Chapter 37: Antique market

''Let the others take this test in turns. I don't want whoever is holding the person's head to let go before the person whose head is submerged in water loses consciousness.'' Raydon said solemnly, looking around at everyone who was staring at him with puzzled eyes.

He spoke his final sentence, ''Additionally, I don't want my instructions to be disobeyed again. '' and he left the warehouse.

''Well, you heard him. Divide into two groups and carry out the instructions.'' Dan said as he rose to his feet. The slight hesitation that had previously been visible on his face was now completely gone.

Everyone quickly decided on their training partner and moved right along. Meanwhile, Karan came up to Dan and said.

''I guess it's my turn to drown. '' He said, with a half smile on his face.

Dan responded while looking serious. '' Didn't you hear his words? Everyone will suffocate until they pass out. You'd better use all of your strength to keep me in the water this time. '' He laughed and tapped Karan on the shoulder, encouraging him.

''Don't worry, it won't be the same this time. '' Karan said confidently.

At least now that they understood why they were doing it, it wasn't as difficult. They were now acting solely in their own interests, not those of others. They needed to become stronger in order to avoid situations where they would feel ashamed again.

—

Raydon eventually went back to his house after leaving the warehouse. He threw himself on the bed and started to think while gazing up at the ceiling.

'I wonder if this will be enough for them to awaken as item holders. ' While the 10 people in the warehouse were trying to complete Raydon's training with all their might, Raydon's thoughts right now were shocking.

"Potential, huh?'' Raydon said, extending his hand toward the ceiling as if he were trying to reach something.

He was now attempting to piece together what he had discovered in his memories. And deep within his memories, he discovered something surprising about the necessity of awakening.

This was also the reason his family abandoned him. Although Raydon was born into a large family, he lacked the health to complete the training his family gave him in order to awaken. As a result, he never had the potential to be awakened.

The technique Gary had used then came to mind, and he assumed that each family had its own method for training item holders. Could awakening occur if someone received the proper training to maximize their potential?

''We'll see in time. ''

While he was deep in thought, he started to feel weary from everything he had gone through since coming to this world. His body didn't seem ready to let go of his sleeping habit, no matter how strong his stamina was. Gradually, his eyelids fell, and he finally fell asleep.

—

When Raydon once more opened his eyes, it was already morning. He slowly rolled out of bed and went through his usual morning rituals from his previous world.

He noticed his body had become more built than before while drying his hair in front of the mirror with a towel after getting out of the shower.

His body, which had appeared frail, now appeared to be more muscular.

''Heh, I don't even need hours of weight training. '' Raydon laughed, satisfied with his development.

He quickly changed into some clothes before leaving the house. He felt like he was starving right now, and all the protein he had eaten had been used up by his body. He immediately returned to the location where he purchased the sandwich yesterday and purchased several times more than he normally ate before returning home to eat it.

''Man, I forgot I didn't have any money. Fortunately, he pleaded with me to accept the sandwiches as a gift. '' Raydon said, looking at the sandwiches in the bag in his hand.

As he began to eat his sandwiches, he noticed that a key had been used to open his door.

''Oh sorry, it's become a habit. You're already awake. '' While holding her keys and grinning awkwardly, Belicia said.

Raydon took a sandwich from the bag, handed it to her, and said. ''It's okay. ''

''Looks like you have adapted to life here already. '' As she prepared to bite into the sandwich, Belicia paused to look at Raydon before continuing.

''Wait, where did you get the money? ''

As he continued to eat, Raydon shrugged in response.

With a grimace, Belicia uttered. "Well it's my fault; I should have left you at least some money. But at least you could make do with what I brought yesterday. '' She gestured toward the shopping bag she had brought the day before, but she gave up when she noticed Raydon's disinterest.

Raydon asked eagerly, "Are you here to take me to the place you spoke of yesterday?"

He had intended to get rid of the unnecessary items and find a good skillset until his upcoming match, which is tomorrow.

''We can go after you finish your meal. Our destination is not far away. '' Belicia said and start eating her sandwich too.

—

Leaving the house, the couple walked down the street for a while until they came to another wide street. On the side of the road, a few yellow vehicles could be seen. Belicia approached one and got into it. She then informed the driver after Raydon got into the car.

''To the antique market. ''

The driver briefly glanced in the mirror at his customers sitting at the back, then quickly averted his gaze and said. ''Yes madam. ''

As the car left the filthy, disorderly slums and started to travel on more well-kept roads, Raydon peered out the window.

Throughout the journey, he saw buildings and structures that reminded him of his previous world. In contrast to his previous world, there were numerous billboards hanging everywhere.

These were not, in fact, for promotional purposes. The posters featured strong and attractive-looking individuals posing in various outfits. Some featured humans battling creatures Raydon had never seen before. These individuals were clearly Item Holders.

'I suppose Item Holders are the celebrities of this world.' Raydon thought. The general public respected the strength of the item holders, but they also appeared to make their advertisements to glorify them even more.