Chapter 25: Piece of a Rusted Chain

This male figure quickly born a lot of negatives emotions in me, his voice was so peculiar, that I couldn't help, but feel distrust for any of his words.

I didn't want to reply to him, without knowing anything. So, I used my [Analysis].

[Name: ???

Race: ???

Gender: Male

Age: ???

Description:

His past, or his name are unknown. The same way no one knows how he can travel on those lands, full of undeads. He can somehow avoid any dangers, enemies, or watchful eyes of the ruler of this kingdoom. He slips into the smallests holes, collecting all valuables left behind by the previous residants of this place. They found terror and doom. He found a gold mine, build from their corpses.]

The screen my [Analysis] showed me, schocked me. It's the first time my ability gave me limited informations about the target on its usage. I always knew what to expect when I used it, now I only know that I'm dealing with a rat. This is all I could gather form accesable description I got

(I'm dealing with a rat. He scavages wastelands to fill his pockets.) I turned to him the moment, his nature got revealed.

"What did you rob from their graveyards, rat?" I said it with a slight disgust.

He didn't mind my comment, his hands never stopped rubbing each other. "I'm not a rat, my title is Merchant."

Bandana on his face wasn't enough to nullify the smile in his voice, this title made him proud. And like a piece of puzzle solved, I saw his name change to 'Merchant' on my screen.

I never expected this type of behavior from a person in this world. I always thought it will be a traumatized, or a dying one, but no, I got a sneaky Merchant.

I knew dealing with him would be tricky, so I crossed my arms and stood silent. The less I talk, the less he can learn about me. And I already asked him a question, he didn't reply to.

"A silent one? Don't worry, my wonders will soon open your mouth. You can never stay keep your mouth shut, after seeing them."

His tone made it so I couldn't know if he was joking, or if he was sarcastic. I watched what will he do next, when he suddenly opened his trench coat.

"A nudist!" I screamed at his actions.

Soon, I realized that under his coat were another layer of clothing, preventing me from seeing anything that would make me want to dug my eyes out.

Inner side of his coat had a lot of items string to it. Some green potions, pouches, glasses, medical tools, and some trash, in its purest form.

"You see? I knew my wonders will open your mouth."

(This little. I had enough.) I marched forward, with full intention to hit him in the face. I wanted to knock his teeth out.

"Wait! Wait! You don't need to do that. I...I will...give you..a..discount? Yes. A discount."

I stopped in my tracks, just in front of him. "It's better be good, or else..."

"Merchant never lies, he only sells. Yes. Sells." I saw him move his arm under his coat and pull out an item.

"This. You will get discount on this." He couldn't give me a price, as I slammed my fist in his face.

He fall down and I looked at him. "What is that? A rusted piece of chain? Are you kidding me?"

"No. No. No. I wouldn't dare. It's precious, you just don't know its story." He soon slowly get back on his feet and started dangling this chain in front of me.

I smiled in mockery and said. "Tell me its story. Let's hear the greatness of this piece of a chain."

"Yes. Its a chain that heroes wore. They had it on them, their whole lives. It served them well, well if they survived." I raised my brow at this sentence.

"You see, this chain is one of few. It's just a piece of its former self. I found it in hero's grave....I knew it was special." He sounded like he was convincing himself, not me.

"Cut the bullshit. It's just a piece of trash." I didn't want to hear this story any further.

"You're wrong. It could make you strong, you can't even imagine how strong...I promise you won't regret it." He raised his hand, showing me an OK gesture.

I lost my words and raised my own hand, showing him my own emoji, a fist. I smiled, ready to strike.

"Stop! I...I will give it to you for... for free... Isn't that a great deal? Yes, it's... Merchant is never wrong."

I put my hand down, looking at his attempt of protecting himself. "For free you say? Ok, give it to me then." I reached my hand out.

He was relucent to do so, looking from his hand, at mine. He did it couple of times, utimately saying. "I will do so, if you buy someting else. I'm a Merchant, I can't lose profit. You understand?... Right?"

