Goblin Dependency

Acknowledging the previous encounter with the Sheep Deer Statue within the shop and the experiences in the Mirror World-like Secret Realm has cast a slight shadow in his heart.

He felt some resistance about stepping into this general store again.

Fortunately, the bustling noise of the crowds on the surrounding streets, and the reflections of people inside the store seen through the glass, added some courage to him.

He took a deep breath.

Opened the door and walked in.

"Ding-ding~"

The metal bell hanging at the door jingled lightly.

The first reaction Xia Nan had upon entering the general store wasn't to greet the shopkeeper "Farrello" sitting behind the counter and looking at him.

Instead, he abruptly turned around and glanced at the shelves.

Only to find the space where the Sheep Deer Statue had originally been displayed was now completely empty.

He couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

The sound of Farrello, the owner of the general store, speaking with regret came to his ears.

"Looking for that statue?" As if recalling Xia Nan's previous behavior in the store, he explained, "Unfortunately, the same day you left, it was purchased by someone right after you."

Of course, the regret in Farrello's tone wasn't because Xia Nan didn't buy it, but because...

He sold it at a bit of a loss.

"You should have bought it that day." Farrello gently shook his head, the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose reflecting a faint light, "The price of such statues has soared later."

"Not to mention the price in the tens of Gold Coins. Even in the three digits, people are willing to pay, saying it's very popular over in Neum."

"I was thinking of bringing in more from the caravan, but then I heard there was some issue with the statues, and they were banned from circulation by the Neum authorities and are being urgently recalled."

"Alas, this kind of windfall, I won't be earning in my lifetime."

Watching the sighing Farrello ahead, Xia Nan mumbled to himself.

These ordinary local merchants, though they have their intelligence channels and relatively up-to-date information,

after all, they are not the adventurer association, without special means of information transmission, the spread of various messages between River Valley Town and Neum City is subject to a certain delay.

Back then, when he knew about the Sheep Deer Statue being somewhat trendy in Neum, the statue had already become quite popular among the high-ups in the city, and the price itself had been speculated to a sky-high level;

and when the high market price of the Sheep Deer Statue was conveyed to River Valley Town via the caravan, making Farrello regret selling it cheap and wanting to procure more for sale, news about the "Evil Object" had already appeared in Neum's newspapers.

As for now... more than half a month has passed, the recovery in the city is probably almost done, and he may have just received the news of the issue with the wooden statues.

And since there aren't many statues themselves, there is no possibility of large-scale procurement.

Otherwise, if when he entered earlier, the shelves were full of Sheep Deer Statues, he might have turned around and fled to Kalanfor, or even further, to avoid the spotlight.

Instead of speaking,

he carefully scanned the shelves with his eyes, confirming there was nothing unusual.

Xia Nan took a small bag from his waist pouch, which emitted a clear, crisp clattering sound as it was shaken, and handed it over.

Inside were some nicely colored Crystal Stones.

This was part of the reward proactively offered by the Gray Badger Gang for helping them repel the rat swarm back then.

Speaking of which, the Gray Badger Gang has now been wiped out, with several core members killed at the hands of the Beastman Buck.

It's uncertain whether any other forces will take over the streets they controlled, or what that lucky thug leader "Iron Head," who survived thanks to him, will do next.

"Five pieces of Obsidian, they are of average quality, I will purchase them at the market price, totaling 40 Gold."

Putting aside the oversight on the statue, Farrello was quite professional regarding these glittering stones.

He picked each one up, examining it carefully with a magnifying glass.

"Two pieces of Green Quartz, 30 Gold."

"Oh, there's also a small piece of Red Agate, which is quite decent in quality, I can offer 52 Gold."

"Altogether, a total of 122 Gold, how does that sound to you?"

The revenue from this small bag of loot exceeded expectations, and he was never good at bargaining.

Initially wanting to just finalize the deal.

Suddenly, as if something crossed his mind, Xia Nan's face broke into a smile, swallowing back the words of agreement that had reached his throat.

Then he proposed a higher price:

"I've been a regular customer here, one price, 135 Gold."

...

"Ding."

The door of the general store slowly opened from the inside.

The cold wind seeped through the collar and into the shirt, the unique chill of winter air permeating the body through the pores of the skin.

To a professional with strong physical fitness, such cold wouldn't result in illness or a cold, but the chill felt wouldn't lessen much either.

Xia Nan stepped out of the "Fairy Wind" general store, stood at the door, and tightened his cuffs.

His face was emotionless.

The reason he bent his usual pattern and bargained with Farrello was actually to further test the effect of the 1-point charm attribute bonus.

As for the result...

The Crystal Card worth 100 Gold in his pouch, along with the twenty-five gleaming Gold Coins.

Was indication enough.

It can only be said that Farrello is indeed as described in the adventurer's manual.

His professional competence is outstanding, yet the prices he offers are often quite cunning.

Compared to the initial quote of 122 Gold, after bargaining, he only offered 3 more Gold Coins.

"Perhaps, my charm bonus doesn't manifest in this regard?"

"Or maybe the extra 3 Gold Coins already include the effect of the charm bonus, but due to his inherent personality, the effect seems weaker?"

Xia Nan pondered to himself.

In any case, earning a bit more money is certainly a good thing.

3 Gold is enough for him to enjoy a week at the White Sparrow.

He thus ceased overthinking, recognized the direction, and set off, disappearing into the crowd.

...

Though it may not seem like a substantial amount of spoils.

But altogether, Xia Nan's earnings from this mission were actually quite decent.

A few sparkling little stones — 125 Gold;

The reward given by the Gray Badger Gang along with the Crystal Stones — 53 Gold 2 Silver;

On the way to Neum, after repelling the attacking robbers, the money obtained from selling their equipment and horses — 36 Gold 1 Silver 6 Copper.

Together, totaling 214 Gold 3 Silver 6 Copper.

This was not even taking into account the possible reward increase after Moli's report that could upgrade the mission.

The little reserve that had spent a whole 500 Gold on custom equipment fiercely regained strength.

Assets returned to 526 Gold 7 Silver 3 Copper.

Though far from the peak close to four-digit figures,

it gave Xia Nan, standing at the "Rock Hammer" Blacksmith Shop entrance, more confidence in his heart.

At least, the ordinary equipment could be affordably purchased.

"Boss, not many customers today, huh?"

Xia Nan entered the Blacksmith Shop, waving from afar, and greeted "Barn," the shop owner.

This middle-aged man, claiming to have Dwarf lineage but whose physique almost matched that of the Bear Goblins, was currently holding a piece of cloth, wiping a dagger behind the counter.

Hearing the voice, seeing it was Xia Nan, he also smiled.

Putting down what he held, he opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to talk to this nearly self-maintaining and extravagant equipper by profession.

But when he saw Xia Nan's face, his expression suddenly turned subtle.

"You don't look so good. Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

"No problem with the equipment quality, right?"

"No, no problem," he said quickly. "There was just a little mishap on this trip."

Barn gave his acquaintance a meaningful look and said, "You can try on the armors later."

"""