The Negotiator, Mist

After successfully negotiating with her, Mist and I entered the main street together.

Weve only spoken few words with each other.

But, there is no problem.

I have only asked her for help on shopping.

This is just a temporary contractual relationship.

She knows about it too.

Thats what I thought, but

[Where is Hati-donos inn?]

Shes trying to open up a conversation.

[..]

Theres no reason for me not to answer.

I answered the name of the inn Im staying at.

[Ah, so we were staying in the same inn?]

Were staying in the same inn?

I dont think Ive seen her face there before

Did we just not come across each other?

[With the money I have right now, I dont see any reason to go towards those cheap inns.]

The woman laughed.

[I also cant find a single room in those inns. I cant sleep without being in a single room.]

[When did that happen?]

[Eh? Umm Thats been always the case for a very long time.]

I feel that her reply is just hastily constructed just now.

It seems that she may also have another reason.

There must be something that makes it difficult for her to share a room with others.

Just like me who wants to hide Pigimaru.

However, I dont intend to pursue any more.

The woman points towards the signboard of the tool shop with her finger.

[If youre finding tools for raiding ruins and traveling, it would be better to get them on this shop.]

I am about to enter the store.

However, Mist didnt move.

She looks like shes pondering about something.

[Im sorry, can you wait for a while? I have to go check some things.]

Mist then went to the back of the store.

After just a while, she came back.

[Sorry for the wait.]

[What did you check out?]

[I rechecked whether this is indeed the store. However I dont feel comfortable with this store, or rather, I think this store may be conducting some sneaky deals. However, Hati-dono entrusted the negotiating to me. I must thoroughly fulfill my duty.]

I caught a glimpse of her seriousness on her voice.

Its just that, I feel that shes too strict

[Well then, lets go in.]

I wonder what she had in her mind earlier.

We entered the store.

The atmosphere in here kind of reminds me of those shops that deals with outdoor supplies.

Theres also that unique smell of wood wafting in.

Mist bent down towards one of the products and checked its price tag.

[Theyre a lot higher than the market price.]

The shopkeeper approached while he have a smile on his face.

[I dont know where you both came from, but its harder to acquire things in here compared to the capital. There are quite a few items that cant be made in Mills. Its just that the recent recruitment have increased the demand for these tools.]

[If you had anticipated that there would be a demand, then why didnt you just stock up on these items?]

The shopkeeper shook his head.

[Theres a professional circumstances in here as well. I dont think amateurs would know about it. If you look at the state of the shelves, you would know that these tools are more demanding than expected and there isnt enough stock at all. Thats why, Im frantically waiting for when the goods would finally arrive. Do you understand? Thats why, the current price is reasona]

[There were some boxes that had same name as these items piled up in the back of your shop though?]

[Y- You went to look at the back of my shop without permission?]

[I just saw it when I were passing by before.]

[Those were just empty boxes, you know?]

[Is that so? Although they were empty, those were quite heavy for just boxes huh]

[Why do you touch other peoples merchandise without permission?]

[Im sorry. When I tried to pass through them, those boxes were blocking the back alley.]

[Wha-?]

[Im sorry if I was being rude, moving them aside without permission.]

[T- They were certainly blocking the back alley But there are rarely any people who walks through that path]

[By the way]

Mist stands up.

[You mention that it was merchandise before I was just touching empty boxes right? Why were you so nervous?]

[Nghh.]

The shopkeeper looks like hes in quite a disadvantage.

The next thing that came out of his mouth though was a sigh.

[Youre already used to this, huh?]

Mists expression loosens up.

[I was traveling right now, so I need to save up as much as possible.]

[I understand So in short, you want to have the some price cut?]

[Yeah, thats right. If I had a bit more money, I would have been fine just buying it as is but right now, my pouch is a bit desolate]

[Hmm]

The shopkeeper thinks about it.

Mist glanced at me.

[I went here today to get some luggage for two people. I think I had contributed a bit for some profits for this store.]

[Tsk! It cant be helped then, how about I give you a discount if you purchase in bulk? But, I also have some terms I want for myself.]

[What is it?]

[Never tell this story to the other mercenaries. If they were to know what Im trying to do, my business wont rise. If they were to know how I handle my shop Well, have you heard about that other tool shop who had stocked up on the items but failed, which is really unusual if you think about it. No matter why that happened, this is a great opportunity for me to earn. Do you understand? If the rumor about this were to come out, I would never sell my stuff to you two here in Mills. I would also make sure to have the other shops know about you two, being troublesome customers.]

