My Big Sis is the Best!
Just moments ago, the stunning redhead Jermad had swept in flaunting her lethal beauty. Now her pupils narrowed into vertical slits, locking onto the Royal Alchemist's crown like daggers. Whoa, those are legit reptilian eyes. Scary as hell…
"P-Please spare me!! O Great Red Guardian of Ereinia! I-I was merely an unworthy scholar overcome by intellectual curiosity!!" Forgetting this wasn't even reality, the alchemist flattened himself on the floor and kowtowed desperately.
At his frantic plea, a sly curve tugged at Jermad's lips.
"Fine. I get it. Over thousands of years, you humans occasionally can't resist poking at taboos out of curiosity. It's okay. Happens sometimes."
"R-Really?!" The alchemist's face lit up as he snapped his head up, but Jermad chuckled softly and whispered in the sweetest, most velvety tone.
"Of course. I'll generously overlook your shallow curiosity. You can just pay for it with your life. You're from the southern Orden Kingdom, right?"
Pay with your life—coming from a great dragon, that meant she'd breathe fire on the entire Orden Kingdom, incinerating every trace of him.
"Aigoo, no!! Jermad!! I was wrong!! Please, just spare my life!!" The Royal Alchemist slammed his forehead against the floor, sobbing hysterically.
At that moment, Jermad glanced my way and winked.
"Hey, little bro. What should we do with this one?"
Just like that, the alchemist's fate landed in my hands. Honestly, seeing the old man trembling like a leaf was a bit satisfying deep down. Sure, his shady sales tactics had ultimately gotten me the Dragon Heart, but he'd tried to scam me on our first deal.
Still, I couldn't kill off a key player who could boost my rank right now. I stepped forward casually, pretending to relent and play the shield.
"Aw, sis. He's repenting so hard—cut him some slack this once. You know where he lives; he won't dare try anything stupid again."
"Hmm. Tricky… If I let off some punk who messed with my kin's heart scot-free, it'll encourage more idiots sniffing around hatchling nests…"
Jermad stroked her chin thoughtfully, and the alchemist, still prostrate, shouted desperately.
"N-Never! I swear, never again! Not even a single scale!!"
"Sis, please. Just this once. Without him, it'll take way longer to hit master rank, you know."
Finally, Jermad sighed dramatically, clicking her tongue and nodding.
"Sigh… Fine. Whatever. Since when do I live for others' opinions? Alright! For my little bro's earnest plea, I'll specially spare your life!"
With her booming declaration, the alchemist finally lifted his snot-streaked face.
"R-Really?! Thank you for your infinite mercy, O Great Red Ruler!!"
"But… you get it, right? No tricks—deal straight until my bro hits master."
"Y-Yes! Of course! Not Philosopher's Stones, but I'll hand over every top-tier item I have!!"
"Good. From now on, I'll manage and oversee the 'Make My Bro a Master' club. Any objections?"
At Jermad's unilateral decree, the Tower Master, saintess, and elf elder all nodded mutely like they'd swallowed honey.
Damn! My big sis is the absolute best! I gave her a standing ovation in my head.
And so began Big Sis Jermad's solo show. She plopped arrogantly onto the round table, crossing her arms.
"Alright, then. What were you scheming to trade? Let's hear the plan."
The fantasy quartet and I briefed her in detail on the trade items we'd discussed earlier. After hearing it all, Jermad's brows furrowed menacingly.
"These fuckers… all lost their minds? Plotting to rip off my clueless bro with nothing but scraps?"
The fantasy four jumped in panic, waving their hands.
"N-No, it's not like that! Jermad! We just asked what the repairman needed and agreed accordingly."
"Agreed my ass… you'd die for it. Hey, Tower Master. You answer."
Jermad jabbed her chin at him with a scowl.
"Tossing some cheap mass-produced gear scraps for Earth tech? You think that's fair, conscience-wise?"
"…W-Well…"
"Nope. Rejected. Change it. Now. Hey, little bro! Don't take that garbage— from here on, only take the prime stuff I pick."
"Uh, sis. Those basic weapons are actually super needed back home, though? We're short on arms and struggling…"
I protested timidly, but Jermad smacked my back and barked.
"Idiot! That low-grade crap is plenty as a freebie on their trades! Or take the blueprints! Mage towers and kingdoms are overflowing with that junk—trying to freeload off a dragon's kin?! You think cheap trades like that rack up master-rank XP fast!?"
She had a point. To avoid abuse flags, we needed high-dimensional-value items anyway—petty stuff like longswords or leather armor would drag it out.
