"Next... Let me see the [Wet Blue Rock]." Jack said. Tossing three fish tokens to the cat. "The one that makes the boat go fast but hates the sun."

"Ah, the wet rock." Glitch purred. "A fine choice for you, travelers of the sea."

He reached into another spatial glitch and pulled out a stone. It was the size of a grapefruit. Translucent and deep blue in color. Like a piece of the midnight ocean had been carved out and polished.

Jack received it. It pulsed with a slow, rhythmic light. It was cold to the touch. So cold that frost began to form on his hands that held it.

He quickly appraised it...

[Object: Heart of the Ocean] 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

[Type: Fusion Material]

[Source: Ocean Phenomenon]

[Effect: Grants [Ocean Blessing] ability to a non-living object, improves moving speed in and on water.]

[Description: A condensed core of elemental water energy formed at the deepest point of a tectonic trench. It carries the weight and the momentum of the tides. When fused with a vessel, the ship will move as if pushed by the ocean's own will.]

[Note: It can only be fused with non-living material. Effectiveness is reduced by 50% in direct, intense sunlight.]

Jack grinned. It was the kind of grin shown by a man who had just found a way to cheat.

The Silent Mermaid was already a fast, formidable ghost ship. She could navigate against the wind and sea current. Now, with this, she would be even a greater predator of the seas.

The drawback of the sun didn't matter. He would fuse it with the ship's keel after all. Part that would never be touched by sunlight. And when he needed speed, he would operate under the cover of night or the ghost ship's generated mist anyway.

"A productive trade," Jack said, leaning back.

"Indeed." Glitch said. He began to lick a paw that wasn't entirely there. "Any other trade you needed?"

Jack considered it. He had 12 remaining fish tokens. The scroll Glitch provided was still in his mind's eye. Filled with many strange descriptions.

He decided on another entry. "I'll take the [Yummy Big Snakefish Bone: delicious power up, strong bone] for 2 fish tokens." He said. Tossing two other tokens, which disappeared when they came close to the cat.

Glitch nodded... Well, what could pass as a nod for a cat whose form constantly flickered. A crack appeared in the air beside it. A jagged tear in reality.

From this shimmering void, Glitch pulled another object. It was a bone. Thick and heavy. About the length of Jack's forearm. It pulsed with a faint grey glow. The cat tossed it out.

Jack took the object. Feeling its substantial weight. It was cool and curiously dense. He immediately appraised it.

[Object: Leviathan Tail Bone]

[Type: Consumable]

[Source: Leviathan Remains]

[Effect: Grants [Tough Bone] and [Great Regeneration] ability.]

[Description: A relic of cyclopean beasts that once ruled the abyssal trenches. This segment, taken from the colossal tail of a long-dead Leviathan, embodies immense structural integrity and primal life force. It is solid, ancient, and vibrates with dormant power. Consumption fortifies the consumer's skeletal structure to an extraordinary degree and imbues them with a powerful regenerative capacity, mending wounds at an accelerated rate.]

[Note: It can only be absorbed once by a single individual.]

"That's quite an item." Jack said. Turning the bone over in his hand. Its surface was smooth. Polished. He looked at Glitch. "How many of these do you have?"

The cat blinked slowly. "Just that one. Such things are rare even for me." Its voice held a hint of amusement.

Jack grunted. A pity. It was a powerful item. He still had 10 fish tokens. He scanned the scroll again.

"Alright, then." He decided. "Let's have this [Shiny Scale of Old One] for 2 fish tokens."

Another spatial tear. This time, Glitch produced a scale. It was small. Roughly the size of Jack's thumb nail. It was iridescent and gleaming with all the colors of a stormy sea.

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Jack held it. It felt solid. Like finely worked gemstone. Yet, it possessed a strange flexibility. Its surface was cool against his skin. And it made him feel a faint, almost subconscious pull towards water.

Jack appraised it.

[Object: Merdragon Scale]

[Type: Consumable]

[Source: Ancient Merdragon]

[Effect: Grants [Scaled Skin] mystic spell and [Underwater Breathing] ability.]

[Description: A discarded scale from an Ancient Merdragon, a small, otherworld mythical creature known for its profound aquatic power and immense defensive capability. This scale provides unparalleled defense and grants the user affinity with the deep. Consuming it won't alter the consumer's physiology. Instead, it will grant them a power to transform the consumer's skin to scales and the natural ability to breathe underwater indefinitely.]

[Note: It can only be consumed once per individual.]

