Reboot: Mechanic

Chapter 24: Exchange Center

Shi Tian and Krissie made a detour, avoiding the slum area as they walked their way toward the border between the outer zone and the inner zone.

Just like the term meaning, the outer zone was basically the outskirts of Gearits City, essentially meaning that it was still not the core of Gearits City compared to the inner zone, in which everything was intensively better.

Krissie had explained to Shi Tian that one must obtain a qualification to be able to step foot in the inner zone.

And as for how to obtain the qualification, they would have to take a test that proved their ability and survival skills. After all, those who are skillful would naturally receive benefits much higher than the common ones or incapable ones.

“Is the information this time true or falsified again by you?” Shi Tian calmly asked, not bothering to sugarcoat his words.

“I swear by my honor that it’s really the truth. This is basic information for anyone living in Gearits City. If you don’t believe me, then you can also find someone else to ask about it.”

Krissie swore solemnly, afraid that she might really be killed. She had already reached a limit that one more mistake from her would result in Shi Tian having murderous intent.

“Forget it, honor is useless here. Whether it’s true or not, we’ll know once we reach there. However, I won’t entertain your crap any longer if it’s false again.” Shi Tain said, unwilling to hear any more nonsense.

What she did was just a reminder to him that he could never rely on anyone in this world.

Yolanda was an exception, but was also a misconception that nearly blinded his belief to think some people are still worthy of redemption.

Sometime later, the two of them arrived near the supposedly invisible border between the outer and inner zone. And noticeably, there was more human traffic in between, clearly showcasing that this is the most populated area. Despite the human traffic, Shi Tian and Krissie seemed to be an outcast because of Shi Tian’s missing arm, and Krissie’s poor dressing attire.

For Shi Tian, her poor dressing attire had never been the focus of his attention, but to others who are biased and judged a book by its cover, a disgusted expression could be seen on their face.

“The exchange center is over there, so we should make haste…” Krissie pointed at the place, seemingly in a hurry to leave.

Shi Tian nodded his head, pretending to not notice her low-self esteem behavior was kicking in again. Unlike her, who would care about the perspectives of others, Shi Tian could give zero fuck to these people.

Maybe it was because he lacked the empathy and emotion aspect now, but he was grateful that it had happened to him. Otherwise, he would have long been killed in the wilderness, without a corpse left to rest in peace.

Sometime later, the two of them arrived at the exchange center and it was compacted with more people lining up by the reception desk.

There were multiple types of exchange currency available. Some of them offered services in which you give out Source Crystals in exchange for Eons, the currency used in this era.

And some of them were monster parts in exchange for Eons, and multiple other valuable types of things which would be inspected by an expert to determine their price value.

Of course, people could also use Eons to exchange for Source Crystals, monster parts, and other things, but it was quite clear for Shi Tian to know the exchange rate of this particular version is uncommon.

“Here’s the pamphlet on the exchange currencies,” Krissie said, handing a pamphlet that she had grabbed by the wall to him.

Shi Tian nodded his head and saw that each Source Crystal exchange is around 100 Eons, and each monster parts vary from 50 to 200 Eons, depending on how valuable the parts were.

Source Crystal is basically a fancy word for the monster core, meaning each slain monster would have the possibility of having a Source Crystal in their internal organ.

After reading through the pamphlet, Shi Tian now had an understanding of the currency used in this era.

It was completely different from the currency he had remembered. The paper money he recalled are worthless in this era since it was hard to even print them out, much less distribute the paper money when the world had gone to shit.

“Here’s the promised three Source Crystals,” Shi Tian subsequently said, giving her the Source Crystal.

“From here on, we would have nothing to do with each other. And even if we happen to bump into each other in the future, we don’t know each other. Is that clear?” He added.

Krissie nodded her head.

“I understand,” She said calmly.

“Although we haven’t known each other well for a long time, I should do you a favor since it’s just a karmic recycle in my opinion. This pistol is from Benmos and has three cartridges, so you can use that to defend yourself.” Shi Tian then said, giving her a means of self-defense, similar to how Yolanda had given him a pistol previously.

Krissie glanced at the pistol and three cartridges in silence before nodding her head.

“Thank you for your generosity,” She said softly, grabbing them and walking toward the receptionist desk that exchanged Eons for Source Crystals.

With this separation, Shi Tian could now become independent and not have to worry about being dragged down by a companion. Krissie was simply too timid of a woman, and he had no time to be playing a nanny for her.

“Since she’s exchanging Source Crystals first, then I should probably exchange some monster parts to avoid meeting her again.” Shi Tian muttered, taking the opposite route of her.

Sometime later, Shi Tian arrived at the monster parts exchanging receptionist, and to his dismay, he met a familiar figure.

It was a person with spiky yellow hair that loved to flex his muscles, Xavier.

‘What a coincidence.’ Shi Tian thought to himself.𝐛𝐞𝐝𝗻𝐨𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝐜𝐨𝗺