-250- The hidden client

In general, the situation in which the information dealer Argo initiates contact with someone falls into only two categories.

One is when the client's commission has been completed.

The other is when her ongoing task is related to the person himself.

Besides these two possibilities, Argo would only proactively contact someone if she acquires certain information and knows who needs it the most.

Unfortunately for Rozen, he hadn't recently assigned Argo any investigation, so her contacting him either indicated she had crucial information to sell or someone had commissioned her to establish contact with him. Regardless of the situation, Rozen didn't consider it a favorable one.

Given this, Rozen felt no need to be overly polite.

However,

"Well, just take it easy for now, ZenZen."

Argo still wore a playful smile as she spoke.

"Let me offer you a drink first. What would you like?"

Saying this, Argo lightly knocked on the table in front of her, and a menu window appeared. With a wave of her hand, she smoothly moved the menu over to Rozen, presenting its contents.

Usually, when players visited a shop, a menu list window would appear only if an NPC service attendant or the owner personally asked what they wanted.

However, in some places without NPC attendants or designed with unfriendly NPC proprietors, like this one, players had to tap the table to make the menu list appear. After making their choices and paying with in-game currency "Col," the ordered items would be promptly delivered.

The menu list in front of Rozen displayed a variety of goods with their prices marked. Interestingly, there were very few beverages listed, and almost everything was alcohol.

Although a bit embarrassed, having lived across three worlds and yet never aging beyond eighteen, Rozen was naturally curious about alcohol, despite the limited opportunities he'd had to taste it.

(Darn you, Argo. You probably get this information from somewhere and using it against me.)

Rozen shot an annoyed look at Argo's smiling face and then, without hesitation, placed his order.

"I'll have the most expensive red wine."

Perhaps someone well-versed in wine might not have made such an order, but unfortunately, Rozen wasn't one of them, and his response seemed rather clumsy.

However, this exchange resulted in a comment:

"Aren't you just too adorable, ZenZen?"

Argo chuckled, causing Rozen's expression to grow increasingly displeased.

Rozen really wanted to tell Argo something like "Don't tease me" or "Don't call me ZenZen," but he gave up, knowing that Argo probably wouldn't take it seriously.

He went ahead and opened his inventory, selecting an item named "Sweetgrass Nectar." After materializing it, a small bottle appeared in his hand.

"Here, Saihou. This is for you."

Rozen placed the Sweetgrass Nectar on the table, opened the bottle cap, and a delightful aroma filled the air.

"Gu!"

The Rainbow Butterfly, which had been perched on Rozen's shoulder, let out a joyous cry and flew over, landing on the bottle. Although its size was much larger than the bottle, it was light enough to perch on it. It then extended its long proboscis into the bottle's opening, sipping the nectar inside.

Seeing this, Argo widened her eyes in disbelief.

"Isn't this the super rare Sweetgrass Nectar that only drops with a pitifully low chance from monsters over by the flower fields? The one used to craft high-level recovery potions and is worth 8,000 Col?"

Argo's voice was filled with astonishment.

"You're actually using such an expensive item to feed your familiar? What a waste!"

Argo's shock was understandable; 8,000 Col was not a small sum.

In Sword Art Online, the cheapest black bread only cost 1 Col, a basic weapon ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 Col depending on the type, and decent armor would be around 5,000 Col. Even Rozen's high-end quest reward weapon, the Anneal Blade, which was considered the best on the first floor, had a market price of around 15,000 Col. Even a fully enhanced Anneal Blade +8 would only be around 40,000 to 50,000 Col.

On the other hand, Sweetgrass Nectar's market price was above 7,000 Col, and Argo, being an information dealer, raising it to 8,000 Col meant that this price was probably the best deal currently available. Collecting five or more bottles could rival the price of a Anneal Blade +8.

And yet, Rozen was using such a rare item to feed his familiar?

How could Argo not be surprised?

But how could Argo know?

"Do you think familiars are just pets? And you can just feed them anything?" Rozen rolled his eyes and continued, "Although familiars' direct combat strength isn't strong, they possess supportive and special abilities. While leveling up gradually unlocks these abilities, feeding them suitable rare items could have a chance to unlock them earlier. There's even a possibility of new special abilities in the future. If you're not willing to spend money, be prepared for your familiar to become mediocre."

As Rozen spoke, Argo felt relieved and also offered her thanks.

"Oh, I didn't expect there to be such a mechanic. This is a really valuable information. I'll gratefully take it. I'll find an opportunity to sell this at a high price to those players who have familiars."

Argo's words nearly made Rozen burst out with curse words.

How naive he had been! He forgot that this person in front of him was a cunning merchant capable of selling any kind of information!

When he thought about how he had run through multiple places and completed various quests just to obtain this secret from the NPC flower vendor, only for Argo to easily take it away and even plan to sell it for a high price in the future, Rozen felt a sense of pain.

Of course, Rozen wasn't one to be taken advantage of.

"You're so willing to treat me to a drink, is it because you took on someone else's commission? Are you here to persuade me to sell my belongings?"

Rozen fixed his gaze on Argo and spoke plainly.

"What does your client want? My familiar? My weapon? Or perhaps my rare armor?"

His words were direct, causing the smile on Argo's face to freeze.

Seeing Rozen's half-smiling expression, Argo raised her hands in surrender.

"As expected of ZenZen, you've guessed my purpose so easily."

In other words, someone did indeed commission Argo to persuade Rozen to sell all his possessions.

However, it seemed that the client's demands were quite extensive.

"Your familiar and your weapon, the client wants both."

Argo's words made Rozen raise an eyebrow.

"Both the familiar and the weapon?" Rozen became curious and asked, "So, what price is the other party offering?"

Argo immediately held up two fingers.

Rozen certainly didn't think that meant 20,000 Col.

"200,000 Col."

Argo enunciated each word.

"The other party is willing to pay 200,000 Col."

Indeed, that was quite an extraordinary number.