Chapter 128 (2/2)

Aspect of Bear I: Endurance +1, Strength +1

Novice’s Leather Bracer Lvl 14: Leather armor worked by a novice. Vit +1, Health +7.

Engraving of Fish 40% (U): Wearer has increased sensitivity to movement and hostility within a small area around themselves. Wearer gains Aspect of Fish I.

Aspect of Fish I: Perception +1, Wisdom +1

“These are just some examples of my work.” The young man remarked coolly, clearly seeing Claptrap’s frazzled reaction. “I’m looking to set up a partnership with one of the armor dealers in the area, Engraving their wares. If you are interested… we can discuss compensation.”

Claptrap’s eyes were bulging. Although the Engraving in front of him was at a barely passable level, and was of relatively simple runes, it was still Engraving. The Engraving Guilds were extremely secretive and selective, and charged ridiculous prices to have their masters work on weapons and armor, basically making sure only the most affluent had access to Engraving.

In addition, to the guild’s selectivity, the average person had no interest in pursuing Engraving, because it took so much investment to reach a level where there was a real, tangible effect on the wearer. Both Aspects I and II were things that people would be slightly interested in, but the real power of runes became apparent when they cross the 80% threshold, and the III level of the aspect was available.

These were all far from that, but with some time and training, the Dragonfly Engraving could perhaps reach 60%....

All of this flashed through Claptrap’s mind in a split second. Common Engraving like this simply wasn’t on the market. No one was doing it, because it was basically impossible for an amateur to learn, by himself, how it worked, and the guilds didn’t want to cheapen Engraving by providing this sort of service.

So this young man was effectively offering Claptrap the opportunity to have a product that he would basically have a monopoly on, especially around Qtal.

Claptrap kept his face studiously casual. “Ah, Engraving I see. Well that is interesting. I suppose I wouldn’t mind using some of my spare profits to invest in you… What sort of deal were you thinking?”

The young man gave him a frank look, then glanced around at Claptrap’s deserted shop. Claptrap lifted his chin and studied the sky, refusing to balk. Finally, the young man chuckled.

“...well initially, I would give these as a sample and a deposit. In exchange, you would give me additional pieces of armor for me to engrave for you, as well as some of the expected profits, so I can purchase some materials.” The man tilted his head to the side, and Claptrap noticed for the first time how green the young man’s eyes were. They were were a strange mixture of cat’s eye yellow and forest green.

“If we can agree on expected profits.” The man finished simply. Claptrap smiled uncertainly, but with a hint of hope. Maybe this was exactly what he needed to turn his luck around…

****

An hour later, after the young man departed with some of his gold and a dozen steel bracers and chest plates, Claptrap was more ghost than man. Every time Claptrap thought they had agreed on a price that would be to his benefit, the other man would ask some seemingly inane questions about the value of the armor, or the leather, or how much other things could be purchased with the value of such a piece of armor.

The most chilling of those interactions was when the man looked coolly up from the initial meagre amount of cash that Claptrap had been willing to front him, and had simply said. “I suppose with this… I’ll be able to buy some blue energy crystals…?”

Gritting his teeth, Claptrap mumbled out that he must have miscounted, and added 3 more silver coins to the pile. This man’s intuition was absolutely uncanny…! How could he so accurately tell when Claptrap was trying to get the better of him…?

Finally, that man left, with a sigh, as if the whole ordeal left him completely disappointed, although they were able to come to an agreement in regards to price. Seeing that disappointment, there was a part of Claptrap that wanted to offer more, but he managed to bind and gag that part of him.

After all, with the money that he had paid out to the man, if he didn’t receive a decent return, and rather quickly, his business would soon be nearing the danger zone.

“Ah, friend, what do you call yourself? When the many customers ask who the maker of those fine equipments is… what should I tell them?”

The man shrugged, his eyes flashing emerald as he turned away. “Just tell them it was The Ghosthound.”