Chapter 13: First source of income!
The system replied [Positive host. But both you and Alice have to reach soul apprentice level. By creating a system that can exchange soul alters you can camouflage your soul for a certain period and it would be not limited to the Alice soul only]
Leo's mood considerably improved after listening to the system's idea. With the help of the new soul alter exchange system he could gain the benefit of N number of souls without having to cultivate them personally. All souls were unique and his Divine soul was not invincible in the underworld. Just his current situation was solid proof. His divine soul in the underworld was like a kid holding a diamond ring, it's doing more harm than good for the current him.
There was a saying in the Earth that a starving man would be more grateful if you provide him a bowl of rice rather than a stack of notes. Leo's situation was similar. He immediately needed resources to improve himself not some future promises by his Divine soul that he would one day become a deity. Apart from opening different avenues to earn resources, the soul alters exchange system would act as his ultimate disguise tool.
Now all he needed was to take care of his identity and the million sin crystals would be in his pocket in no time.
'Creating reputation is not a problem but creating a reputation within a short period is the real problem.'
Leo sank into deep thought again. 'Let's first reach soul apprentice level and accumulate hundred sin crystals. Probably by then, I would be able to come up with something.'
Leo reached the pill hall again and saw Lisa in a corner. Lisa waved her hand with a smile and Leo unhurriedly walked towards her. Lisa asked with a smile, "So how was it? Alchemy alliance is pretty good right?"
Leo nodded without any hesitation. Alchemy alliance's foundation was very big and there was nothing to complain about if he could join them. They could casually give a mission crystal reward for balancing an equation and Leo couldn't imagine the depths of the alchemy alliance's pocket.
"Sister Lisa, I have arrived at a decision. I won't be taking the entry mission anytime soon."
The smile on Lisa's face vanished and was replaced by a solemn look. What she feared the most happened eventually. She prayed in her heart that Leo would choose a different option other than migrating to the other areas.
'I can't blame him for choosing this option. He has every right to choose a less risky life but the Royal family stand is pretty clear.' Lisa started to have a severe conflict in her heart. On the one hand, she didn't want to kill Leo and on the other hand, she didn't want to betray the Royal family.
Looking at the conflicting expression of Lisa, Leo thought she didn't understand what he was saying. So he started to explain in clear words.
"Sister Lisa, I am interested in joining the potion hall. I know that the Royal family can't invest anything in me at the moment and I am not asking anything from them either. All I want is your recommendation to let me join the potion hall. I would earn my own resources by doing any ground-level work. Is that alright with you?"
Lisa let out a sigh of relief. "Leo if it was pill hall it would be difficult for the Royal family but I think potion hall is manageable. Just wait a moment I will have a chat with Eva and get back to you."
Leo agreed readily and waited for ten minutes. Lisa came back with a tired expression but there was a glowing smile on her face as if she won a well-deserved victory. Leo immediately understood that Lisa had fought for him with the Royal family.
Leo was very touched in his heart. He didn't know how to repay her kindness. He really started to consider Lisa as his first family member in the underworld. Lisa saw the grateful expression on Leo's face and chuckled.
"Little brother no need to be grateful. As your sister, it's my duty to take care of you. Eva will take care of the paperwork and you can join the potion hall living quarters today only. Also tomorrow you will get a decent job if you report your name in the potion hall admin room. But Royal family is short on funds hence take these 10 crystals as your initial capital and buy all the necessary books and uniforms. If you need any help contact me using my virtual ID. Little brother I can only do this much for you, everything else depends on your hard work and talent."
Leo knew that 10 crystals were Lisa's personal saving. He wanted to reject it but he didn't even have a penny to eat tonight. Hence he shamelessly swallowed his self-respect pretentious drama and accepted Lisa's generosity. Without any high five promises in the future, Leo silently carved all her kindness into his heart.
Anyone can gift when you are doing well and good but it takes a beautiful heart to do the same when you are down.
Leo just hugged her and said a heartfelt thank you. Lisa's eyes became moist but it was happiness not sadness as she felt good fighting for something she really liked. Both of them departed soon after saying a final goodbye.
****
Leo entered the potion hall living quarters which were similar to apartment buildings in his previous life. Leo signed his name apartment building's security room and showed his Virtual Id to confirm his identity. Then he got his keys and moved to his apartment. Since there was an elevator his destination arrived in a short period.
The apartment room was not big, only a fully furnished single BHK, but, it was more than comfortable for his current needs. The room also had a small open terrace space protected by a 5 feet railing which gave him a good view as his apartment was on the top floor of 11 story building.
'At least, the basic needs like food and home have been taken care of,' Leo let out a sigh of relief as he took a deep breath of fresh air from the open space.
Leo's target was 1 million crystals but he decided not to rush it. He would slowly gain some reputation in the potion hall and in the meantime reach apprentice level and also complete the requirements of the sect. Then in one full sweep, he would crack the equation, get a million crystals and enter the sect if things turn south in the alchemy alliance.
Although potion hall would reward him with a hall elder position, he would attract a lot of vultures from various factions of the underworld, if he decided to openly stay in the alchemy alliance. It was easy to defend against an open attack but difficult to defend against a bullet from the dark. So having many layers of protection was a must to live a long life in the underworld. According to him, taking a risk was necessary to make it big in life but one should have multiple backup plans if things wouldn't turn out as you wish.
Courage without a plan is just recklessness.
Leo understood this principle and decided to take things one step at a time. Since he was too tired he decided to take a shower and ordered some food in his virtual ID. In the alchemy alliance, you can buy anything you want with the virtual ID if you have sufficient alchemy credits.
A hundred credits were equivalent to one sin crystal. Leo had already bought one thousand credits using 10 sin crystals. His ordered food just cost him 10 credits. His credits were automatically deducted from his virtual account when he ordered using his virtual ID. It was similar to WeChat pay in his previous life.
'I didn't expect that food would be this delicious. Although the underworld is ruthless in so many areas. If you have a good background, you can lead a pretty good life that is comparable to big shots on Earth. I wonder when I will become a big shot here! There is no doubt that I will become one day but hopefully, the day would come soon.'
Leo browsed the alchemy alliance online store and ordered a pair of purple uniforms by giving his measurement which will be available for him tomorrow. Another 100 credits vanished from his account. He also needed to buy daily essentials tomorrow. Seeing his reducing credits, Leo felt heartache but he knew they were essential. According to his calculation, he would need around 1500 credits to live a basic life without any entertainment. His thousand credits would not even help him pass the month unless he got a job.
Leo was not worried too much. He made sure to check the countdown timer before going to sleep. As per his estimate, by the next morning, Alice would have her reincarnation and his first source of income would officially open up.
Leo was eagerly looking forward to it. After all, he was sick of being poor.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
nandu25
nandu25 Tomorrow that is 12th Feb is my birthday. Tonight at 12 I will release a special chapter to celebrate the occassion. Readers please look forward to it.
Thank you for all the support
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