Chapter 125 – Viper Ssaulabi R

The dealer continued his explanation.

“From the seventh generation, the bikes themselves are designed to be magic-driven. It’s a method where the magic formula embedded in the bike is driven by the power of the mana stone. Therefore, even if a major accident occurs, the protective magic will keep the rider safe. It’s almost like a dream bike.”

Being protected by the built-in magic even in a major accident…

for riders who were always plagued by the threat of accidents, it was a dream-like bike.

“How much is it?”

“The price has been set somewhat high due to the magic drive. In the case of the previous sixth-generation models, when they first came out, the price was established at around 1,000 to 1,500 credits, but…”

By the standards of the world Rashid originally lived in, it was an amount equivalent to 100 to 150 million won.

“The Ninja has a starting price of 3,000 credits. It has practically doubled. The Blade starts from 3,500. The price will vary from here depending on the options.”

“Are there any discounts?”

The dealer smiled faintly.

“Haha, there is no such thing as a discount on the latest seventh-generation models. Although a small discount is applied to the sixth-generation magitech bikes.”

The dealer continued speaking as he looked at Rashid, who was only looking at the seventh-generation bikes.

“It seems you aren’t very interested in the sixth-generation models.”

Rashid, who had been examining the two models, the Ninja and the Blade, looked back at the dealer.

“There should be something else besides these. I remember the price being much more expensive.”

“Pardon? Aside from these models?”

The dealer tilted his head.

The models he had just shown were the recently released new seventh-generation models.

“I’m sure I saw it on a billboard.”

“Ah…”

It seemed the dealer realized late.

“There is one, but… the price is just too ridiculously expensive. The scale of the amount is quite different from what we are looking at now.”

The quiet Veronica also chimed in.

“You said those were the latest? There’s something else besides the latest?”

The dealer’s words continued.

“In terms of the amount, it has two more zeros than what you are seeing now.”

She was the one who reacted before Rashid.

“Two more zeros? Then does that mean it’s like several hundred thousand credits?”

In the case of extremely luxurious vehicles, there were indeed vehicles that cost tens of thousands of credits, not just thousands.

But this was a bike, which was valued lower than a car.

It was funny enough that a mere bike cost thousands of credits, but several hundred thousand credits?

“No, how can a mere bike be so expensive? It’s not even a car. Just buy a car. A car is better. It’s comfortable and spacious.”

Ignoring her, Rashid spoke to the dealer.

“I would like to see it. Is it inside the showroom?”

The dealer looked at Rashid once more.

Extremely ordinary attire.

Yet, that actually inspired confidence.

An empty cart makes the most noise.

Those who came excessively dressed up were often less substantial than they seemed.

The real deal was, on the contrary, plain.

“Please follow me.”

The dealer led them to the empty center of the showroom.

Then, when he pressed a button, a bike rose up to the center.

It was the promotional piece of the showroom, and the only bike treated as high-end here.

“It is a bike developed as an eighth-generation prototype. It is a high-end model developed through a collaboration between Viper and the Celestial Pole Workshop.”

“The model name is Hyper Sports, Viper Ssaulabi R. It features a V6 engine, stealth function, ghost riding, Aegis system, and is also equipped with an active autonomous assistance function called ADAS. It is practically referred to as the ultimate final boss among existing bikes. Even as time passes, it will be hard for any bike to easily catch up to this performance. As I mentioned just now, it’s because it’s a collaborated work involving the Celestial Pole Workshop.”

The eighth-generation bike, Viper Ssaulabi R.

It was the item Rashid had been looking for.

He wore a satisfied smile on his lips.

“It is the item I was looking for.”

The dealer was somewhat surprised.

Leaving the price aside for a moment, the maintenance cost was also no joke.

Unless one was prepared to burn the equivalent price on maintenance, it was right not to even dare dream of this item.

“You were a much more incredible person than you appeared. However, the price is very, very wicked. As I mentioned before, the showroom price is set at 500,000 credits.”

The price of the newest model released in this showroom was 3,000 credits.

But this monster, boasting its seductive figure in the center of the showroom, surpassed that price by approximately 160 times.

“What on…”

Veronica’s jaw dropped.

“How can a single bike be 500,000? Isn’t this a scam?”

The dealer laughed.

“Haha, it’s not a scam. There is a good reason why the price is set like that. This model is designed based on a high-end mana stone called Alpha. Unlike other high-end mana stones, it is a mana stone that possesses intellect.”

“Alpha?”

She could vaguely recall that name.

Because even if there were many high-end mana stones, a sentient mana stone was truly rare.

“I think I heard that there was something like that among the mana stones that came out in the auction? Then is that guy placed inside there?”

“Yes, that’s correct. The auction winning bid for the mana stone Alpha was 200,000 credits. It’s no exaggeration to say that practically half of the set price is the price of the mana stone.”

The dealer’s words continued.

“Therefore, this model is capable of active magic operation even without the rider’s intervention. It’s like the sentient mana stone assists on its own.”

Veronica shook her head.

“Even so, this is a scam, isn’t it? How does it make sense to charge 300,000 more credits just because you used a 200,000 credit mana stone on a bike?”

Regardless of her reaction,

Rashid’s mind was already made up.

