Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Transaction
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The moment I got home, I dumped out my bag.
Clink, roll roll.
Transparent crystals spilled out onto the cloth I'd spread on the floor.
All the mana stones I'd collected piled up into a pretty hefty mound.
"Hmm..."
I crossed my arms and sat staring at the pile of mana stones.
'Time to get rid of these soon.'
I was pondering where to sell them without drawing attention and for the best price when—
Rustle.
Before I knew it, Little One had snuck up and plastered itself against my side like it belonged there, rubbing all over me.
Like a cat nuzzling my arm, it started acting extra affectionate, even more than usual.
"Huh? What's up?"
I chuckled and gently stroked its silver head with my finger. The soft fur felt nice slipping between my fingers.
After enjoying my touch for a good while, Little One slyly raised a hand and pointed at the mound of mana stones on the floor.
"...?"
I glanced back and forth between its finger and the stones.
"What? You want those?"
No sooner had I spoken than Little One nodded vigorously. Its eyes seemed to sparkle more than usual, reflecting the stones' glow.
"These are expensive, you know."
Do you have any idea how much money these would turn into? But it grabbed my clothes with both hands and hit me with those pleading eyes.
Looking into those eyes, I doubted I could say no even if it asked for something way more precious than mana stones.
It was my summon, after all. A little whining deserved some indulgence.
"Fine, take 'em."
I had no idea why it wanted them so badly, but I couldn't refuse. Besides, if it weren't for Little One, I wouldn't even have these.
I figured it'd just play with one or two like toys.
But boy, was I wrong.
Crunch, munch.
"...?"
I couldn't believe my eyes.
Little One picked up a mana stone and started chomping away at it like it was candy.
"Hey, what the—? Are you supposed to eat those?!"
I yelled in shock, and it paused, mana stone dust on its mouth, and looked back at me. Then, as if to say it was fine, it nodded once and went right back to eating.
Munch, crunch.
Hard as rock, yet in its mouth, they crumbled like snacks.
...Do summons normally eat this stuff?
I just sat there, dumbfounded, watching.
But... how long is it gonna keep going?
"H-Hold on a sec..."
The pile was vanishing at an alarming rate. Over half was already gone.
That's all money!
Crunch, munch.
Maybe I should tell it to stop. My stomach was twisting into knots with anxiety.
But Little One didn't care about my feelings at all, happily devouring them with both hands full.
"S-Stop!"
Just before the floor showed through, I finally couldn't hold back and shouted.
Little One froze in surprise, glancing at me cautiously. Then it quickly shoved the last stone in its hand into its mouth and swallowed.
"...I'll give you more later, okay? That's enough for today. Got it?"
I forced a smile, and it smacked its lips reluctantly before standing up.
With trembling hands, I checked what was left. The 1kg pile was down to about 1/10th.
"Whoa..."
I sat there in a daze, feeling like I'd just checked a bank account after a spending spree.
Its belly bulging out, Little One let out a satisfied burp and waddled over to hug me tight. I could feel its warm little body nestling happily against me.
I wanted to complain, but that cute face made it impossible to stay mad.
Fine, as long as you enjoyed it...
'But it better not just be for filling its belly.'
Those were 900g of my precious mana stones. Just in case, I pulled up its status window again.
"Oh?"
Its level had gone up to 2, and a new skill had been added.
'Stealth.'
The name sounded useful enough, but the system's description was as unhelpful as ever.
I had no clue what "hiding in the darkness" really meant in terms of effectiveness.
"Hey, Little One. Try using it. Stealth."
At first, it tilted its head like it didn't get it.
When I pointed at the "Stealth" text floating in the air, it finally nodded in understanding. Then it clenched its tiny fists like it was gathering energy.
Poof!
A faint ripple shimmered around its body with a soft pop.
It felt like a skill had activated, but...
"...What? Did you actually use it?"
It still looked perfectly visible to me. The outline was a bit blurry maybe, but nowhere near invisible.
To my question, Little One nodded confidently.
"No, I can see you just fine. Did it even work?"
I eyed it skeptically, and it waved its hands in a panic. Then it started frantically gesturing, trying to explain.
About five minutes later...
"...Oh, so I can see you because I'm the summoner?"
After decoding its desperate pantomime, I finally got it.
Little One, sprawled on the floor panting from exhaustion, nodded weakly in confirmation.
