Barter

The underground shop was exactly how Kalem remembered it—dimly lit, filled with the smell of incense, and cluttered with a mix of odd trinkets, weapons, and rare artifacts. It looked like the kind of place where things went to get lost, never to be found again. 

Fenn stood behind the counter, his sharp eyes glinting as he examined Kalem's goods. The man's thin frame cast a shadow in the low light, and he looked every bit as dangerous as the stuff he sold. Kalem's fingers twitched nervously as he set his bag down on the counter, pulling out the items he'd gathered—his personal stash, not the loot from the heist. That had been taken, and Kalem wasn't about to show Fenn anything that could trace back to the robbery.

"So, what have you got for me this time?" Fenn asked, eyeing the assortment with mild curiosity.

Kalem shuffled through the items, pulling out a handful of stolen artifacts—a couple of ornate daggers, some strange jewelry, and a small, cracked urn. He tried to ignore the way Fenn's eyes seemed to study him like a hawk eyeing its prey. 

"Not bad," Fenn murmured, picking up the cracked urn. "Could fetch a decent price on the black market. But you know the rules—everything gets evaluated."

Kalem tried to stay cool, but the tension in his chest was palpable. "I need at least 200 Neo Credits," he said, trying to sound casual. "I'm not selling my soul here, just trying to make sure I can get into that ritual. I've got plans, you know?"

Fenn raised an eyebrow. "200? You sure you're not confusing Neo Credits with wishful thinking?" He set the urn down and picked up a small, intricately carved necklace. "You're asking for a lot, Kalem. These things won't bring in what you think they will."

Kalem huffed, hands on his hips. "Look, I know what I've got. I've got stuff no one else has. A little bit of *mystical* flair, y'know?" He waved a hand dramatically, trying to make light of it, though his stomach was twisting with anxiety.

Fenn smirked but didn't respond. He continued his inspection, seemingly unmoved by Kalem's bravado.

After a few moments, Fenn let out a sigh. "Alright, alright. I'll give you 100 Neo Credits for everything. After all, you're asking for info, too."

Kalem's jaw clenched. "100?! That's *barely* enough to cover the damn ritual materials, and I'm not about to let you screw me out of this."

Fenn looked at him evenly, unfazed. "You're not in a position to negotiate here, Kalem. You want info? This is the price. You've got rare stuff, sure, but it's not exactly a goldmine. Not when you're dealing with the kind of market I'm working with."

Kalem crossed his arms, frustration growing. "I'm here for *info*. I'm here to get something useful out of this."

Fenn set down the last of the items and looked Kalem up and down. "Tell you what. I can tell you've got a sense for value—*or at least, you think you do*—but I'm the one who knows how to make things pay off. You ever wonder how I can tell what's worth something and what isn't?"

Kalem blinked, momentarily distracted. "I've always wondered that, yeah. Like, how do you know what's a piece of junk and what's—" He paused and grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "—what's *mystical* enough to be worth a couple of Neo Credits?"

Fenn chuckled, the sound low and almost... *knowing*. "It's not magic, kid. It's luck. Or maybe more like a blessing. See, when I was your age, I went through the awakening ritual. Got lucky enough to be blessed by Lakshimi herself—goddess of fortune, knowledge, prosperity. Not the kind of blessing that gives me power, but it gives me a *sense* for things. I can *feel* their worth. That's why I can offer you what I did."

Kalem stared at him, his eyes wide. "Wait, *Lakshimi*? The goddess? She chose you?"

"Yeah," Fenn said, shrugging. "Not the most glamorous blessing. Doesn't turn me into some kind of god, but it's enough to keep the lights on around here. So, you see, I know exactly how much your stash is worth—minus the *fees* for info."

Kalem blinked a few times, processing this. "So, you're saying you're some kind of... *mystic*?" He raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "And here I was thinking I was the only one who could put on a good show."

Fenn smirked, the corners of his mouth lifting in amusement. "It's not a show, kid. It's how I survive."

Kalem leaned against the counter, trying to hide his nervousness. "I still don't think 100 Neo Credits is a fair deal. You're taking advantage of me here."

Fenn snorted. "Kid, I'm offering you 100 *because* I like you. You want to haggle? Fine. I'll add on another 5 credits for you, but don't expect me to raise it further."

Kalem stared at him for a moment, feeling the weight of his situation pressing down on him. Finally, he sighed and slumped against the counter, throwing his hands up. "Fine, fine! 105 Neo Credits it is. I'll take it. You're a real *steal*, Fenn."

Fenn raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the exchange. "Good choice. Just don't spend it all in one place."

Kalem grinned, the tension easing slightly. "Yeah, right. I'll be sure to blow it all on a nice meal and a warm bed. Maybe *one* night of luxury before my life completely implodes."

Fenn chuckled, though there was a touch of concern in his voice. "You're gonna need more than a warm bed and a good meal, Kalem. If you're serious about the ritual, you'll need more than luck."

Kalem nodded, pocketing the credits. "Yeah, I know. But at least I've got a fighting chance."