After leaving the Medical House Head Office, Jasper went directly to the waiting room. Once the three of them exited the building, it was almost noon. So Jasper hired a carriage to Food Bazaar Street to have something good to eat, as they rarely went outside to enjoy such things in life. Since Jasper still had five gold coins with him, he decided they could eat some meat.
Food Bazaar Street was famous for its many cook houses. From luxurious dishes to local specialties, many kinds of food were available along a single street. People regularly came there to savor different meals.
Jasper chose a modest-looking cook house since he had only five gold coins. If he ate at a luxurious cook house, the money he had would not even be enough for a single item. Once inside, the three of them quickly took an empty table and selected their food after checking the prices.
Jasper briefly explained what had happened inside the Medical House Head's office, mixing the truth with a few lies. He said that medicine capable of curing internally damaged organs existed and that it was rare, but with some effort it could be found. However, his mother mostly listened in silence. She knew Jasper's situation and how much he struggled for them.
She advised him to give up on her since it was already late and instead focus on building his life. Once he became successful, he could take care of himself and his sister. Hearing his mother's advice, Jasper could do nothing but weep silently.
Jasper selected grilled pork steak with some wild vegetables. His mother initially rejected eating there, saying they should not waste money and that she could cook something at home by buying raw meat for a cheaper price. But Jasper insisted on eating there just once, so she eventually chose wild boar sausage with flatbread and boiled potatoes. Irene chose her favorite roasted chicken legs with hot sauce and strawberry tarts.
Within five minutes the dishes arrived, and the three of them began eating. The grilled pork steak tasted wonderful. Jasper had never tasted it before, so it was the first time he had eaten something so delicious. Jocelyn and Irene also enjoyed the chicken and the tarts.
While they were enjoying their meal, Jasper noticed something strange from the corner of his eye. Someone had been watching them since they entered the cook house. At first he dismissed the thought, believing no one would bother following him. However, after noticing it several more times, he became certain those people were watching him.
"Who are these people?" Jasper wondered."Does it have something to do with the White Crystal?"
The moment that thought appeared, a chill ran through his heart. Although Erminio had assured him he had done nothing wrong, remembering the fat man from the Auction House made him uneasy.
What did these people want from him? He had only mined a few crystals. Why were they acting as if he had stolen something from them? Jasper already had enough problems in his life, and now strangers seemed to be targeting him and his family.
Jasper pretended not to notice them. After finishing their meal, he quickly paid at the counter and left the cook house with his family. Once the three of them were outside, he signaled for a carriage to take them home. However, when the carriage arrived, Jasper did not board it.
"Mother, I will go buy a new pickaxe since the previous one is broken. You two go home first. I'll visit Erminio's forging house and buy one for tomorrow's mining," Jasper said.
"Alright, be careful and come home early," Jocelyn replied. She had already noticed the broken pickaxe near the door earlier, so she agreed to his plan.
Soon the carriage drove away along the street.
Jasper then left Food Bazaar Street and began walking toward Ressel Forging House. His mind was already filled with thoughts about his mother's condition. Should he search for the item Yvonne had mentioned—the Oenix Marrow? Did such a miraculous item truly exist in this world? That was the first thought that came to his mind.
However, the doubt soon faded. After all, he himself had found a magical stone that granted him incredible strength. Although he had tested that strength by punching rock, he still did not know the limits of that power.
With that thought, Jasper decided he would search for the magical mushroom.
But now people were following him.
What should he do? Should he beat them until they stopped bothering him? But those men looked awakened. If he fought them, it would certainly expose his strength. Moreover, could he even defeat them? What if they belonged to the Omma Auction House? He could not afford to make enemies of such people.
Jasper found himself trapped in a dilemma. After thinking through the consequences and his family's safety, he decided to act like a normal person. He had done nothing wrong until now, so he could behave naturally. If these people were here to ask about the White Crystal, he would simply tell them the truth. If things went out of control, he would have no choice but to use the Blue Stone.
Before Jasper had even reached halfway to the forging house, he was surrounded on a quiet street. Jasper immediately put on the expression of someone who had no idea he was being followed. With surprise on his face and fear in his eyes, he looked around nervously.
"What do you guys want? If you're looking for money to rob, I have nothing on me. I'm not even a Trait Awakener. I mine just to survive day by day. Please have mercy on me," Jasper said in a trembling voice.
Four men stood around him. Jasper was certain that all of them were awakened with combat traits.
"What's your name, kid?" a man who looked to be in his thirties asked while standing in front of Jasper.
"My name is Jasper. What do you want? I already told you I'm not carrying any money."
"Were you the one mining White Crystal at Obsidian Rock Mountain?" the man asked, ignoring Jasper's plea.
"Yes," Jasper answered with a bewildered expression.
"Come with us," the man said as he turned and began walking.
"What happened? I didn't do anything wrong. Why do I need to go with you?" Jasper asked hurriedly, continuing to act as weak as possible.
The man gestured to the others. Immediately the remaining three men stepped forward and grabbed Jasper. Two of them seized his arms from both sides, locking them as if ready to drag him if he refused to walk.
Jasper felt the pressure and strength in their grip. To his surprise, it was not overwhelming. If he wanted, he could easily throw them aside and escape.
However, Jasper did not resist. He allowed them to control him and struggled slightly, just enough to appear afraid.
Soon the five of them reached the edge of the street, where a luxurious carriage was waiting. Jasper was pushed inside, and moments later the carriage sped away toward the northern part of the town—the district where the wealthy lived.