"Merdragon Scale?" Jack murmured. "Interesting."

He looked at Glitch. "And how many of these scales do you possess?"

Glitch flickered. "I have two more in store. Do you want them?"

Jack didn't hesitate. "I'll take them all. That'll be 4 more fish tokens, right?"

Glitch's form solidified for a moment. Then it produced two more scales from another rip in space. They were identical to the first. Shimmering with an ancient, aquatic power.

Jack now held three Merdragon Scales. He had spent 6 fish tokens on the scales. Leaving him with 4 remaining.

"Excellent!" Jack stated. Stacking the scales carefully.

He looked at the scroll one last time. Eyeing the remaining items. He found another entry that caught his attention.

"Let's see this [Sparky Critter Fang]." Jack said. "It's for 2 fish tokens, isn't it?"

The spatial crack opened once more. And a new item appeared. It was a fang. About the length of Jack's little finger. It was sharp, conical, and pulsed with a faint blue-white light.

A subtle static charge made the hairs on his arm stand on end when Jack held it. He quickly appraised it.

[Object: Lightning Wolf Fang]

[Type: Consumable]

[Source: Lightning Wolf]

[Effect: Grants [Lightning Spark] mystic spell and [Quick Reflex] trait.]

[Description: A potent fang from a Lightning Wolf, a swift and electrically charged predatory beast from the otherworld realm. This fang retains the creature's innate elemental power and its unparalleled speed. Upon consumption, the user gains the ability to conjure small bursts of electrical energy and channel it through their body or for minor offensive capabilities. Furthermore, their neural pathways are accelerated, granting them exceptionally fast reaction times and heightened senses.]

[Note: It can only be consumed once per individual.]

"Lightning Wolf Fang!" Jack said. Feeling the faint hum of power. "How many of these do you have in stock?"

"Eight." Glitch replied without hesitation. "They breed fast, those ones."

Jack now only had 2 fish tokens left. He knew what he wanted to do. "I'll take one more then." He said. Pushing his last 2 fish tokens across the table. "That empties me out."

Glitch retrieved another Lightning Wolf Fang. Identical to the first. Its faint electrical current was pulsing faintly.

"A pleasure doing business, Human!" The cat concluded the transaction. "You know how to find me when you have more of these tokens."

The cat's form stretched. Becoming translucent. Then, it was distorted. Like an image reflected on rippling water. With a final, silent blink, Glitch vanished.

"Well, that was interesting." Jack stated. Collecting his newly acquired items.

He placed the [Heart of the Ocean] carefully on the table. Around it, he arranged the three [Phoenix Feathers], the single [Leviathan Tail Bone], the three [Merdragon Scales], and the two [Lightning Wolf Fangs].

Rune floated near his shoulder. Her body was glowing with a soft, pleased emerald light.

Reina had watched the entire trade with quiet interest. She now moved closer. Her ponytailed black hair swayed.

"So, what are they, Dear?" She asked.

"As we've expected." Jack replied with a big smile. "Great consumable materials. Bad news for me is... they aren't unique or complete enough to be registered as treasures I can extract spellcards from."

"As for the good news..." He grinned wider. "They are as precious as the [Fruit of the Mystic Spirit] we acquired from the Grim Spirit Sea."

"I will take the [Heart of the Ocean]." Jack declared. "It's an important fusion material for the Silent Mermaid. As for the others, as usual, we roll for them."

He explained the functions of each item on the table.

"We have total nine items for nine people." He said. "Moby, Barnaby, and Reina got their free picks first. They haven't acquired anything from the previous loot sharing sessions. Moby? Your choice?"

Moby looked at the items and pointed immediately to the [Leviathan Tail Bone]. "I’m usually the one taking the hits." He grunted. "Getting back up faster sounds like a good plan."

Jack nodded. "It’s yours. Just activate your mystic energy and focus your will to absorb it. Barnaby?"

"I'll take the [Phoenix Feather]." Barnaby decisively choose with a wide grin. He didn't explain his reason. But knowing him, it was probably for a ridiculous reason.

"Just take it then." Jack made a gesture. "What about you, Love?"

Reina seemed hesitated for a while. But she finally made a decision. "I'll take the [Lightning Wolf Fang]. Faster reflex seemed fitting for my combat style."

"Alright then. Now for the rest..." Jack took out a pair of polished, bone-white dice he kept for such occasions. "I'll 'auction' them one by one. If you are interested, roll the dice. Highest roll gets the object, but won't be allowed to join the next rolls. You know the drill already."

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