"Ah…! True! So what should I take to level up fast, sis?"
Jermad grinned wickedly and glared at the Tower Master again.
"You—cough up magic tools. The high-end ones for imperial supply. Latest magic scrolls, enchantment artifacts. Expensive, rare consumables like that."
"U-Understood! Jermad."
The Tower Master nodded, eyes teary. Jermad winked at me.
"Hear that, bro? Consumables over gear from these guys. Dragons like me hate making disposables. Humans grind that labor best."
Her gaze shifted to the next trembling target: the alchemist.
"Hey, potion-peddler. You know what to offer without me saying, right?"
"O-Of course!! All my top potions and reagents, every type!"
"Hm. Sharp when your life's on the line. Pass."
Next, the elf elder. He glanced cautiously.
"O-Our forest doesn't have many magic consumables. Barely enough for barrier upkeep. At best, World Tree byproducts or leaves…"
Jermad snorted, flattening his nose metaphorically.
"Who wants your consumables? Give something else. Spirit arts."
"…What?!"
The elder's eyes bulged.
"What out-of-nowhere talk? Spirit arts?!"
"My bro here's contracted with that picky Wind Spirit King Ariel."
"…!!!??? What?!"
The elder's handsome face paled instantly. The saintess and Tower Master gasped too.
"W-W-W-Wait! Jermad! Ariel? The Wind Spirit King Ariel?!"
"Yeah, dumbass. Primordial Breath, Wind Spirit King Ariel. Think I'm lying?"
"N-No! But a mere human—no, a repairman contracting a spirit king…!"
Still skeptical without proof, the elder floundered. I scratched my neck and chimed in.
"It's real. How to prove it? Ah! When I head back, I'll snap a pic with Ariel and DM it 1:1. Spirits show in photos, right?"
Jermad cackled at my odd idea.
"Don't worry, bro. This community's image capture nails mana spirits crystal clear."
"Ah! Perfect then."
Then a sudden thought hit me, and I asked Jermad.
"But sis, do I really need elf spirit arts? Can't I just order them?"
She tsked and flicked my forehead playfully.
"Dumbass. Like that stuck-up elf would obey without bitching. Listen up, bro. Spirits are nature itself—free spirits. No forcing or commanding."
Sudden ancient dragon spiritology lecture. The elder nodded vigorously.
"Jermad speaks true. Repairman, commanding spirits requires affinity and communion, not coercion."
"Yeah, tree-hugger's right. Not orders—requests."
"Requests…?"
"Yep. Spirit arts is learning to ask nicely. Great dragons like me don't care, but you're a weak human base, no?"
"…Yeah."
"Born human, you need elf-style spirit arts. Wasted potential without Ariel's contract."
Who'd defy King God General Cosmic Strongest Big Sis Jermad's consulting? I saluted crisply.
"Got it! Will do!"
Pleased, Jermad smirked and eyed the final target: Saintess Lianes.
"Hm, she's the real issue… Church folks don't have much. Holy water at best?"
"I'm ashamed I can't help more, Jermad…"
Lianes bowed, but Jermad waved it off.
"Nah. Ascetic god-worshippers—pushing for material stuff feels off. Hm… Hey, saintess. Can you do that thing?"
"What thing?"
"God's blessing."
Lianes's gloomy face bloomed into a bright smile.
"Ah! I already promised the repairman—if he gave his true name, I'd ask Ceria for a blessing."
"Oho? But does it cross dimensions?"
"Unsure. But divine power shouldn't be fully blocked by dimensional walls. Not pure, but some soul-imprinting effect for sure."
"Can't you make it a blessing stone?"
"Yes. That's the plan, Jermad."
At her ready reply, Jermad grinned and thumped my shoulder.
"Hey! Bro! Grab that no matter what! Best one there!"
"B-Blessing? That good?"
"Hell yeah! Ceria's blessing—even dragons like me can't get it. Stone form makes it high-value item trade here. Perfect."
God's blessing? I'm an atheist… Should I convert now?
Reading my mind, Lianes smiled softly at me.
"Hehe, no need for forced faith. Ceria pities humans equally—merciful without discrimination."
"R-Really? Cool."
"Yes."
Thus, Big Sis Jermad's custom consulting locked in the fantasy four's trade terms for my master push. Finally, I teased her.
"Sis, all set. So what're you giving me?"
She burst into laughter at my playful jab.
"Kuhaha, worrying about my gift? Forgot dragons hoard treasure, bro?"
"Obviously! That's why I'm curious."
"I got plans—don't sweat it. Just prep yourself, got it?"