“I like it. I will take this one.”

“Since… the price is 500,000 credits. May I ask how you would like to make the payment?”

What was used here was precisely the black card she had given him.

“I have a card. Card payment is used in Nebula City, right?”

The dealer’s gaze directed toward the card he handed over.

A black card.

A proof of trust.

“Ah, if it’s a black card, it should be possible. Would you wait for a moment?”

While the dealer went to do the paperwork,

Veronica asked with curiosity.

“Well, how does the Lord Inquisitor have so much money? Is that really your money?”

Examining the new bike, Rashid immediately answered her question.

“Yes. It’s my money.”

Her suspicious gaze remained.

“Being an inquisitor isn’t a high-paying job, is it? You did have a sneaky side after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Unlike how you look, you must have embezzled a lot of money. Paying for a bike that costs 500,000 credits in a single lump sum.”

“You misunderstand. It’s my money earned legitimately. It hasn’t entered my hands yet, but it will soon.”

“But does the payment go through? Even I don’t have a black card.”

Rashid’s gaze lingered on her.

“I don’t know either.”

“Isn’t it your card?”

“Buying this is with my money, but it’s not my card.”

“What on earth does that mean?”

The dealer returned.

“The lump sum payment has been approved.”

The claim of having no limit seemed to be true.

Even so, to think a payment of 500,000 credits would go through immediately.

‘Indeed, if it’s the assets of the Sanctum family, there’s nothing strange about it.’

Just as he wondered briefly how she would react when she saw the transaction statement later,

the dealer handed two keys to Rashid with a bright smile.

“There are two keys. One is a regular key, so performance will be limited. Instead, the fuel efficiency and effectiveness will be extremely good. Simply put, you can think of it as a key that starts an echo mode with a limit.”

“I won’t have any use for that one.”

“Haha, yes, of course.”

The dealer continued, showing the other key.

“And this is the master key. There are no restrictions. Instead, the fuel consumption will be very wicked. It will consume so many mana stones that you’ll wonder if this is even okay. I’ve only heard about this, so you will have to experience it yourself to know for sure.”

The explanation was not over.

“Ah, and the manufacturer recommends using high-end class mana stones as fuel. In fact, for an item of this caliber, the fuel used should naturally be high-end as well.”

Her quiet mouth opened again.

“What? Using high-end mana stones as bike fuel? What kind of thing is that? Do you even know how much a mana stone costs?”

“That is what the manufacturer says. This is just the manufacturer’s recommendation, so I am only informing you.”

The dealer continued speaking toward Rashid.

“I don’t know how you will utilize it, but the embedded mana stone will assist you with detailed instructions. You can hear the detailed explanations from the mana stone.”

Rashid mounted the bike.

It was a ride comfort on a completely different level from the magitech bikes commonly ridden by clerics.

‘Excellent.’

The dealer was still beside him.

“I heard that by system design, it recognizes only a single owner. Once you start it with the master key, it will complete the user registration on its own.”

When he started the ignition with the master key,

along with a loud engine roar, several messages began to display on the blue dashboard.

-Recognizing initial user…

-Biometric signal synchronization

-Verifying neural response pattern

-Authority authorization complete

-Mana stone engine ignition

-Deploying mana circuits

-ADAS activated

-System normal

After checking the messages, an alien voice reached Rashid’s mind.

It was the voice of the mana stone called Alpha, which he had experienced in the past.

-User identified.

-Greetings, Rider. I am the assistant Alpha, installed to assist with your safe operation.

-My main body is fully synchronized with the bike system, and I integrate and manage the overall driving.

“Alpha? Nice to meet you.”

-Pleasure to meet you. I would like to know the user’s name and identity.

“Rashid Preston. Inquisitor of the Order.”

-Identity information will be registered as a temporary profile.

Leaving Rashid conversing with the bike—specifically, the sentient mana stone installed in the bike—Veronica furrowed her brow first.

“What are you suddenly talking about? Why are you talking to yourself?”

The dealer, seemingly understanding the reason, sensibly opened the exit on the showroom wall with a smile.

“Since the payment went through, there is nothing more for you to do. We will take care of the remaining processes. Well, have a pleasant ride.”

This was not the first time Rashid was riding this bike.

Regaining his past sense, Rashid gave a command.

“Activate Stealth.”

-Stealth ON

Soon, Rashid’s figure, wrapped in a cloaking field along with the bike, melted into the surrounding environment.

Veronica’s surprise lasted only a brief moment.

The roaring bike sped out of the showroom in an instant.

‘It brings back old memories.’

The corners of Rashid’s mouth curled up.

Veronica, left alone in the showroom, would probably be throwing a fit.

However, now that he was riding this, she wouldn’t be able to catch up easily.

“Switch to Ghost Riding.”

-Ghost Riding ON

As soon as the Ghost Riding function was turned on, he began to pass through all objects on the road.

To be precise, he had entered the mirror world rather than reality.

As he continued his sprint in the mirror world, Alpha’s voice reached Rashid.

-Do you want a desired destination?

“Dharma Mage Division. To the Floating Fortress.”

-Confirmed.

Rashid’s lips curved in a long line.

‘As expected… money is great.’