Can't Pay? Then Get to Work!

Of course, Cien was aware that his first customer didn't have much money. In fact, when the customer dropped his bag of coins, Cien was a bit stunned. Because of the sound and the bulging appearance of the pouch, he estimated that there were tens if not hundreds of coins inside.

Cien never thought that his first customer actually brought money, even though it wasn't much.

From the customer's appearance, Cien already knew where he came from. There was a star and a mountain symbol on the armor worn by the customer. The symbol of the Kingdom of Farnodt, a small kingdom in the eastern part of Westya.

From the condition of the armor and weapons hanging from the man's hip, Cien could predict that the man was most likely a war survivor. And on the losing side.

If he had won, he would not have chosen to escape to Death Valley. It shows how desperate his situation is.

Cien grinned slightly, chuckling at his first customer's fate. He was sure that his customer had planned to enter and wait a while at the Death Valley border before leaving. But unfortunately, if you enter in a panicked state, this place will not let you go easily.

Cien could realize all of this just by looking at the condition of his customer. Then, why did he try to introduce the Fire Glove to his customer?

Of course, to sell it, but knowing that the visitor didn't have enough money to buy his creation, Cien could get paid with something else.

Labor in Death Valley is extremely rare, isn't it?

Cien walked towards his customer with a stern expression.

"Are you... interested in this glove, dear customer?" he asked.

Reiss, who heard that, nodded without realizing it. A magical object was something very rare in the market. The main component in making magical objects was Mana Cores.

And Mana Cores were one of the most valuable things in the world. Every Mana Cores that appeared in the market would usually be bought at an unimaginable price by the nobles. Therefore, magical objects were usually only owned by those in the upper class.

A soldier like Reiss would never be able to own something valuable like that.

"Who wouldn't be interested? Owning a magical item is a dream come true for anyone. However, I don't have the money to buy it. I'm sorry," replied Reiss.

He knew he didn't have the right to own something like that. Although he seemed a little disappointed, Reiss knew his reality. He could only sigh softly, while gazing at the glove in Cien's hand like a treasure.

Cien patted Reiss's shoulder. "Hey, you said you wanted to leave here, right?"

"!"

Reiss, who heard that, immediately nodded repeatedly.

"In that case, 500 Tia."

"Eh? F-five hundred... for what?"

"The information cost. Don't tell me you want information for free. Young man, this is Death Valley, getting out of here is almost like a miracle, how can I give valuable information like that without getting something in return? Only five hundred Tia for your life, I don't think it's expensive, right?"

Reiss's hands trembled, as he was sure that the amount of money he had didn't reach that price.

"B-but...we're both human, right?"

"Hahaha! Don't say such things like that. I've been living here for ten years, and I know the monsters in Death Valley better than the humans out there. Don't talk to me about humanity. Remember, I'm a merchant. I sell something, not give it away."

"... "

"Sigh, it seems like you're poorer than I thought. What is your purpose for entering Death Valley?"

"... "

Reiss couldn't say anything. He could only stay silent with a sour face.

"Okay then. I'll tell you the way out of here."

"Really? I knew it, you're still a kind-hearted man!"

"Hey, don't get too excited! Of course, there's a condition."

Reiss immediately fell silent. He was afraid that the condition would be something difficult to achieve. He looked at Cien, who was staring at him seriously.

"How strong are you?"

Cien asked. He could actually obtain data from his customers by taking a photo of them with his phone. However, taking a photo suddenly would look very suspicious. So, for now, he would ask first.

"Gulp, Middle Rank 5," Reiss replied, swallowing his saliva.

"Oh, not bad. In that case, I want you to hunt an Inferno Bear for me. If you can do that, then I'll tell you the way out of here."

"I-Inferno Bear? What is that?" Reiss asked.

"Ah..." Cien realized that the Inferno Bear was not a monster commonly found outside of Death Valley, so it was understandable that Reiss didn't know what it was. Cien proceeded to describe the bear's appearance, strength level, and abilities in detail.

As Reiss listened to the full explanation of the Inferno Bear, he shuddered. The bear's strength level was at least Rank 5, the same as Reiss'. This made Reiss start to feel pessimistic.

"It's up to you whether you want to do it or not. If not, it's not my problem. You can leave and find your own way out of here, although I'm not sure you can do that.

"Ah, how about I give you an additional mission. Maybe this will motivate you more. If you manage to hunt at least ten Rank 5 monsters of any kind, I'll give you this one Fire Glove. What do you think, are you up for it?"

"...I'll do it!"

Reiss agreed while gritting his teeth, showing his seriousness. His fate would be uncertain if he wandered aimlessly in Death Valley. But if he could hunt just one monster, he could find his way out. And for the other ten monsters, he would figure that out later.

The Shop Owner had said that the Inferno Bear could be found about three kilometers from the shop. Although it was rare, Reiss could wait for the monster to arrive in the safe area.

"Great if you're willing to do it. My name is Cien Millard, what's your name?"

'Family name?! Is he a noble?' Reiss thought to himself.

Reiss was quite surprised to hear that the man had a family name behind his first name. Only the nobles or important figures in the kingdom had family names.

"I'm Reiss. Nice to meet you, Sir Millard."

'Sir? Hm, it's been a long time since I've been called that.'

After getting to know each other, Cien told Reiss that he had no intention of renting out the empty room in his cabin, which made Reiss' smile turn stiff.

Reiss could only dryly laugh at this. However, despite this, Cien was not mean. He offered Reiss to stay in the cave behind the cabin.

Even though the cave was not included in the protection zone of the formation. Cien knew that the cave was still one of the safe places.

Although it was just a cave, it was better than sleeping outside, haunted by monster attacks that could strike at any time.

Reiss gladly accepted Reiss' offer to live in the cave. To be honest, seeing the cave he was very grateful. Because this way he no longer needs to be afraid and can sleep soundly.

"Oh, I have some meat and vegetables if you want to eat. Of course, you have to pay for it. The same goes for water, clean clothes, blankets, and even repairing your weapons. You get what you pay for, just let me know."

With that, Cien returned to his shop, leaving Reiss alone in the cave.

Reiss looked at the figure of the Shop Owner entering the shop through the back door. Until now, he still couldn't understand what was happening. A shop in Death Valley? The Shop Owner who was also a noble? A self-created magical item?

Many questions arose in his mind. Reiss then looked at the night sky visible from the hole on the cave ceiling.

"Let's think about everything tomorrow. I'm tired..."

Reiss lay down and let himself be carried away into the world of dreams.