The Cold World of Merchants
Tae-hyun looked at Pelmas with pity. How could two people be so utterly different! Of course, Tae-hyun didn't expect absolute, life-risking loyalty. That didn't suit his personality anyway. But still, to speak so boldly while on a quest...
"Right, Pelmas. A smart method, you say?"
"Yes! Just as Galakpad said, subduing them with force is a dangerous approach. The pirates here in the southern sea of Uruk are numerous, strong, and vicious. In comparison, our numbers are barely a few dozen! If we try to subdue them with force, we might end up being the ones subdued instead. It is an incredibly foolish proposal!"
Pelmas said, glaring at Galakpad. He was attacking Galakpad while pointing out the pros and cons of the method! However, he was missing one crucial detail.
"I was the one who made that proposal."
"......Ah, oops!"
Galakpad spoke as if there was nothing more to hear. "Seize him. We must teach this fellow a harsh lesson."
"Ah, no! Lord Tae-hyun! Lord Tae-hyun! Galakpad is acting out of line like this—mmph, mmph!"
While Pelmas was getting beaten up, Tae-hyun decided to think for a moment. Pelmas had babbled just to save his own skin, but he had hit a sore spot. The critical weakness of Tae-hyun's party. It was that their numbers were too small.
No matter how much Tae-hyun flew and ran, there was a limit with so few people. Originally, large-scale quests dealing with pirate tribes weren't meant to be cleared by a single party. Large guilds would usually join hands to challenge it, or they would advertise it widely to gather people. But right now, both options were impossible!
Hmm. Can't I borrow the power of the Guild Alliance?
Tae-hyun thought of using the guys he hated first. It was as if he had left his personal army in their care.
Is there a way to make them fight each other... Hmm... Since we're currently in a truce, it's a bit awkward for me to strike first.
It wasn't because of conscience or trust. Tae-hyun was the one currently benefiting from the truce. Of course, the Guild Alliance was also busy fighting consecutive territory wars in the Auston Kingdom, so they didn't have the luxury to fight Tae-hyun (plus, some Lich had suddenly popped up), but Tae-hyun was equally short on time to fight the Guild Alliance. Starting a fight here for no reason would only drag things into a muddy swamp.
I want to see the Territory Arena completed before we fight.
He had a genuine fear that if he started a fight now, he might never see the arena completed!
While Tae-hyun was contemplating whose power to exploit, someone appeared.
"What do you think you're doing here! You rascals!"
"...?!"
NPCs had suddenly appeared! Tae-hyun asked, looking dumbfounded.
"Hey, didn't you guys keep watch on our surroundings?"
"S-sorry. We were too busy watching Pelmas get beaten up..."
Cain and Choi Sang-yun scratched their heads sheepishly. Pelmas was getting beaten up so rhythmically. It was a rare sight even in Pan-On!
"Don't move. You suspicious lot!"
The NPCs who appeared looked like merchants. Wandering merchants you could meet while traveling around Pan-On. Lee Da-bi quickly recognized their identity as well.
Tae-hyun asked, intrigued. "Do they even come to places like this?"
"Pirates buy and sell items too, so it makes sense for them to come."
"Hey! What are you whispering about! Reveal your identities! You aren't bandits, are you?"
The merchant NPCs looked at Tae-hyun's group warily. It was certainly a suspicious lineup. In times like this, a wrong response would immediately lead to a fight. Pan-On NPCs were realistic in these aspects. But Tae-hyun wasn't worried. He had the Advanced Rhetoric skill! Even if he brought a horde of bandits, he could lie and say, "Haha, these friends aren't bandits, they're kingdom special forces disguised as bandits," and get away with it!
You possess the Advanced Rhetoric skill.
...
"...And that's why we aren't suspicious people."
"I see. Sorry for doubting you."
The merchant NPCs immediately let down their guard. They said apologetically, "To make up for doubting you, we'll guide you to where you can meet the pirates."
"A place where we can meet the pirates?"
"Haha. To be precise, a village they frequently visit. You could practically call it a pirate den."
Lee Da-bi was amazed once again to see him befriending strangers and even getting guided by them.
"It's amazing every time I see it."
"Don't merchant classes level up Rhetoric?"
"It's good to have, but honestly, there are so many other skills to level up first..."
And Rhetoric was incredibly difficult to level up. Unless you were a crazy bastard like Tae-hyun who solved massive quests entirely with Rhetoric, leveling it up was an extreme challenge.
"Now, it's over there."
Passing through a narrow path in the forest and climbing up a hill, the merchant NPCs pointed to a small coastal village. It was a peaceful village with nothing that particularly made it look like a pirate den.
"What? There are no pirates?"
"There are pirate ships right there."
"...!"
Cain turned his head at Tae-hyun's words. Near the peaceful village, three pirate ships could be seen anchored.
You have discovered the Red Sea Pirates' Outpost. Your Reputation increases.
The Red Sea Pirates' Outpost is within the territory of the Red Sea Pirates. Please note that causing a disturbance in the village may make you an enemy of the pirates.
Pirates couldn't just float on the sea forever. Naturally, they needed a place to land and rest. Not to mention their actual strongholds, villages under their influence also served that purpose. A village living under the protection of pirates! The merchant NPCs were clearly going there to do business. Realizing this, Lee Da-bi's eyes sparkled.
"This village doesn't seem to be discovered by other merchant players yet. I should open up a trade route."
