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Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 29
🕑 Added 2024-07-02 10:00:07 +0000 UTCB1 Chapter 29: Merchant’s Offer
Percy decided not to restrain the Gnoll in any way. He gave it full rein in the battle against the Hill Hog.
His understanding and control of the Monster Card had skyrocketed since he procured it, but it was painfully obvious that he was still a rookie. That was also how Percy played the Gnoll’s support instead of leading the monster into the battle.
He observed the Gnoll as it charged at the massive, fully-matured Hill Hog from the side. The Hill Hog turned around, grunted angrily, and was ready to attack when the Gnoll’s blade streaked across its neck. The curved blade was sharp and durable but wasn’t enough to kill the Hill Hog with one decisive strike. The Hill Hog’s defenses were too tough. However, Percy could use the opening to pierce the iron dagger deep into the open wound. That was precisely what he did.
Blood spurted from the wound even before Percy made his move. However, once the mana-infused blade rammed into the wound with significant momentum, the Hill Hog’s state worsened considerably. Percy twisted the blade and pulled it out to retreat, but his observation told him that the Gnoll wouldn’t do the same. It pounced on top of the Hill Hog and slashed it wildly. The attacks were fierce and would have been deadly if used against an ordinary enemy, but the Hill Hog wasn’t normal. It might still be a Common Monster, but its hide was tougher than the norm.
Still, the Gnoll’s fierce assault did more damage than Percy’s attacks would have. The Hill Hog bleaked in pain and threw its body around, hurling the Gnoll through the air. Its hooves scratched the ground, and it was just about to bulldoze the Gnoll, who’d dashed up to his knees when a gray flash appeared before its eyes.
Percy rammed the iron dagger – infused with traces of mana – into the Hill Hog’s eye. The Hill Hog, too focused on the Gnoll, noticed the attack too late and suffered the consequences. It grunted in surprise and smashed its head to the left, ready to break Percy’s bones, but the young Cardist was already on the move. He had been forced to let go of the iron dagger, but Percy never released control of his strongest weapon: The Gnoll.
He didn’t know how to give the Gnoll complex orders and was still learning how to control the Gnoll efficiently, but Percy was capable enough to tell his summoned monster what it had to do to finish the Hill Hog.
The Gnoll charged at the beast when the Hill Hog’s head smashed in Percy’s direction. It was faster than Percy and the Hill Hog, reaching the towering monster and pushing the bottom of the iron dagger deeper into the Hill Hog’s head.
A screeching noise rang through the vicinity, metal scrapping past bone – a skull, to be precise – and the Hill Hog slowed down. It lost a lot of blood, but it had been nowhere near death. However, the iron dagger reached its brain and penetrated it.
The monster didn’t die right away. Percy expected the interface to pop up at any moment, but the Gnoll had to slash it a few more times, weakening the creature until it collapsed. Even though the Hill Hog writhed on the ground for a few more seconds, it was as good as dead.
The interface appeared before Percy’s eyes shortly.
[Hill Hog – Mature – 174 Prosperity]
Percy snorted at the sight unfolding before him.
How long has it been? I struggled against one of yours a few weeks ago. Now…everything has changed.
His eyes drifted to the Gnoll, who had stopped attacking. Of course, the Gnoll Card was the biggest reason Percy had been confident at fighting the Hill Hog. Still, when he recollected his last fight – or struggle – against the Hill Hog mother and compared it with the fight against the fully matured Hill Hog today, he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d grown strong enough to defeat a Hill Hog on his own.
I think I can do it without the Gnoll, but there is no need to test it out. The Gnoll is by my side. Why wouldn’t I take advantage of that?
It would take a while to establish proper teamwork between Percy and the Gnoll, and it was probably a matter of months before their teamwork would be seamless, but that was fine. Percy prioritized growing stronger and learning more about his powers and possibilities to ensure his safety and keep him fed.
Initially, he went out hunting to earn his living expenses. He didn’t want to die like a starving mutt in the sewers or the chamber of poverty like some of its previous residents. But Percy's plan changed as he learned more about the world outside Raewood, the dangers of the wilderness, and the seemingly infinite possibilities of his Ego.
Surviving was his main drive even now, but the excitement coursing through him when he fought powerful foes, the surge of power sweeping through every inch of his body when his Tier increased, and whenever he learned something new about the world, his Ego, and…himself, changed Percy.
The changes allowed him to be happy, enjoy his life like he never could, and discover who he was and who he wanted to be.
Percy didn’t want to be protected by others. He understood that it was fine to rely on others in some situations, but he also learned how much better it felt to help others instead. Percy became more than he used to be in the few weeks he’d manifested his Ego. He learned more about his true self in that time than the rest of his life, and if there was one thing Percy was certain about, it was the fact that he had a lot more to learn about himself and those around him.
He looked forward to this from the bottom of his heart and was willing to give his utmost to learn everything about his true self.
The abomination of [Consume] burst out of his palm when Percy triggered his Ego. It devoured the Hill Hog and increased his progress to the next rank and his Prosperity simultaneously.
