Spirit Taming

Chapter 473: Do We Haggle?

"Old man, get it together. I said I needed four crates of iron ores, two crates of alum ore, and one crate of the calcium powder. Then I needed four large sacks of the rocky mountain salt. You keep trying to sneak them out of the deal here.

I won't pay more or less so make this deal or show me another stall that will." Ralph's brutal way of negotiating to make sure that he would get what Isa wanted attracted a few onlookers. He was offering a significantly lesser price for all the bulk items that he wanted than on the list Isa had given him.

This was part of the plan though. Ralph had seen people haggle at the market before. This was the way he had learned growing up while running through the streets. If he wanted food, he would haggle to get the price down well below what he had. A basic survival tactic for someone like him.

"How about this, we will add an extra forty silver if you give us everything we asked and that lump of crystal there." Clark's sudden interjection made Ralph click his tongue. He didn't need help.

"That's still-"

"Then we are done with you. I can't even believe they want so much for these unprocessed ores. I was just trying to get a few things and this guy is trying to sell them at the top of market price. Greedy merchants everywhere." Ralph spoke a little louder making a scene. It was very funny to see that he wasn't just making more noise because he was angry, but instead because he was outraged at a price.

But it did work, his words made a few younger, and lesser experienced, merchants walk away. They didn't want to pay the top end of the market price for these ores. Especially since they were all flawed and would not sell for the top price outside of the bulk market.

"Now we will only give you ten more silver for all of it and that crystal. But if you act now, I will tell you what that green rock is behind you. Then you can try to sell it." Clark added to Ralph's act and the two seemed to become grinning devils to the merchant.

"Fine. I can make that deal." With a large sigh, the merchant watched as Ralph handed over the silver and gold coins for the large sale. It wasn't too much more than what the merchant had wanted to make. However, he was unsure how to sell a few of the ores that had piled up. The green rocks being one.

'Green flame stone- common

Found in unique dungeons, the green flame stone has a unique mix of fire and nature energies. This odd fusion of a core elemental energy and a branched multi elemental energy created a unique stone. It has qualities that allow it to be used to create torches that can burn for over a hundred days. These torches are specifically ideal for warming plants and protecting them from frost.

Along with also improving their growth.'

Clark shared the information with the merchant who was confused at first. Then as his mind began to turn, he looked across the room. He knew exactly the merchants that would want these things. The herbalists and alchemy related merchants that had customers who grew valuable herbs.

"So, you barged in on my deal only to break the merchant and gain some crystal chunk?" Ralph looked at the crystal chunk the size of a children's ball. It didn't look impressive. A semi clear crystal that surely had no value.

'Natural glass crystal- uncommon

While naturally forming glass is not very common, it is also not very useful. It has some unique uses when it comes to cheaper jewelry, but also has a surprising ability to channel most energies. It is fairly weak and cannot contain powerful energies that are meant for attacking.

It will shine when it is used to create jewelry for healing or for enhancing the innate skills used in other supportive activities.'

"I grabbed it for you. It is called natural glass and can be used in items you make that will be used for healing or other supporting skills. For example, you can use it to make something that channels ice and fire time energies you and Grace use in the forge. Just learn the runes and skills you need." Ralph went from confused to curious. He hadn't expected something so plain to be so useful.

"So it has its uses…" Ralph looked around and wondered what else he could do now that he had the materials he had to buy. He even had some coins left over to play around with.

"Exactly, but I figured you would be able to do a little more once you got deeper in to forging. I still only really know the basics and how to manipulate eternal ice. Even that is pretty limited since I need a lot of experience. Eventually, you should supersede all of what I can do with forging." Clark wasn't joking.

He wanted to forge himself, but he knew that Ralph would be able to truly focus on it compared to him.

"Says the guy that seems to always know everything." Ralph huffed a little as he started to move toward a table of old tools. They were of all sorts but he wanted to begin growing his tool selection in to that of a true blacksmith. Who cared if they were old tools, they could be refurbished.

While Clark wanted to take a look at the tools too, he caught Ella looking at a large round table covered in stacks of books from the corner of his eye. That seemed to be much more interesting than the tools he would most likely not be able to use for some time.

Especially since he was now sitting with a set for carving crystals in his spatial ring that he couldn't use anymore after losing the temporary skill.

"Anything interesting?" Clark couldn't say that he saw anything standing out. Just the basic books anyone would have when they were learning about the world. Basic history, basic energy knowledge, local beasts, and a few other very common books.

"I was given the task to find books that hold beast plans and other important information that we may be able to use. I have purchased three that revolve around the pale mole and the drilling rat. Unfortunately, I am unable to find any other books that could be useful when altering the beast plans and growing a new one for sale."

"You're looking through over two hundred books here. How could you find them so fast?" Clark was sure that Ella had some secret power she was hiding. He could only use his analysis to find the specifics of books that lacked visible writing on the ri covers. But here Ella was telling him that she had found three?

"The shapes and sizes are different for a beast plan journal. These three are worn because they came from a shop that went out of business. They are very common plans but they still show their differences compared to a mathematics or a history book." As Ella spoke, she showed the differences in the cover and spines.

It was something that Clark felt he had missed out on by relying on the system to help him.

'Flash quest- on your own

Requirement- discover a beast plan journal with your own eyes and with no assistance from the system skills.

Reward- a slight boost in system intelligence.'

While Clark had never seen a flash quest, he was very happy with it. It was a nice addition to the quests he had gotten recently. This one was for the right moment and would force him to grow as a person. Clark relied on the system very much since he had come to this world. But that didn't mean he felt warm and fuzzy about not using it. The system was part of who he was now.

The reward wasn't something he could wrap his mind around. Every once in a while, the system seemed to alter its information and act a little more intelligent. Sometimes it even seemed to answer the questions he had. But with more intelligence, Clark could only assume things like that would happen more often. As if the system was just as young as he was now. It was still growing.

"You're looking too? That should increase our efficiency.' Ella noticed that Clark had started to glance at the books. She was glad to have a little help. Especially since she knew that Clark had a little more luck when it came to finding good things.

If they could take the older bast plans and compare them to new plans she would write, then she would have a great new item. Even the most basic beast plans could be simplified and made easier for someone to read. It didn't always need to be some new path to travel for a beast. Just simpler was all some people needed in life.