"Makes sense... I should be able to see you."
Blurry to me, but basically invisible to everyone else.
...Not bad at all. No regrets there.
I poked its belly and laughed.
'Wait, then maybe...'
A brilliant idea flashed through my mind.
●○○
Truth be told, I'd been wrestling with a secret worry. Getting the mana stones was fine, but selling them was the problem.
The standard way was to go to the Hunter Association for an appraisal and sell there.
But with my lack of ID, that wasn't even an option.
Other routes were guild buyouts, private deals, or black market dealers...
'Guilds? Too entangled for now. Private deals? Way too many scammers.'
That left black market dealers.
They haggled prices to hell, but since they were shady themselves, they didn't ask for ID as long as the goods checked out. That was the rule.
The issue was my safety.
Dealing with rough types like that in this body? Risky and daunting.
But now, I had the perfect skill.
'Stealth.'
I'd been busting my ass to hide Little One before. Getting caught would be a headache for sure.
But this changed everything. It could pretend not to be there at all—right by my side.
Once the thought hit me, I alternated glances between the remaining 100g of mana stones on the floor and Little One sitting next to them.
A sly grin crept onto my face unbidden.
"Heh heh heh..."
Little One, watching me straight on, shuddered.
"Hey, Little One. Don't worry. I'm not gonna sell you."
I patted its shoulder with my kindest face, but it eyed me suspiciously and backed away a step.
'Still, you ate your fill... time to earn your keep.'
I booted up the computer right away.
Click, click.
I started digging through the shady underground forums that normal searches wouldn't turn up—hunter black markets.
Then my finger stopped on one post.
Not your typical ad, but a transaction review. I skipped the body and checked the comments.
Surprisingly decent rep. Gripes about fees but folks coming back, claims of no funny business, randos asking for locations right away—variety.
'Hmm...'
Above all, the comments felt real, not bot spam.
Mismatched writing styles, typos, clashing opinions, whiny rants that rang true—like genuine user reviews.
If this was fake, it'd be way too much hassle.
Still a bit iffy, but beats getting tangled with the Association or guilds. Exposure was the last thing I needed.
I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants and messaged the illegal dealer [Black] anonymously.
Reply came instantly. Impressive for the dead of night.
My painstakingly worded message got a curt response.
[Black: Item type and amount?]
[Me: Mana stones. Roughly 100g+.]
[Black: OK. Tomorrow 2 PM. Abandoned factory district outskirts, 4th floor. Unmarked steel door—find it yourself.]
Abandoned factory. Creepy spot, perfect. Good distance too—20 minutes by bus.
Quiet outskirts, low chance of eyes on me.
'Abandoned industrial zone, huh...'
Minutes ago, that would've spooked me. Not anymore.
My shoulder had an invisible bodyguard ready to unleash hell anytime.
"Whew, real deal tomorrow."
Shutting down the PC released the tension.
I stood from the chair and beckoned to Little One, still wary in the corner.
"Hey, Little One. C'mere. Time for special training."
It shuffled over hesitantly, and I dramatically jabbed the floating "Stealth" text in the air.
"Watch close. Activate this and hop right on my shoulder. Got it?"
Its eyes went wide, then poof—it vanished and leaped onto my shoulder.
I felt the fluffy weight on my shoulder.
"Nice! Perfect. From now on, we're one unit. Understand?"
I checked the mirror, putting on a serious face.
"When I'm talking to those guys and it feels off, I'll give a signal."
I raised my index finger to my left shoulder.
"If I tap here like this, that's the 'fire' signal."
"Hit 'em with your hottest, nastiest spell, full blast. Clear?"
Little One stomped my shoulder hard in affirmation.
"Ow! Not stomp— that's your yes!"
I winced, and it dropped stealth, reappearing.
Then, with a solemn look, it raised its tiny hand in a salute.
Mana stone dust still on its mouth, but those eyes screamed special forces.
"Good. One more practice run. Stealth again."
Poof.
"If I tap my shoulder?"
Bang bang poof!
Excited, it started blasting tiny fireballs into the air.
"Hey! Hey! Ceiling's gonna burn! Ease up!"
It flinched and stopped.
I rubbed my shoulder. Still stung.
"Alright, practice done. Tomorrow, 2 PM at the abandoned factory. That's the real thing."