Chapter 8: Knowing about Romania city
"Hello, sir," he greeted respectfully.
The shopkeeper yawned, stretching his arms behind the counter. "Hello, hunter," he replied groggily, eyeing Alex with mild curiosity.
"I need to process this meat properly and quickly. Can you help me?" Alex asked urgently, his voice tense with impatience.
"Calm down there, son," the shopkeeper said, standing up straighter. "What have you got?" He leaned forward to inspect the bundle Alex unwrapped. As soon as he caught sight of the white hide and faintly glowing veins of the meat, his eyes widened.
"By the heavens—white deer!" he whispered. "Hurry, put it here on the slab. I'll start immediately."
Without wasting a moment, the shopkeeper grabbed his best set of knives and pulled on a fresh pair of gloves. He moved with practiced efficiency, first removing the silvery-white skin, then expertly cutting the meat into evenly sized portions. Each slice was clean and deliberate, as if honoring the creature's rarity. Just fifteen minutes later, he stepped back, finished.
Washing his hands at a nearby basin, he turned back to Alex. "You're a lucky boy," he said seriously. "All this meat still holds preserved elemental power. If you'd been even a little later, most of it would've dispersed."
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly. "Elemental power?" he asked.
The shopkeeper nodded. "White deer meat is incredibly rare. Preparing it right away not only preserves its magic but prevents it from spoiling for a long time. It's especially beneficial to people with ice or water affinities."
He wiped his hands on a cloth, then added, "Now, let's talk payment. I'll take 25% of the meat as my fee. Fair?"
Alex nodded. "Yes. That's fine—and thank you."