Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"Oh, what is it?" Zachary questioned with raised eyebrows.

"Where did you get the three drops of Hatching Fluid that you sold at the auction the last time?" Riley asked straightforwardly.

"Well, I'm afraid that I can't tell you." Of course, Zachary would not tell Riley the source of the Hatching Fluid.

"I understand. Actually, I just want to know if you have a way to get more Hatching Fluid like those three drops. If possible, I'd like to buy the Hatching Fluid at a higher price than the previous auction price," Riley explained. Determination to acquire the precious Hatching Fluid was evident in her tone.

"A higher price?" Hearing this, Zachary could not help but feel interested. As the Hatching Fluid was an inexhaustible resource for him, Zachary could sell it as a commodity and then buy all kinds of treasures with the money thus earned. Later, he could exchange them for treasure-hunting coins in the system. In this way, he would have inexhaustible treasure-hunting coins, too.

However, there was a risk as the Hatching Fluid had never appeared in the Supernal Continent before. At the last auction, the sale of the Hatching Fluid had caused a stir. If he continued to sell it, many people would become envious of him. Besides, he was unsure if he could trust Riley. Therefore, he had not decided whether or not to continue selling it.

"As long as you can provide it and we can afford it, there would be no problem with the price," Riley added hastily when she observed that Zachary appeared indifferent to her offer. Since he hadn't said that there was no more Hatching Fluid to be sourced, she assumed she could tempt him.

"Aren't you afraid that I will demand an exorbitant price?" Zachary smiled as he teased Riley.

"No, I'm not afraid at all. I don't believe that you are that kind of person. I have believed you to be an outstanding person ever since our first meeting. And my opinion was confirmed by your actions during the auction," Riley replied with a playful smile.

"Are you hinting at something suggestive? People who don't know us might think that you had fallen in love with me at first sight, if they heard what you said!" Zachary teased Riley intentionally. Of course, he knew that she was trying to flatter him and make him less vigilant so that he would tell her where he acquired the Hatching Fluid. Such being the case, he wouldn't be easily fooled.

"Are you flirting with me? You are quite bold! No man in Zenith City da

minded him. She was afraid that Zachary might not be able to supply the Hatching Fluid every month as assured. The Phoenix House always provided information about the goods they were going to sell in advance. If he failed to supply the Hatching Fluid on time, they would not be able to provide it for the potential buyers, either. In such a case, the Phoenix House would ruin its reputation.

"If you don't trust me, then the deal is off." Zachary shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't care about the deal.

Hearing this, Riley hesitated. After pondering for a while, she agreed, "Okay. We have a deal."

"By the way, I have another requirement," Zachary said all of a sudden.

"What's it?" Riley cautiously questioned as she glanced at Zachary.

"You must keep my identity confidential. And if I find that anybody learns that I am supplying the Hatching Fluid to you, I will stop the supply immediately," Zachary warned.

"No problem. Only the three of us know about the arrangement we have agreed to. There won't be a fourth person," Riley promised without hesitation.

"Such being the case, please accept these three drops of Hatching Fluid as a gift to prove my sincerity." As he spoke, Zachary took out a small bottle that he had prepared earlier. It contained three drops of Hatching Fluid.

Riley was dumbstruck when she saw that he was giving her three drops of Hatching Fluid for free. She had never met anybody who was more generous than Zachary. He behaved as though he had an abundance of Hatching Fluid at his disposal. She had gone through many difficulties and seen the world, but now she was once again impressed by him.