The Gods’ Gacha Game: Return of the God-King

Chapter 116: A Shrewd Fox Merchant

There were three main sources of skill books that most divine warriors in Fantasia could generally obtain. The first was through skill bookstores, though these establishments typically only offered general skills—abilities that could be learned through practice and persistence rather than anything extraordinary. The second was through scenario rewards, granted upon completion of said scenario. The last, and often most rewarding, was by discovering them within dungeons or scenarios as hidden loot.

The latter two were the only reliable methods of acquiring rare and extraordinary skills. However, the drawback was their randomness; the skill you obtained might not align with your combat style at all. Because of this, divine warriors often sold their unwanted skill books to others or to merchants who specialized in trading them. This created a thriving secondary market for rare skills, where fortune favored those who could pay the right price.

That said, epic-grade skill books were in an entirely different league. They were exceedingly rare, treasures beyond the reach of most divine warriors. I suspected that only after completing the tenth scenario and beyond would one begin to encounter such rewards. And even then, anyone fortunate enough to acquire one would never part with it. They would use it for themselves without hesitation.

Soon, I arrived before the skill bookstore in District D. Compared to the one in District E, this store was a little bit bigger and more furnished, with polished wooden panels and clear glass windows that reflected the late-afternoon light. A simple hanging sign swayed gently in the breeze with a book symbol carved neatly into its surface.

As soon as I pushed open the door, a small bell chimed above me. Shelves filled the room from wall to wall, each stacked with books of varying sizes—some thick and worn, others thin and freshly bound. The quiet atmosphere reminded me of a library more than a shop.

Behind the counter stood the clerk—a fox therianthrope, judging by her upright ears and the reddish-orange bushy tail swaying lazily behind her. Her sharp amber eyes studied me with the kind of focus only seasoned merchants had as she was tending a divine warrior buying a skill book before her.

“Oh! Well, if it isn’t another customer!” she exclaimed when she noticed me with a smooth and sweetly melodic voice while clasping her hands. Her smile carried the kind of charm that could disarm even the most cautious buyer. “Please wait a moment, dear. I’ll be right with you after I finish helping this fine young warrior secure the deal of a lifetime.”

Fox therianthropes were known to be shrewd merchants and tricksters. It wasn’t surprising to see one running a shop that dealt with rare and expensive skill tomes.

I gave a nod and stepped aside, pretending to browse through the shelves while observing the exchange out of the corner of my eye.

 The fox merchant leaned forward slightly toward her current customer—a nervous-looking divine warrior clutching a pouch filled with soul coins—her tone slipping into a practiced, persuasive rhythm. “Ah, yes, the Rapid Casting skill book. Normally, this treasure would cost ten thousand soul coins, but since you seem like someone with a discerning eye… I could part with it for a mere eight thousand.”

“Eight thousand?!” the divine warrior blurted out in disbelief.

Even I, who was only eavesdropping, nearly choked. Rapid Casting, if my memories served me right, was a unique-rank magic skill. For something of that rank, even five thousand soul coins was already above its fair value. Its usual market price shouldn’t have exceeded three thousand at most. This fox therianthrope was downright cunning.

Her tail flicked behind her, as though she was shocked by her customer’s reaction. “Oh, you wound me, dear customer! This isn’t just a skill book; it’s an investment in your future! Imagine—your spells, twice as fast! Twice as deadly! Why, your enemies wouldn’t even have time to blink before they’re ash on the ground!”

“I… suppose that would help in combat.”

“Precisely!” she clapped her hands, eyes sparkling with feigned excitement. “You understand! Every great warrior knows that fortune favors those who act without hesitation. Besides…” She leaned closer, dropping to a whisper that I could barely hear. “If you wait too long, someone else might snatch it right off the shelf. And then, oh—what regret you’d feel! You can’t put a price on regret

, can you?”The poor divine warrior hesitated for only a heartbeat longer before sighing and setting his coins on the counter. “Ngh… I’ll buy it.”

The fox woman’s grin widened, her tone turning honey-sweet. “A wise decision, my dear. Truly, wisdom and courage in one buyer. Such a rare combination in this age.”

I couldn’t help but think that I’d walked into a den of predators instead of a bookstore. She was every bit the shrewd merchant I had imagined—a silver tongue wrapped in fur.

As the hapless divine warrior left the store, the fox merchant rubbed the pouch of soul coins against her cheek. Then she turned her attention toward me with a dazzling smile that could’ve belonged to an angel, if I hadn’t known better. “Dear customer, I apologize for the wait! I’m Mira Vulpox, the owner of this fine establishment and a humble merchant. Please, do come closer. I can already tell that you’re someone powerful with impeccable taste.”

Damn, now I can’t get away. Well, whatever, I might as well see what she has in stock. Besides, I would know if she’s trying to trick me, I thought as I approached the counter.

My gaze swept over the glass display case behind her. Dozens of skill books were displayed inside, their covers in various colors. Surprisingly, near the center sat one with a crimson sheen that seemed to shimmer like living fire. It felt like the book had been intentionally placed there for people to see.

The fox merchant noticed exactly where my eyes had landed and tilted her head with a knowing grin. “Ahh… I see you’ve found that one. A discerning eye, as expected. That’s no ordinary tome—it’s an epic-grade skill book called ‘Hell Flame.’ Only one exists in all of Fantasia.”

Hell Flame? The name alone sounded like something straight out of a chuunibyou’s delusion.

“Epic-grade, huh?” I murmured, leaning slightly closer to inspect it. The aura radiating from the book was tangible, faintly humming with power. She wasn’t lying that it was an epic-grade skill book, and if she could procure one, then she might be able to find what I was looking for.

