Chapter 189: Nor’s Haven (3)
xjiAs expected, such a situation was possible. Just because an item belonged to a citizen didn’t mean it was impossible to purchase.hAs
19MNevertheless, the limited-edition merit remained.X71L2
zCpxMost importantly, the merchant knew Shirone’s payment limit was two White Elixirs. The fact that he greedily set the price at one Elixir suggested it was actually much cheaper.rLV
gCy“Can anyone use it?”dzBX
LyI6yTI“As long as it’s equipped, anyone can use it. Weapons like Sygna, Exed, and Arc are communal, but drones are individually encrypted. Even if you take someone else’s, you can’t use it. But this one hasn’t been claimed by anyone yet, so it’s for sale.”
Shirone was unsure. If it was new, there shouldn’t be any defects.BT1D
2C0bX4pWas it a simple misunderstanding due to not fully understanding this world? Or was the Fire Spirit that difficult to obtain?QS3ts96
rVt1B2Unable to decide, Shirone asked Tess.lblb
EBi“Tess, do you want this?”2RsnUHe
d9jVA“Yes! Shirone, I really want it. Please buy it for me. Other items are cheap and can be bought anytime later.”xEpE
u2TLShirone couldn’t help but smile. Tess’s straightforward nature when asking for something was certainly different from Amy’s.REhY
WUNdnRUltimately, Elixirs should be used for everyone’s benefit. So, he should buy it, but without knowing the defects, he couldn’t negotiate.TEtRz7
qLjgWAsking outright would make him vulnerable to the merchant, and Clove wouldn’t be of any help.itMuT
pB6“Why won’t you sell it? I brought exactly what you asked for!”ccVjNs
z7ImNSAt that moment, they heard Kanya’s voice.Lr0xP
Iy0Everyone turned to look. Unlike Kanya, the merchant wore a relaxed smile.eoUzu
9uSG7Lb“Look, miss. There’s no such thing as a set price in Purgatory. It’s an auction. If the price goes up, you can’t just lower it at your whim.”5Mx
4oeR1Ft“You said a month ago that one Green Elixir was enough for Epinephrine! And now, even with 30 Red Elixirs, you won’t sell it. Why?”DtdnP
Mt82xEpinephrine.ZOF6
nQOB6tShirone recalled the white potion recommended by the herbalist.YGGD
diHBut Kanya’s reaction was too intense for it to be just an awakening potion. Why would she need to stay awake in Heaven?xPpp4
zDa9mN“A month ago, yes. But now the price has increased.”qtV
Dq2vyzK“No! Even two months ago, three months ago, you never said that! This is extortion!”MW33Z
00FyGqC“Miss, auction prices are determined by the buyer’s desire. The more you want it, the higher the price. Isn’t the ritual only a few days away?”CyU2
LwGO2“You…!”a4gsXsU
OUbB3iKanya’s face turned pale. No matter how much of a merchant he was, how could he say that?BWtRdz
9DW97Even Clove, typically shameless, frowned this time.bEM
uJiThe merchant remained unfazed by Kanya’s outburst. From the start, he never intended to sell to a citizen.VwP4
FYtjmz0“Wanting Epinephrine today means someone in your family is dying within days. Thus, you must buy it, and I demand a high price. What’s wrong with that?”oWfP7u
0b9“I won’t let you get away with this!”dANrl
fgw0Kanya pulled out Arc, but Rena screamed and stopped her.ULAUX9
0cAEyViolence was prohibited in Nor’s Haven. Any violent incidents would lead to expulsion and worse.DFkd
bJxXuUMaintaining the community relied on the rational agreement of the majority. Once the rules were broken, the community would collapse.IPP
Ql2q“Sis! Please calm down! If you fight here, we’ll be killed!”N4J9
NyC6DRena pulled Kanya back, who continued to curse even as she was dragged away.3Uz
m3YBUvThe merchant exchanged a look with the herbalist across the way.17bBhU
KkmuPEA silent agreement not to sell Epinephrine.6oLQaF5
eGHvLkZIt was a cartel.Upuw
jyqaaZThree months ago, when Kanya came to buy Epinephrine, the merchant demanded an unreasonably high price.VUSOSs
