Chapter 19 :The heart of a desperate person can be bought cheaply(4)

‘Well, does it work?’

I smiled faintly at the bewildered alchemist’s expression.

“Did you bring this? No, it’s fascinating. Where did you get this?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s classified.”

“You didn’t steal it from somewhere, did you? I don’t want to get into trouble with other guilds.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Hmm…”

The alchemist tilted her head and continued to touch the metal.

“Still, um… It’s not an incredibly amazing item. With this amount.”

“Is that so?”

“The quality doesn’t seem very good either… It won’t be difficult to process, but it will be difficult to draw out the power in the desired direction, I think.”

Seo-yeon smiled and nodded.

“Alright. Then, you give me an appraisal. This metal. How much should we price it at?”

“You want me to choose that? In front of the person who brought it here to sell it?”

“Of course.”

The alchemist let out a deep sigh.

“This, the price of metals like this… It fluctuates wildly depending on the situation or trend, you know? We need to negotiate, and this is really…”

“Just say it comfortably.”

“Well. So, roughly, for this weight… Three hundred?”

Seo-yeon’s expression crumpled.

“This person is a very important guest to me. Aren’t you lowballing the price too much?”

“You said to speak comfortably!”

“That’s that, and this is this.”

The alchemist stuck out her lips.

“Five hundred. Honestly, it’s not worth more than that.”

“Explain in more detail.”

“It’s a bit lacking as a material to be used in proper active-duty hunter weapons or armor.”

“Isn’t securing a material that can be used in artifacts helpful to the guild?”

“Even so, at this level, you could probably find it if you searched hard enough in the auction house. It’s not like we’re in dire need of materials right now…”

At the alchemist’s words, I nodded unconsciously.

“This needs to be processed, and we need to find a use for it. If it’s a special price for Guild Master’s acquaintance, that might be different, but objectively speaking, I think it’s worth about five million won.”

Her eyes were fixed on me.

“Are you planning to receive more? Then we’ll have to start negotiating in earnest.”

“No.”

I shook my head.

“Still, since you’ve already appraised it… There’s something else I’d like to confirm. Would that be okay?”

“Originally, I should charge you for this… Well, if you’re the Guild Master’s acquaintance, I should do this much for you. What are you curious about?”

“The value of this metal. Should I consider it to be around five million won?”

“Yes. Wherever you go to sell it, you should be able to get between three and five hundred. Depending on the situation, there might be guilds that won’t buy it at all, or guilds that will urgently try to buy it at a premium.”

I wanted to get this information.

Of course, I had no intention of trading with other guilds. I didn’t have a route to trade in the first place.

It’s only because it’s Seo-yeon that I can even talk to her, if I go around to other guilds saying I want to sell this metal, I’ll be kicked out after being looked at like ‘What is this peddler?’

“Muksung must have a way to use this metal. If it’s not rude, can I know how much this transaction benefits Muksung?”

“…It is a profit.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, we’re always short of metals that conduct magic. As for the uses, if we start making them with purpose, we can make them endlessly.”

“Even if the supplied quantity is a bit large, you mean you can buy it at a price of five million won for this weight?”

“Yes. We can buy as much as we want. As long as our budget allows.”

I wanted to hear that answer. I nodded.

“Let’s make it three hundred.”

“…Yes?”

I’m close with Yuhwa. I’m also building a positive relationship with Seo-yeon.

I had to use that.

‘If I have to sell it anyway, it’s good to trade with Muksung.’

Just as the alchemist mentioned ‘budget,’ Muksung also has a limit to the money they can spend.

‘A little more slowly… It’s okay to think about it.’

As long as they can accept the items I bring.

I don’t need to take more money than necessary right now. I can consider the surplus as buying Muksung’s favor.

“You don’t have to feel too burdened.”

Seo-yeon smiled softly.

“It’s not like our situation will become tight just because we pay two million won more.”

“You didn’t say that the money Muksung has to pay me is only two million won.”

“Yes?”

I opened the bag I had placed next to me.

Inside, there were piles of Lumikite ore.

“I’ll sell it all. If possible, I’d like to have an ongoing transaction.”

The alchemist looked at me with wide eyes.

“Th, this amount… You can bring more?”

“If you need it, as much as you want.”

“Ca, can I buy it if I just pay the money?”

“Yes. As long as the quantity allows, I’ll give you as much as you want.”

“Bu, buy it. Guild Master, Unnie! We really have to buy this! We can’t miss this!”

The alchemist made a fuss. Seo-yeon nodded.

“I’ll buy as much as you want. And Mr Isu… You’re a more amazing person than I thought?”

“I’m not that amazing.”

Lumikite is an ore that contains magic and can make magic flow. The alchemist proved it.

If it’s a small amount, it might not be considered to have much value, but with this amount, it’s different.

