Florent didn't waste time...
Seeing Quevedo's unusually serious expression, he didn't ask further questions. Instead, he solemnly accepted the scroll that was originally meant to be returned and said with equal gravity, "I understand..."
However, Quevedo immediately reverted to his usual playful demeanor, "Hey, why so serious? This is just me keeping my promise, alright? Come on, let's go check out the market. Honestly, it's been ages since I last browsed a Mystical bazaar..."
Florent didn't press the matter. After all, the main purpose of today's outing was to visit the bazaar and attend the Beyonder gathering...
It's just that unexpected events had derailed their plans, leaving no time to properly explore the market. As for the gathering, Quevedo would naturally lead them there later.
Quevedo was a man of action. Without waiting for Florent's response, he began humming a cheerful tune with a Trier accent, his mood visibly lightened.
The bazaar was nothing like the bustling markets Florent had seen before, nor did it resemble any conventional store. Customers dressed in all manner of attire wandered among stalls manned by merchants of equally diverse backgrounds...
Some visitors and vendors were extremely cautious, dressed in ordinary suits with hooded cloaks draped over them. Despite the bright candlelight that illuminated the underground space like daylight, they seemed to prefer lurking in the shadows, revealing only their mouths and patches of skin.
Others were far bolder... clad in obviously luxurious attire, adorned with glittering jewelry, and their faces displaying keen interest as they scrutinized the mystical wares stall by stall. Some vendors wore plain, weathered clothes, but their stalls displayed items vastly different from the usual talismans, blood-stained animal organs, materials, and even plants.
Intrigued by the market's offerings, Florent wondered how many of these items were genuinely Mystical...
He tapped his glabella twice and surveyed over a dozen stalls, only to find one or two with items emitting a Mystical glow. He quickly realized that many vendors here were likely peddling hastily crafted trinkets to swindle wealthy patrons fascinated by the Mystical world...
Quevedo noticed Florent pausing to observe the stalls and immediately caught on. With interest, he watched Florent's eyes until Florent noticed his gaze.
Then, leaning in close, he whispered, "Hey, Florent, was that 'Spirit Vision' just now? Can you see anything beyond the Mystical glow? My Spirit Vision only detects the glow, and maybe some blurry additional colors... but they're all jumbled together, and are hard to distinguish..."
Florent was momentarily taken aback by Quevedo's question about Spirit Vision...
Knowing Quevedo wasn't a novice in the Extraordinary world, he didn't overthink it and replied, "Well, my Spirit Vision is probably even weaker than yours. After all, you don't have a specialized Beyonder ability like my 'Door Opening', while I do..."
Following Florent's train of thought, Quevedo asked with interest, "Florent, do you think there's a hierarchy among Sequence 9 Beyonders? Or do you think the spiritual attributes granted by Sequence 9 potions are roughly equal in overall strength?"
Realizing Quevedo had grasped his implication, Florent continued, "Though I haven't met other Sequence 9 Beyonders, just from what you've described about your Spirit Vision, I'd say the total 'value' of abilities granted by Sequence 9 potions is roughly equal. My Spirit Vision only detects Mystical glows, I can't see the colors you mentioned, not even vaguely. To me, Beyonders appear as one blended hue, while ordinary people appear as another. I can't describe it precisely, but I know the difference."
Quevedo nodded in understanding and didn't press further...
Florent deactivated his Spirit Vision, though he still felt a slight drain on his Spirituality... It wasn't significant, but he knew that keeping Spirit Vision active recklessly would deplete his Spirituality quickly...
The thought made him sigh inwardly... 'High-Spirituality Beyonders really have it good...'
They might lack brute strength or flashy abilities, but survivability is the greatest advantage in the early stages. Powerful Spirit Vision is a boon for fledgling Beyonders trying to stay alive...
Extroverts often prove to be sharp and capable, and Quevedo embodied this perfectly. Over the next while, he led Florent from stall to stall, questioning each vendor...
Some of the more reliable merchants seemed familiar with Quevedo, and though he didn't splurge on extraordinary materials, he cheerfully promised "next time" with a laugh before moving on to the next stall...
Florent initially considered checking the time but soon became engrossed in the bizarre items and dubious mystical wares on display. He decided not to obsess over the clock, not wanting to ruin his rare shopping and browsing mood.
As they wandered, Quevedo suddenly straightened after a brief chat with a vendor and turned to Florent with a smile, "Alright Florent, it's time to go."
Florent hadn't seen Quevedo check his pocket watch and was intrigued by his timekeeping. Pulling out his own watch, he saw it was precisely 3:50...
Curious, he asked, "Quevedo, I didn't see you check the time. Can your abilities let you judge it accurately?"
Quevedo raised his right index finger and wagged it playfully, shaking his head as he chanted, "No, no, no, no."
After thoroughly teasing Florent, he grinned mischievously and gestured for him to come closer. When Florent leaned in, Quevedo rolled up his right sleeve, revealing a peculiar wristwatch...
The watch was hefty, its exterior adorned with gears and instruments that exuded a cyberpunk, steampunk aesthetic...
Though Florent wasn't particularly drawn to such designs, even he could appreciate the raw appeal of this mechanical beast... Same as a snarling motorcycle, it was irresistibly cool to someone his age...
Florent looked at Quevedo thoughtfully, "You made this?"
Quevedo chuckled, "Yep, all my handiwork. I know it looks a bit rough at first glance, but wear it for a few days, and you'll fall in love with this unique little gadget..."