Chapter 190: Nor’s Haven (4)
PXclttpShirone threw an Elixir to the merchant with the drone.ZtDhWH
J1NThe merchant, receiving it with both hands, trembled. He was so moved he could barely hold it properly.7hKUr
qVVKGxIt wasn’t a Red, Green, or Yellow Elixir, but a White Elixir.Zw0WtBB
ewvzxFlipping his palm, Shirone spoke.pmOC9Ot
XjjLG“How about it? Is it settled now? Give Kanya the item.”BO5qPZ
yMyfs“This won’t do. That Elixir must also be mine for the deal to proceed.”
“Then take it from him.”rgeFs
HdIwThe merchant’s eyes twitched, realizing Shirone’s actions weren’t mere provocations.LIq5ZC
arTwwShirone turned to the merchant fondling the Elixir and asked.fzPne
ULL“So, what will you do? Will you give it back?”bY5Ii
Hti“No, no! The deal cannot be canceled!”YAxnrF
w0uYThe merchant panicked, waving his hands.8jwD
6BS3gWGSure, the Mecha Tribe drone was valuable, but only if it was usable.AS3
TnBbThe drone he sold was practically worth only a Yellow Elixir. To exchange it for a White Elixir was a once-in-a-lifetime gain.3fICI
yYo“So, what now? Are we going to have a fight among heretics? Seems to be your specialty.”og9l
z32obyjThe herbalist’s face hardened.oFJgRH
hOgkThis was indeed a tricky situation. He could be shameless in customer negotiations, but conflict among merchants brought no benefits. Especially for lower community merchants who mainly dealt in daily necessities.c9Y4Q5s
BWeEThe herbalist then scrutinized Shirone.f77Ng
J7bLThe way he pressured like this meant he was undoubtedly a Norin, and not an easy one.cfYc
zETrShould he accept just one Elixir and move on? Trading Epinephrine for a White Elixir would be a legendary deal.SRUk0K
2qufBut it was a matter of pride. He didn’t want to accept that things had gone the citizen’s way.JNVaS
m7k1J“Fine, I won’t sell. So enjoy your toy. Do you realize you’ve crushed this girl’s hopes?”LQ0KZ
cf2GapFThe merchant had thrown in the towel. He chose the satisfaction of victory over profit.oOPK5
awQmV9As a merchant, it was a zero-point deal, but he didn’t care as long as he could see the citizen despair.UBKgk
sHHhIShirone knew he had won the game.CulYO8c
Wxk6Z“No, you must sell the potion. Otherwise, you’re violating the contract.”diw4es
Qy8I“What? How am I violating any contract?”UX4
ByjS“You said you would sell the potion if I brought all my Elixirs. Kanya did that. Suddenly canceling the deal is a breach of contract. You know what happens to a merchant who loses credibility, right?”TMN
kY5zCCeIt wasn’t just knowing; it was the end. At the very least, he would lose his foothold in the community.rEPu1
V8tCQBut he also felt a bit wronged. Shirone was being stubborn.tuLk
8SXHo5“Be clear. When I proposed the contract, you had two Elixirs. After the deal was made, you bought the drone, so I haven’t violated anything.”0mCc
rjn“How do you know when I bought the drone?”MW0
ecDThe herbalist’s eyes widened in shock. Though he had lost his cool, his long experience in trading had given him a hunch.Ptyp0U
UF24cKsHe was at a disadvantage.FFDLbS
8Zo5“I already had a contract to buy the drone. I just hadn’t handed over the Elixir yet. As a merchant, you should have confirmed that before making a deal. If you doubt it, feel free to check.”MyKvrpm
u1vtUuThe herbalist ground his teeth. His hunch was right.ZDfwv
7Un7LzDThe merchant who sold the drone would back Shirone no matter what. Proving his contract with Shirone meant the White Elixir’s ownership would transfer.GXRN
4W0UdMThis was a common occurrence on the mainland. He had no right to complain, having exploited monopolies himself.dDjyeL
36NKx‘Why am I at a disadvantage? It should be the opposite.’4drgs
5Se96vAAs he reviewed the situation, the herbalist realized Shirone had known the drone’s lower value.yfVFwh
jzk8cYcHow Shirone figured it out was unclear, but without it, the current situation wouldn’t exist.uhixG
