Desperate Hearts Can Be Bought Cheap - 4: "It Actually Works, Huh?"
"It actually works, huh?" Seeing the alchemist's flustered expression, I flashed a faint smile.
"Did you bring this in? No, this is amazing. Where on earth did you get it from?"
"Sorry, but that's confidential."
"You didn't swipe it from somewhere, did you? It'd be a hassle if it caused friction with another guild."
"Nothing like that."
"Hmm..."
The alchemist tilted her head, continuing to examine the metal.
"Still, uh... it's not that impressive. At least not in this quantity."
"Is that so?"
"The quality isn't top-tier either... Processing it shouldn't be too hard, but drawing out its power in the right way? That'll be the tricky part."
Lee Seoyeonn nodded with a smile.
"Good. Then appraise it. How much should we set for this metal?"
"Me decide? Right in front of the guy who brought it to sell?"
"Of course."
The alchemist let out a deep sigh.
"The thing is, prices for metals like this fluctuate wildly depending on the market and trends. We really ought to negotiate, but..."
"Just give me your honest take."
"Well... roughly speaking, for this weight... three hundred?"
Lee Seoyeonn's face soured.
"This is an important client of mine. Aren't you lowballing it a bit?"
"But you said to be casual about it!"
"That's one thing—this is another."
The alchemist pouted.
"Five hundred, then. Honestly, it doesn't have more value than that."
"Explain in detail."
"It's not quite up to par for weapons or armor for active frontline hunters."
"Isn't securing material usable in artifacts helpful to the guild in itself?"
"Sure, but you could find this much if you scoured the auction house hard enough. We're not exactly desperate for materials right now..."
I found myself nodding along with the alchemist.
"It needs processing, and we have to figure out uses for it. If it were a special discount for the guild master's acquaintance, maybe, but objectively? I'd say around five million won."
Her eyes fixed on me.
"Planning to ask for more? Then we'd have to haggle for real."
"No."
I shook my head firmly.
"Still, since you've appraised it... I have a bit more I'd like to confirm. Is that okay?"
"Normally I'd charge for this... but for the guild master's friend, sure. What do you want to know?"
"So, this metal's worth about five million won?"
"Yes. Anywhere you shop, you'd get between three and five. Some guilds might pass entirely, others might pay a premium if they're desperate."
This was the info I wanted. Not that I planned to deal with other guilds—I had no channels for that anyway. Only because it was Lee Seoyeonn could I even broach the topic. If I went sniffing around other guilds trying to sell this, I'd just get eyed as "what's this shady merchant up to?" and shown the door.
"Mukseong must have ways to use this metal. If it's not too rude, could you tell me how beneficial this deal would be for the guild?"
"...It'd be profitable."
"Really?"
"Mana-conducting metals are something you can never have enough of. If we commit to it, we could find endless uses."
"Even if supply ramps up, at five million for this weight, you'd buy?"
"Yes. As long as our budget holds."
That was the answer I was after. I nodded.
"Let's do three hundred, then."
"...Pardon?"
I was close to Yuha. I had a decent, positive rapport with Lee Seoyeonn too. Time to leverage that.
If I have to sell anyway, dealing with Mukseong is ideal.
Like the alchemist mentioned "budget," even Mukseong had limits on spending.
I can take it slower... no need to rush for max cash now.
As long as they could accept what I brought, that was enough. Any extra could buy goodwill from Mukseong.
"No need to feel burdened."
Lee Seoyeonn smiled softly.
"It's not like shelling out two million more would strain us."
"Mukseong isn't saying the extra I deserve is just two million."
"Pardon?"
I opened the bag beside me. It was stuffed full of Lumikite ore.
"I'll sell it all. And if possible, I'd like to make this an ongoing deal."
The alchemist gaped at me, eyes wide.
"Y-you can bring this much... more?"
"As much as you need."
"A-and we can buy with just money?"
"Yes. As much as stock allows."
"W-we have to buy! Guild master—sis! We must buy this! Don't let it slip away!"