[Yeah, I swear we wont leak it out.]

[Okay, we have come to an agreement then.]

The shopkeeper is grumbling while he goes back to the corner.

[Damn it, I should have brought in those boxes when I had the chance I slacked a bit after knowing the profit that I could yield from here.]

I see, hes trying to make it like there are shortage of goods.

Currently, there are only Mist and I in this store.

There are only two of us who had quickly returned after the registration in the plaza.

There were no other customers.

The first things that Mist had bought were the tools that she needed.

After that were the tools that I have to buy.

The price of what were buying after subtracting the discount was almost a third of whats written on the price tag.

He really was trying to overprice too much

The shopkeeper started to restock the products that were displayed on the shelves.

I have a feeling that they were carefully lined up.

It makes you think that there are only few of these products left if you had only seen them once.

The price tag written on the products were also quickly rewritten.

When we were about to leave, the door of the store opened.

[Okay! Lets buy our items!]

A number of mercenaries began coming in the store.

The storekeeper nodded a bit towards Mist.

Hes probably trying to say You must keep your promise.

Mist also nodded her head a bit in response.

And thus, we left the first store on the list and went towards the other stores.

v

We already have all the tools that I will need in the ruins.

Some spare clothes.

A belt.

Hanging on the back of that belt was a dagger and its leather sheathe.

I also bought a tiny hammer.

Im going to need it when I have to peel a monsters skin or crush their bones.

Ive also bought some preservable foods.

When I have trouble with food, theres also the transfer ability of my leather bag.

The rest of what I bought would be tiny tools that can be easily carried.

I also bought a sleeping bag.

I have also purchased one backpack.

The space in the bag would roughly be divided into two.

One side is where I would likely store the monster materials.

The other side would be where I would put the things that I had bought.

There was still some space in the bag.

In the first place, I dont have that much luggage.

I had scoured through the Disposal Ruins with just my leather bag.

Food, water, and an appropriate bed.

If I have these three, I can pretty much survive with just the basics.

An experienced person like me is saying so.

[Thanks for the help. This is the fee for the advice, just as I promised.]

I hand over three silver coins to Mist.

[Eh?]

Mists eyes widened after she received the coins.

She looked up towards my face.

[Isnt this too much?]

[If I were to calculate the things we had bought, I could save more than three silver coins with your help today. Especially at that first store we went to, I would have lost more money if I had went there without knowing anything.]

Mist grasps the silver coins in front of her chest.

She had this somewhat unwilling expression on her face.

[Then, Ill be taking these silver coins just like you said. Umm I havent expected to get this much when you told me about this advice fee, thats why Im a bit dumbfounded. I planned to ask just around this much]

This idiotic honesty of her really resembles my aunt.

Their voice and the language they speak were certainly different, but

[Dont worry about it.]

Anyway, 80% of the money I have were taken from those four-people group.

Theres also the jewels that I had yet to sell.

[Well then, Ill be going now?]

Thud~

Mist is about to collapse.

I hastily went close and caught her body.

Pofu~

[]

Shes light.

There is certainly the weight of a person.

But, shes too light.

I peek at her face.

Her eyes looked like they cant focus.

[]

[Are you alright?]

Misit raised her face.

[Ah]

Mists face was almost before my own face.

Now that I can see it closely, I can see the eyelids under her eyes.

[-!!!]

Fwoosh~

Mist quickly got away from me.

I remember that time when the slender macho tried to touch her.

At that time, she looks like she really disliked it.

Is there some reason why she doesnt like to be touched by a man?

Mist quickly arranged her hair.

[Phew.]

A sigh leaked out from her mouth.

[Are you alright?]

[Eh?]

[I saw bags under your eyes but did you lack some sleep?]

[Y- Yeah. There were days where I couldnt sleep well.]

I remembered her words from earlier.

I cant sleep without being in a single room.

Mist wants to sleep on a single room.

However, she still cant sleep.

Insomnia?

Or, there must be another reason

[A- Anyway, Im fine. Its just that Im a bit tired. You dont have to worry about me. Well then, Ill be going now. Im happy that I could provide some help.]

Turning around, Mist walked away.

As if shes trying not to get others involved with her.

[.]

[Pii?]

Pigimaru cried out a bit.

[Hmm? What are we going to do now?]

[Pii.]

I walked again, aiming towards the plaza on the outskirts of the town.

[Of course, it would be to start the raid in Mills Ruins.]