Daniel walked toward the Exchange Post. It was a large, metal building standing near the center of the platform.
On a normal day, this place would be full of noise. Aspirants would be shouting, trading supplies, and arguing over prices. However, today was different. The area was as silent as a graveyard.
He walked up to the main terminal. The screen flickered to life as it scanned his Databand.
[Identity Confirmed: Daniel Rivers.]
[Access Granted.]
Daniel looked at the screen. He saw his balance: 1,000 Vanguard Coins.
It was the reward for ranking sixth in the first phase. "A thousand coins," Daniel said to himself.
He shook his head. "It is not enough."
He knew that high-grade equipment cost thousands of coins. If he wanted to survive the Astral Verge, he needed more. But he had to work with what he had.
