C19
When I returned to my original world, the scenery was the same as where I had been, and passersby were walking around as if nothing had happened.
In my hand was the “Enchanting Hibiki Flute Kyoteki” that had just been handed to me.
It's kind of strange, isn't it?
But now I had the most important item for gaining experience.
There was only one more item to get. This item requires a special exploit in a certain dungeon.
For that, I need to stock up on some magic potions.
I headed for the fantasy shopping district to get the magic potion.
When I arrived at the shopping district, I found numerous stalls lined up in a row, creating a somewhat unrealistic atmosphere.
The stalls, decorated with colorful fabrics, are crammed with magic tools, medicinal herbs, and rare monster materials, and adventurers and magicians come and go.
This fantastic shopping district.
It is possible to purchase goods at a lower price than at ordinary stores, but it is also possible to be ripped off.
I could not visit here if my appraisal skill level was low, because I might be cheated out of some strange goods.
Now, however, I can raise my appraisal skill level and even get a true appraisal, so I don't have to worry.
"Hey, how much is this?"
I asked, pointing to a fist-sized ore at a stall lined with ores.
Only the ore was in an ostentatious case and seemed to be enchanted to prevent theft or something.
"Those are “Soseiseki” ores, aren't they? I can show you the ore specially because it is a recent arrival, but it is a very rare ore that costs 520 gold coins each."
The merchant man replies with a smile in his eyes.
He invokes a true appraisal, looks at the ore carefully, and a pop-up appears in his field of vision.
'Refined artificial ore: a well-made counterfeit of Soseiseki Soseiseki. It has been specially smelted by a skilled alchemist. Market price: 30 silver coins."
(I knew it. ...... This merchant is trying to sell me a counterfeit.)
"I see, it seems to be a very rare ore. The price is reasonable."
The merchant raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
"But can I buy Soseiseki from you? Our store accepts loan payments, but we also have a good selection of other ores."
I wondered if there was such a thing as loan payment in another world, but I didn't say it out loud.
"If this ore is real, it will be difficult to purchase it."
The merchant kept a poker face and did not change his expression.
"“It's real, you know? On what basis ......?”
"I'm sorry, but I'm a skilled appraiser. This is an artificial ore that was refined by an alchemist, right? The value is 30 silver coins per piece. I'm willing to pay that."
"............”
The merchant was silent for a few moments.
“...... would be fine. I will sell it to you. I'll sell it to you. Would you be willing to help me identify the item? Of course, I'd be willing to pay you."
"That's a very tempting offer, but I have other things to do. Here's the money, two for you, please."
"Certainly."
With this, I got a fake Soseiseki.
You may wonder why I went to the trouble of acquiring a fake that is a fraction of the price of the real one.
There is a reason for this, of course.
Next, I finally headed for the magic potion stall in the main circle.
When I arrived at the potion stall, I found a single slave servant dressed in dirty clothes, silently sorting through the merchandise.
He looks somewhat exhausted, and his eyes are devoid of life.
Beside him, the owner of the store, dressed in a luxurious costume, is shouting orders to his servant in an arrogant manner.
"Hey, don't hold back! Arrange those potions more carefully. If they get even the slightest bit dirty, they won't be for sale!”
The man who reprimands me in a voice laced with irritation looks at me condescendingly.
On the other hand, when this man realized that his customer was an aristocrat, he instantly raised his voice and flashed his amiability.
"Oh, my, you are very handsome! As expected of an aristocrat, you have chosen our finest potion. Our restaurant is of a quality that the commoners cannot understand, ha ha ha!"
But that smile was never directed at me.
, “...... This is not a place for a commoner to hang around, though. If you want to get a piece of the nobility's pie, you can look at the cheap potions over there. But don't try to bargain. I don't sell to people of your standing.”
What is this guy?
Is this guy doing business in a place like this, specializing in the nobility?
Is this the kind of attitude he treats everyone except nobles?
I picked up a potion of magic power (with great effect) from among the potions in small bottles lined up in the stall and appraised it.
{The potion is a magical potion with a large effect. One bottle restores magic power 100 times: 5 gold coins.}
The price per unit of the potion is very expensive.
I asked him how much he was selling it for.
"How much is this?"
"Ah? Oh, it's a magic potion with a great effect, and each one costs 20 gold coins. Can you afford it?'
I show him the gold coins in the bag.
The merchant immediately changes his attitude.
, “Well, well, well, you're very generous! Our potions are first-class! This one is of the highest quality and has the greatest effect. Please go ahead and buy it!"
Bullshit, it's highly effective.
He is too shameless and outspoken to turn the tables on us.
Let's take a look at the merchant.
Name: Ord
Age: 42 years old
Occupation: Merchant (con artist)
Level: 10
Physical strength: 10
Magic: 9
Skill: Market Manipulation Lv8, Pricing Technique Lv21
Unique Skill: None
Skill Points: 12
(As I thought, he is a con artist. I guess he's a scam artist. He doesn't have Appraisal skill either, which is convenient.)
"Oh, it's extremely effective? That means the recovery value is 300 ....... I've never seen that before. But 20 gold coins per piece is a bit steep. ......"
I stated, blithely.
"Now, I'll give you a special price of 19 gold coins per piece. We are offering you a special price for purchasing today. Actually, we have an inventory tomorrow morning."
"I'll get a discount of one gold coin. That's a good deal."
I responded, thinking inwardly that he was doing it.
It is a common practice of salespeople to offer a special price to rush the purchase.
It seems that this technique is no different in my previous life or in other worlds.
Of course, I have no intention of playing into his hands, and I'm going to use it against him.
"Ah!"
At that moment, I intentionally drop the pouch containing the blue star rock.
The blue star rock that came out of the bag caught the merchant's attention, and his eyes widened.