The old voice rose from Charles's feet.
He looked down to see an elegant old man, barely knee-high, with a neatly trimmed mustache, leaning on a small cane.
The man stroked his beard thoughtfully, straightened his crooked red hat, and peered up at the late-night visitor.
A gnome—or more precisely, an earth fairy.
Though gnomes looked like creatures with long ears, fairies had no fixed form. They were incarnations of gods from the underworld, most without self-awareness, rarely appearing in the human world. Yet there were exceptions—like the fairy spirits of the earth.
Over time, these spirits had fully integrated into human society, using their miracles to provide various business services while earning rewards.
For example...
The most famous gnome rental library was the largest gnome library in all of Orario.
Among these gnomes, the owner of this shop, Bohm, had the most distinctive personality. His special ability seemed to be "identification." He made a living buying low and selling high—the very purpose Charles had come here.
"I heard you took good care of our family members."
Charles didn't rush straight to his goal; instead, he tried to appear approachable.
"Companion?" The shopkeeper Bohm stroked his beard slowly, then suddenly slapped his own head. "Ah! Were you introduced by Little Lili?"
The shop's location was extremely difficult to find. Since it dealt partly in stolen goods, it operated in a gray area. Without a referral, most people would never be allowed in.
Charles was lucky—he had heard about the place from a 'colleague' among the Familiars.
"Where's Lili? Isn't she here?" Charles followed Bohm into the shop, glancing around with a bored expression.
"She doesn't live here. Come to think of it, I haven't seen her much lately. Do you know where she went?"
Though Bohm sounded casual, Charles sensed a hint of probing.
His heart sank. Had Liliruca revealed her identity during her dealings with this shopkeeper? No—Lili, with her magic of transformation, wouldn't have revealed herself. After seven years, they should only be customer and owner. At most, a little sympathy from a regular client.
No, something was off.
Considering Bohm's intention…
First, he knew Liliruca was bullied by her clan, so maybe he was testing if Charles was a pursuer.
In other words, this immortal—seemingly detached from the worldly realm—still cared for Liliruca deeply, enough to guess someone's identity.
Charles sighed. As the reincarnation of Fianna, even fairies subconsciously protected her.
Human nature in this world was so complicated.
Charles cleared his throat and said,
"She's probably still chasing her dream. I didn't come here to look for her."
"Oh?" The old goblin climbed onto his chair and said casually, "So, guest, what brings you here?"
"Since you called me guest, I suppose you expect me to buy something. I heard you carry some rare goods, and I want to see if there's anything I urgently need."
"Oh, you really are a guest. Come, come..."
Bohm's face relaxed, wrinkles smoothing as a smile spread.
He led Charles to the warehouse in the back. As he tapped the floor rhythmically with his cane—like Morse code—an underground passage appeared before Charles's eyes.
Bohm tapped again, and magical stone lamps lit up both sides of the dark corridor.
He turned back and asked, "What sort of goods do you want? I have plenty of good things here."
Charles thought a moment. "Any black robes used by magicians? Ideally something that can cover the face."
The goblin lazily lifted his eyes. "Oh? That's a very rare item. No wonder you found an old man like me."
In the world of Danmachi, magicians were a rare profession. Unlike common wizards, magicians were scholars focusing on studying magic—the study of magical technology.
This profession was rare in Orario, a city obsessed with fame and fortune, but more common in the Magic Kingdom.
Charles smiled, trying his luck: "I didn't think it was true."
"Yes, follow me."
Bohm led Charles deeper into the tunnel.
His cane tapped rhythmically as the room's layout shifted intricately, like a Rubik's Cube. Finally, in front of Charles was a wooden door carved with ornate patterns.
Bohm blew the dust off the handle, pulled out a handkerchief, wiped it gently, then turned the handle.
With a click, the door swung open.
"Wait here. I think I remember where it is..."
There was rummaging inside, then Bohm emerged carrying two gift boxes.
"Found them. Here are two. Take a look and see if you like them."
Charles opened the first box. It was gorgeous, carved with various goblin gems, crafted with exquisite skill. Even a novice like Charles could feel the faint magical aura radiating from it.
Bohm explained, "This was recovered from a passing great magician ten years ago. In terms of value and performance, it's worth more than half the weapons of a second-level adventurer. It can reduce most magic damage and block high-level curses."
"This... isn't cheap." Charles hesitated.
"It's only 50 million fares. If Orario didn't have customers like you, I wouldn't offer such a discount."
Only?
"What about this one?" Charles opened the second box.
It was a simple cloak, completely black, nothing special. The edges were rough and tattered, as if stitched from countless garbage bags and corroded by time.
"Well..." Bohm stroked his chin, confused. "I can't remember exactly. It's very old—several hundred years at least. It's practically a cultural relic now. Though battered, it wouldn't be cheap if sold to collectors in the Sorcerous Kingdom."
Unexpectedly, a hidden treasure!
This worn robe was exactly what Charles had hoped for.
Seeing Charles's hesitant look, Bohm asked kindly,
"What's your budget?"
Charles decided to be honest. He couldn't hide his limited means, and he needed this disguise badly.
"5 million fares."
"Deal!"
"...Um?"
Did I miss something?
Noticing Charles's confusion, Bohm stroked his beard and smiled knowingly,
"Young man, these two are really hard to sell. As long as you pay, I'd sell them at any price."
"But honestly, you're not losing money. You could at least double the price in the Sorcerous Kingdom."
You're such a sly old man...
"How much did you originally pay for them?"
"I can't recall clearly. Alas... I'm old. You know, goblins, like dragons, like to collect treasures. I probably picked them up when I was young..."
"Picked them up?"
"Bastard!"
-End Chapter-
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