episode_0026

To express my gratitude for Kikel’s consideration, I introduced one by one the shops that I knew and were somewhat decent.

“The prices may not differ much… but at least, these places won’t play around with the goods. They’ll pay a fair price even when buying loot.”

“Ka-ching! Thank you!”

Just that alone made them relatively conscientious among the merchants in this area.

The low-grade merchants didn’t just swindle, they subtly mixed defective goods into their sales or drove down the purchase price of loot.

Of course, such audacity was only if the other party was an iron-clad or higher adventurer, and from the bronze rank, there was a bit of a decrease in scamming.

From the bronze adventurers, guilds began to listen to their complaints. It’s not like one or two people could make a difference; at least twenty would have to gather to voice their grievances, but still, someone would listen.

That’s why, to properly make a living as an adventurer, getting to bronze wasn’t a choice but a necessity.

If you’re unhappy, aim for promotion.

◆◆

Afterward, we walked down the street and entered a rugged-looking blacksmith shop.

Before purchasing the necessary items, we needed to dispose of the dungeon loot, which was nothing short of a pile of baggage.

“Hmm… Have you been raiding tombs or something?”

The blacksmith who received our loot—meaning, a bunch of rusted swords—asked while shaking his head and inquiring about the origin of the items.

“Well, undead weapons are all like this, you know.”

Well, when you thought about it, raiding tombs was exactly what we had done. Unlike other tombs, though, thanks to the magical revival of the Abyss Priest, the elderly corpses rose up and roamed around without their spines straightening.

“With their condition like this, it’s difficult to give a good price. I’ll buy them for 24 copper. At most, it’ll barely cover a few days’ worth of food.”

“Could you spend a little more? We’re thinking of buying a shield and a longsword here.”

“Hmm, in that case… 30 copper. That’s as far as I can go. Anything more than that wouldn’t even cover the cost of the metal.”

The price shot up by 25% just because I mentioned buying something.

Now you see how these merchants here jack up the prices, don’t you?

Even this guy seemed to belong to the relatively conscientious merchants.

The unscrupulous ones would have started with around 20 copper from the beginning, then when you haggle, they’d raise it to 24 copper as if they’re doing you a favor.

“Yes. Thirty pieces will do.”

So without further ado, I received thirty copper and handed half of it over to Kikel.

“So… is the shield for the big lizard guy?”

“Right! Leg protection shield! Long! Sturdy!”

Kikel nodded vigorously and exclaimed.

“W-what?”

Seemingly bewildered by the vague and eerie tone, the blacksmith blinked his eyes while shaking his beard.

“It means we need a large shield that can protect the lower body, reinforced with leather or metal.”

“Oh, was that what you meant? In that case, I’ve got just the thing.”

Nodding, the blacksmith rummaged under the counter and pulled out a large shield to show us.

A kite shield resembling a teardrop. It was a sturdy wooden shield with a thin layer of iron added to increase its defensive capabilities.

The pointed top was sharpened enough to be used as a weapon, and the front had a slightly curved shape, making it seem capable of easily deflecting arrows or spears.

“What do you think? Will this do?”

“Kakak! Good. Very good!”

Examining the shield, Kikel expressed great satisfaction.

It was a bit heavier than the round shield he used before, but he seemed pleased with the increased defense and the fact that it could protect his lower body.

“The price is three silver coins.”

Of course, the price wouldn’t sit well.

Selling a dozen or so skeleton longswords would barely fetch 30 copper, yet this one shield was priced at 3 silver. Selling for nearly 300 copper.

Surely, the value of a rusty piece of metal and a pristine shield couldn’t be similar, but still, it was ten times more expensive than a dozen swords combined.

The soaring cost of living feels like a genuine revolution. If Marx had witnessed this spectacle, he would have shed tears over his bushy beard and urged adventurers from all nations to unite and fight.

We’re only losing chains, they say. Of course, contrary to that swindler’s claim, what the workers lost wasn’t a leash but rather a noose.

“Ka-ching….”

With a somewhat weakened smile, Kikel pulled out three silver coins from his purse and handed them to the blacksmith. The tail protruding from his cloak seemed to shrink back, as if the expenditure of 3 silver was quite burdensome.

◆◆

I purchased a new longsword.

The one I used before was in a state where teeth were missing here and there due to the battle with Wight, and it was filled with rust, so it wouldn’t be strange if it broke at any time. It was a longsword with a simple crossguard on a handle about half the length of one hand, and a blunt metal pommel attached to the end of the blade. It was an item commonly referred to as a bastard sword.

Of course, this one was disgustingly expensive. 3 silver 40 copper. They said they treated the blade with some kind of corrosion-resistant coating, but even considering that, it was a staggering price.

