Chapter 27
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Money is Important
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Over the few days it took to get here, I'd heard all sorts of stories from Requiya.
About the nations, professions, and ways of life on the Eaar Continent.
Armed with that info, I haggled with Darusong.
"You seem tight with the blacksmiths. How about cutting us a better deal?"
"Hmm-hmm. Smart human like you, can't rip ya off too bad, eh?"
He only came up to my solar plexus, but his face was about twice the size of mine.
When the guy grinned, it reminded me of the Four Heavenly Kings statues from that temple on my school trip.
"Quality stuff draws crowds, eh? Can sell high. But this armor and weapons got Fiore Kingdom crests—can't unload 'em, eh?"
"I get it."
"This human's to my taste, eh! Got anything else, eh?"
With the deal looking solid, we dumped our backpacks like we were hawking Negaf Arron's crisp air and dust too.
'Not like we've got anything useful anyway.'
Darusong eyed the cloak Luke left behind. Looked like the embroidered girl caught his fancy.
No surprise—the big head and gut screamed total otaku.
"This cloak for sale, eh?"
"No. It's mine."
The sanctuary's lonely days, it comforted me. On cold nights, it kept me warm. Planning to wear it till I drop.
"This girl's undies for sale too, eh?"
"That's premium stuff."
I pushed the silk angle.
"Looks the part, eh? Good price for ya, eh?"
It worked.
The women's underwear pocketed by Darusong.
"Ahem. This one's mine, eh?"
"Sure..."
No reason to say no if he's paying.
Of our haul, Prince Reyes's fur coat pulled the best price.
I thought about selling the Toolsep from my pants pocket but held onto it.
No need right now, but might come in handy later.
"Any shoes for trade?"
"Pick from that wall, eh?"
Darusong pointed to shelves of every kind: slippers, sandals, boots, short boots, leather shoes, steel greaves.
Requiya picked leather shoes for me; we'd deduct from the total.
"Need a room, eh? Head to the yellow-lantern inn on Central Avenue, flash this voucher—they'll hook ya up, eh?"
His speech was weird, but the dwarf was surprisingly chatty.
"This get gold exchanged too, eh?"
"Thanks, Darusong."
Snagged the voucher and parted ways with the oddly named proprietor.
As we left, Darusong called after us, sounding wistful.
"Cloak really not for sale, eh?"
Pervert otaku bastard clinging to the end.
Perverts never realize they are ones.
When folks curse 'em out, they just cock their heads all innocent: "Why though?"
Makes ya wanna deck 'em harder.
I know 'cause I'm one too.
But mine's the wholesome kind—nothin' like these creeps.
"Could just cut the pic out and sell it, eh?"
Fuck, seriously kill him?
Hold back!
Silver Star said hold back, so I blew off the pervert otaku and kept walking.
"Hippo'd fetch more, eh?"
"Not interested."
Hippos: massive herd beasts.
Rare sight as is; snagging a calf? Like grabbing stars from the sky. That's his hang-up.
Whites even rarer, naturally.
'No need for the black one now.'
Extra gear screams trouble.
Just grabbed a crowbar each—like Andre and Bong used.
Wooden ones everywhere; no need to buy.
"Boss, plans for the hippo?"
Requiya eyed the sleeping beast.
Sold the big pack, got a small one, stuffed the hippo in; carrying it upfront like a baby sling.
"Raise it right, send back to mom."
Unless mom's dead, Delma tough as nails.
Release when it can fend solo.
'Mutant though—might get shunned anywhere.'
Humans discriminate among their own; beasts probably no different.
'Cross that bridge later. Promised Delma.'
Promises matter! Keep it no matter what!
Kiiing-.
Edged the inn door open.
Old guy drooling over the counter jumped.
Half-bald, wrinkles galore.
"W-Welcome."
"Rooms available? Just crashin' one night."
While Requiya flashed the voucher and chatted with the owner, I scoped the place.
'First floor booze and grub, second and third rooms.'
Roomy ground floor: over twenty tables.
Window seats, pairs of guys glancing our way—swords on hips.
'Turf trouble?'
No chats or stares, so ignored.
Standard Eaar inn, but fresh to me.
No such dives in my experience.
'High ceilings—ladder for lanterns? Fire gear? Passage stacks spell evacuation nightmare. All timber—goes up like tinder. No fire code?'
