The Masked Merchant
The masked merchant Victor appeared before me, and as I checked the grade of the stuffed rabbit doll hugged tightly to my chest, I let out a breath of my own accord.
'Why is this unique grade?'
It's not that high for an item that helps with restful sleep.
Does it grant unique grade just for maintaining optimal condition after a good night's sleep?
'Then the rabbit doll has a hidden second effect!'
It emphasizes that with [Another effect is suspected to be hidden.].
'Then there must be a hidden effect, right?'
Without it, I'd just be a young man who regained his sanity by hugging a stuffed rabbit doll.
'That's absolutely impossible.'
I would use every bit of my life experience and the firmly built self to negate this horrible situation in full force.
So, the hidden effect must be the real reason this tattered rabbit doll was assigned unique grade.
Just like the items in the Tower, they don't explain clearly.
'Like when I used the Demon Emperor Mask.'
This rabbit doll too, unique-grade items are promised to be explained in a rough manner?
Otherwise, it's only me who faces this explanation window.
'I can't enjoy this alone.'
I really hope other people could taste it too since I'm so thrilled. Really.
"Does the item please you?"
As I was staring at the rabbit doll, Victor came up with a smile.
"Ah, yes."
If he's asking if it pleases me or not, it does please me.
Not only did it help me escape the headache, but it also firmly fixed my wavering self-identity.
'He did everything.'
When I think about it, he resolved the biggest problem I was facing in an instant.
Damn it, Rabbit Doll. What exactly did you do to me... The rabbit doll's mouth, drawn crookedly, seemed to be saying 'He did everything' to me.
"It seems the item really pleased you."
Victor carefully scanned my expression and gave a satisfied smile.
"Well, to some extent."
There was only one thing that didn't please me.
Even though the exterior is a girl, inside I'm a grown man, so hugging a stuffed rabbit doll like this is something I have to do.
The self-reproach pushing up was more than I expected.
'But I can't let it go.'
Since I might encounter something if I let it go, I had no choice but to hug it tightly with both arms.
Thanks to that, my face became strangely deformed.
Since the only viewer was Victor, if not for him, my face would have been red as a boiled crab already.
"The product seems to have pleased the customer. As for me, Victor, seeing the bright faces of our customers is the joy of my life."
"Ah, I see."
Victor even wiped away a fake tear while saying something unasked.
It was rather burdensome.
"Hah, you've shown your true colors. Anyway, it seems the product satisfies you, so this merchant will take his leave for now."
"Is there any possibility of additional transactions?"
I hurriedly caught Victor's steps as he turned to leave.
Victor is a merchant who handles items that are not ordinary even just by looking at the rabbit doll I gave him.
I hadn't even figured out what was in his cart yet.
Yet, it was a pity to send back just the one doll. Of course, ignoring that it's unique grade.
"... Yes, of course."
Victor hesitated for a moment, then smiled brightly and nodded.
"I have everything except the ones you don't have. What would you like?"
"Um."
What I want.
'Nothing specific?'
I grabbed it out of regret, but I don't need a weapon or armor right now.
The biggest headache, the mental state, has been somewhat resolved by this rabbit doll.
Now that I think about what I need, nothing stands out.
"Um..."
"If you don't have exactly what you want, I can recommend something for you."
"Sure, go ahead."
Since nothing comes to mind, let's see what he suggests.
"It seems this might be necessary for you."
"Hm?"
Victor searched his pocket and handed me a small pill bottle.
"What's this?"
"This is a medicine brought from a distant country. It's good for the body. I guarantee that this is the most necessary item for you."
Victor smiled brightly.
It seems he's quite confident.
'Let me check.'
I can check it directly.
This place is the Tower. There's a much more reliable method than guessing with eyes.
Sun Herb Pill
[Grade: Rare]
[An pill made by gathering herbs grown by looking at the sun all my life. Overuse can be poisonous.]
"Oh ho."
I thought of red pepper first since it's called sun herb, but it seems it's made by gathering other spiritual herbs of the same name.
Its effect is supplementing Yang energy.
'Then.'
With Nine Yin Blocked Meridians
It might be able to treat my body where the blood vessels in the body are frozen by extreme Yin energy.
Of course, it's only a possibility.