[Hill Hog has been consumed. 174 Prosperity has been added.]
The Hill Hog was too massive to carry around and consumed without a second thought. After that, Percy searched for magical plants for the rest of the day. He encountered some monsters, including two more Hill Hogs, but he was pleasantly surprised when he noticed most monsters avoided the Gnoll.
Percy didn’t even think about terminating the Gnoll’s summoning when he realized Berserk Rabbits tended to avoid Gnolls. The plague of Berserk Rabbits had been removed, but their dens hadn’t been destroyed since the Berserk Rabbits’ pelts and eyes were two major goods for producing highly sought-after potions and coats. Most final products were exported to other towns and cities, earning the town a fortune.
Percy found the Berserk Rabbits annoying. They earned him some Prosperity, but the fights slowed him massively. Therefore, the Gnoll was perfect. It kept the annoying monsters away, helped him kill two more Hill Hogs, and supported his search for valuable magical herbs.
The latter worked the best. It was already evening, and the last rays of sunlight were about to disappear beyond the horizon when Percy returned to Raewood. His bags were filled to the brim, not only with Crescent Ruby Grass. He found more!
[63x Crescent Ruby Grass – Average Quality – 128 Prosperity]
[41x Dismour Flower – Good Quality – 205 Prosperity]
[11x Moonlight Moss – Low Quality – 196 Prosperity]
[98x Frenzy Mushroom – Average Quality – 285 Prosperity]
The interfaces overlapped and combined eventually, saving Percy from a nasty headache. Percy inspected the interfaces of the most valuable goods and ignored the rest. He had over a hundred blades of Crescent Grass blades of lower quality, a bunch of Dismour Flowers, more Moonlight Moss of Trash Quality, and a handful of Frenzy Mushrooms of Low Quality. He could have consumed them, but a quick buck was worth much more than the meager Prosperity he could earn from the magical plants.
Percy’s only issue was that he had only accepted guild missions revolving around the Crescent Ruby Grass, but that shouldn’t have been an issue. He had been certain Erdwin would purchase the magical plants for a high price. But that wasn’t the case.
“Sorry, kid, I can give you an acceptable offer. Guild missions will offer you a higher fee for collecting Common magical plants than I’m willing to offer. Well, there are exceptions, but nothing you brought is interesting.”
At first, Percy felt like throwing a piece of moss at the merchant. However, he quickly realized Erdwin was doing him a favor. Instead of taking advantage of him, Erdwin told him honestly that giving everything to the guild would earn him more money.
“Why are you telling me that instead of making a bad offer?” Percy asked suspiciously. That wasn’t like Merchant Erdwin. Percy stiffened when Erdwin responded with a toothy grin.
“I’m trying to gain your trust and favorability.”
What is that supposed to mean? He didn’t care about that before but changed all of a sudden? Did something change?
Percy’s eyes drifted to his chest and the Gnoll blade.
Does he know about the Monster Card? I don’t think so.
“Why?”
Erdwin first shrugged, but something in Percy’s expression intrigued the merchant.
“I’m not sure what you are hiding, but I understand that everyone has some secrets. Nobody wants everything about them to be revealed to everyone. But I’m wondering how dense you think people around you are,” The merchant smiled smugly. He didn’t mention anything directly, but Erdwin’s eyes drifted knowingly to the leather bags, the Gnoll blade, and the center of the leather chestplate – where the runic enchantment was engraved.
Can he sense the runic enchantment? It’s inside the chestplate, so I thought nobody would notice. Or can he sense that the leather chestplate is different than it used to be? He must have noticed that the leather chestplate is darker than it used to be.
Percy panicked for a second but noticed how the merchant studied him. He was under the merchant’s scrutiny.
Calm down!
He circulated mana through his system, focusing on the heart to calm down. A faint smile blossomed on his lips shortly. Maybe Percy didn’t trust the merchant with his life, but that didn’t mean Percy couldn’t reveal some of his trump cards – even if it was to distract from others. The leather bags, filled to the brim with magical plants, were suspicious, just like the sudden appearance of the Gnoll blade.
Maybe others wouldn’t notice, but Merchant Erdwin was no fool.
I wonder who else has noticed. Well, it doesn’t matter.
Percy put the Gnoll blade on the wooden counter, still smiling, as he manifested the Gnoll Card in his other hand. The corner of the merchant’s lips twitched. Was he surprised Percy gave in so easily, or was there something else?
“I’m sure you understand. I don’t want anyone to know about this yet. Others can play the guessing game about my Tier increases and my luck at finding magical plants, but I hope you can keep your lips sealed and ensure they’ll continue guessing.” Percy’s smile widened, “That is if someone cares enough about me and my progress, which I somehow doubt. Everyone is too busy with the Archyeas and their own business. They’ll not notice the Adventurer rookie…”
“Until it is too late and the rookie surpasses them,” Erdwin added with a glint in his eyes as he studied the Monster Card.
