SS Awakening: My Monster Merging System!

"Sir, would you like to exchange these for cash?"

"Only part of them," Zich replied.

He did not take out too much.

The employee quickly completed the appraisal and valuation.

When Zich saw the final amount, his expression threatened to crack, but he expertly masked it. He simply confirmed the transfer.

The employee became even more respectful.

"If you have a stable supply of Soulstones in the future, you can register with us as a long term seller."

"Maybe later."

Zich took the receipt and left.

After that, he visited a high end electronics store in the inner district.

Once the salesperson saw his player identification card, their attitude became extremely enthusiastic. They even tried to recommend a bunch of flashy but useless accessories.

Zich bought a high durability phone, player identity synchronization, secure forum login, a shock resistant case, a charger, and an encrypted data chip.

As for decorative accessories, he bought none. He liked his phone looking plain and boring.

"Sir, this limited edition phone case is very popular among young players," the salesperson said.

"Can it stop a knife?"

The salesperson froze.

"No."

"Then I don’t want it."

After purchasing the phone, Zich completed identity synchronization inside the store.

The player forum interface quickly opened.

This was the first time he had accessed the forum directly from his own device instead of using an Association terminal.

The moment he logged in, almost every trending post was related to the Golden Secret Realm.

[Blue Secret Realm Evolves into Gold. All Survivors Return]

[Golden Secret Realm Boss Defeated?]

[Who Exactly Is the Summoner Called Zich Grave?]

Zich stared at the last title.

After two seconds of silence, he clicked it anyway.

The thread was complete chaos. Some people claimed he was the descendant of a hidden noble family. Others said he was Arnold’s secret disciple.

Some insisted he had already joined a major guild or clan and was simply hiding his identity.

There were even people linking him to the mysterious mastermind known as the Master Shroud.

Zich’s expression gradually darkened.

"These people have way too much free time."

Suddenly, right at that moment, his new phone buzzed.

[Official Notice: All survivors of the Golden Secret Realm must attend an individual debriefing tomorrow.]

[Association President Arthur Magnus will personally be present.]

Zich stared at the message for a few seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.

"Tomorrow is going to be annoying."

For the rest of the night, he spent his time learning more about Ascension Mountain from the comfort of his home.

When Zich returned to Ascension Mountain the next day, the first thing he did was not report the location.

He went back to the mansion first.

After sorting through everything the previous night, he decided to make preparations before he went for the briefing.

The Association might inspect the loot. They might require everything to be registered.

They might even use some excuse like "public mission rewards" to take a share of it.

Zich hated that sort of thing.

So he only prepared a very ordinary small pouch. Inside were a few Soulstones, several pieces of moderately valuable monster cores, and some minor materials that looked like products from the Golden Secret Realm.

He would not feel bad if those were taken away. Plus, they were enough to prove he had not returned empty handed.

Zich looked at the real rewards remaining on the table and nodded in satisfaction.

Only after taking one last look did he hang the small pouch at his side and leave the mansion.

Slimmy bounced once from the edge of the table, as if seeing him off.

Zich glanced at it.

"You stay here and guard the house."

Slimmy instantly froze.

It clearly wanted to follow him.

Ignoring its pitiful gaze, Zich walked straight out the door.

The mansion gates opened automatically.

The roads in the Privileged District were quiet, but Zich quickly noticed that the atmosphere today was different.

Quite a few players were looking at him.

Some pretended to be passing by. Others did not even bother hiding their stares. Zich could even hear a few hushed discussions.

"Is that him?"

"The Summoner who came out of the Golden Secret Realm?"

"I heard he helped kill the Boss."

"The gravekeeper’s son?"

Zich’s expression remained calm, but he was already getting annoyed, as he had not expected to be placed in the limelight.

So far, he had been attracting too much attention, and he did not like it.

By the time he arrived at the administrative building for the shelter, there were noticeably more guards than usual. Several Association members stood at the entrance. Their presence was far stronger than that of ordinary guards, and a number of high ranking personnel could be seen moving through the hallways.

"Looks like this isn’t just a routine report," Zich commented.

At that moment, a familiar voice came from the side.

"You only realized that now?"

Turning his head, he saw Helen walking over.

She looked much better than the previous night. Her injuries had probably been treated, and she had changed into a clean combat uniform, though traces of fatigue still lingered on her face.

"You’re here early," Zich said.

"My father is coming," Helen replied directly.

Zich glanced at her.

"Your father?"

Helen raised an eyebrow slightly.

"You didn’t know?"

"Should I?"

She stared at him for a few seconds before suddenly laughing.

"So you really don’t know."

"Stop being mysterious."

"Arthur Magnus," Helen said. "The current President of the Human Players Association and one of the acknowledged top five human powerhouses."

Zich stopped walking.

This time, he genuinely stopped.

He knew Helen’s status was not low. Her global ranking, residence in the Privileged District, exceptional strength, and even Jaden’s attitude toward her all made that obvious.

But the Association President’s daughter?

And the daughter of one of humanity’s top five experts?

That was no longer merely "important."

It was very important!

Zich was silent for two seconds before looking at Helen with greedy eyes as a mischievous thought began to take shape in his heart.

’I wonder how expensive a favor from someone like her would be.’