Chapter 15 - The Link Between You and I 3 (2/2)
“It originates in my heart to manifest in the shallow floor of the water.Peel off your despicable outer layer to reveal what lies inside!”
“W...what the hell!?”
While the middleman Mycenae expressed her dismay, Artpe finished his chant.It caused an enormous amount of friction to form at the middle of the fountain!
“Wa-ha-ha-ha.The water is boiling!”
“That’s right.I’m wastefully using my Mana!”
The Hyper Rubbing spell was causing so much friction that it was vaporizing the cold water.He was now over level 40, and he was getting used to forming the Hyper Rubbing spell.The effectiveness of the magic was on a different level compared to before.
“Kyahhhhk, customer.If the water holds poison, it’ll turn into a poisonous fog!”
“I already checked it!”
The steam covered them completely, but there was no poison within it.There were some poison that dissolved entirely in water, and it could have been vaporized alongside the water.On the other hand, there were poisons that didn’t mix with the water.It would be left behind in place as sediment.
Of course, the poison within the fountain was the latter type.This was why Artpe didn’t hesitate to evaporate the water.
“It is the first time I’ve heard of such a spell.If you wanted to boil the water, couldn’t you have just used a fire type magic?”
“I did it, because I don’t have such magic!”
“I’m currently selling the Boil spell for two gold.The fire spell is being sold at a great price of 1 gold!”
“I won’t buy it!”
There were a lot of water inside the fountain, so it took a good amount of time for all of it to evaporate.After a long wait, the result came to fruition.The copious amount of water inside the water fountain had all evaporated, and on the floor, a dark green powder was left behind in a lump.
“Ah.”
“Hmmph.”
Artpe smirked when he saw Mycenae unconsciously let out a moan.He put the powder into the empty bottle.Of course, the identity of the powder was a form of poison.It was fine to touch it with one’s bare hands.Its toxicity appeared only when it was mixed with a liquid, so it was safe to touch it right now.
“Ah…..”
“Well, are you going to buy this?”
Artpe didn’t leave a single grain of the green powder behind.He stoppered the bottle, and he pushed it towards Mycenae.Her cheeks were puffed up as she started to argue with Artpe.
“.......so you already know why the Dungeon Merchants appear in Dungeons?”
“Of course.You guys have designs on acquiring magical goods.”
When adventurers explore a Dungeon, they face danger and opportunity prepared by the Dungeon.One might find a hidden treasure box, a poisoned fountain or a pond made out of the highest quality holy water.
It was possible for the Dungeon Merchants to detect the energies of these treasures, and they appeared randomly in these Dungeons.
If an adventurer was unable to find the treasures, the Dungeon Merchants acquired the rights to take the unfound treasures.Around half the population considered to be adventurers were poor at detecting treasures on each floor.
Even if an adventurer knew why a Dungeon Merchant had appeared, the adventurer wouldn’t be able to find the treasure unless they were very skilled.An adventurer could search the entirety of the Dungeon for treasures just based on the fact that a Dungeon Merchant had appeared, but the chance of finding the treasure was close to zero.
Of course, Artpe was an anomaly.Even before the Dungeon Merchant had appeared, he knew what was waiting for him at the end of the 6th floor.He had located everything, so there was nothing else to say.He grinned as he shook the bottle containing the green powder.
“So you aren’t going to buy it?”
Mycenae’s expression crumpled in distress, but her instinct as a merchant was soon brought to the fore.
“Koo-oohk….I’ll buy it for 2 gold.”
“All right.I hope you meet a pushover next time, who will be easily deceived by you.”
Artpe turned around without hesitation, and Mycenae desperately reached out towards him.
“I'll give you 4 gold!You have to factor in the processing cost!The processing cost!”
“I made sure there wasn’t a single drop of water remained.What processing fee?Give me 10 gold.”
“You are being heavy-handed….!”
“If you don't’ buy it for 10 gold, there will be no trade.”
Artpe was firm.He was so resolute that it made one wonder if the creator, who made the boundaries between ocean and land, spoke in such a way in the past.