Y82KThe merchant sided with Shirone because he made several times the profit.xYg
7SP6tHe let out an exclamation. Shirone understood human nature’s relationship with material goods. Even mainland merchants would find him formidable.YZx
FNso“So, what do you think? We had the first contract, right?”5Zb
Vd9“Of course, we did. We made a verbal agreement to trade the drone for a White Elixir before the girl started yelling.”gNBxLfA
RQ3FfThough unrequested, Shirone confirmed it directly.9wUw
xAaV3Now, there was no way out. If he had a deal with another merchant, it was his fault for not checking the customer’s limit.x8z55
5ZrhiShould he back down? One White Elixir was an incredible gain, but it was a matter of pride.B3iiBa
oaB87The herbalist played his lowest card as a merchant.ZtrPf
hfAMHe went for self-pity.BR52Izo
RYhL9“My mother was a citizen of Heaven. But she didn’t undergo the ritual. Do you know why?”dmlN
ASNWhen no one answered, the herbalist continued, tapping his head.TcXCrLY
S1rwtZ“She went mad. My father was murdered in Heaven by a lunatic who had a crush on my mother. Do you know what punishment he got? Forty years off his lifespan. But he still had forty years left. My father was dead. My mother cursed that man all her life. But the ritual’s date was set. Alongside the man who killed my father.”Ma8D
gfi8JVPKanya’s eyes shook.igCp
jnBShirone didn’t grasp the significance, but everyone else was horrified.QU9y
84ggGzz“So, my mother killed herself. The ritual’s target decreased, and I had to bear the remaining punishment. That’s why I fled Heaven. So, do you get it? I hate citizens. They make me sick. Do you think I’ll sell the potion?”2mqSoh
kyiwlZIn short, he was ready to blow everything up.3pVDonY
C3ZFKsGShirone snorted.R7f
BaPA truly suicidal person wouldn’t explain their reasons. If both parties would die, the process didn’t matter.8a2
ngIWvhaWhat he wanted was an emotional victory, and Shirone wasn’t going to give it to him.luFfp
9lpoKW“So, will you sell the potion or not?”b1bLh7w
MO3“I won’t. And I won’t give up the Elixir either. Do as you please.”Icv77i4
sDUzPW“Then I’ll take it by force.”sgK
LvGV2CE“Do it. But remember, using violence means you can’t stay in the community. You’ll be a wanderer forever.”eKpSj7
Yp7sqShirone extended his hand. Photon energy condensed into a vibrating white sphere.Etn
32zyYTThe herbalist was terrified. Such magic was impossible. Only those contracting with the Spirit of Light from the community outskirts could do this.ksB7H
jE7g88“Are you a border person?”uzNc
HZg6“The Vortex Serpent was quite strong. Thanks to it, I got three White Elixirs.”dOayM
Dw2uEoShirone remained expressionless.edzx7
FYF2The herbalist knew that a mage was most ruthless when emotionless.GvwL
iQfE“What kind of Elixirs might be in your body?”NgKQ4W
WbOREveryone knew the herbalist’s survival depended on his answer.NFi2bf
OosRRThe herbalist struggled for a long time, realizing he couldn’t win. Finally, he raised his hand with a bitter smile.FYnBsAH
s432“None. I don’t have any Elixirs in me. So spare me.”9CBIY
B6GYMShirone fired the Photon Canon. A beam of light grazed the herbalist’s nose and hit the ruins’ pillar.L9aqB
PcOcnThe pillar exploded with a loud noise.VKjv
1JhCzXThe herbalist, now somber, looked at Shirone.4unrLg
fdq“Don’t laugh. You may be bluffing, but I’m serious. I don’t care about the laws or the community. One more trick, and I won’t forgive you.”jY1FQY
bLG68Uw“Okay, okay. Calm down.”VA82xJr
dmimThe herbalist realized the seriousness of the situation.Kgp
B5ePShirone had shown maximum hostility without using violence. Like a swordsman drawing his blade or a beast baring its fangs, there would be no further leniency.qqNAq
b13gKSDUnderstanding this, the herbalist threw Epinephrine to Kanya.pkuus4
