Chapter 21: Mom is so poor

The exchange, also known as the auction house, is a hub where adventurers, freelancers, and even the military trade goods.

Across the continent, there are countless exchange auction houses, and the Golden Skull Auction Exchange is one of the most famous, with branches even in a backwater like Black Obsidian City. It’s not far from my place, so I headed straight there.

The Golden Skull Auction stands out like a sore thumb—no surprise. Among plain buildings, its gaudy, gold-glittering facade grabs attention instantly. That’s its signature: ostentatious decor, bold trading style, and absolute integrity. I chose it because I’m a client… or was.

…Well, that’s irrelevant now. I remember my past life’s credentials, but this body and lack of proof make them useless.

I had some stuff stored at Golden Skull… if only I could retrieve it.

But that’s impossible for now—identity verification is a hurdle I can’t clear anytime soon.

I touched my nose, eyed the dazzling storefront, hesitated, then pushed open the door.

“Welcome, miss. What services do you need?”

“Uh… I want to see magic crystals. Where’s the crystal section?”

“Section Three, straight ahead, turn right.”

“Thanks.”

Despite my plain appearance, the staff greeted me promptly and politely, unbothered by my look.

I asked for the crystal section to check prices and hurried to Section Three.

It was morning, so the exchange was quiet, with only a few people in the crystal section.

The area was spacious, about seven or eight hundred square meters.

I quickly spotted the trading counter with a staff member, behind which was a display wall filled with magic crystals of varying quality, some high-tier ones radiating strong energy.

My backpack twitched—I jumped, quickly patting the two egg babies inside.

They’d sensed the crystals’ energy. Starved since birth, they were eager to absorb some.

But those crystals aren’t mine, so no way I’m letting them feast.

After a pat, the eggs settled, waiting obediently.

“Sigh… let me check prices first…”

I sighed, looking at the price board beside the counter. Golden Skull lists buy and sell prices clearly for efficiency.

“Hm… low-tier crystals… slime and goblin… five coppers to one silver? Meh, useless…”

I glanced at the low-tier beast crystals—cheap, but only good for junk experiments, useless for my eggs.

Shaking my head, I shifted to mid-tier crystals… and my eyes widened.

“…The cheapest white-gray beast crystal costs one gold coin!? Are they insane!?”

My mouth twitched at the price.

One gold coin equals a thousand silver coins… I only have three hundred!

I was floored, a thought rising in my mind.

“…Mommy’s so poor… I can’t afford to raise you…”

I touched the eggs in my backpack, nearly tearing up.

This… is too expensive!!

The lowest mid-tier crystal costs a gold coin, and it’d probably be consumed by the eggs in a week.

I can earn a hundred silver coins a day at most, and I need funds for gear and training. Even full-time potion-making wouldn’t cover their needs, especially as their demands grow!

Do I really have to sacrifice everything for them? I’m not unwilling, but even if I pour everything into hatching them, they’ll have a long growth period.

If I focus all my resources on them, my own progress will stall.

If danger comes, I can’t expect young kids to protect themselves. They can kill now, but stronger foes would overwhelm our tricks.

I have to protect them.

It’s a dilemma.

“…You two are such a burden… but what can I do?”

I rubbed my backpack, touching the eggs, feeling utterly conflicted.