5CAMoCIn reality, it could be exchanged for about 40 Red Elixirs, but he asked for Green Elixir.Byf
2tkqUdfElixirs are not like money. While arbitrary exchanges are possible, if someone insists on Green Elixirs, no amount of Red Elixirs will suffice.bC4
MO22Kanya had to buy Green Elixirs at inflated prices. When she returned to purchase the item, the merchant refused to sell it at that price.wej00s
M5Ln8ZY“Why is she so agitated? What’s this ritual?” Shirone asked.pCdHgx
4AfR1“It’s the ritual of life regeneration,” Gardrock answered. He had come out, disturbed by the noise.ahnNM
kysvGardrock understood the situation from Kanya’s murderous expression alone. Though he had never met her as a guide, he was well-versed in the merchants’ rumors.lS6
kcavN“As you know, citizens have a set lifespan. When their time is up, they undergo the ritual of life regeneration to be reborn. That girl’s mother is the one affected.”4oG7vQ
1slGm“What exactly is this ritual?”qLDFdyj
jemCMN0Gardrock squinted.zLc
D0F737“I’d rather not talk about it. As you can see, it’s a sensitive matter. Citizens call the ritual a blessing. Most heretics, however, feel aversion to it and flee Heaven. The merchants are the same. They’re not tormenting her over the Elixirs.”x4Xxe7A
ebHPu“But Kanya’s mother is nearing the end of her lifespan. What role does the awakening potion play? Will it save her?”RYg5U
X3X“No. The laws don’t change. By heretic standards, Kanya’s mother will soon die. Even so, she’s buying Epinephrine…”TGZ
hPZYGardrock groaned.EInhQ5
LMbXuPjHe, too, had once been a citizen. Knowing what Kanya wanted to do even if it meant risking her life, he felt a twinge of sympathy.VA4
dRK73“It’s nothing. Just a ray of hope in despair. Like administering anesthesia to a dying patient.”ZDUr
lt8YShirone felt heavy-hearted. He didn’t fully understand the differences between citizens and heretics, but he believed the intention to ease a parent’s suffering was universal.flCxqzD
Em2rmejYet the laws drew even this into distinction.asIO
7NLH4Kanya resumed bargaining. It was clear she was struggling to hold back her anger to buy Epinephrine.s2M
DPYQLThere were two stalls selling Epinephrine, and today might be her last chance.bhfEQN
Id8WShirone checked the herbalist at the other stall. He averted his gaze, perhaps feeling guilty.5UUJE5e
TZ9RWouldn’t it solve everything if Shirone bought Epinephrine from him and gave it to Kanya?DNP2
drq9rnSensing Shirone’s thoughts, the herbalist discreetly hid Epinephrine. Contracts were absolute for the Norins, and he wanted to avoid a commotion.NqEtx
c7TKanya made her final offer.zJMYP
HNkDp“Fine! I’ll buy on credit. I’ll get the Elixirs by any means necessary. Just give me the Epinephrine.”S1NInL
cQAW“What can you bring?”9wbwC
ETXS“Anything! I’ll hunt for a lifetime if I have to!”tcWb
s1Q“So, what will you bring?”ia80C
0Ml5SQThe merchant no longer hid his emotions.qcw
Iz6He hated citizens intensely. He hated Heaven. No matter how good the medicine, he couldn’t erase his memories of living in Heaven. La’s laws were that strong.4PRZG
T5VvM“Even if I give you everything, you still refuse. So, tell me. What will it take for you to sell the potion?”BesRt
Wt1RU“Alright. Since you insist on buying, let’s see… what could I want…”87cGf
FToThe merchant pretended to ponder, then looked at Shirone.uii1G
SM1r5H“How about all the Elixirs that boy has?”HdEMPj
gk5DShirone realized the merchant’s strategy had suddenly changed.DJqDBDD
YtMsFHe must have calculated from the moment Kanya brought Shirone along.M7BhR
nsLIt was natural for a merchant. But it was cruel.fQC9NL6
VGOxOQSeeing the White Elixir sparked his greed, but he had no high-value items. So, he entangled Kanya.IGHpm
