opportunity.