eP1“There, satisfied? The deal is done.”LT4
GbN“One more thing. Apologize to Kanya.”Ze0YZ9Z
bk9fXAT“Why should I? You have no right to interfere with my personal feelings.”TFPx
pqisZ“But you’ve been through pain, too, right?”n8Chr
0H4cDk“What does that have to do with an apology?”fqB7fU
2fNu“I’m not asking for a meaningless apology. Words without sincerity are worthless. But didn’t you want someone to understand your past wounds?”fuGS
KlgwsqIs that so? Have I still not escaped?Rcp
CuZa9The herbalist glanced at Kanya’s sorrowful face. She said her mother was awaiting the ritual.y0tu1Re
gW3xLHis mother had lost her mind back then. She screamed and self-harmed daily. The terror she felt was even more intense for him as a child.IFy3mcw
BypiPOR“Tch, who says I know how to apologize?”7zbIlTj
HIn8Snorting, the herbalist packed up his stall. He tossed a purple potion to Kanya as he stood up.uuOPb1
20c“It’s called Corfin. It strengthens the nervous system. Consider it a service since I made a good haul. Using it with Epinephrine might help. Though it’ll be futile.”Gnnai
ohnWalking towards the tent village, the herbalist glanced back at Shirone.Fvep
Sou“And kid, everything I said was a lie. Beating me is impressive, but if you can’t spot that, you’ll get crushed on the mainland.”fQ9
YvjWArin communicated through the mental channel.Rxz
oRi-Shirone, should I check if it was a lie?FZJGpSZ
xgCrtKs-No, it’s fine.Xe8NcZ
xWqShirone watched the herbalist’s retreating figure with a hint of sadness.yGKCNY
p8bqUNor’s Haven.7PKpu
pShy2deA place where wanderers of Purgatory rested.OYcXR
BkfGPerhaps what they left behind here were not their weary bodies but the scars in their hearts.86vG
jkhgMaqThe eventful shopping concluded.28L3Eu
WCBulShirone comforted Kanya, who couldn’t hold back her tears. Beside them, Rena pouted, watching over them.dFu
rzuWMHAmy’s group, excluding Shirone, began a discussion.Rwo4D
4VkThe items bought with the three White Elixirs were the Fire Spirit, the drone, and Epinephrine.sdZ
WVrEven though it was the best outcome for the situation, it was hard not to feel like they had lost out. Tess, in particular, couldn’t hide her guilt.hnCq9jD
hkw6“I know I was the one who asked for it, but are we sure about this?iJVu
kiyThere were items that could have been more useful in battle. And Epinephrine was outrageously overpriced.”yp19
lRyIqI“What’s the big deal? We can hunt for more if needed. No point worrying about the past.”G7pbvV
YXcr“Rian’s right. And monetary loss isn’t the only loss. Shirone used the Elixirs most efficiently, and that’s what matters.”aWu2
FhS6AComforted by Amy, Tess pouted.TttCW
kqGZ“What good is efficiency when the situation was a mess? I support Shirone’s choices, but if the herbalist hadn’t pulled his tricks, we could have gotten the drone for half the price.”fxF4
IroVn6LCanis smirked.s3b46T
aon“Amy didn’t mean it like that. Shirone didn’t lose out at all. He bought something that couldn’t be obtained, even for all the White Elixirs.”JmvKXz
NTWQb94“What? Was the Fire Spirit that valuable?”YqO
Kzy4ga“No. The most valuable was Epinephrine.”G7Iav
EV9aGTess thought Canis was joking.thj5g
D9NEven the thought of buying something that could be bought with Red Elixirs for a White Elixir was infuriating.LQfiESC
vmkeRian asked in confusion.w6nBPe0
IkZeP“Why was Epinephrine the most valuable? It’s a common potion.”7KEv8A
MzK“True, but today its price was beyond imagination. Most importantly, its owners are Kanya and Rena, citizens of Heaven.”McG
QsTW4R“Oh…”y1ISU
iRw0K“See? It wasn’t about Epinephrine. Shirone bought a ticket to Heaven for a White Elixir.”vbt
sILWIndeed.QgOe
7J6k4Thinking back, it was a far-fetched idea to find a way into Heaven. But now they had a foothold. With Kanya’s help, they could enter Heaven.VUFBC
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