I went inside the warehouse tent and took out 3 gold coins.
Not only was it the warehouse, it also doubled as my living quarters.
Unlike Mark’s tent, there was barely any s.p.a.ce to sleep.
I went to sleep everyday curled up on the hard sand.
If I stretched the wrong way in my sleep, I would inevitably knock something over, like a broom, causing a small avalanche.
It was impossible to get a good night’s sleep.
I looked at the three gold coins in my hand.
This was money I’d earned through blood, sweat, and tears.
Obviously, the coins hadn’t come from Mark.
I made peanuts working for Mark. There’s no way I’d be able to pry 3 gold coins from his grubby fingers, it was impossible.
No, the money had come from my own diligence in reaching out to rich-looking clients to have them purchase goods directly from me.
I knew of a market where they sold sc.r.a.ps and cheap crystals.
Using my appraisal skill, I could easily identify the higher quality goods and purchase them.
It was the most important skill a jeweler could have, and I was able to make a good profit selling to those with a discriminating eye.
A particularly good piece could earn me at least 1 silver coin.
Confiscating the money I worked so hard for was a d.i.c.k move.
And then I remembered a place.
I’ll use every last cent I have today.
I’ll use it and arrange Mark’s demise.
Enjoy it while you can Mark, your days are numbered.
(I thought as much, the market in the Oasis District is huge.)
I went to visit the Oasis District.
I couldn’t find anything worthwhile in the slums, there just wasn’t enough of a good selection.
I wasn’t one to question where the goods came from, but this time was a little different.
(It is not the clothes or accessories that I want right now.)
I slowly browsed the Oasis District market.
There was fruit that made me salivate, and I just wanted to reach out and take it.
Someday I also wanted to get that magic book being sold.
But today I had one specific thing I had to buy.
“Excuse me, I’d like this animal glue.”
I told the shopkeeper.
Animal glue, in other words, an adhesive.
It was made by boiling the skin, guts, bones, and nails of an animal then cooling the viscous liquid that came out of it.
And before using the adhesive, it needs to be boiled in water.
Using my appraisal skill, I chose the best glue from the lot.
The shopkeeper muttered “You have a good eye,” as he took out his merchant scale.
The shopkeeper weighed it, then held out it hand declaring, “3 silver coins.”
“Weigh it again, but turn it around this time. Just to make sure.”
“……Tsk.”
You had to be careful in a shady place like this.
I was almost cheated until I thought the desk might be leaning to one side, or some trick to the merchant’s scale I wasn’t aware of.
I was glad I brought a battle slave with me instead of a weak porter.
Young as I was, I wouldn’t be able to fight back if the merchant tried to do something.
“……2 silver and 4 copper coins it is.”
“……That’s better.”
Although a kid like me saying ‘That’s better’ would probably incite a little rage.
It was hard to read the shopkeeper’s expression.
I endured and brushed it off with a poker face.
(I have to get a new bucket and broom after this……)
The next purchase was an investment for my future business.
I need to procure a bucket, broom, dustpan, tent hide, and other tools. It would cost around 10 silver coins in total.
(Also, I need to get a leather bag and make it into a blackjack.)
The blackjack would be made from a long and thin leather casing, then packed with sand.
It was a simple weapon.
I needed to have something for self-defence, right?
(Then I need to get several pieces of tile to protect my body by wrapping it around.)
The tiles would be my armor. I figured I could string them together by making a small hole in each, then use 2 to protect my sides, and 1 to protect the front of my torso.
(After this would be the real future investment.)
Soap, scissors, and small tools like razors.
Jam made from citrus rinds.
A wooden board to draw on, and ink made of soot to draw with.
It was a lot to have to buy right off the bat.
(I wonder if I can buy everything I need today?)
I knew I would find more things I needed as I looked around.
And the remaining budget is…just a little over 2 gold coins.
It should be just enough.
(Excellent, I think it’s time for me to get real experience, right Mark?)
I saved the one thing I really wanted to buy for last.
Of course, it was something very important to study for my future.
I went inside an Oasis District slave shop.
The market price of the slave, the quality, and even the purchasing process were all different here.
(Slaves. This lady would probably decide herself which slave was best for me to buy.)
I returned her polite “Welcome” greeting with a nod.
I needed to see just how different the slave shop in the Oasis District was from Mark’s.
“What can I do for you today?”
“I need to buy a cheap slave. The best one you have for around 2 gold coins.”
I checked the interior design of the shop. It actually wasn’t that bad.
The furniture was moderately cla.s.sy, and possessed a sense of security.
Compared to Mark’s store, although his was the best in the slum district, this shop was better decorated.
I expected as much from a shop in the Oasis District.
“……A cheap slave?”
The shopkeeper shot me a glance for a moment to appraise me.
However, that was exactly what I wanted.
Since I could also see the psychological graph I knew exactly what she was doing, however most people would be uncomfortable getting appraised.
The female shopkeeper was called Miroir, and she was the slave merchant.
“Yes, I’m actually in the same trade. I would like to buy suitable cheap people, slave with special characteristics will be fine too.”
“I see.”
She reacted when I said I was also on the same trade.
Indeed, Miroir seemed to doubt me.
No matter how you looked at it, I was just a 15 years old kid.
Although my clothes were fixed to fit in the Oasis District, she probably knew from the tanning on my skin that I was actually from Slums.
I wondered if she was observing me objectively.
Miroir was certainly thinking of how to answer me.
“What will you be using it for?”
“Just simple and trivial ch.o.r.es. But I don’t need them to do too much manual labor, so I don’t mind if it’s a woman or child.”
I thought I would lose this deal if she kept interrogating me.
However Miroir kept her poker face.
“I’m sorry, but can you show me the possible slaves?”
“……Please wait for a moment, I’ll bring them here.”
“Thanks, although I’d prefer you take me towards the slave quarters. It would be more convenient.”
“……I understand.”
I was sure I would learn a lot more if I entered the slave quarters myself.
She may not have wanted me to see the slave quarters, or she might have had something to hide back there.
However as a shopkeeper, she still had an obligation to meet her customer’s demands.
When it came down to it, Miroir looked to to be a good business partner.
I thought about it as I followed Miroir to the slave quarters.