"To do that, it'd be best to eliminate those merchant NPCs."
"..."
"..."
Cain was dumbfounded by the suggestion to eliminate the kind merchant NPCs who had just guided them. These evil scammers!
"Hey! That's too cruel! They guided us here!"
"The world of merchants is cold, Cain. The difference between a monopoly and a non-monopoly is massive. And don't worry, we won't kill them out of gratitude. I'll just use Rhetoric to kick them out of the village."
With Tae-hyun's abilities, kicking the merchant NPCs out of the village was a piece of cake.
That guy! He's a navy spy!
Creating that kind of reaction would take him a split second!
"We've arrived. Haha."
Unaware of the evil conversation happening behind them, the merchant NPCs stopped with a smile. Just then, pirates rushed out from the village entrance.
"You're here? Did you bring the goods?"
"We've been waiting. Hand them over quickly, we need to set sail. Huh? Who are those guys?"
The pirates tilted their heads, looking at Tae-hyun's group. Cain winked at the merchant NPC.
Kind merchant NPC! Please introduce us well!
"Haha. These are slaves to sell to you, pirate sirs. They look sturdy, so they'll row an oar well!"
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere suddenly turned freezing cold. Cain doubted his ears.
"N-no. Mr. Merchant. You... misspoke, right?"
"Sorry. I know you aren't suspicious people, but business is business."
"Wow. A true role model for merchants."
"Truly a genuine merchant!"
Tae-hyun and Lee Da-bi, listening from the side, admired them. But Cain had no luxury to admire.
"How can a human do that!! You guys are just like Kim Tae-hyun!"
"Hey."
"Ah, oops."
The merchant NPCs spoke to the pirates as if there was nothing more to say. "Oh, pirate sirs. Take these guys away. No more..."
"Heuk-heuk. Bite them. Sic 'em!"
Crash!
The moment he spoke, Heuk-heuk popped out from behind Tae-hyun. Growing in size, Heuk-heuk unleashed a barrage of curse magic in an instant, subduing the merchant NPCs.
"Aaaah?!"
"Ugh!"
Causing a disturbance in the Red Sea Pirates' Outpost may make you an enemy of the pirates!
A warning message popped up, but Tae-hyun ignored it. Who cares! Punish them first!
Master. I am not a pet, though...
"Shut up and subdue them quickly."
The merchant NPCs had mercenaries with them, but they were bound to be overwhelmed by the monstrous stats of Tae-hyun's party. In terms of raw power, they were strong enough to easily take down a boss monster!
Boom! Crash!
"How could you do this to me! I trusted you!"
"N-no, Adventurer, we..."
"Shut up!"
Cain cried out as he completely subdued the merchant NPCs.
Clang!
"Who are you guys!"
Once the merchant NPCs were subdued, the pirates pointed their weapons at Tae-hyun's group. They were clearly on guard! The merchant NPCs were familiar faces, while Tae-hyun's group was entirely new, so it was only natural. The party all looked at Tae-hyun. What should they do?
"Let's kill them all and show them the majesty of Archisus, Lord Tae-hyun!"
"Quiet, Galakpad. Ahem. Pirate gentlemen. Please do not misunderstand. We are also merchants."
"What?"
"Look here. She's a merchant."
"..."
Tae-hyun pushed Lee Da-bi forward!
"We came here to do business just like these guys. And as a bonus, we're selling these guys as rowers."
Cain's jaw dropped. Scamming the scammers!
"N-no! Adventurers! We were wrong..."
"Make them shut up, Galakpad."
"Yes!"
After silencing the merchants, Tae-hyun spoke subtly. "Well, pirate gentlemen. Wouldn't it be better to trade with us? Rather than fighting us..."
"Mmm... Mmm..."
You possess the Advanced Rhetoric skill.
You have just demonstrated overwhelming combat power.
...
"Fine! We'll allow the trade. But I'll be watching, so you'd better not cause trouble in the village."
"Haha! Excellent! Thank you!"
After the pirates withdrew, Lee Da-bi tilted her head and asked. "But Tae-hyun, where are you going to get items to sell to the pirates? We didn't bring any."
"We'll just steal theirs and sell them."
"What a great idea...!"
"Haha, stop, you're making me blush."
"Tae-hyun, you're a genius of business!"
"I just never forget the basics."
While the two chatted, the rest of the party pretended not to hear.
"This is boring."
"Well, this kind of place is usually only liked by merchant classes..."
Choi Sang-yun comforted the grumbling Cain. There were no useful items in the village. Everything was common and ordinary. Since it was an undiscovered location, they had expected some special gear!
"Rare items appear occasionally, but that's just luck, so nothing we can do."
"Ugh..."
Regardless, Lee Da-bi was thrilled, doing her best as a merchant.
"Buy this, this, and this, and put them in the bag. I'll take them and sell them."
"Should we buy this herb too? It's cheap."
"The profit margin won't be enough to justify carrying it. Let's skip it."
Your influence in the Red Sea Pirates' Outpost increases.
The villagers will remember your face.
Merchant classes gained massive benefits when trading in such undiscovered villages. Not just gold, but EXP too! Meanwhile, Tae-hyun walked around with the captured merchant NPCs.
"Is there nothing good here?"
"N-nothing. More importantly, Adventurer, if you could release us..."
"If we release you, what? Huh? You want to be sold as rowers?"
Tae-hyun was searching for anything to squeeze out of them in the village.