'It's really convenient.'
Even though it's just a quick glance, why does it only come up with necessary things like this.
It's rather pleasing.
Even if I don't see significant improvement immediately, it's better than nothing.
"I like it, but how do I pay? What currency should I use?"
I already used the goblin corpse for buying the rabbit doll 'Help Me, Mr. Rabbit'.
So, to get this pill, I need to pay another price.
Luckily, I had sold all the stones, so there was no money left.
'If I give the shoulder pads or something, would it be okay?'
These are also items with demand.
"Yes. The price for the Sun Herb Pill is... um... 400 grams of flesh."
"Um, yes. 400 grams of flesh... what?"
I immediately doubted my ears.
Since he calmly stated the harsh condition, anyone would think he's asking to cut a pound of pork at the butcher.
400 grams of flesh? Is there even a point in killing people.
"Why are you so surprised."
Victor opened his mouth as if I was the one being weird.
"400 grams of flesh?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"Too many problems. Too many, actually."
"You're not suggesting goblin flesh, are you?"
"No, of course I mean the customer's flesh."
Victor looked at me as if asking what was so obvious.
"You don't accept other items?"
Even if so, asking for 400 grams of flesh is unreasonable.
Not like some merchant in Venice or something.
"Um. If 400 grams of flesh is a problem, 800 ml of blood would not be bad either."
No, it's really bad.
800 ml of blood, meaning he's planning to kill me by bleeding me dry twice.
"Um, if you don't like that either, giving one kidney wouldn't be bad. Since there are two kidneys, if you give one, I can give you more of the other."
"That's too much."
Wanting to make someone live with medication for life.
In this body, the only thing that went well was having a healthy body without any minor illnesses.
I didn't want to kick my own foot.
"If you don't like this or that, it seems you have no intention of buying the item."
Victor's voice sank.
"No, if the conditions are like this from the start..."
Even if it's a reasonable item, the thought of buying it disappeared. I was about to protest, but something in Victor's eyes stopped me.
"As a merchant, I dislike customers who play pranks."
Playing pranks? You're the one playing pranks!
...Of course, I couldn't say it out loud.
"At this point, I can't think that the customer is not playing pranks."
That was too much of an assumption?
However, my opinion meant nothing.
I only rejected his strange offer, but suddenly Victor had branded me as a cunning liar in his mind.
"Customer, I really dislike this situation. If it continues, I'll have no choice but to respond. I don't want to fight with you."
Subtle coercion.
He means he'll use his skills if it goes on.
'Hm.'
This man was on a different level from the insignificant beings I've faced so far.
If the true nature hidden behind the stern and cheerful mask is hostile to me, can my current self survive?
'I' ll die,'
It will definitely die.
"If the price I offered doesn't please you, feel free to name your own price. What do you have?"
What do you have?
"Um, how about these shoulder pads?"
"Denied. Trash."
It was an item I invested a few million won in, yet it was treated as trash immediately.
Even after presenting a few more items, Victor didn't seem satisfied.
'Hm.'
What I have left is the unique-grade item, the Goblin Pocket.
But giving that is the last resort. Then the only remaining option is...
'Will it be eaten?'
Actually, I wanted to take it out earlier, but since this wouldn't work, I had to save it as the last resort.
"Then, what about this?"
"Customer. If it's like this, I'll have to resort to using my skills... Huh?"
Victor's eyes changed when he saw the item I pulled out.
The madness and rage in the two eyes behind the mask disappeared, and only fierce greed began to boil.
"Where did you get that from, customer?"
Victor reached out to me as if hypnotized.
I subtly pulled my hand back and countered.
"Um, from a box?"
"You had such a precious thing and still played such a prank?"
I didn't answer. There was no appropriate reply.
Why didn't you take it out?
'I didn't know.'
If you knew I'd come out like this, you would have taken it out earlier.
Who knew a small 'Greed Badge' would cause such an overreaction.
The effect is too good.
"If this is enough to talk, how much do you have? If you need something, I'll give you more."
Victor stuck close to me, his eyes glittering with greed.
It's burdensome, get back a bit.
But my mouth was already moving against my thoughts.
"This pill, one bottle. No, two more."
I had to do what I had to do.