The unconscious intruder was kept in handcuffs and was escorted to the alliance station while Dion followed along with them in a vehicle.
As they got off, the intruder woke up. He saw he was in handcuffs and shouted
'Where are you taking me to! Let me go, do you know who I am!'
The man who arrested him said, 'It would be best if you stop speaking, you're being taken to the station.'
The intruder's eyes widened, and he closed his mouth gently. There was a look of horror on his face.
The men led Dion into the station as they took the intruder along.
'Just stay here, fill in the form, then you can leave.' One of the men said to Dion.
He was directed to a sheet of paper on a counter, where another officer sat.
'Hand it over to me when you finish.' The officer said as he handed the paper and a pen to Dion.
Dion began to write, making sure to exaggerate to the best of his ability. As soon as he finished, he handed the form over to the officer and then left the building.
'Is it even possible to get a vehicle now? It's too late. I might have to walk. At least I remember the way back,' as he said that, he began walking back to the inn.
After about 10 to 15 minutes, Dion had arrived at the inn. There, he saw the receptionist speaking with another woman who wore an elegant dress and looked like the stereotypical rich woman.
'Sir, you're back! This is our manager, she would like to speak with you for a bit.' The receptionist spoke while gesturing at the woman standing beside her.
The receptionist made a little bow at the lady before heading through the door right behind her usual post.
'She was probably about to sleep.' Dion thought.
'I've heard about what happened, and as the manager of the inn, I would like to sincerely apologize for it.'
Before she could say anymore Dion spoke, 'Yes, I assumed this place would be safe enough to rest in, I might have to tell the guild not to recommend this place anymore, I almost died after all!'
The manager smiled slightly, 'Don't worry about that, sir, we've prepared compensation for you, there will be no need.'
'Hopefully it's enough for risking my life.' Dion replied.
What seemed like an ordinary conversation was actually a battle of who could gain more benefits or make fewer losses.
They both sat at a table when the manager brought out a pouch the size of two fists, full of coins.
She handed it over to Dion.
Dion stared at it, took it, then said, 'This is barely enough for a coffin, is this it?'
The woman's face twitched.
'No.'
She placed her hand in her bag and brought a clenched fist out.
They awkwardly stared at each other
'…'
'…'
'What's that…, give it to me.' Dion spoke.
The manager sighed and unclenched her fist.
In her fist was a small napkin. The napkin was used to wrap something… spherical.
Although Dion was shocked, he still put on a face of nonchalance.
…a core! A grade 9 core!
She unwillingly placed the core on the table. This core was deep blue and had a misty pink in it that was hard to notice at a glance.
Though it wasn't as impressive as the grade 8 core, it meant a lot to Him!
After collecting the core, Dion said
'This will be enough, I'm very tired, I'll be headed to bed now.'
He went to the receptionist and collected the keys to a new room, all while the manager sat at the table, staring blankly at nothing. She looked like she was trembling a little.
Dion spared her only a glance before going to his room.
'I would've been fired if I were unable to settle him, I can't believe I had to use that core, it was too hard to get!' The manager said to herself, while shaking, she sounded sad and angry at the same time.
Meanwhile, the room Dion was to use looked exactly like his old one. Although he knew he was supposed to get some rest, He couldn't stop thinking about the grade 9 core.
'It isn't red like the other one, I need to refine it!'
He sat on the floor and crossed his legs, then he pulled out the core and stared at it intently.
This time, there was no feeling taking over his mind– it felt natural.
He pushed out his soul aura again, repeating the process from last time.
But this time, it was less straining and time-consuming, after all, it was only grade 9.
After the core glowed slightly, it shattered.