After having that previous tense discussion with each other inside his newly rented apartment, Rohan and Elane wasted no time in heading over to Primus’ very bustling markets.

Rohan had thought he already understood what a proper Awakened exchange centre should look like after experiencing both the atmospheres in Erenhot in the Origin Realm, and Insulus, his home city.

But he was wrong. Completely wrong.

The moment they stepped off the public transit line and emerged in one of Primus’ centre districts, he felt like he’d entered into another city entirely inside Primus itself — one built for Awakened, by Awakened, and sustained entirely by the endless appetite for power.

There were no roads in this place, as there wasn’t any need for them when your average person on the street could move faster than them on foot. However, the concrete pavements that replaced them were wider than the roads in most other districts where all the ordinary people lived.

Not for ordinary traffic, but to accommodate the sheer density of people and cargo moving through the streets at all times.

Enormous digital billboards hung between the sleek windowed buildings, constantly changing displays to advertise newly acquired beast materials, fresh gate loot — you name it.

Some signs flashed in aggressive red and gold, trying to look grand and expensive.

Everywhere Rohan looked, there were Awakened.

Hundreds of thousands of them all in one place.

And they all came to this one small corner of the city for one thing.

The exchanges.

They made everything else around them look small, inconsequential even.

Rohan slowed slightly just to take in the largest one in front of them.

It rose a full 200 stories high at the very least, and the entire front of the building donned in dark glass and polished metal — both likely materials acquired from the Origin Realm or high ranked gates.

It was twice as tall as any other building around it, as this place was special.

’Association Exchange.’

He read the words hanging lightly above the entrance, not at all surprised by the simple sounding name compared to the other private owned exchanged surrounding it. If it wasn’t obvious from the name, then the size of the building should have given away the fact that this exchange was owned and operated by the Awakened Association — as only government buildings had clearance to build so high up.

In an age where the average every day citizen could own a private hover car, the control over city airspace was very tightly guarded — so such tall and huge buildings stuck out from the rest like sore thumbs.

"This is insane..." Rohan couldn’t help but mutter.

"Told you Primus was different."

"Different?" Rohan looked at Elane. "This place makes Insulus look like a garage sale in comparison."

That earned a laugh from Elane.

They started walking deeper into the district, moving past the Association exchange, and the full scale of it only became more obvious the farther they went. Each major exchange house had its own style and crowd. Some looked cleaner, more modern and corporate, while others had rougher exteriors and looks to attract the more rugged Awakened who couldn’t give a damn about such small fascitudes like aesthetics.

Rohan continued to enjoy the scenery as they moved, but they didn’t stop for long to observe each one, as they already had a destination in mind.

They had already done their research on the internet, finding the exchange that had the highest variety of One time use Genetic Armaments available.

It was called the Hathsworn exchange, which Elane seemed familiar with already.

"So what type of Genetic Armaments should we be looking for?" Rohan asked curiously.

Elane’s face turned more serious at his inquiry.

"Two types of one-time use Genetic Armaments."

He nodded once for her to continue.

"The first type are the penetration focused ones. Things like your spear, for example, but that pack far more of a punch that will completely disintegrate after impact in exchange for such power. Anything that is designed to go through tough hide, shell, or a reinforced defence in one hit."

Rohan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

His conversation earlier with Elane was the first he’d heard of these one-time use Genetic Armaments, and hearing of such powerful items made his gut sink.

’If someone were to use one of these on me...’

Even if his Firestone Skin could block such a hit, it would still cause massive damage to him.

He’d have to be careful in the future when facing off against other Awakened, to be mindful of such things.

If Liam had one one these Genetic Armaments, then the situation in the Spike Beast gate might have taken an entirely different turn.

’Thank god they are limited to just Normal tier... that we know of.’

Of course, he of all people knew that higher tier Genetic Armaments of this type could exist, since the whole reason they were out looking for some was so that he could make some of his own!

Though he also knew that the government and other big shots would go to lengths to limit the spread of these powerful items if they existed, which was why he remained vigilant.

"The second type," Elane continued. "Are explosive types."

Rohan raised his brows in curiosity.

"I mean true one-time use explosives. Not things that just release a burst of force and sound like an explosion. When used, these Genetic Armaments act like bombs — and are often even more powerful than the penetrative types in certain situations."

Rohan thought about the ant.

He realised now why Elane had narrowed their search down to these two types of Genetic Armaments.

A plan had already started to form in his mind of how to deal with that terrifying E rank Elite.

Use the penetration focused items to deal with the thick and tough armoured shell first, and once they got past that, plant an explosive on the injury to deal the decisive blow.

It all sounded like a very exhilarating thing to carry out, but the risks were obviously high.

"How powerful are we talking? These one-time use Genetic Armaments, I mean?" Rohan asked, wanting to get a full picture.

Elane’s lips curved upwards.

"Well, a normal tier one can severely injure an Elite beast if used correctly."

"..."

Rohan was shocked. Never would he have expected a normal tier Genetic Armament to pack such a punch!

"As for their Elite upgrades... I can’t say for sure since they don’t technically exist, but if they still follow the pattern of being able to injure a beast a whole tier above..."

’Then hunting Commander tier Beasts isn’t out of the question... Or E ranks...’