The connection between a Lexmancer and a Lexecon isn't like a boss and an employee, or someone owning something—it's more like borrowing.
Basically, the more you use it, the more it asks for something in return. A price. Even if you don't use it, it still wants pay the price, just not as often as when you're actively using it.
The stronger the Lexecon, the tougher and more painful the price becomes. Things like feelings, love, your eyes, or even your face.
Since Elric had never given anything to it, but had used it five times back-to-back, the cockroach Lexecon demanded too much, almost making him disappear into nothing.
Because it was only a Rank 2, it just asked for the semen of a loud-voiced creature. Luckily, Mr. chowicz had just bought some pink sand hellfish to eat, which allowed him to save Elric just in time.
Thinking about having to pay the price made Elric not want to use Lexecons carelessly. But more importantly, he was broke. Completely out of money. The cash he'd borrowed from Sila was slowly running out.
Was he supposed to keep buying those annoying pink sand hellfish? This was crazy. Who would've thought being a Lexmancer would cost so much? Why couldn't he be like those main characters in books who are super strong without ever worrying about money? Why did he have to stress about money more than this…
He looked at the back of his right hand.
In about a week and a few days, he'd be forced to take part again.
Honestly, he was less worried about that than he was about money.
…Or maybe he should just sell himself to some rich person?
Elric pictured himself naked, faking affection, acting sweet with another man… just the thought made him want to throw up.
He spent 1 cerulean Stone to buy 4 pink sand hellfish—that's 2.5 sel per fish.
He tried to haggle with the seller at the market, using his good talking skills, but who knew that supply and demand still existed even in this weird demon realm? Just two days ago they were 2 sel each. The price had gone up because the cold weather made them go into hibernation.
Pink sand hellfish were creatures that swam through sand. Yes, sand, not water. People usually didn't dig for them, but waited for them to jump out to breathe, or during mating season, since they did that on the surface.
When they were resting, they stayed buried under the sand and didn't need any air. But when they were awake, they had to breathe. What kind of crazy fish was that?
Then again, this was the demon realm. Nothing here was normal.
Technically, he didn't really need pink sand hellfish. His Lexecon only needed a creature that made a loud noise. But this place had a lot of fish, making them the cheapest option available.
He had found out that when a Lexecon needed something, it would 'whisper' to him. That meant it was time to pay up.
To save money, Elric talked to Mr. chowicz. He wanted to go hunt these strange fish himself. Mr. chowicz agreed, since Elric hadn't left the city at all since he got there.
So he sent his most trusted student, Sila.
"What's wrong? Why are you just standing there? Go buy supplies—we're leaving."
Elric watched Sila, who was casually shopping while sipping coffee with twenty spoons of sugar in it. Elric wasn't usually nosy, but honestly, anyone would think that was odd.
Sila taught him what he needed to get ready before heading out. Of course, it depended on where they were going. This city was on the southern continent, sitting on top of a pink desert that always gave off poisonous fumes. Going outside meant needing protective gear.
They started with a radiation suit, like the ones scientists wore in the human world. Then came a strange device that looked like a compass or a drawing tool, followed by a trip to a charm shop to buy an old-looking hat.
"This hat stops people from listening in. And this weird half-circle thing finds enemies nearby."
Elric nodded, trying to remember everything.
Sila bought a fishing rod, a big stone shovel, and a small fishing net. Then came food, water… and of course, coffee powder.
"Aren't we getting a map or a compass? What if we get lost?"
Sila shook his head. "Even with those, you'll still get lost. You have two choices—die, or use a Lexecon."
Elric nodded, understanding. No wonder Sila hadn't bothered with those things. But Lexecons… interesting. They could be bought and sold too? He made a mental note to check the market later, if he ever had money.
Since Lexecons were expensive, they decided to rent one, called the Path of Routes, for 2 cerulean Stones a day. It was kept inside a small birdcage, glowing a soft pink. Looking closely, it was just a parrot.
Sila also carried ten to twenty cerulean Stones with him. Elric didn't ask about it—he already knew they weren't just money, but could also be used in a fight. Carrying them was a way to protect himself.
As for Elric? He was barely able to afford food—there was no way he could save anything for fighting.
Once they finished getting supplies, they went back to Mr. chowicz. He let out his black mist again, but this time it was small, barely covering a meter. He slowly put the items inside, leaving out only the hat, and the half-circle detector.
Elric was given the fishing rod to carry.
"Alright. Time to go hunt pink sand hellfish."
Mr. chowicz led the way. It was around 1 PM, the sun was scorching hot—but it was also the perfect time for the fish to come to the surface, making it ideal for hunting.
At the edge of the city, many guards were watching—members of the Guardian Guild. They wore fancy armor, like knights from old times.
Mr. chowicz looked confused and surprised. Sila noticed and asked him about it, which made him speak.
"Why are there so many? I've lived here for over ten years—never seen this many guarding the walls."
Looking around, nearly a hundred people were stationed there. Suspicious, yes, but also comforting in terms of safety.
The three showed their cards for inspection. It didn't take long. They each paid a fee of 1 Drops. Soon after, a man came up to them.
He raised his left hand. Someone next to him gently tapped his head—then the man used his Lexecon, teleporting the three of them a short distance outside the city.
"If you want to come back, just dig through the sand. Got a shovel?"
Sila nodded, though he didn't show it much. The guard then teleported back.
During the whole thing, Elric tried to hold back his laughter, not wanting to be rude.
"He got hit on the head… don't tell me that's how his teleportation Lexecon works? Hahaha—"
Shila and Mr. chowicz looked at each other. They had seen this before, but hearing Elric laugh, they couldn't help but laugh along too.
Even in a place full of sadness, there was still humor. This laughter said it all. There was only one thing that could change it…
What was it again…
Oh, right.
Familiarity.