Sebastian shook the outstretched hand. "Do you have a list?" He queried.
"Yes. By the way, if we're in this together, I could borrow something else, too."
"Oh?"
"Hehe." Il Ji scratched the back of his head. "I've never been the kind of guy to ask for this, but situations spill out differently sometimes."
"This," he said as he opened his Soul Space, "Is my ultra rare [Legend] Beast Tool, Jackpot. He's a treasure chest- a mimic."
"How'd you end up with him?" Sebastian asked, amazed.
"Honestly? I spilled blood on him as a baby- my parents used him as a crib."
"Impressive."
"He comes with several skills, including but not limited to a Treasure Space. The more Treasure in it, the faster he cultivates. If he borrows enough 'Treasure,' he can cultivate in the space of a single day, and all of his treasure can be spent. Would you mind if I left him here?"
"The stronger you are, the stronger my team. Of course you can. I'll draft the team contract tonight. You can come back tomorrow to sign it and, theoretically, I'll have most or all of the beasts on this list."
"Wait." Il Ji thought a moment. "How about I come back in three days? I have something I'm managing right now, and the timeline feels better."
"Works for me." Sebastian replied. "Ring the doorbell on the front gate three days from now and I'll have Alfredo set you up. I'll be busy then with my company, but don't hesitate to have Alfredo call me."
"Ehem! Right! Alfredo!"
The wizened butler stepped out from behind the door. "Please give Il Ji here his renumeration, and have the driver take him to his next destination."
"Yes, sir!" Turning to Il Ji, he added, "If you'll follow me."
Il Ji turned to face Jackpot. "I'll be leaving you here for a few days. Everyone here is a friend. No fighting."
Jackpot clicked his lid twice. He liked fighting.
"If you behave yourself, they'll let you borrow some treasure."
He immediately clapped his lid five times, five times in a row.
"Alright, alright, keep your voice down. I'll take you to the colosseum right after."
The clacking of the lids immediately stopped. "This is Alfredo. He will send some other people to take care of you."
"Clack!"
"You can cultivate up until the peak of Copper level."
"CLACK!"
"When I get back, you'll have to return all of the treasure that Alfredo gives you."
Clack.
With a pat on the top of the lid, Il Ji said goodbye.
"See you soon, Sebastian. Alfredo?"
"This way, Young Master Ji."
Alfredo took Il Ji to a waiting car. Then, pulling a box from the trunk, he held it in front of Il Ji. "This is the agreed upon renumeration for your services from Mr. Shaw. Should you arrive back in three days, I shall have the paperwork ready for your arrival."
"Thank you, sir." Il Ji responded.
With a smile and a short wave, he hopped into the black, very expensive vehicle.
"Which way?" The driver asked.
Il Ji looked at his watch. It was 9PM. He had already let Laila know of his whereabouts. "Lucky Beast Supply Shop, Midas Shopping Strip."
"The Estimated Time of Arrival is 28 minutes. Is there a place you'd like me to stop by on the way?"
"No, thank you."
"My pleasure."
The car rolled out of the large circle drive. As he left the mansion, Il Ji had a single thought. 'I need to get myself one of these…'
Soon after, he arrived back home.
Laila had left her homework out for him to see. Scrolling through it, he checked her work. Once again, it was all in order.
Sighing to himself, he looked at the fridge. Everything was still there except the chicken pasta he had set aside for her.
'Good, she ate it.'
Going upstairs, he checked on her. She was already sleeping.
Having made sure everything was in order, he began to brush his teeth and get ready for the next day.
He had a plan: Tomorrow, he was to begin work on gaining all the ant's skills.
Tonight, he was going to sleep.