Mycenae knew that the person in front of her already knew the exact worth of the item within her hand.If so, what choice did she have?She had no choice, but to agree to his demand!
“I’ll buy it for 10 gold.”
“All right.Since you bought the Basilisk Venom Powder for the price of 10 gold, this isn’t a losing proposition for you.”
“You even knew the name…..”
At that moment, Mycenae decided to treat him like an experienced merchant.When one met a person like him, the fact that she didn’t take a loss was a form of victory!
Moreover, she would be able to gather information on a little-known adventurer on this continent.She would be able to gain massive profit from it.
“Next…I want you to repair our equipments.”
“Repair…All right.Huh?All your equipment are artifacts, but….Overall, you guys have pretty bad equipment.Does this mean that your levels are also…..?”
“I told you not to pry any further.”
It cost 50 silvers to repair all the equipment.He paid 40 silvers after receiving the 20% discount.
Mycenae never expected him to discount the price of the repair fee, but she also knew she had acted rude in the first place.This was why she couldn’t do anything about it.
“Next, I want boots and helmet for her.I want a robe.I want you to give me your best performing equipment with the lowest level restriction.”
“I have boots and helmet made from the bones of a Blood Ketai.The two items will be worth 8 gold…..”
“Since I’m receiving a 20% discount, I’ll give you 6 gold and 30 silver.”
“Jeez.You should just give up on being an adventurer to become a merchant.”
Maetel’s lower extremities and head had been vulnerable compared to the other regions of her body.She now had defensive gears that could protect those regions.Artpe purchased a robe made out of a black fabric.The threads were knitted using the quills of the Darkness Hedgehog, which had the ability to manipulate magical energy.The robe increased one’s Mana by a small amount, and it had a modest ability to obstruct other’s perception.This was why he had to pay 6 golds for it.
In truth, these equipment weren’t something that could be obtained by level 40s.The power of money was really great.
“There, Maetel.You should be pretty safe wearing these.”
“Ah.Ah-ooh.It is so expensive.These expensive items are for me…..”
The fact that Artpe had obtained 10 gold by selling a weird powder was already shocking in itself.Now that she saw so much gold being exchanged for their equipment, she became delirious.
“The cows we can buy with that much money….One, two three….Ooh-ahhhhh.”
“Calm down, Maetel.Also, I want to purchase water and food with the remaining money, ajumma.Give me the cheapest ones.”
“I’m not an ajumma!I’m a green spring girl!”
“If ajumma is a maiden, then I’m a hero.”
“Ooh-ahhhhhhhhh!”
Mycenae didn’t know that Artpe was really a hero.She was infuriated when she saw his sly smile!However, the heroes weren’t paying attention to her anymore.
“Ooh ooh.I don’t like food that doesn’t taste good…...”
“A hard bread you eat right now will come back as tenderloin steak in the future.You have to be patient.”
“......yes, I’ll be patient!I’ll wait until happiness comes to Artpe and I!”
“No, you don’t have to wait that long.”
Mycenae took the money pouch put forth by Artpe.She emptied it, then she started preparing the dry foods and water.Mycenae was dumbfounded as she heard Artpe placate Maetel.
“You guys act as if you’ve been clearing Dungeons for 20 years.You guys must have received fantastic training at home.”
“None of your business.”
He spoke in a brusque manner as he received the bag with dry foods and canteens containing water.After he put away the items inside his robe, he let out a sigh as he raised his head.
Mycenae somehow managed to regain her business smile.She gave him a cute smile, yet Artpe was apathetic.He shooed her off with his hand as he spoke to her.
“Well, you should go now.We’ll probably meet again soon.”
“I’ll see my customers off from here!”
“Nope.Go.Ajumma has to leave, then I’ll be able to take out the treasure chest you are standing on.”
“······.”
In the end, Mycenae sank to the floor.
She never expected him to be aware of it!She had endured all the humiliation up until now as an attempt to get him to act careless.She even sold her wares at a very cheap price, yet at that moment, her plan went up in smoke!