novelraw Chapter 179
Chapter 179
Seeing the system’s completely different description for the item this time, Leon’s expression grew complicated. Something the system dismissed as not even worth a dog’s attention was, in the eyes of the Traveling Merchant, apparently a fine treasure.
He took out the 120 pieces of Void Essence stored in the tiny chest and placed them into his own System Backpack before handing the chest back to the Traveling Merchant.
“A gentleman doesn’t rob others of what they like. You can keep the chest. As you can see, I already have my own magic storage space.”
The Traveling Merchant paused in surprise.
“Are you sure you don’t want it? A chest like this could sell for at least 500G on the market. You could take it and resell it for a profit.”
Seeing the system’s completely different description for the item this time, Leon’s expression grew complicated. Something the system dismissed as not even worth a dog’s attention was, in the eyes of the Traveling Merchant, apparently a fine treasure.
He took out the 120 pieces of Void Essence stored in the tiny chest and placed them into his own System Backpack before handing the chest back to the Traveling Merchant.
“A gentleman doesn’t rob others of what they like. You can keep the chest. As you can see, I already have my own magic storage space.”
The Traveling Merchant paused in surprise.
“Are you sure you don’t want it? A chest like this could sell for at least 500G on the market. You could take it and resell it for a profit.”Seeing the system’s completely different description for the item this time, Leon’s expression grew complicated. Something the system dismissed as not even worth a dog’s attention was, in the eyes of the Traveling Merchant, apparently a fine treasure.
He took out the 120 pieces of Void Essence stored in the tiny chest and placed them into his own System Backpack before handing the chest back to the Traveling Merchant.
“A gentleman doesn’t rob others of what they like. You can keep the chest. As you can see, I already have my own magic storage space.”
The Traveling Merchant paused in surprise.
“Are you sure you don’t want it? A chest like this could sell for at least 500G on the market. You could take it and resell it for a profit.”
“I can’t take advantage of a friend, can I? Business is business, friendship is friendship.”
Leon shook his head. He could craft a 32-slot chest anytime he wanted—it only cost 50 pieces of wood, just a few trees chopped down.
Still, the idea that such a small two-slot chest could fetch 500G intrigued him. He asked the Traveling Merchant how much an 18-times-larger chest might sell for if he brought one out.
But the system immediately chimed in, snuffing out the words on his lips.
“Chests crafted by this system can only be used by the Host. If someone else owns it, it will just be an ordinary wooden chest.”
…
Leon’s face darkened. He felt as if he had just missed out on a fortune.
Still, if the system said so, there was no point brooding. Even if he couldn’t sell them, this was good news for him—it meant that no one else could see the massive stores of resources he kept in his room’s chests. Not even if they opened and rummaged through them. Maximum security.
Comforting himself with that thought, Leon smiled at the Traveling Merchant.
“Well, it’s been a pleasure doing business. I should be on my way.”
“Yes, a pleasure indeed. But I think I still want you to have this chest. You may not care for it, but I feel it makes the perfect gift. From now on, you’re not just my customer—you’re my friend. You said you don’t take advantage of friends, but this is a gift from a friend. Won’t you accept it?”
The Traveling Merchant pushed the chest toward him again, explaining earnestly.
“In that case, since we’re friends now, I can’t call you ‘boss’ anymore. Let’s start fresh. I’m Leon, a farmer from Stardew Valley.”
Making friends was something Leon always enjoyed—more friends meant more paths in life. Since the Traveling Merchant had said so, he was more than happy to follow along.
“Egger, Traveling Merchant from the Gotro Empire.” Egger introduced himself just as seriously.
“Alright, thank you for the gift. Until next time, Egger.” Leon shook hands with him, accepted the tiny chest, and waved goodbye.
Egger kept waving even after Leon’s back had disappeared from view. Even knowing Leon couldn’t see him, he maintained the gesture—clearly, he was genuinely happy to have made a new friend.
After parting ways, Leon prepared to stash the chest in his System Backpack. He honestly had no idea what to do with it.
After all, a two-slot storage space was far too small. His 36-slot chests were his go-to storage solution—cheap to make and unlimited as long as he had the materials. By comparison, this tiny chest felt rather useless.
Still, since he had it, he wasn’t about to throw it away. Maybe he could give it to someone as a gift later. Selling it was out of the question—not only because of the price, but also because it was a gift from Egger. Regifting might be understandable, but selling it would feel wrong.
As for stuffing the tiny chest full and then putting it inside his backpack for infinite nesting space—Leon had already tried that with his larger chests. Storage containers with items inside simply wouldn’t go into the System Backpack. Empty ones could, but not filled.
That was why he had first removed the Void Essence from this chest before storing it in his backpack—because otherwise, it just wouldn’t fit.
He made his way to the Sewer Drain entrance. Even though he had the key now, Leon still preferred this route—it was the closest entrance. The other one was in Pelican Town, which was much farther.
“Leon, it’s great to see you.”
As he walked the familiar path to the statue in the sewer, he saw Krobus waving.
“Same here, Krobus. Do you still have that Starfruit? I’ve got the money.” Leon nodded and pulled out the 20,000G he’d just earned, shaking it slightly as he asked.
“Of course.” Krobus nodded and reached into the void behind him, pulling out a small chest. He opened it to reveal a five-pointed, purple fruit with a hole in its center. Two green leaves grew evenly on either side of its top, and the whole fruit emitted a faint purple glow.
It didn’t look like anything serious, yet it was the most mysterious and powerful fruit in the world.
Leon handed over the money and received the Starfruit in return. Just looking at it made him swallow hard.
“Starfruit: A mysterious and unfathomable fruit that grants strength to those who eat it. It also has a dreamlike taste that evokes the eater’s happiest memories. Its true experience cannot be put into words—only felt.”
The system’s note appeared as usual, but this time it was long and detailed.
“Starfruit…” Leon murmured, holding it carefully, hesitant to take a bite.
It was his first time seeing such a miraculous fruit in real life. Even though the system didn’t list any dangers, the idea of just chomping into it felt wrong.
A treasure like this deserved to be eaten in a beautiful place, with clear skies and birdsong—not in a sewer. That would feel like an insult to the Starfruit.
“Now it’s yours, Leon,” Krobus said. “But before you eat it, I think you should ask the Guardian. Not everyone can bear the Starfruit’s immense power. It won’t harm you, but if you’re not compatible with it, you’ll only waste its gift—enjoying a delicious taste, but nothing more.”
Krobus’s reminder pulled Leon’s gaze away from the fruit.
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