His questions had little hope in them, he seemed like he was in a losing position, but I knew if I didn't agree he would start telling me lies again.

I swallowed my saliva, in an attempt to calm myself. After that, I gave him a fake smile and said in a sarcastic tone. "Of course. You're right. How could I think otherwie? Afrter all, Merchant sells, right?"

"He sells. He makes profit. Of course. Merchant is.." I punched him in the face for a second time, he seemed like he will cry after receiving this blow.

"You little rat. I will buy something else from you." I couldn't help myself from hitting him, but I agreed to his proposal.

When he heard the word 'buy', he immediately got up, with his tears disappearing, as fast as they appeared in the first place.

He hold the chain in one hand and opened his coat with the other. "Look. Look. Merchant''s wonders here. You will find something you like in them."

I pointed at the green potion from before. "What is that?"

"A deadly poison. Made from zombie blood. It can put even strongest enemies in uncomfortable position. Merchant got it from the city. You won't regret."

"A deadly poison you say?"

"Yes." I learned from the story about the chain, so I used my [Analysis] on this supposed deadly poison. I wouldn't let him scam.

[Name: Zombie blood with green dye

Effects:

- Poison

-Small amount of zombie blood can slightly poison the drinker, but green dye in in makes the effect even less potent. Now it can only make someone uncomfortable.

Description:

Merchant made it from dead zombie blood and dye from the forest's flowers. This poison can be considered useless. ]

"Definitely a deadly poison, it's a shame I don't need it." I keep my fake smile.

"No problem. Next item will catch your eye, traveller."

Next, he showed me glasses, without lenses. (I can't wait for the story behind those.)

"Glasses of Ledor Donci. The famous scholar. He created a lot of innovations. The legend say that they give you a mind of his. Merchant get them on his dead bed. Merchant was his friend."

[Name: Ledor Donci's glasses

Effects:

- Ledor Donci's vision

- Ledor Donci's insanity and mind.

Description:

Ledor Donci was a sick blind person that wore those glasses thinking them gave him a briliant mind and artistic view. The truth is that they never had lenses and he just randomly used his brush to paint. The unfortunate thing is, he sold those paitings for a lot of money.]

"Can you give me them for a moment?"

"Yes. Look at goods." Merchant handed them to me, after which I grabbed them and broke them in half.

"Sorry. I didn't know they were so fragile." I looked at the broken glasses and crushed them in my hands, as to prove a point.

"Don't worry, they were indeed fragile... And Ledor Donci wasn't Merchant's good friend. He just didn't have friends."

(A true businessman.) Comment in my mind made me smile for real.

Merchant doesn't even let this chance slip. "Did you saw something you like? Your smile shows Merchant you like his wonders."

I decided not to reply and just started looking at all of his trash, hopping there will be at least one decent item.

It was hard, but I found worn out leather gauntlets. They weren't the best, but from this list, they were the only thing I could buy with intention to use in the future.

[Name: Hard Leather Gauntlets

Skills:

- [Hard Skin] - J+

- Made from hard leather, making them more durable.

Description:

Simple leather gauntlets. Great for punching and protection.]

"Finally, a normal item. I will buy those." I grabbed them in my hand and looked at the Merchant.

"Don't you want to hear Merchant's description?" He rubbed his hands.

"No. Thank you. Just tell me how much they cost." I declined without even blinking.

Before he replied I saw a system notification.

[You can use shop points. Those gauntlets cost 100.]

(Won't he learn about system existence this way?) I didn't want anyone learning about system's existence, specifically not him.

[He won't. System will replace shop points with gold.]

I nodded to the system. "You have a deal. Give me both of them."

"Yes. Merchant's makes profit." His words made me believe that he could show real emotions. Happines from gaining gold was something he couldn't hide.

I took the rusted chain and turned around instantly. "Bye."

"Don't you want to see Merchant's other wonders?" He sounded like he just caught a fish and didn't want to let it go.

"NO!" I run. I had enough interactions with him today.