Chill! Different world!
'Oh yeah.'
Firetrap aside, the place gave off shady vibes.
Not dread—some eerie hunch.
Insight Ability pinging.
Somethin' here.
"Boss, let's head up."
"Money good?"
"Pricey stay. Meals included though."
Requiya sidled close, murmuring low.
'Prince Reyes's pouch fat with gold.'
'Nice.'
'Black market junk? Chump change.'
Made sense.
Armor, weapons? Melt to slag.
Caught the innkeep's sour glare our way.
'Hillbilly turf lords, gross. Bail?'
Paid up already, too late—and wiped.
Warmth triggered massive yawns.
Dawned on me: since waking in Luke's skin, zero shut-eye. Nigh a month?
"Boss, over here."
"Yeah. Move."
Trailing Requiya and the third-floor key up the stairs.
Then—thud-thud from the basement steps.
Innkeep Suhes craned toward the underground stairs.
"Up already?"
"Glowstones done, eh?"
Lead dwarf answered.
Glowstones: ore strapped to headbands.
Bucket hat screamed miner's helm.
Saw him, nailed the hunch. Dwarves stank of off-world funk.
'Underground mine, somethin' special. That's the ping.'
Ability scent! My doing! Mighty Holy Knight Luke Seid leaned on my skills for hunts like this!
'Not ominous—relief.'
Scent's faint! Not top-tier Ability maybe!
'Still cash in? Practice spotting Abilities.'
Those runts stay put?
Obviously.
'Yeah. 'Cause those ain't Ability miners. Iron ore grunts. I just sniffed it.'
Aha! Andre Bong smart eh!
'Quit it...'
Bantering cozy with Silver Star, locked eyes with Requiya's odd stare.
"Boss? Not bushed?"
"Wash up, crash."
Sleep-deprived to death.
★
No hot water, but freshened up nice.
Jerky dinner, rare chit-chat.
"Requiya sleep upside down or in a box? Garlic phobia-?"
"Boss! Not that. Garlic's delish. Super rare too."
Yeah, swore off.
Got this chronic mix-up: vamps and demons same diff.
"That underground mine."
"Stickin' round the village awhile?"
Requiya sharp—no long spiel needed.
"Feels solid. Spring comin', night watches only. Cash flush, but prices steep. Month hold out?"
Requiya nodded grave.
"Money matters. Buys clothes, skips beggin' scraps."
Dead obvious, dead serious—like profound wisdom.
Info guy essential, but this dude's smarts basic?
Might be. Might not.
Who knows.
"Go on?"
"Money means comfy sleep."
"True."
Shelter-food basics, money solves—fancy version.
Drained already; extra weary, eyes slammed shut.
"You need cash for family payback too."
Requiya nodded.
Revenge itch, but duo bare-knuckle? Nada.
No bomb rush.
Bombs cost dough—shit, money loop.
Bombs even exist?
Again! Again! Head foggin', again!
Shook head wild at Silver Star's alert, sleep-fighter style.
Requiya, zen-demon mode, eyes shut, droned on.
Deep sighs peppered in.
"Me? Revenge needs a fateful break."
"Abilities, right."
"Yep. Broke like me? Good gear out of reach, top spells too. No fated boon, grind realms—magic or fists trainin', but daily grind starves... Lazy excuse, sure, but yeah."
"Gotcha."
Long yarns always veer family-side.
My cue: interrupt before gloom hits.
Sole assist I can swing.
"Stick with me long-term?"
"If you okay it, gladly. Two beats solo, yeah?"
My wish too.
Prime guide, Fiore intel stocked.
Money uses fuzzy, whatever.
"I'll back your revenge."
"Thanks."
New world noob flailing worse sans goal. Short-term drive? Momentum boost.
Demon sketchy?
Nope.
Outshines humans.
'Holds back some angles, but no face-lies.'
Requiya's true demon!
Nodded along, curiosity spiked.
'Queen's fate?'
Alive! Those punks united couldn't nick a finger! Queen rebuilds from shards!
'Her being's mythic Ability.'
Yep! Queen's packed with Abilities!
'Nights here? City risk if busted.'
Sleepless curse holds.
Silver Star's vibe off though.
Hmm...
'What?'
Kid holdin' out on me?