Shopping with the Crocodile Merchant

The helpers' views on the Crocodile Merchant shifted in an instant. As always, they were quick to pivot.

While reading through the helpers' chat, the Crocodile Merchant tilted its head and asked.

"Ah, yeah, looking now."

I pulled my eyes from the chat window. Lowering my head, I took in the items laid out on the cloth one by one.

Hm. No clue what most of these are for. Just price tags next to the wares—no descriptions or usage info.

"Any product manuals or anything?"

"What's this?"

I pointed at one item. A pinkish cylindrical plastic container.

"Pardon?"

"......"

"No thanks."

No need to even think about it. Buying that would be a coin sink. Obviously no intention to test it either.

"Yeah. Don't need it. No point boosting stamina when there's nowhere to use it."

Why the hell bundle that, you psycho. Curses rose to my throat, but I barely held them back. It's an SSS-grade monster—gotta watch my mouth.

The croc grabbed the massive dildo it'd called a freebie and shook it as it spoke.

What the actual fuck is this croc.

Obvious trash. No way it's useful. Still, just in case, I asked.

"How's that one used?"

"Good changes?"

"Uh, so... if you have one, does it make two?"

Not a welcome effect. Might tempt others, but for me, it wasn't enlargement—it was downsizing.

Sometimes think shrinkage surgery would be convenient... but actually getting smaller might leave me regretting it.

So, passed on that too. Briefly considered stockpiling for later, but ditched the idea—might impulse-use it someday.

"Yeah. Don't need weird stuff like that."

I lowered my head again to check the other items. Guess I'd have to point them out one by one for explanations.

The Crocodile Merchant's wares were a freakshow. I sifted through, picking only the useful ones.

Ended up buying three.

First: Map generator. 350 coins. Records paths explored by the explorer and auto-generates a map—no manual drawing needed. Explorer-only use; stops recording if it leaves their hands.

Second: Wanderer tracker. 300 coins. Pinpoints locations of wanderers who drifted into the Ancient Labyrinth. Voice-guided like the wandering merchant tracker ticket. Permanent, not one-use.

Last: Thick notebook. 100 coins. Indestructible unless attacked by something on the croc's level.

Bought it for a monster compendium.

Paying was simple: Like vending machine tickets, grasp the croc's hand, think the coin amount, done.

"Yeah. The rest is trash... er, not needed."

"Hope so."

Shopping done. Time to part ways.

Wonder if I can find the croc again... No tracker ticket, gonna be tough.

Regrettably, like the centauride's mother's explorer log said, neutral monsters like the croc can't be tamed—no red spot anywhere.

Tried inviting it along anyway: Firm no. Tried assigning our monsters to it: Also no.

Once sales done, they part from the explorer—that's the rule.

Hated to end it like this after coming this far. So I tossed some questions its way. Said it'd answer simple ones.

But, "Are there monsters in this Ancient Labyrinth stronger than SSS-grade... or you, Mr. Crocodile?"

"Can't tell me how to become dominator?"

"Proxy buying possible?"

No satisfying answers.

As I pondered the next question, the Crocodile Merchant's form started fading.

With farewell words, the croc vanished in a blink.

"...Gone."

"Kids. Let's head back to base."

I turned to the monsters and spoke. As I moved to return to the shelter—

"Huh?"

"Wanderers after a while."

"Seven..."

"Wait, ten..."

"......"

"Forty-six."