Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Selling the Crimson Flame Staff (2)
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I still had some fear about revealing my identity.
Every single function related to regular customers was incredibly satisfying.
"I'm Boastful Blacksmith. You just accepted the regular customer message, right? That's how this happened."
"Whoa... really...? So, does that mean you're a mental-type Awakener, Boastful Blacksmith? I heard blacksmithing is mostly done by strength-type Awakeners. That's impressive!"
"Hmm... something like that. Anyway, shall we draw up the contract right away?"
"Oh, yeah!!!"
Now I realized that registering as a regular customer might give away that I'd truly Awakened as a blacksmith.
For now, I steered the conversation toward making the deal immediately.
"But... how do we do the contract?"
"Please hold on a moment. I'll send it over."
The second function of the Regular Customer system.
Enables one-on-one transactions between individuals, not through auction.
Once the contract is drafted and both buyer and seller sign, the deal proceeds.
This contract recognizes any clause as long as both parties agree.
In other words, unlike real-world contracts that lose effect beyond a certain level, this enables truly binding personal agreements.
In a way, this function alone seemed worthy of calling it purely S-grade in influence.
There are a few clauses that must be included in every transaction.
1. The buyer promises not to harm the seller 'Boastful Blacksmith' under any circumstances and strives to maintain a friendly relationship.
2. The buyer shall not share any trivial information about the seller 'Boastful Blacksmith' with others. Permission from the seller 'Boastful Blacksmith' is required if necessary, and only granted with approval.
...
If the buyer violates any of the above, the purchased item will be reclaimed. However, the seller returns only 50% of the paid amount.
For now, this much.
I'd add more later if something came to mind or through trial and error.
These are the standard clauses for all transactions.
Now, time to draft the contract for the Crimson Flame Staff deal with Chae Yeonhwa.
We'd already agreed on terms via messages, so no need to agonize.
"Whoa... it really came! It's right in front of me!"
"500 billion upfront, remaining 500 billion plus 5% annual interest... so repay 550 billion within two years."
"Yes, yes... if I sign this, does the Crimson Flame come right away like a contract?"
"Crimson Flame? Oh, right. Yes. Oh, and if you've seen my posts, you know I can do name engraving. Want that?"
She'd already given the equipment a nickname.
"Name engraving?"
"Yeah, I can add letters before 'Crimson Flame Staff.' Like... Super Strong Crimson Flame Staff."
"No way!!!"
"Ah, okay..."
This customer's pretty picky.
"If I sign now, it comes exactly as Crimson. Flame. Staff, right?"
"Yes, yes..."
But wouldn't it be a problem if she signed so quickly?
"Um... you did read it all, right?"
"Huh? Didn't you just explain everything?"
Scratch that thought.
She's refreshingly decisive, as expected from Korea's top Awakener!
"True, but... you should at least read the first clause."
"Mm... Article one! The buyer to seller Boastful Blacksmith..."
...
"...However, the seller returns only 50% of the paid amount."
'...She finally read it all.'
It was annoying with all the questions as she read, but this was a big-spending regular customer dropping 1,050 billion, so I answered politely.
"So, just keep the secret and stay on good terms?"
"Y...yeah?"
Simply put, yes...
The transaction with buyer 'Fire Stick' has been completed! Contract conditions must be fulfilled and can only be terminated by mutual agreement.
Succeeded in first transaction with a regular customer! [Regular Customer Summon] function unlocked!
"Done! Now... whoaaaa!!!"
Just as a guidance message appeared before me, the Crimson Flame Staff must have materialized in front of Chae Yeonhwa's eyes.
"Whooooaaaaaaa!!!"
While Chae Yeonhwa excitedly inspected the Crimson Flame Staff, I checked the newly unlocked function.
'Regular Customer Summon...?'
Like before, it was under the regular customer list, accessible by clicking a nickname.
Curious, I clicked it without thinking.
"Ehehehehehe... Crimson Flame, I'll treasure you so much~"
"Uh..."
On my bed, hugging the Crimson Flame Staff and giggling away.
Probably the Guild Master of Crimson Lotus Guild.
Fire Stick, Chae Yeonhwa, had appeared.
"Ehehehehehe... Huh?"