As the alchemist said, a new use can be created. Whether it’s used in experiments, in medicine, or to make new artifacts.

“I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“Muksung as well, please take care of me.”

Not Yuhwa’s mother, Seo-yeon, but the Guild Master of Muksung, Hunter Seo-yeon, extended her hand to me.

I took that hand.
****

Ahn Roze let out a deep sigh as she looked at the students lined up in front of her.

“I’ll warn you in advance. You heard about the rule change, right? You can’t use this item in the expulsion test.”

“Ah, I know! We all know. We’re not going to use it for the test… You don’t have to worry.”

“…Yes. I’ll connect you. Here’s the application form, please fill it out according to the format.”

Roze handed over the ‘purchase application’ that she had printed in advance.

An application form with your name, your parents’ names, contact information, and the approximate purchase quantity.

And, she thought.

‘Why are they trying to buy this?’

When she first heard the news that the rules had been changed, Roze sighed deeply.

She thought she would have to give up a business that could make a lot of money for quite some time.

She had already made a lot of money, so she thought it would be okay to let go, but she couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

However, the situation did not go as she expected.

Many cadets were still trying to buy the item. Even students who had no business taking the expulsion test were buying the pistol.

“…No one wants to buy bullets. I’ll tell you in advance, the prototype bullets won’t fit in that pistol.”

“That’s fine! We can all make magic bullets.”

“Aha.”

Roze recalled the rumors she had heard.

‘There were rumors that Yuhwa was using that gun in strange places…’

She had beautifully modified the crude pistol so that it didn’t look cheap, at least on the outside.

She didn’t think she used the pistol at a crucial moment, but she had heard that she broke through the moment of ‘gap’ unique to magician-type hunters with the pistol.

‘Well, it’s not a very efficient action.’

Unless you’re a hunter specialized in creating magic bullets, the power of that magic bullet can’t be said to be very strong.

If it were really an efficient tactic, all mage-type hunters would learn shooting diligently and carry pistols.

‘There must have been a level difference with the monster, right?’

Yuhwa is different.

She was able to defeat a monster with that weak pistol. And that could give the hunters of the academy who watched the scene the impression that it was ‘cool.’

‘There’s no need to be subject to various regulations necessary when using firearms… Well, it’s okay for a toy.’

It wasn’t the way Roze wanted, but her business was still booming.

‘Then how much did that man earn?’

A small question passed through Roze’s mind, but she wasn’t given much time.

“It’s time for the next class to start. Then, I’ll be going. I’ll deliver this application as soon as possible.”

“Th, thank you!”

“Please take care of it!”

Roze opened her bag and put the purchase application in a transparent file.
****

Even the sandstorms of the wasteland couldn’t erase the smiles from people’s faces.

“It’s almost time! Put what you’ve prepared over there.”

“You look like you’re about to die of happiness, Captain?”

“Of course. I should be happy. I’m alive thanks to that person, so of course, I should greet him with a smile, don’t you think?”

“That’s true.”

To Lisa Martinez, the Rangers, and most of the settlers living here, that man was like a lifesaver.

“It, it’s starting! Everyone be quiet!”

“Wow, the Captain’s expression changes again.”

“No…”

“Shouldn’t we try to visit him at least once?”

“If we could, we would! Anyway, everyone shut up! The communication is starting!”

His face appeared. Lisa looked at the video with the same expression as a believer facing a god.

“How was the item you took? Was it helpful to the benefactor?”

“It was more helpful than I thought. Thank you.”

“In that case, the Gremlin pistols-“

“Please keep bringing the Gremlin pistols, and if you have spare ore, please give me some.”

“Of course, I’ll give you as much as you want!”

“And… Um, wait a minute.”

His expression darkened.

“You seem to have a wound on your arm, are you okay?”

“That’s… There are many enemies here. It’s alright. I have many comrades too. No matter what, I won’t worry my benefactor.”

She had already received too much grace from him.

She received too much water. Countless people were freed from thirst, and people were able to greet visitors with a smile instead of abandoning their children or driving them away because of the water.

Many settlements promised cooperation in the hope of receiving drinking water support from the Rangers. The Rangers were able to utilize their skills and resources.

The fact that raiders flocked to covet the water was something the Rangers had to solve on their own.

“I’ll trust you. Still, I think it would be good to reduce the sacrifices a bit…”

“Ah…”

He was worried about the lives of the Rangers and the settlers.

Even though he had already saved countless lives and saved countless people from thirst.

“I’ll try to find a way to help.”

“Thank you!”

She didn’t have a religion, but she thought she could understand how those who believed in it felt about their god.

Infinite love was felt. An unpayable grace was surrounding her.

Lisa Martinez bowed her head deeply moved.

Expressing her love and respect for him with her whole body.