The sword I used to have was bought for a mere 70 copper. To think they’re charging five times that amount. Damn swindlers.

…Anyway, after changing my weapon, I bid farewell to Kikel. While I still had business in the market, he had finished his affairs by changing his shield.

“Ka-ching! Rest well! Looking forward to our next meeting!”

Is that his way of saying he’d be happy to work together again next time? Hm, if that’s the case….

“Excuse me, Kikel. I have a proposal….”

Without hesitation, I called out to Kikel, who was about to leave, and suggested that we work together for a while instead of forming one-time parties with strangers, moving with acquaintances whose skills and trustworthiness have been verified.

“Shaa….”

Kikel clicked his tongue and, after a brief contemplation, turned the question back to me.

“It’s tough outside for me. Still. Is that okay?”

It was a statement indicating that he couldn’t perform outdoor missions due to his susceptibility to the cold.

Outside the dungeon, there are tasks such as subjugating monsters that have formed a lair, hunting rare beasts, and collecting herbs.

“Well, you can decide while assessing the situation. Even if we form a fixed party, we don’t always have to move together.”

Such missions meant I could just let Kikel take it easy and go alone. What I proposed to him wasn’t sticking closely together as a duo, but rather sharing and coordinating our schedules to some extent. When suitable tasks arise, we could choose each other to move together instead of unfamiliar adventurers. Like friends.

“Ka-chak…! Okay then, good. You’re strong! I trust you!”

Kikel readily agreed, reaching out his hand.

“That’s too much praise.”

I shook his hand in agreement, expressing gratitude, and then we discussed coordinating our schedules and future plans.

Surprisingly, Kikel’s lodging was quite close to the inn where I was staying, about a five-minute walk away. It was a bit expensive compared to other accommodations, but since it was the only inn that accommodated lizardmen, I chose to stay there.

Stuffing a bag of rocks into a fur pouch, cuddling it like an egg, and lying down? It seemed like a melancholic life.

Anyway, after parting ways with Kikel, I continued wandering around the shopping district.

The next place I visited specialized in selling armor.

The blacksmith dealt with plate and chainmail armor, but didn’t make or sell leather or quilted armor, like a nobleman who doesn’t hammer iron.

“Welcome! What are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for a cloak to cover my head and quilted armor to wear under my armor.”

The white-haired man caused me significant financial damage. Not only did he ruin the well-used longsword, but he also turned the quilted armor and cloak I had been wearing into rags. If it had just been slightly torn, I could have mended it, but it was beyond repair.

The tattered cloak provided some cover, but its insides were so torn that it resembled the ragged jeans of drug-addled vagrants, exposing the wearer’s flesh.

“Cloak and Nubia Armor… How about this?” The armor merchant, echoing my words, pointed to a Nubia armor hanging on the wall.

A black cloth armor reaching halfway down the thighs. The sleeves were somewhat loose, while the waist was slightly cinched, giving the armor a tailored look despite being just a cloth armor.

“It’s fine.”

I especially liked the color. The simple finish with golden threads on the black-dyed cloth gave the Nubia armor an incredibly luxurious feel.

“Yes. I’ll take this one.”

I took out the Nubia armor, and while I was at it, I purchased new black cloak and pants, then went into the fitting room to change clothes. When I came out, the merchant showered me with exaggerated compliments, his face beaming with delight.

“Wow! It suits you very well! You look just like a knight!”

Indeed, it did suit me. The black Nubia armor adorned with gold threads and the steel armor reflecting a silver sheen. And with lemon-colored hair cascading down to the waist, I exuded the elegance of a princess knight.

“How much for all of this?”

“Four silvers… No, three! Isn’t that practically a giveaway?”

Practically a giveaway, he says. Four silvers could make a beggar lick your feet like a doctor fish. More expensive than a sword forged from steel and life-taking, isn’t it? One takes lives, the other protects lives, right?

“Oh, if you’re thinking of selling your old Nubia armor, we can deduct its value… Two silvers. I’ll give it for two silvers! How about that?”

Laughing at the absurdly high price, the armor merchant made a bold offer. He proposed to buy the previous cloak, Nubia armor, and pants for a whopping one silver.

…What’s going on? Is he a philanthropist or something? Or was this Nubia armor unexpectedly unsellable toxic inventory?

“That sounds good.”

Of course, there was no reason to refuse.

Naturally, I had to hand it over.

On the way back, I’d be lucky to get even ten copper for those rags I’d been wearing, but the merchant offered me a whole silver for them.

After handing over my old clothes and two coins, I put on the new outfit, threw on a cloak, and left the shop, heading back to the inn.

I may spend money like water, but all in all, it was a fairly satisfying shopping trip.