The wolfman merchant, sure, he's wearing a mask, but with such a distinctive physique, what's the point?
Anyways, “I’ll take four of these Chameleon Earrings,” Sophia says, pointing to a specific box with earrings of various shapes and sizes. Each, though, is imbued with a similar green, emerald-colored gem.
“A hundred gold coins each,” the wolf-eared man responds, a grin evident even beneath his mask.
“What? Are you kidding?” Sophia raises her voice. “They didn't even cost ten gold coins to produce!”
“OKay, find them elsewhere then,” the man retorts. “I’m the only vendor with these in stock, Sophia. I know that you’re coming here, so I talked to all the other vendors. They won’t sell you anything for less than that, haha!”
Hearing that, Sophia’s face turns red in anger.
“Damn you, Curtis! How about fifty each?”
“Eighty-five. Take it or leave it.”
“Arrrgh!” Sophia groans, then hesitantly takes out her pouch.
I watch the exchange, amused. Curtis is clearly taking advantage of the situation and ripping us off, knowing that we are desperately needing those earrings. Chameleon gems are rare items dropped by high-level chameleon monsters in a specific dungeon. These gems have the power to alter one's appearance. While the gems themselves aren't exceedingly difficult to acquire, the kingdom has criminalized their possession, making it a capital offense. This has deterred many from producing or selling them.
“Here's two hundred gold coins. I'll pay the remainder in two days. Draft a contract for it.”
“Nope, that won’t do," Curtis says, arching a brow. "You're now a wanted criminal. If you get caught tomorrow, who will pay the debt?”
“Curtis!” Sophia yells, her eyes blazing with anger. “I had your back when you were down and out. Isn't it time you returned the favor?”
“Alright then, two hundred gold coins, plus the ring on your hand.”
“What!?” Sophia gasps in disbelief. There’s a ruby-like ring on her finger. Its beauty is undeniable, a piece of true artistry. "But... this ring is…”
“Is what? Is it worth more than your life?”
…
Hearing that, Sophia turns silent. She glances at the earrings, then sigh deeply, then slowly and hesitantly take off her ruby ring,
But I stop her.
“Sophia, there’s no need.”
Seeing that girl’s reaction just now, it’s quite clear to me that the ring is something very important to her. A family heirloom, maybe? Not that I care, but, as her master, at least I should share some expenses.
Thus, I reach into my pocket, and bam! I place my currency on the table.
“S–s—silver!?” Curtis' eyes bawl out, his speech slurring upon seeing five of my pure silver bullets.
“Master!” Sophia is very surprised too. “H–how did you get so much silver!?”
“So, is this enough?” I now raise my voice. “Five of these, for four earrings. Deal?”
“Of–of course!” Curtis stutters.
I then hand that wolfman my silver, then take the four Chameleon Earrings. Well, this is still a terrible trade, but there's no other option. With these earrings, we can travel safely now. Curtis is really an asshole, yes, but he’s right. There’s nothing more valuable than our lives.
“Anyway, because you saved my life once, I’m going to give you some advice,” Curtis suddenly says, leaning closer to Sophia.
“Huh? What nonsense are you trying to feed me now?” Sophia pushes the guy away. She’s clearly still very upset after that trade.
However, the wolf man simply lets out a wicked laugh. Then, with a voice laden with menace, he utters a single word:
“Run.”
!!!
No sooner has he spoken than he vanishes! The other vendors also disappear, all the goods are also one. In just seconds, the black market has transformed into a desolate wasteland, with no one remaining but us.
Suddenly, the air becomes suffocating, and beneath us, a magic circle glows!
It’s a trap!
“Sophia!!”
I yell, taking Sophia’s hand to try and get out of that circle.
But it’s too late.
A magic barrier is set, its wall surrounding us. Sophia tries to kick and punch and even slam her body into the barrier, but it’s to no avail.
Meanwhile, I just touch the barrier, and analyze the symbols under it.
“Oh? Interesting.” I murmur.
And soon after, I hear the sound of heavy footsteps, the clinking of armors and weapons. I turn, see a big fat man clad in noble attire approaching, following him are dozens of women of various races, all wearing slave collars. He’s a human, yet his face looks like an orc.
“Bromrik the Chainmaster…” Sophia murmurs, her eyes widening.
Judging by Sophia’s reaction, that guy must be bad news, because I can clearly see the terror on her face.
