Chapter 13
The day after the barter exchange, I visited Nel's house again.
"Here, this is Liberta's share."
The reason was to receive the reward from yesterday's quest.
Even though it's a fair and proper compensation for labor, receiving money from a girl gives me a strong sense of guilt.
The final amount obtained from the tanuki pelts through Nel's negotiation yesterday was 2,500 zeni, which is equivalent to 250,000 yen in Japanese currency. Nel handed me half of that, 1,250 zeni.
"No, I only helped a little. This is too much.""No! This business was a joint effort between me and Liberta!"
Honestly, with this much, I won't need to worry about money for a while. I do want it.
However, it was Nel who collected the pelts and did the main negotiation. All I did was give some advice and teach her some methods. I didn't work that hard. Receiving money from that makes me feel a bit guilty.
"Then, Teresa, this is for the rent and food expenses so far."
As a small resistance, I tried to give Teresa 750 zeni from the reward as rent.
"That's too much. That's money you earned, and it's fine to use it freely. We're also asking you to take care of Nel. I'll only take 250 zeni."
But she only accepted a third of that, leaving me with 1,000 zeni.
"...Understood."
There's no way to pay more, and I can tell from Nel's gaze that further resistance is futile.
Setting aside the guilt, it's safe to say that my pockets are now well-lined. That's definitely something to be happy about. Thanks to this, I can do more things.
"...By the way, Nel, doesn't this prove that being a merchant is amazing?""Ah."
And when I put the money in my wallet, I asked, thinking that this quest successfully showed up that Dasse guy.
In this quest, we managed to obtain the essential "war funds" for playing as a merchant. Although we borrowed the power of the adult Dent in the process, it's not an exaggeration to say that we achieved the rest through our own efforts.
So I thought she might have confidently gone to report, but...
"Don't tell me you forgot?""...Yeah."
I didn't think it had become so unimportant that she would forget.
"...I'm glad you enjoyed it."
I only saw that Dasse guy from a distance once, but judging from his attitude, the most damaging thing might be being forgotten. I thought that, but I didn't say it because I somewhat understand his feelings.
It's not a good thing, but not being able to direct emotions towards him is pitiful, so I decided not to touch on that.
"Yeah! It was fun! Hey, when are we doing it next?"
Talking about him any further seemed futile, so I thought to quietly end the conversation, but unexpectedly, it continued.
"Next time, huh?"
Seeing her get hooked on adventures makes me happy, as if I've gained a fellow FBO player. After seeing Nel's real luck, I can't help but feel joy at the thought of her joining the party.
I'd like to move on to the next topic, but...
"Nel, this time the place we went to was safe, and Dent was there as a guard, so I let you go, but it's usually dangerous, you know?"
Considering her age, her parents would naturally stop her.
"Then! I'll save up money, no, use this as special funds to increase it and hire Dent again! That's fine, right?"
Normally, she would reconsider and agree, but it seems she can't be stopped now that she's tasted the fun of the outside world. Setting conditions was a mistake.
"Hmm, I guess that's fine? But only hire Dent. I can't trust anyone else, so absolutely no one else. Promise me that.""...Okay.""I hope you understand, this is because I'm worried about you, Nel.""Okay."
But it seems Jinx understands his daughter's personality well, as he firmly laid down the rules.
Hiring a C-rank adventurer and borrowing horses would cost a lot. It will take time to earn enough to go out again.
With the momentum from earlier, she's already thinking about the next trip, as if to strike while the iron is hot.
"So, what are you going to do now?"
Seeing Nel in deep thought, Jinx smiles wryly and turns to me, probably thinking she won't be back for a while.
Somehow, we've become close, but I'm still a dependent. I have things to do to become independent.
"Thanks to Nel, I have some leeway now, so I'll go shopping today. Depending on the results, I might have something to discuss.""Can't you say it now?"
If I could get a protector like Dent, I could push my limits a bit, but there's no doubt I could do more. With that in mind, I should get things done early.
Since I mentioned a discussion, he looked worried, but I laughed it off, saying it's nothing to worry about.
"Yes, I need to take on a small challenge, and I can't discuss it until it succeeds.""I see, okay."
I managed to convince him.
Maybe he thought that since it's something a kid would do, it wouldn't be anything strange? If so, that's fine.
I feel his worried gaze piercing me, but I give up.
"Then, I'll be going out now."
I stand up, thinking it's time to take action.
"I'm coming too!"
I didn't expect Nel, who had just returned from deep thought, to raise her hand and say she's coming along.
"Uh, I'm just going shopping.""That's fine! Market research is a merchant's basics!""There's no shop work today, so if Liberta is okay with it, take her along. I'd feel better if she's with you."
I don't plan to do anything special, so there's nothing interesting, but she's eager to come. Even though we're not going outside, her enthusiasm makes me wonder if it's okay. I glance at Jinx, and after nodding, he gives permission.
With Jinx's permission, I can't refuse.
"Then, shall we go together?""Let's go!"
