“How much is this bag?” Arad asked as he found a medium-sized bag. He started around the shop and saw the shopkeeper rushing toward him.

“You have good eyes, sir. This bag is made of wild ox leather and is durable.” The shopkeeper smiled.

Let’s find another shop. This man is trying to make the bag sound more impressive than it is.

“I see. Thank you, I will look in another place.” Arad said, turning around.

“Hold up, good sir!” the shopkeeper caught Arad’s hand, “Sorry. It’s a cow leather bag, but it’s durable.”

Listen to him. Haggling is a common thing. You must always look like you know what you’re buying. That bag goes for five copper coins. But the price might have fluctuated to seven copper coins.

“How much is it?” Arad glared at the shopkeeper.

“Twelve copper coins, but I will make it just ten for you.” The shopkeeper smiled.

That’s ridiculous.

“Do you expect me to pay ten copper coins for a five copper coins bag?” Arad stared at him.

The shopkeeper stepped back, clenching his teeth, “I see you don’t know the market, kid. We’re having a shortage of cow leather.” As the merchant started talking, Arad turned away, leaving.

“Stop right there.”

Arad didn’t listen to him, You don’t have to listen to a scammer.

Arad stopped at the next shop, seeing the same bag sold there. Looking around, he saw a woman cleaning inside the shop, “Madam, how much is this bag?”

The woman stood, “I can’t see it. Can you lift it?”

Arad lifted the bag to the woman to see.

“That one is three coppers, but I recommend you buy the one by its side. It’s five copper coins but double the size.” She shouted from the inside.

It’s far cheaper, how come?

“How is it this cheap?” Arad asked.

“There was a cow leather surplus a few weeks ago, so I ordered a bunch of these bags. Now I have a stockpile to sell.” She replied with a smile, slowly approaching the counter.

“So you’re losing money?”

“No, I’m making a decent profit.” The woman smiled, pointing at the small bags.

“Two copper coins and I sell them for three. I gain one copper coin in profit.” she then pointed at the larger bags, “Those were three copper coins, and I sell them for five copper coins. I gain two copper coins in profit.”

Arad looked back at the previous shop, “That one tried to sell me the small ones for ten copper coins. Is he stuck in the shortage?”

The woman looked to the side, “That snorty bastard? No, he bought his bags with me. I bet he is trying to make a bigger profit.”

Did you hear that? That is why haggling exists.

“I will take the big one,” Arad handed her five copper coins, and she gave him the large bag.

“Are you an adventurer?” The woman asked,

“Yes, why do you ask?”

“If you happened to get your hands on any wolves’ fur, fangs or claws, leave some for me, and I will pay handsomely.” The woman told him with a smile.

“I will keep that in mind, madam?” Arad looked at her.

“Lyla Belethor, and you?”

“Arad Orion. Is it even legal for me to sell you monster parts?” He asked, a bit worried.

“I’d even buy one of your relatives… If you want to sell them. Ha!ha!ha! That’s a little joke.” She laughed, patting Arad’s back, “Wolves are animals, not monsters.”

Arad smiled, “You scared me for a moment.”

Lyla pointed into the distance, “I’ve never seen you here before, so I will show you something important. See that large building over there?”

Arad nodded. He could miss it.

“That’s the slave market. Criminals end there.” She smiled, “Animal parts are okay, but monsters’ parts are a no-go. Make sure to consult with the guild before attempting anything strange.”

“Any criminal can end up as a slave?” Arad asked with a worried face.

“No. There is a complicated process behind it. And it depends on the crime and its magnitude.” Lyla explained, “Last month, there was a sizable skirmish with the elves of the north. I bet you will find some of their soldiers locked up there and waiting to ransom.”

“Anyone can buy them?”

“No. Only the prisoners’ country or relative can buy them in the first two months. After that, it’s an open market.”

“I understand.” Arad turned to leave.

“Will you bring me what I asked for?”

“I will ask the guild first.”

“That’s it. Make sure to check.”

…

Nina, I returned. Arad opened the guild’s door and walked toward the counter. All the adventurers glared at him and the large bag over his shoulder.

“Did you finish the quest?”

Nina asked with a smile. She then quickly glares at the adventurers in the back. They all shrunk, pretending to have never glared at Arad.

“Here they are. Please check them.” Arad put ten slime cores on the counter.

“All looks good, this 50 copper coins.” Nina smiled. “Have anything else?” she could still see Arad’s bag having something.

Arad pulled a massive pile of mint, “One, two, three… thirty-two, thirty-five, thirty-six.”

Thirty-six batches of mint, he grazed the whole forest.

“How did it fit into that bag?”

“I keep my stuff organized,” Arad replied with a smile.

After a suspicious glare, Nina counted the mind and rewarded him.

“This is your payment, 60 copper for the mint.” She said with a sigh. But then she noticed Arad glaring at her with a smile, his guild card in hand.

“What?”

“Look, I have two slime quests, and then how much mint quest? Twelve?” He grinned, “Shouldn’t I rank up?”

It was then it came to Nina. This kid has just done it. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝑙．𝑐𝘰𝘮

“No, you only had one mint quest registered.” She cried.

Arad waved his palm, “Then hand me my mint back.”

“Hold up, but…”

“Nina, let him have it. I will be his examiner.” Alcott, who was drinking beer in the back, approached the counter.

For a moment, Nina’s eyes darted between Alcott and Arad. The adventurers in the back started listening. Is the talented newcomer going to fight the talented S-rank?

In the end, she gave up, “Please hand me your guild card. I will register your quests immediately.” She then looked at Arad, “But this is the last time; Otherwise, the guild master will eat my head over it.”

Eat your head?

“But I finished the quest. What does the guild master have to complain about?” Arad asked.

“Usually, the guild makes a profit by selling what we get. Now the master has to find a buyer for your mint before it withers. In a bigger city, you might find five or six missions. I even heard that the capital put over one hundred identical quests per day.” Nina explained, and Alcott stared at her with a smile.

“The whole guild is crying about some mint. I will buy to make stamina potions if you don’t mind.”

Nina smiled, “Really? I will get the guild master notified immediately,” Nina leaped away after updating Arad’s card.

“Take your time,” Alcott said with a smile.

Amber stared at them from the side, “Alcott, you better get ready for the new kid. His talent is exceptional.”

The adventurers started mumbling. Why does an S-rank need to prepare for a mock battle with an F-rank? They knew Arad was talented, but not to that extent.

Alcott scratched his head, “You’re right. I could take a hit If he had more tricks up his sleeve.”

***********

/10>

/14>

***********

Arad smiled, staring at his card as Alcott pulled his sword and started practicing in the back.