Apocalypse system: I have unparallel comprehension-Chapter 46 - Deal

Chapter 46: Chapter 46 - Deal
Dante sat beside Notan. He observed the kid and let out a sigh. "You could say I am important. I am the son of this castle’s boss."
"I don’t think that alone makes you important. The chief is a man of rules."
Dante nodded, agreeing with Notan’s assessment of his father. He played with his black ring and twisted around.
"Can you figure out how to use the second effect of this ring?" Dante asked.
Notan didn’t answer and instead started drawing a complex pattern of runes on his desk. After a while, he looked at the finished drawing and nodded.
"I can." Notan said. "According to my skill, it showed that the ring lacked energy to release the seal."
"So If I pour mana into it, I can use the effect right?"
Notan shook his head. "It is not that simple. Right now, the ring is fused with your soul."
He opened his palm and signalled Dante to place the ring. Dante complied and gave the kid his black ring.
Notan checked the ring again, this time his eyes shone bright green color.
"What we need is your essence, fully concentrated energy created from your body. And with my runes, the ring should absorb it without any risk of damage." Notan said.
"There is no other way to release the seal?"
"There is. But it will take a lot of time. Probably about 2 or 5 years, gradually letting the ring soaked your mana."
"Damn, I don’t want to wait that long. Let’s do the first plan." Dante said.
Notan tossed the ring back to Dante. "Why should I help you?"
"It is a good experience right?"
Notan nodded slowly, not convinced with his explanation. "Experience is not enough, Dante. The process would take a month. You know how many times I can level up within one month?"
"No."
"A lot. I can also make a lot of things and create. The rebellion will sell my stuff to the merchants and I will get a lot of points. With those points, I can buy stuff to gain level. You know what I mean right?" Notan stopped and glanced at Dante.
Dante evaded his glance and let out a sigh. "Alright tell me the price."
"In exchange for creating a ritual for the seal, I want two things." Notan waved his hands.
"Tell. As long as it is reasonable, I will do something." Dante said.
"First, I need mana cores from high level monsters."
"How high?"
"80?...no 60." Notan said, gauging Dante’s expression.
"I will find a way to get these." Dante said, not giving his full words.
He thought. ’ I could ask Thomas to bring me the cores when he goes out hunting. I don’t know the level of the monster. Guess, I will go with the person who has Class. I also need to practice with my skill.’
"I also need materials. Add that to the first request. It shouldn’t be that hard."
"Alright, alright. But you will have to buy the material. I will sell you with a fixed price. How about that?"
Notan thought and started calculating silently. After that, he nodded. "The next thing is help me when I am in trouble."
"That is." Dante paused, not sure how to say. " It is difficult to add a price."
"Don’t worry I won’t ask something unreasonable." Notan said with a smile. "To tell you the truth, I am currently held in a prison."
Dante looked around the underground chamber and nodded. "I can see that. Did the rebellion kidnap you and force you to work here? Just say a word and I will free you."
Notan smiled. There was a hint of defeated look under his smile. He shook his head.
"It is not like that. Currently, I am being hunted by the Union for my skill. If I get captured, I am sure I will work till my blood dries. So I can’t leave this place unless the Union is gone."
"Aren’t you worried that the rebellion is going to do the same? Looking at you." Dante paused and his eyes glanced over the kid’s hand.
It was covered with layers and layers of thin scars.
He continued.
"Right now, you are in the same state as a prisoner."
"Haha." Notan let out a dried laugh. "It is the price of being a genius. So how is the deal?"
Dante nodded and thought. There was nothing he didn’t like about this deal. He was a bit hesitant with the last part because of his own experience with deal and favor.
He shook inwardly. He needed to move past that. He didn’t know when
Nyrax
would ask.
"Alright. It is a deal but threw in your inventions." Dante said.
"I will sell you at a fixed price." Notan said, extending his hand that was covered in scars.
"Deal." Dante said, grabbing his hand.
They both shook hands.
"Should we get a lawyer?" Dante joked.
"You will be surprised by the extent of the system." Notan said.
Dante thought for a moment and agreed. Sure, his system was a bit broken compared to the others. He couldn’t deny the omniscient feeling coming from the system.
He stood up and stretched his neck. "Then I will be going for a bit. I will give you the mana cores every two days. Sounds good?"
Notan nodded.
Dante turned around left, his eyes showing that Wallace was coming down from the stairs. It was a perfect timing which raised a flag in his heart.
Something was going on in this castle.
He decided to ignore it. It was not his problem to deal with. From what he was seeing, his father did a good job leading the place.
"Hey, Wallace. How is your business?" Dante said, pointing at the lower half of the skinny man.
Wallace looked at Dante and said in monotone. "Good. It has been a while since I shit this much. I feel light."
"You have no shame. Anyway, show me to the outer bailey. I want to check the shops." Dante said.
Wallace nodded.
The outer bailey was packed with people. He saw people who trained the sword scrolling around this area.
"Although this place is used for the stores and stuff. People gathered around for social stuff." Wallace said from beside. His voice was low.
"I see."
Dante checked the stores. He saw a bunch of fruits and meat.
There was a clothing shop as well. He even saw a weapon shop in the corner of the area. When the sun reached the middle, he parted away with Wallace and went to his place.
He sat on the chair and rested his eyes.
He thought constant usage of the eyes would never bother him but he was proven wrong. It was hard to keep track of everyone.
He heard the door open and saw his friends arrive. Thomas was talking with Julius about their training.
"Yo." He greeted the two. "Have you guys eaten yet?"
Thomas shook his head. "No."
"Me too." Julius said, going to the basin.
"Great, let’s eat together. I want to discuss our plan."
"Sure. I am planning to eat here as well." Thomas said, going to the table and taking out all the food from the air.
Dante went and sat down. He smelled the sweet scent and smiled.
They ate the food. They talked about random stuff and out of nowhere, the fight started about what is better?
Sword vs axe.
Of course, Dante defended his beloved axe while Julius stood on the sword side.
"I am telling you Axe is the best for survival. You can chop woods, kill animals. It didn’t break easily like the sword."
"What do you say?" Julius said, his voice booming. "The sword is better because it is the best."
Thomas held off both friends. "Stop. Stop. We are not going anywhere with this."
Dante sat down. He looked at Julius and they both met the eyes.
They passed and started laughing. Dante wiped the tear from the corner of his eyes and nodded.
"I am going to stay here for one month." He revealed. Dante thought about something.
He never said, the chief of the rebellion was his father. He should mention it.
"Why?" Julius asked.
"For this." He pointed at the black ring. "The Artisan here can release the seal. But the ritual needs one month."
"I see."
"I don’t want to hold down the group so you guys can do whatever you like." Dante said. "Also I am planning on going on a hunt."
"I will come." Thomas said. "My hands are itchy for a while."
"There is a level human coming with us." Dante said.
"Who?"
"I don’t know yet."
"Just don’t take the dead weight." Thomas said.
"Got it. What about you?" Dante looked at Julius.
"I will continue to train my sword."
"With that red haired guy?" Dante asked.
Julius nodded. "I admit he is better than me but it will not take long for me to surpass him."
Dante smiled and nodded.