I hope nothing happens, but I make sure to bring my bamboo spear and other equipment. Nel, dressed not in her outdoor clothes but like a town girl, follows behind and quickly walks beside me.
"Where are we going today?""First, the alchemy shop.""That shop in the west?""Yeah."
I have things to do, so I head to the destination based on memory.
"Are you buying something at the alchemy shop?""I'm going to request a synthesis. If that succeeds, I plan to visit the weapon shop next to enhance this bamboo spear.""Hmm, I thought you'd do something more amazing, Liberta.""Like I said earlier, I'm not doing anything interesting. What kind of person do you think I am?"
The journey is boring. Just walking, not buying anything else.
"Hmm, Liberta is Liberta?""What's that?""Hmm, I don't know! But being with Liberta makes me excited because it feels like lots of fun things will happen!"
Don't make me sound like the protagonist of an event generator. Unfortunately, in this world, I'm just a mob character with no connections.
As far as I remember, I haven't met any named characters or touched any grand quests.
At this rate, I might go through life without encountering any. I think I can't meet Nel's expectations, but I don't say it. However, Nel seems to be enjoying herself regardless.
"I see."
From my perspective, I'm just moving according to my goals. To Nel, that must be interesting.
From there, we pass through the market, listening to Nel's explanations, and when we reach the destination...
"Ah.""Ugh."
Why is he here? Both Dasse and I are stunned, while Nel makes a face like she's seen something she didn't want to see.
"Why are you here?!""That's my line! You, who can only swing a stick, don't belong in this shop!""Shut up! Unlike you, who's weak, I need to get stronger! Look at this! A physical attack power enhancement pendant from my dad! I just had the alchemist enhance its effect!""What's that? It's worse than the items in our shop."
Kids want to show off. Especially boys.
As Nel said, what Dasse is showing is the lowest-tier physical attack power accessory. It has some value early on, but after the early stages, it's barely useful.
You'd be better off equipping a training bracer or something.
"What did you say?!""What about it?!""Hey, Nel, no fighting. Making a scene will trouble the shopkeeper. Is it okay to trouble someone who's running a business?""...Hmph!"
But I don't point that out. If they keep making noise, we might get kicked out before we can shop. It might be a case of tit-for-tat, but it's best to calm things down.
Fortunately, she seems to listen to me. She's not convinced, but she seems to understand.
Unhappily, she avoids Dasse in her line of sight, compromising.
"You too, the shopkeeper is giving you a scary look from behind.""Tch, mind your own... Hey, you guys, let's go!"
After admonishing Nel, I point out the shopkeeper's glare to Dasse. A glance shows it's not a full-on glare, but it's scary enough for a kid. He clicks his tongue, gives me a resentful look, and leaves the shop.
"Really! What's with that guy, bleh!""Just ignore him. Sorry for the noise."
Seeing his retreating figure, I smile wryly at Nel sticking out her tongue and apologize to the shopkeeper.
"Don't let it happen again.""Yes, I'd like to request an item synthesis."
The shopkeeper, who looks to be in her forties, nods. In this world, the higher your level and class, the slower you age and the longer you live.
So appearances can't be trusted. She has the demeanor of a witch with glasses and sharp eyes.
The witch-like shopkeeper's attire hasn't changed in over a decade.
"What item?""I'd like to synthesize this key and the Proof of the Weak."
Relieved that she'll do the job, I take out the key Nel gave me the other day and the Proof of the Weak from my bag.
"This is a dungeon key. The contents are... oh, mochi."
Dungeon keys are rare items that create a dedicated dungeon when used. The witch's eyes light up for a moment, but when she realizes the dungeon is mochi-based, she loses interest.
Why is that? If she knew its utility and value, she wouldn't react like this.
"Why do you want to synthesize these two?"
Her tone suggests she might not know. In the game, this wasn't discovered until some time after release.
Could it be that this is unknown?
"It's a little experiment. I'll pay, so please!""Well, alright, but if it fails, the key will be lost. Is that okay?""Yes!"
Since there's still a lot of time before the original story starts, I thought it might be the case, and if it's true, it gives me a significant advantage.
"The fee is 30 zeni, paid upfront.""Okay, here are three large copper coins.""Got it. I'll do it at the alchemy table over there, so watch."
This requires serious effort.
Suppressing my excitement, I follow the witch to the counter and watch her work at the alchemy table with Nel.
"Here we go."
I know the result, but there's always a chance. The alchemy table has a magic circle drawn on it. The witch places the key and the Proof of the Weak on it, channels her magic, and after a few seconds, it glows.
"Here, done."
Just like that, I obtained a cheat item that can be useful not just in the mid-game but even in the late game, depending on how it's used.
"Thank you!""It's my job. Polite kids like you are welcome to come again.""Yes!"
I stare at the item I received from the witch. The dungeon key, now fused with the Proof of the Weak, has gained the Indestructible skill, shedding its consumable status.
Among us FBO players, it's commonly known as...
The 'Key of the Weak.' And so, I had obtained it.