"H...hi?"
"Hiiiiaaak!!—"
Ehehe... this is bad.
"Wh... what is this... where am I!!!"
"Calm down for a second..."
"Th... the contract!!! It wasn't in the contract...!!?"
"I didn't do it on purpose..."
"Where is this!!!"
Judging it threatening, Chae Yeonhwa immediately summoned a fireball in her hand.
Suddenly transported to an unfamiliar place at unperceived speed—she'd naturally feel threatened.
"W...wait!!"
"Get ready!!!"
"This is my house!!! It'll all burn down!!!!!!!"
I desperately shouted while pulling out shields en masse from the equipment I'd made so far.
Crash crash crash—
Four B-rank shields rained down over me.
Among them was a water-attribute shield, so maybe it'd hold.
"..."
About 10 seconds hiding behind the shields with eyes squeezed shut.
'Whoa. Awesome!!'
My badass shields could block even an S-rank flame mage's attack!
Yeah, no matter how S-rank, elemental matchups are unbeatable.
"Fire can't beat water! Haven't you seen Pokémon, kid!!"
"...Move the shields a bit..."
"Pardon?"
"I know it's your house now, so explain what happened..."
"Oh..."
Swoosh—
I peeked after shifting one shield. The fire in her hand was out, and Chae Yeonhwa sat quietly waiting.
"Hi...?"
To minimize risk, I kept only the Water Shield and stowed the other three.
"I know Pokémon too... and I'm not a kid."
"Ah... I got worked up too... sorry."
Come to think of it, no Awakener could be younger than me with at least a year of hunter life under their belt.
Chae Yeonhwa, having hunted longer, was definitely older.
She didn't know my age yet, so I'd play dumb.
"You must be shocked, but if you hear me out from now, there won't be any issues."
"Okay..."
Fortunately, she calmed down and listened well.
Maybe her confidence in her combat prowess?
How could she stay so composed here...
Or was she playing it safe...?
'Playing it safe...?'
"Ah."
I realized why she was acting so cautiously.
1. The buyer promises not to harm the seller 'Boastful Blacksmith' under any circumstances and strives to maintain a friendly relationship.
The situation just now clearly felt like harm to me.
"But, Fire Stick."
"Yes...?"
"You just tried to harm me? Should I take the staff back?"
"Eek!! Nooo!!"
"Hmm..."
"I'm sorry!!!"
I expected excuses about it being a special circumstance, but she immediately groveled.
"I panicked and made a mistake! I'm sorry!!!"
Actually, that was the right call.
Stubbornly denying it would violate the effort to maintain a friendly relationship.
I'd underestimated her a bit—no, a lot—but she had the situational awareness befitting Korea's top Guild Master.
"What should I do about this~?"
"Eek... I'm sorry!!!"
"50%, so no need for the remaining payment."
"Ah... nooo..."
"You agreed, Chae Yeonhwa, and signed the contract?"
"I... I have guild members I need to take responsibility for..."
"Yes~"
"Ah... and so many things I want to do..."
Already shifted to her own well-being.
She could do what she wanted.
With my permission, that is.
"Ugh... I just got Crimson Flame..."
"Should I let it slide this once?"
"Yes!!!"
Honestly, I vaguely thought it might not count as harm.
If it did, wouldn't a message have popped up on my phone nearby?
She hadn't actually fired; it was self-defense ability activation...
But Chae Yeonhwa, hit with sudden contracts and systems dumping info one-sidedly, hadn't figured that out.
She'd realize the lack of enforcement eventually.
"Just this once, forgiven."
So, I'd play the magnanimous forgiver.
"Yes, yes!!!"
"I sold you the Crimson Flame Staff, after all."
"Eek, thank you!!"
"While you were asleep, Magma Guild's Guild Master messaged me too."
"Gasp, really?!!"
"Of course. B-rank flame staves are rare. That's why you couldn't get one till now."
"Right... but why me..."
"Fellow Koreans."
"Gasp... Boastful Blacksmith..."
Chae Yeonhwa's eyes sparkled with emotion.
She stared piercingly at my face, like gazing at someone worthy of respect.
"Uh...?"
Then she tilted her head, puzzled.
"Have... we met somewhere before?"