Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: A Deal for Time
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“A deal? What's the point of a deal? My time only flows into the past!”
Ed's eyebrows shot up at a forty-five-degree angle, his pupils dilating wide.
He seemed pretty thrown off by my proposal.
Well, who in the world would try bargaining with a tale entity anyway?
...
The Tale Management Bureau exists, sure.
But those guys are half out of their minds from saving the world, so they don't count.
I flipped over the eco-bag I'd grabbed earlier, and eight wristwatches tumbled out.
Since the Shop made them, they weren't any specific brand, but the quality screamed cheap—like something Daiso would sell for five thousand won.
In other words, total junk.
But who am I? I'm the Merchant, the one who knows all the world's secrets.
Combine info with merchant savvy, and even a cheap watch becomes worth a gold bar.
“Here, Ed—take a look at this.”
“These are awfully small watches. What are they even made of? I've never seen material like this...”
Ed held one up to inspect it.
“But even if these clocks are made of the rarest materials with ghostly precision, it doesn't matter.”
I knew that already.
In a world where time flowed backward, what value could a little watch possibly have?
“No, no, Ed. Take a closer look at the watch.”
“Closer... Huh? W-wait, what?!”
“Exactly. The hands are moving forward!”
In a world where time ran backward, a clock ticking forward was impossible.
Which meant this thing was priceless.
“You have no idea the adventures I went through to get this watch. Thirty years sailing the seas beyond the horizon. That's how long it took me to find it!”
It wasn't from this tale—it was perfectly normal.
Some might call me a con artist, but every good deal needs a sprinkle of MSG to really shine.
“Thirty whole years! And you look barely into your mid-twenties. Incredible.”
“I've already lost so much time in this mansion.”
Ed nodded as if he got it.
“...So, how much for this watch?”
I flashed a knowing smile.
Your move first.
“Five hundred pounds?”
That was about two hundred thousand won per pound back then—fifty million total.
This tale entity had the gall to offer a measly fifty million for my eight watches.
“...You're serious?”
“Hahaha... Sorry. Of course not.”
“Well, it's not that bad...”
“Five thousand pounds, then...?”
“Ah... The very idea of buying this watch with mere money...”
“I see, I see. Naturally. In that case, how about that painting on the wall? Priceless.”
“Tsk.”
This was turning out way more fun than expected.
“W-well, then! Take our family heirloom!”
“Trading hope for the future for some heirloom...?”
He wasn't really dangerous now that we'd pegged him as the culprit, so I could drag this out a bit longer.
“All the jewels in the storeroom!”
“Sigh...”
“The secret vault beneath the mansion!”
“How can I make a deal if you don't know what I want?”
“Urgh... Everything in this mansion!!”
“Tch. Ever hear of 'an eye for an eye'?”
“Pardon? I know the saying.”
“Then obviously, a clock for a clock!”
“But then why not take the mansion when I offered?”
“Do I look that greedy?”
“Ah—.”
Ed was at a loss for words, unable to continue.
All the stress from the Shop lately melted away.
“Argh, I just need to go back to the past! The future means nothing! I'm doomed to keep returning to the past!”
Whoa, why was he throwing a tantrum again?
Clap!
I clapped lightly to reset the mood.
“What I'm saying is, I want to trade all the clocks in this mansion for my watch.”
“...I don't get why you'd want clocks of all things, but fine.”
Ed offered a handshake.
“I'll go fetch them, then.”
“Nah, no need. I'll grab them quick.”
“Pardon? How do you even know where they are?”
“I've got my ways.”
I bolted out of the room the second I finished speaking.
Hundreds of runs through here—I had the routes optimized ages ago.
Faster than him collecting them by miles.
Storeroom first.
“Oh... You're back already.”
Actually only five minutes had passed.
With time running backward here, maybe I had five minutes left?
I handed Ed the wristwatch and used my tentacles to stack the new clocks.
“Well, time for me to head out.”
“Yes... Excellent deal. Truly, thank you.”
Ed handed me the front door key as he spoke.
A refreshing breeze and blinding light poured in from outside.
Riding that wind came Ed's voice.
“If I study this mysterious watch, I can end this horrible time curse!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Back home.
How'd the 'deal' go?
“Great! A fantastic trade that satisfied us both.”
Hmm.
The pile of wristwatches had definitely grown several times over.
Maybe around thirteen now?
“Traded your watches for these ones.”
You knew they ran backward, right?
“Obviously. That's the key point.”
I'd thought your idiot factor had kicked in for a bad deal.
I flipped it the bird again.
Anyway, care to explain the new merchandise?
Middle finger still up.
Tch.
Sorry.
Yeah, everyone deserves an apology day now and then.
“This one's called 'Paradoxical Time.' Rewinds time in a set area.”
Need more details.
“Smash the watch, and it turns the whole neighborhood back about a week. Perfect for a half-destroyed district.”
Ho.
Can't help but admire your genius.
Definitely scored with this Merchant.
You were yapping about idiot factors a minute ago, but whatever—good mood.
Deal tomorrow, so stock the new stuff and tidy up.
“Ugh, why does this Shop have so damn much to do?”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I glanced back.
Do-hyun was following, dragging the carrier.
“Squad Leader, whatever's in there...”
“Don't. Just don't. Makes my stomach turn thinking about it.”
“But something keeps wriggling inside.”
“Agh! I said don't!”
“Got it.”
“...”
“Squad Leader.”
“What now.”
“Where does the Bureau even source all this?”
“No clue. But prying'll just get you hurt.”
“...”
Conversation died there for a while.
I broke the silence.
“Here.”
“Abandoned factory this time.”
“Their way of keeping civilians out, maybe?”
“Who knows.”
I opened the door. The Shop was there, of course.
“Right on time, as promised.”
The Merchant greeted us with creepy politeness.
“I'll take everything you've got.”
“Hold on. I've prepared something special this time.”
Another new item?
“Feast your eyes.”
A bunch of clocks, all different shapes.
Looked like the hands were running backward.
“This is 'Paradoxical Time.' And its power—”
Do-hyun's jaw dropped wider with every word.
Anyone else would've been the same—probably me too.
Rewind time? Just like that?
Suddenly made sense why the Chief wanted friendly ties with the Shop.
“It can't rewind living beings and such—there are limits.”
Does that matter?
This alone slashes rebuilding costs and time massively.
Price is the issue.
“Normally, this is ultra-rare. But first trade, so special discount.”
The Merchant pointed at the carrier.
“Looks like one's enough for all the 'Paradoxical Time' you've got.”
Insanely good deal.
No idea what's in there, but pennies compared to reconstruction.
Was here to buy for research, but no contest now.
“This really covers it all?”
“Absolutely! Wishing you swift recovery. Goodbye, customer.”