“Did the injured Gnoll you killed before drop this? You’re lucky to be alive, kid. It has an Augmentation as well…To think… No. It doesn’t matter;” The merchant smiled, “Are you sure you do not wish to sell it? I have never seen the augment [A Hunter’s Smell], but I can already guess how it works.”
He looks at the leather bags, his professional smile speaking volumes.
“How about a Hill Hog Monster Card and five gold coins for the Gnoll?”
“No—....Wait, what?!”
Percy blinked uncontrollably, unsure if Erdwin was serious. However, he didn’t even have to ask to tell how serious the merchant was. Dead-serious.
“Monster Cards with Augmentations are quite valuable,” Erdwin shrugged, which Percy acknowledged silently. His eyes hovered above the Gnoll Card’s interface in confusion.
[Monster Card – Gnoll(Common –⭐⭐ – [A Hunter’s Smell]) – 26,000 Prosperity]
The Augmentation wasn’t considered very valuable by his Ego. It increased the Monster Card’s worth by merely 1,000 Prosperity, yet Erdwin offered a Monster Card alongside five gold coins, which was 50,000 Prosperity if the gold was given to him in copper coins instead.
My Tier will increase by more than one rank if I [Consume] five gold coins. Used on the Hill Hog Card or my armaments, I could cover myself in full enchants and several Augmentations.
While that was true, Percy had yet to receive his remuneration for the three bags full of magical plants. As an aside, most of the plants would go to Leonhard, whom he wouldn’t ask for money, but IF he gave everything to the Guild, Percy could earn several silver coins. The magical plants were worth almost 900 Prosperity. Usually, he would receive nearly 50% more copper than his Ego offered in Prosperity.
“I can earn two gold coins in a week with the Gnoll Card,” Percy shook his head. Hunting with the Gnoll is much easier, and it not only helps me repel weaker monsters with its scent but is also good at sensing danger and magical herbs from far away.”
Erdwin clicked his tongue but nodded understandingly.
“Do you have an offer? Is there something to your liking?” He didn’t want to give up on such a great deal. [A Hunter’s Smell] was a good Monster Card, which could earn him a fortune if appropriately used. The most exotic magical plants were hidden from the eyes of the ordinary. However, a Cardist with [A Hunter’s Smell] could find them.
If Percy were a little stronger, Erdwin wouldn’t have bothered offering him the gold and another Monster Card. He would have hired him to procure highly valued magical plants instead.
“What a shame…” He mumbled while Percy walked alongside the glass vitrine displaying a few Monster Cards.
A Cardist could only connect to one Monster Card at the Mortal Tier. Replacing the Monster Card was possible, but the stronger their connection, the greater the damage to the soul once the link was severed. Soul damage could be repaired, but it would cost a fortune or take a while.
“Do you want the Card or specific plants?” Percy asked as if he could read the merchant’s thoughts.
“Don’t bother kiddo. The deeper parts of the forest are too dangerous for someone like you. You will die.”
“That confirms it,” He mumbled at Erdwin’s comment.
To be fair, Percy considered selling the Gnoll Card to the merchant for a moment. The offer was too great to ignore. He wouldn’t make a significant loss if he could use the Prosperity earned from consuming the gold into another Monster Card’s Augmentations, either. However, recalling the Paresis Doom flowers and listening to the merchant confirmed that the little forest was hiding some valuable treasures – magical plants, which attracted the merchant’s curiosity.
The stingy merchant offered five gold coins and a Monster Card valued at two gold coins for the Gnoll Card.
Seven gold coins for his first offer. That means I could get ten gold coins for it if I start negotiating. Why do I feel like Erdwin would pay that much? What exactly is hidden in the forest?
“How about this…” Percy licked his lips, realizing that he was getting somewhere when the merchant looked intently at him, a ray of hope surfacing in the middle-aged man’s eyes, “You tell me what plants you’re looking for, how to harvest them and everything I need to know about them. In exchange, when I find them, I won’t tell the Guild about any high-ranked magical plants. Instead, I will go to you and sell them to you for a fair price.”
Erdwin noticed that Percy said ‘when’ instead of ‘if’. He would have ignored that under normal circumstances, but the confidence in the youth’s voice was slightly different.
“Did you already fi-...” Erdwin saw Percy’s lips twitch, nearly turning into a victorious smile, when he took the bait. The merchant chuckled, “You sly bastard. You’re getting better and better at this.”
He gave up and returned to the counter, where he retrieved a thin book.
“I have been looking for a few plants in this region. They grow only in this area and bloom only for a few weeks. Most Adventurers don’t know about them, and the Guild loves to burn them to ashes because they are said to be a ‘little’ bit too dangerous. Of course, it’s only dangerous if you don’t know how to pluck and store them.”
Somehow, that sounded familiar.
The merchant opened a marked page in the book and turned it around.
“That’s the first plant I have been looking for. A dangerous plant with bewitching pores and deadly defensive mechanisms. It is the main ingredient for several valuable runic concoctions, aphrodisiacs, and similar stuff.”
There it was, precisely what he’d been looking for.
Paresis Doom.
