Vol 1 Chapter 7 (2/2)

I needed to have something for self-defence, right?

(Then I need to get several pieces of tile to protect my body by wrapping it around.)

The tiles would be my armor. I figured I could string them together by making a small hole in each, then use 2 to protect my sides, and 1 to protect the front of my torso.

(After this would be the real future investment.)

Soap, scissors, and small tools like razors.

Jam made from citrus rinds.

A wooden board to draw on, and ink made of soot to draw with.

It was a lot to have to buy right off the bat.

(I wonder if I can buy everything I need today?)

I knew I would find more things I needed as I looked around.

And the remaining budget is…just a little over 2 gold coins.

It should be just enough.

(Excellent, I think it’s time for me to get real experience, right Mark?)

I saved the one thing I really wanted to buy for last.

Of course, it was something very important to study for my future.

I went inside an Oasis District slave shop.

The market price of the slave, the quality, and even the purchasing process were all different here.

(Slaves. This lady would probably decide herself which slave was best for me to buy.)

I returned her polite “Welcome” greeting with a nod.

I needed to see just how different the slave shop in the Oasis District was from Mark’s.

“What can I do for you today?”

“I need to buy a cheap slave. The best one you have for around 2 gold coins.”

I checked the interior design of the shop. It actually wasn’t that bad.

The furniture was moderately cla.s.sy, and possessed a sense of security.

Compared to Mark’s store, although his was the best in the slum district, this shop was better decorated.

I expected as much from a shop in the Oasis District.

“……A cheap slave?”

The shopkeeper shot me a glance for a moment to appraise me.

However, that was exactly what I wanted.

Since I could also see the psychological graph I knew exactly what she was doing, however most people would be uncomfortable getting appraised.

The female shopkeeper was called Miroir, and she was the slave merchant.

“Yes, I’m actually in the same trade. I would like to buy suitable cheap people, slave with special characteristics will be fine too.”

“I see.”

She reacted when I said I was also on the same trade.

Indeed, Miroir seemed to doubt me.

No matter how you looked at it, I was just a 15 years old kid.

Although my clothes were fixed to fit in the Oasis District, she probably knew from the tanning on my skin that I was actually from Slums.

I wondered if she was observing me objectively.

Miroir was certainly thinking of how to answer me.

“What will you be using it for?”

“Just simple and trivial ch.o.r.es. But I don’t need them to do too much manual labor, so I don’t mind if it’s a woman or child.”

I thought I would lose this deal if she kept interrogating me.

However Miroir kept her poker face.

“I’m sorry, but can you show me the possible slaves?”

“……Please wait for a moment, I’ll bring them here.”

“Thanks, although I’d prefer you take me towards the slave quarters. It would be more convenient.”

“……I understand.”

I was sure I would learn a lot more if I entered the slave quarters myself.

She may not have wanted me to see the slave quarters, or she might have had something to hide back there.

However as a shopkeeper, she still had an obligation to meet her customer’s demands.

When it came down to it, Miroir looked to to be a good business partner.

I thought about it as I followed Miroir to the slave quarters.

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