The alchemist was in a frenzy. Lee Seoyeonn nodded.
"We'll take as much as you bring. And Isu... you're even more impressive than I thought."
"Not that impressive."
Lumikite was ore infused with mana, capable of channeling it. The alchemist had proven that. A small amount might not be a big deal, but this quantity changed everything. As she said, it could spawn new applications—experiments, potions, or fresh artifacts.
"Looking forward to doing more business."
"Mukseong's the one who should say that."
Not as Yuha's mother, but as Mukseong's guild master and hunter, Lee Seoyeonn extended her hand. I shook it.
An Roje could only let out a deep sigh at the line of students before her.
"Warning you upfront: You've heard about the rule change, right? You can't use these in expulsion exams."
"Yeah, we know! We're not using 'em for the exam... no worries."
"...Fine. I'll connect you. Fill out this application form properly."
Roje handed over pre-printed "Purchase Request" forms—name, parents' names, contact, approximate quantity.
And she thought,
Why the hell do they want these anyway?
When she first heard about the rule change, Roje had sighed deeply. She'd have to abandon a lucrative business after raking in cash for so long. Sure, she'd made plenty and could quit anytime, but it still stung.
But things hadn't gone as expected. Students were still clamoring for the pistols—even those not facing expulsion exams lined up without fail.
"No one buying bullets, huh? Just so you know, prototype rounds won't fit these pistols."
"That's fine! We can all make mana bullets anyway."
"Ah."
Roje recalled the rumors she'd heard.
Yuha's been using that weird gun from somewhere...
Modding the crude pistol to look sleek, no longer cheap on the surface. She hadn't thought it necessary, but stories said Yuha had used it to break through the "opening" unique to mage-type hunters.
Not the most efficient, though.
Unless specialized in mana bullets, their power wouldn't be impressive. If it were truly optimal, every mage hunter would train marksmanship and carry pistols.
Probably just the level gap with monsters.
Yuha was different. She could drop monsters with that weak gun. And to the academy hunters watching, it looked cool.
No regulations on gun use either... as a toy, it's decent.
Not how Roje envisioned it, but her business was still booming.
Wonder how much that guy made off this?
The fleeting question crossed her mind, but she had no time to dwell.
"Next class is starting. That's it for now. I'll rush these applications through."
"Th-thanks!"
"Please!"
Roje slipped the forms into a clear folder in her bag.
Not even the wasteland's sandstorms could wipe the smiles from their faces.
"It's about time! Stack what we prepped over there."
"You look thrilled to death, boss."
"Damn right. We owe our lives to him—gotta greet him grinning."
"Fair."
Lisa Martinez and the Rangers. To most settlers here, that man was no less than a lifesaver.
"I-it's starting! Quiet down, everyone!"
"Boss's face changed again."
"No..."
"Shouldn't we at least visit once?"
"If I could! Shut up anyway! Comm's live!"
His face appeared. Lisa gazed at the feed like a devotee before her god.
"How were the items? Helpful to our benefactor?"
"More than expected. Thank you."
"Then, the Gremlin Pistol—"
"Keep the pistols coming, and ore too if you have surplus."
"As much as you want!"
"And... uh, hold on."
His expression darkened.
"Looks like a wound on your arm. You okay?"
"It's... enemies everywhere here. I'm fine. Got plenty of comrades. No matter what, I won't worry you."
She'd already received too much grace. Endless water. Thirst quenched for countless souls—no more abandoning kids or driving off visitors. Instead, they welcomed them with smiles. Settlements pledged cooperation for Ranger water aid. Rangers tapped their tech and resources.
Raiders coveting the water? That was for Rangers to handle.
"I trust you. Still... maybe find ways to cut down on sacrifices?"
"Ah..."
He worried for Rangers and settlers' lives. After saving so many, freeing countless from thirst.
"I'll look into ways to help."
"Thank you!"
She had no religion, but she could imagine believers' feelings. Infinite love enveloped her—an ungrateful grace. Deeply moved, Lisa Martinez bowed low, her love and reverence pouring from every fiber.