Vol 1 Chapter 7 (1/2)

I went inside the warehouse tent and took out 3 gold coins.

Not only was it the warehouse, it also doubled as my living quarters.

Unlike Mark’s tent, there was barely any s.p.a.ce to sleep.

I went to sleep everyday curled up on the hard sand.

If I stretched the wrong way in my sleep, I would inevitably knock something over, like a broom, causing a small avalanche.

It was impossible to get a good night’s sleep.

I looked at the three gold coins in my hand.

This was money I’d earned through blood, sweat, and tears.

Obviously, the coins hadn’t come from Mark.

I made peanuts working for Mark. There’s no way I’d be able to pry 3 gold coins from his grubby fingers, it was impossible.

No, the money had come from my own diligence in reaching out to rich-looking clients to have them purchase goods directly from me.

I knew of a market where they sold sc.r.a.ps and cheap crystals.

Using my appraisal skill, I could easily identify the higher quality goods and purchase them.

It was the most important skill a jeweler could have, and I was able to make a good profit selling to those with a discriminating eye.

A particularly good piece could earn me at least 1 silver coin.

Confiscating the money I worked so hard for was a d.i.c.k move.

And then I remembered a place.

I’ll use every last cent I have today.

I’ll use it and arrange Mark’s demise.

Enjoy it while you can Mark, your days are numbered.

(I thought as much, the market in the Oasis District is huge.)

I went to visit the Oasis District.

I couldn’t find anything worthwhile in the slums, there just wasn’t enough of a good selection.

I wasn’t one to question where the goods came from, but this time was a little different.

(It is not the clothes or accessories that I want right now.)

I slowly browsed the Oasis District market.

There was fruit that made me salivate, and I just wanted to reach out and take it.

Someday I also wanted to get that magic book being sold.

But today I had one specific thing I had to buy.

“Excuse me, I’d like this animal glue.”

I told the shopkeeper.

Animal glue, in other words, an adhesive.

It was made by boiling the skin, guts, bones, and nails of an animal then cooling the viscous liquid that came out of it.

And before using the adhesive, it needs to be boiled in water.

Using my appraisal skill, I chose the best glue from the lot.

The shopkeeper muttered “You have a good eye,” as he took out his merchant scale.

The shopkeeper weighed it, then held out it hand declaring, “3 silver coins.”

“Weigh it again, but turn it around this time. Just to make sure.”

“……Tsk.”

You had to be careful in a shady place like this.

I was almost cheated until I thought the desk might be leaning to one side, or some trick to the merchant’s scale I wasn’t aware of.

I was glad I brought a battle slave with me instead of a weak porter.

Young as I was, I wouldn’t be able to fight back if the merchant tried to do something.

“……2 silver and 4 copper coins it is.”

“……That’s better.”

Although a kid like me saying ‘That’s better’ would probably incite a little rage.

It was hard to read the shopkeeper’s expression.

I endured and brushed it off with a poker face.

(I have to get a new bucket and broom after this……)

The next purchase was an investment for my future business.

I need to procure a bucket, broom, dustpan, tent hide, and other tools. It would cost around 10 silver coins in total.

(Also, I need to get a leather bag and make it into a blackjack.)

The blackjack would be made from a long and thin leather casing, then packed with sand.

It was a simple weapon.