"I was overthinking it!"
"We're in another world right now, full of dark creatures everywhere, and opportunities for breakthroughs are all around."
"Instead of envying Onyx, it's better to work on improving our own strength in a down-to-earth manner."
This was Gronthar's realization, and also that of Earthshaker and Drakthul.
It had to be said, this kind of internal, healthy competition could sometimes lead to an epiphany.
...
The void passage was as calm as still water.
Lolth the Spider Queen seemed to have vanished on the other side, neither appearing nor making a sound.
But Orion knew Lolth was still there.
Lolth's aura was still present; guarding the void passage was her responsibility, and she couldn't possibly leave now.
Lolth remaining silent didn't bother Orion; he immersed half his mind in the Survivor's Platform and sent a message to Aerin.
"Miss Aerin, quickly bring out the good things you've accumulated during this time."
"If there's anything I like, there will definitely be benefits for you."
Orion hadn't contacted Aerin for a while, not because he didn't want to, but because some time ago, when Aerin was striving to advance to Alpha-level, Orion had nearly squeezed her dry of all good things.
To continue exploiting Aerin, he naturally had to give her some time to accumulate more.
Moreover, Aerin, having advanced to Alpha-level, would see her alchemy skills continuously improve as she gained access to more resources.
Good things would only become more and more numerous.
"Hulk, you're either really lucky, or you've been spying on me!"
"Why is it that every time I concoct something good, you appear?"
Seeing Aerin's reply, the corners of Orion's mouth turned up.
In fact, Orion always left an interval between contacting Aerin.
That is, he timed his contact for when Aerin was likely to have new results.
"Stop rambling and bring out the goods quickly!"
Aerin didn't initiate a trade; it seemed the long period of no contact had made her think she held the initiative.
Orion thought for a moment, then initiated a trade with Aerin, placing a ball of Alpha-level life essence in the trade slot.
And then, Orion cancelled the trade.
Sure enough, in less than three minutes, Aerin's message came through.
"What was that just now?"
"I sensed a rich life aura."
Orion didn't answer Aerin's question but continued.
"Bring them out. Let me see what you've concocted recently."
"You'd better not disappoint me, or you won't get what you want."
These words were spoken nonchalantly, but Aerin on the other end couldn't sit still.
Aerin didn't know if Orion was referring to the item he had just shown or the legendary Lord's Stone for advancing to Legendary level.
Whichever it was, Aerin didn't want to lose it.
So, Aerin initiated a trade with Orion, offering a large batch of high-tier Pet Pills and mid-tier Toughness Potions, and finally, the new products: those Mysterious Artifacts packed in countless small black bags.
"Mr. Hulk, let me tell you, this last item is a superweapon I concocted."
"It was made using Flash Flowers, Fluff Mushroom Powder, and several rare Putrescent Fungi."
Aerin seemed very excited; the message she sent was quite verbose.
"And there's the Magic Dust I bought from the platform at a high price; that's the key for detonation."
"Let me tell you, every single one of these items is quite expensive."
"For this batch of goods, I want thirty thousand C-rank Crystals... No, I want three of that item you just showed me; only then will I agree to the exchange."
Orion snorted coldly. He didn't reply immediately but instead studied the last items Aerin had offered in the trade.
What kind of thing would be a superweapon in Aerin's eyes?
Orion took out a small black bag and tossed it.
Transcendent power surged slightly, and the black bag burst with a pop, emitting a blinding flash of light.
The explosive force was too weak; it probably couldn't even injure some stronger hero-level beings.
But the intense light just released was rather intriguing.
"Flashbang?"
This was Orion's guess, and also his question to Aerin.
"Hahaha... Not bad, you're a real smarty-pants."
"But it's not a flashbang, it's Flash Powder."
"This thing I concocted, if used in a duel or on the battlefield, isn't it a superweapon?"
"This is a true strategic material, something that can make money..."
Orion could imagine Aerin at this moment, dreaming of becoming bigger and stronger, making money even while lying down.
"Stop dreaming!"
"This little gadget of yours, its power is hero-level at most; it has no effect on Alpha-levels at all."
"For a large faction, such an item is just small potatoes."
Disparaging Aerin and her concoctions was something Orion had to do before negotiating business with her.
This tactic worked every time on the naive Aerin.
"Impossible, Mr. Hulk! Let me tell you, I've already tested it with my clan members."
"They said this is definitely... good stuff... a strategic material."
Aerin didn't sound very confident with this last sentence.
It wasn't that the Flash Powder was bad, but when Aerin tested it on her clan members, as peace-loving Wood Elves, they detested combat and war.
And an item like Flash Powder, good for ambushing and confusing enemies, was something those Wood Elves found extremely repugnant.
After reading Aerin's message, Orion sneered inwardly.
Aerin was starting to wise up, beginning to seek external validation.
"This thing's power is average. I don't need it myself; it's not very useful."
"However, equipping my subordinates with it... that's something to consider."
Orion once again disparaged the Flash Powder, playing hard to get.
"I'm not too satisfied with what you've offered me in the trade; it's impossible for me to give you that rare material from before."
"Bring out what you've hidden. Don't tell me you don't have anything."
Sometimes, changing the subject was also a good way to bargain down the price.
Having known her for a long time, Orion had Aerin's personality figured out.
Aerin was the type of woman who was a bit stingy, thought herself clever, and liked to secretly keep something up her sleeve.
Actually, this wasn't a bad habit; rather, it was a means of protecting herself.
It was just that, in front of Orion, such tactics were as good as nonexistent.
Perhaps because they had known each other for a long time, Aerin wasn't very guarded against Orion.
Moreover, ever since Orion helped her advance to Alpha-level last time, Aerin clearly understood that Hulk was the one who could truly help her.
"Hulk, you're just a slaver!"
Despite her words, Aerin still traded over the things she had hidden.
"Is this a flock of small birds, or perhaps a brood of small chicks?"
Looking at what Aerin had traded, Orion was somewhat bewildered because he didn't understand the purpose of these items.