zYRPd6Strategically, it was sound.UAMxo
C3lm7kpNorins were known for their shrewd business skills. He was a capable merchant, but not a great one.003u
PMl67Kanya was at a loss for words. The clearer her position became, the more she realized she was being played by a con artist.rIOH
kAH“Now I see. You never intended to sell it. For three months, you enjoyed watching me struggle in Purgatory! What did I ever do to you?”vNf2
YkbeShirone felt sorry for her. Emotional responses were ineffective against merchants. They were adept at using others’ psychology to their advantage.rYy
5VuHuBZTo provoke a mage, you had to fight fire with fire.MCsg
DDok“You make me the villain. This only makes it harder for you. It’s not an impossible request, is it? Hunting for a lifetime is much harder than taking that boy’s Elixirs. Don’t you think?”ht7YEYI
c4ki“That’s theft! Robbery! And we can’t fight here! How am I supposed to get Elixirs from someone unrelated?”lwt5
AP9fwrX“There are ways. You’re a girl, he’s a boy. Figure it out.”LcM
itu1cKanya’s lips quivered. She wanted to blast his face with Arc. But knowing this was her last chance calmed her.3VSpxi
zR3GMX9What would Shirone’s reaction be if she asked for Elixirs? Elixirs that were life to heretics.uNWsw
wRKTNtEven so, maybe… he might help. Rena had a good eye for people despite being naive.dTMkk1e
NaeY“I don’t like him because he’s handsome, but because he’s kind.”WrivcKM
pWhycKanya had scoffed then, but Shirone was different from normal heretics. Maybe he would give the Elixirs. The precious White Elixir? Maybe. Maybe!USyE
ux01It was all hypothetical. Yet, relying on hypotheticals was her only option.hqf
WV86MKDShe’d do anything for her mother. She couldn’t let her mother, who had lived half the life of an ordinary citizen, die.EZW
kGYdxLeaving the merchant’s sneer behind, Kanya approached Shirone. His expression was calm, already understanding the situation.5ludHQD
Qo2Kanya felt a chill. What was he thinking? It couldn’t be good. Why are you coming here? What do we have to do with each other?dCI
aJQEven so, she had to plead. She was prepared to give up everything.SghN
zfIYsNKanya spoke miserably as she reached Shirone.sqCb
0cz7qk“Um…”ZCzOm
dMy“Here.”Q3gh0YC
zXTHaiShirone extended his hand. A White Elixir lay in it.c66ohFN
ifxe9Kanya felt a rush of emotions. It felt like anger, but it didn’t hurt.5bS
YKy3Why is he doing this? Shouldn’t he at least make me beg? Isn’t the point of charity to buy feelings? What’s the meaning of such mercy?GBnCUlD
bCoDShe felt she needed to ask. But doubted she could speak properly.F5e34
LGVjvsO“Why…”WRZPt
yzYyw“Just go buy the Epinephrine. It’s important to you.”0GO
os52“But…”Sgi
6W3lB97It’s not important to you.3A4U
8S3GshShe wanted to say, but her throat tightened, and no sound came out.Wcqm
NKZQoiKThis boy was different. Not like humans or extraterrestrials. Even… different from Ra.V2P
ZCG8kBhAt that blasphemous thought, Kanya felt a thrill. Was this the precursor to corruption?wcY
NO4“Thank you.”8NiLJ9F
LcFvmIAKanya could barely utter the words as she returned to the merchant.ko1
HQ8HmHIndeed, Purgatory was different from Heaven. She felt strange emotions she had never experienced before.CZLIhy
GY307With weary steps, she handed the Elixir to the merchant.MTMZsG
nbzo“Here. Now give me the Epinephrine.”r5Kn
yB7xD28“No. I can’t sell it for this.”unnw
EXr“Why… why again?”YpuUJ
ZkeQDLKanya lacked the strength to shout. The thought of holding back tears was the only thing keeping her standing.vDOThIM
tbh“I said all the boy’s Elixirs. According to my calculation, he still has one left.”JTtT
3R4mlx“No. I have no Elixirs left.”Hwvj3A
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