The wolfman merchant, sure, he's wearing a mask, but with such a distinctive physique, what's the point?
Anyways, “I’ll take four of these Chameleon Earrings,” Sophia says, pointing to a specific box with earrings of various shapes and sizes. Each, though, is imbued with a similar green, emerald-colored gem.
“A hundred gold coins each,” the wolf-eared man responds, a grin evident even beneath his mask.
“What? Are you kidding?” Sophia raises her voice. “They didn't even cost ten gold coins to produce!”
“OKay, find them elsewhere then,” the man retorts. “I’m the only vendor with these in stock, Sophia. I know that you’re coming here, so I talked to all the other vendors. They won’t sell you anything for less than that, haha!”
Hearing that, Sophia’s face turns red in anger.
“Damn you, Curtis! How about fifty each?”
“Eighty-five. Take it or leave it.”
“Arrrgh!” Sophia groans, then hesitantly takes out her pouch.
I watch the exchange, amused. Curtis is clearly taking advantage of the situation and ripping us off, knowing that we are desperately needing those earrings. Chameleon gems are rare items dropped by high-level chameleon monsters in a specific dungeon. These gems have the power to alter one's appearance. While the gems themselves aren't exceedingly difficult to acquire, the kingdom has criminalized their possession, making it a capital offense. This has deterred many from producing or selling them.
“Here's two hundred gold coins. I'll pay the remainder in two days. Draft a contract for it.”
“Nope, that won’t do," Curtis says, arching a brow. "You're now a wanted criminal. If you get caught tomorrow, who will pay the debt?”
“Curtis!” Sophia yells, her eyes blazing with anger. “I had your back when you were down and out. Isn't it time you returned the favor?”
“Alright then, two hundred gold coins, plus the ring on your hand.”
“What!?” Sophia gasps in disbelief. There’s a ruby-like ring on her finger. Its beauty is undeniable, a piece of true artistry. "But... this ring is…”
“Is what? Is it worth more than your life?”
…
Hearing that, Sophia turns silent. She glances at the earrings, then sigh deeply, then slowly and hesitantly take off her ruby ring,
But I stop her.
“Sophia, there’s no need.”
Seeing that girl’s reaction just now, it’s quite clear to me that the ring is something very important to her. A family heirloom, maybe? Not that I care, but, as her master, at least I should share some expenses.
Thus, I reach into my pocket, and bam! I place my currency on the table.
“S–s—silver!?” Curtis' eyes bawl out, his speech slurring upon seeing five of my pure silver bullets.
“Master!” Sophia is very surprised too. “H–how did you get so much silver!?”
“So, is this enough?” I now raise my voice. “Five of these, for four earrings. Deal?”
“Of–of course!” Curtis stutters.
I then hand that wolfman my silver, then take the four Chameleon Earrings. Well, this is still a terrible trade, but there's no other option. With these earrings, we can travel safely now. Curtis is really an asshole, yes, but he’s right. There’s nothing more valuable than our lives.
“Anyway, because you saved my life once, I’m going to give you some advice,” Curtis suddenly says, leaning closer to Sophia.
“Huh? What nonsense are you trying to feed me now?” Sophia pushes the guy away. She’s clearly still very upset after that trade.
However, the wolf man simply lets out a wicked laugh. Then, with a voice laden with menace, he utters a single word:
“Run.”
!!!
No sooner has he spoken than he vanishes! The other vendors also disappear, all the goods are also one. In just seconds, the black market has transformed into a desolate wasteland, with no one remaining but us.
Suddenly, the air becomes suffocating, and beneath us, a magic circle glows!
It’s a trap!
“Sophia!!”
I yell, taking Sophia’s hand to try and get out of that circle.
But it’s too late.
A magic barrier is set, its wall surrounding us. Sophia tries to kick and punch and even slam her body into the barrier, but it’s to no avail.
Meanwhile, I just touch the barrier, and analyze the symbols under it.
“Oh? Interesting.” I murmur.
And soon after, I hear the sound of heavy footsteps, the clinking of armors and weapons. I turn, see a big fat man clad in noble attire approaching, following him are dozens of women of various races, all wearing slave collars. He’s a human, yet his face looks like an orc.
“Bromrik the Chainmaster…” Sophia murmurs, her eyes widening.
Judging by Sophia’s reaction, that guy must be bad news, because I can clearly see the terror on her face.
