"Pay? For what?" Max asked, his elation over achieving level one physique vanishing.
[Hehe, kid. If you think if you act like you don't know, I won't charge you, then you are utterly wrong.] System chuckled.
"Alright. Tell me, how much is it?" Max asked in defeat.
When the system helped him block the demon energy in the pool as he cultivated or when it created illusion to help him or when it gave him the [Barbarian god physique], he already knew he would have to pay for them even if the system hadn't mentioned it then.
[Let's see. For helping you block the demon energy for over 8 days, I should charge you at least 1 million LPs. For creating that illusion to save your ass, I should charge you another 500,000, if not more. Last, the [Barbarian god physique] manual is priceless, even if it's only half completed. So, it's not possible to give it a proper price. However, If I were to give it a rough estimate, it should not be less than 1 billion LPs.] System said in a pondering manner.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
If Max had found the first two prices very high, [Barbarian god physique] technique's price almost caused his heart to beat violently. However, it wasn't only because of the outrageous price.
"O-One billion?" He said incredulously.
[Why? Do you think I'm upping the price?] The system asked in an amused voice.
"That's right." Max nodded.
[Hehe, little boy. Although I accept that I normally set a slightly high price for my products and services, in case of this technique, I'm not doing the same. Believe me when I tell you that this price is already nearing the lower limit. If this technique was whole, even 10 billion LPs wouldn't have been enough to acquire it.] The system said in its rare serious tone.
"Oh?" Max exclaimed, a gleam appearing in his eyes as he asked, "So you mean is, this technique is amazing enough to have this value?"
[Of course. Let me tell you an example of how amazing it is.]
The system paused for a moment before saying, [From what I know, it has nine levels and when one reaches the peak of level nine, even the strongest supreme mages, or perhaps even higher existences than them, won't be able to kill you. So tell me, is it amazing enough?] It asked in a smug voice.
"Yeah, that's amazing." Max nodded, the corner of his lips curving into a smile. He could barely suppress his urge to laugh out loud.
He then asked, "So, tell me. How much are you going to charge me?"
[How about I charge the prices I just told you?] System asked in a joking voice.
"You can do that if you want." Max shrugged indifferently.
[Oh, you don't want to haggle this time?] System asked with interest.
"Of course, I will." Max nodded.
[Then tell me, how much are you willing to pay me?] System asked.
Max thought for a moment and raised a finger. "I'll give you one million for your help in blocking the demon energy and creating illusion. As for the technique, I won't pay you anything for it."
[Huh? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME, BOY?] As expected, the system howled in rage upon hearing his words. [How dare you deny paying for the technique? It's one of my most prized possession.]
Max furrowed his brows and sternly said, "So, do you want me to pay one billion LPs? To do that, I would have to spend my whole life and probably even then I won't be able to pay them in full. Do you really think I'm dumb enough to do that? Fuck, if you can't agree with my conditions, we can stop our cooperation right now. You are welcome to take away your system if you can."
The system went silent and didn't speak for a long while. Max also didn't say anything. He continued to sit there looking at his beautiful demon slave Amara, cultivating in the pool.
After more than half an hour, system's voice sounded in his ears, [You've grown up, kid. Alright, you don't have to pay me anything for the [Barbarian god physique] technique and as for the one million you suggested for my help earlier, I also don't want that.]
"Huh? Are you sure you are not joking?" Max revealed a shocked expression. He never thought the system would agree so easily.
[Heh, I'm serious as I can be. Of course, since you are not willing to pay with LPs, you will need to pay with something else.] The system scoffed.
The corners of Max's lips twitched when he heard this and the feeling of jubilation he was feeling over the system agreeing to his request vanished.
"What do you want? Remember, it should be something I can do." He coldly uttered.
[Hehe, of course.] The system let out an eerie chuckle as if its scheme had succeeded, and Max felt shivers run down his spine.
"What with this creepy laughter? What do you have in mind?" He asked guardedly.
[Don't worry. It's something you can do. However, you can't do it anytime soon. I'll ask you when you have become strong enough.] The system said before suddenly adding, [Oh, by the way, I've taken all the LPs you had to nourish the golden-winged python's egg.]
"Huh?" Max furrowed his brows before hurriedly opening his status screen and, indeed, he didn't have any LP left.
[Lust Points: 0]
Phew!
He exhaled and inhaled for a few times to calm down his agitation. He knew there was no use in arguing the system. So, he changed the topic and asked, "How much more time will it take for it to hatch?"
[By the time you break through to the three-star. Now take that little doll and get out of here. Her father will come down any second to check the pool.] The system said.
Right then, Amara opened her eyes, stood up and walked out of the pool, saying, "Let's go. I'm done here."
Max nodded and followed after her. Just as they reached the stairs, they saw Orlan and the elder from before flying down. Orlan glanced at the duo before heading toward the pool.
…
A while later, Amara and Max arrived at her residence.
"I'm going to break through to the three-star realm. Make sure no one disturbs me before I'm done. Also, I want you by my side when I'm done. Until then, you are free to do anything you want," Max said before walking to his 'room'.
"Yes, master." Amara nodded in acknowledgement.
After sitting on his bed in his room, Max asked the system the question he was raring to ask. "So, strengthening my physique can help me reconstruct my core faster?"
[Of course. Just go for it. Right, you have to try to make your mana core as big as you can. It doesn't matter if it results in making the core walls paper thin since you can always strengthen it afterwards.]
"Okay."
[Good, now get started.]
Max heaved a big breath, closed his eyes and started meditating to calm his mind in preparation.