“How much?” I asked, more curious to see how far she’d go than expecting an honest answer.

Her tail swayed like a pendulum behind her. “For ordinary buyers, it would be eighty thousand soul coins…” She paused dramatically, letting the silence stretch before flashing a confident smile. “But for someone with your presence, I could offer a five-thousand cut. And since this is your first visit, I’ll even add a special 10 percent discount. So that brings it down to just… 67,500. A generous offer, wouldn’t you agree?”

Generous, my ass. An epic-grade skill like this would only be worth ten to fifteen thousand soul coins at most. She must have lost her mind if she thought I’d pay that much. Or maybe she was expecting me to haggle and was playing the long con, making me feel guilty for driving the price down. What a cunning little fox.

“How can you call that a generous offer?” I said flatly. “Didn’t you just scam the divine warrior before me? You sold a three-thousand-coin skill book for eight thousand.”

“S-Scam?” Her ears twitched, and she blinked at me multiple times. “What are you talking about, dear customer? I am the most honest merchant

you’ll find in all of Fantasia!”The most honest merchant? Yeah, right. If foxes were known for honesty, I’d be the goddess of charity.

“Besides, having a bit of profit is the basis of all business,” she added with a sly smile.

“Do you want me to tell that to the divine warrior you just scammed?” I shot back.

You have used Negotiation.

“Tch.”

Did she just click her tongue at me?

“Fine, fine, fine! You win!” she said, throwing her hands up dramatically. “Twenty thousand! I won’t go a single coin lower than that!”

I shook my head, unimpressed. “I’m not looking to buy that skill book. Instead, do you have an epic-grade clone summoning skill book?”

Her ears perked, and her eyes gleamed with interest. “My, oh my… now that’s quite the specific request. Clone summoning skills aren’t exactly easy to come by at that level. Aside from Hell Flame, I don’t have any other epic-grade skill books in stock. Most divine warriors in Fantasia aren’t strong enough to even encounter epic-grade skill books, after all.”

“But worry not…” She crouched behind the counter, rummaging through a locked compartment. After a moment, she rose again, holding a thick ledger bound in faded blue leather. She flipped through its pages, looking across lines of text while her tail swayed rhythmically behind her.

“It just so happens that I keep a record of all the skill books currently available in Fantasia for private purchase. Let’s see, let’s see… Aether Step, Mana Conversion, Void Rend… aha!” Her grin widened as she tapped a claw against the page. “There’s something that might pique your interest. ‘Echo Construct.’ A one-of-a-kind skill, even among epic-grade skill books. It allows the user to create a semi-real duplicate of themselves—or an ally—that mimics basic movements, skills, and spells for a short duration. It can even move, fight, and bleed like the real thing.”

She then paused, her voice dropping into a whisper. “But… to acquire it, you may need to pay a little more than usual, I’m afraid.”

Although it wasn’t exactly the skill I’d been searching for, it was close enough. With this, I could accomplish things I previously couldn’t, since it wasn’t an illusion-type skill like Phantom Mirage. It would surely help me a lot down the road. Furthermore, it might serve well enough as a baiting skill that I might not even need to possess Selene.

I narrowed my eyes slightly. “And what amount are we speaking here?”

Despite the pressure I’d put on her earlier, her smile of greed hadn’t disappeared. “Hmm, I’ll have to pull some strings to get that skill book. It’s from the higher district, after all. Don’t worry, I won’t rip you off. Let’s say… thirty thousand soul coins. That’s completely fair, don’t you think?”

Even now, she was trying to wring every last coin out of me. Truly, this fox knew no shame. She was good—far too good. But I wasn’t the same naive buyer she’d just fleeced. If she wanted to play dirty, then I’d play even dirtier to lower the price down.

“Are you sure you want me to tell every divine warrior in Fantasia that there’s a dishonest fox merchant hiking up prices and tricking customers into overpaying?” I said with a smirk.

You have used Negotiation.

“Grr…” She hissed softly, then placed a hand over her chest, feigning innocence. “How can you smear my good name like that? Twenty-five thousand, then.”

“Ten thousand.”

“No, no, no! I’d lose my entire store if I sold it for that!” she protested, shaking her head vehemently. “Twenty-two thousand. Final.”

“Nine thousand.”

“What?! How can you go lower than before?! Are you trying to rob me blind, dear customer?!” she cried, clutching her tail dramatically like it was a wounded treasure. “At this rate, I’ll have to sell my own fur just to break even!”

Despite her exaggerated performance, I pressed the haggling further until she glared at me with barely restrained frustration. Her tail lashed once, twice, before she exhaled sharply and threw up her hands. “Ugh! I’ve just been swindled! Fine! Fifteen thousand. But!” Her eyes narrowed dangerously, that sly grin curling back onto her lips. “You owe me a favor. Something only a strong divine warrior like you can handle.”

I frowned slightly. “A favor, huh?”

Her grin widened, teeth flashing. “Oh, don’t look so worried, dear customer. I’m sure it’ll be mutually beneficial. I just want you to procure me some items, and I’ll even pay you for them. Of course, if you don’t like my terms, you can always forget about this little deal.”

Fifteen thousand soul coins and a future favor owed to a fox merchant… I wasn’t sure which would end up costing me more. Still, I didn’t have much more soul coins left to spare, and this skill could very well be worth the risk. Besides, judging by her attitude, Mira wasn’t just some random shopkeeper; she clearly had connections. My gut told me there was more to her than met the eye.

“Deal,” I said at last.

Negotiation has leveled up.

Figures. It only takes a single transaction with her for this skill to improve.