Chapter 349: Values and Guesses

———Lynda———

<8: 17 pm>

“Hmm… This one is peculiar.” The vendor remarked as he looked at the golden spoon she won from the event. He’s echoing something everyone else has already said. There is a mystical property to the spoon. “It’s definitely of higher value than even pure gold, but still, I don’t have the equipment for this.”

“So what, you can’t buy it?” I asked, finding it surprising that he won’t simply charge it for normal gold price. “Surprisingly honest about it, I must say.”

“I’m afraid that if I were to try something dishonest I might never see the light of day. My superior and those who rule this town would kill me more than twice over.” He casually explained. He certainly doesn’t try to sound intimidating despite the fact that almost his entire body is concealed so no one could identify him, you would think he would try to maintain the air of someone less approachable. “I’m afraid I might not even have the cash on hand for the transaction if it was… No, I shouldn’t overstep.”

“Oh, there’s no need to worry about that.” Someone suddenly spoke from behind us, and by the time we turned around that person wasn't there? “This little spoon that looked like it was made for eating a small cup of ice cream? Probably the most accursed item you have come across.”

We turned back around to see the source of the voice holding the golden spoon that should be in Luik’s hand. It was only a second or two and yet…

“A-Angel!” The man obscured in darkness said while standing straight, clearly tense by the presence of this person with oddly shaped hair.

“You go do your business elsewhere, I’ll handle the negotiation here.” This newcomer said and that man quickly nodded and retreated.

“Who are you?” I asked, also feeling a sense of dread upon seeing them. It’s hard to be certain of their characteristics, but they sound quite androgynous.

“It doesn’t really matter. My name is of no importance compared to my role anyhow.” They said, sounding rather dismissive despite my harsh tone. “This little spoon… I sure hope there isn’t suddenly a new supplier.”

“What are you getting at?” I asked, feeling like I should draw out my axe just to at least not feel as vulnerable. They are clearly dangerous to be able to sneak up on us like that?

“Lynda, don’t be hasty.” Luik said in a hush tone while this mysterious figure looked at us with what seemed like amusement. Can’t believe she is saying that with her hand on the sword’s hilt.

“Simply put, this is no regular gold, as all of you have already deduced.” They said while maintaining a relaxed and slightly smug expression. “Soul gold. A material made by sacrificing the flesh of the soul. A despicable material indeed.”

“Huh?” I don’t recognize that term. I feel like maybe Glery would know, but this is the first I have heard of it. “What do you mean?”

“Simple, really. It’s a magical material born of transmuting the flesh and blood of a being with a soul into solid gold. A forbidden art very few would use, and only one sinful enough to make it their whole gimmick.” They explained. Wasn’t there a legend surrounding someone like that? It wasn’t a myth but actual history? “While one could transmute the body of the recently passed or a part that was freshly torn off, the verdict is the same. To create it you must inflict suffering upon others and damage their soul. A miraculous material and yet one born of sin and taboo. With a spoon of this size… perhaps they take someone’s finger to make it.”

“Eugh…” It felt gross when they put it like that.

“Hmph. I was expecting a more visceral reaction, but no matter.” They remarked after gauging our reaction. “It’s a rare material as a being with a soul can only produce so much even if one were to keep them alive and tear pieces off them to make more, and even the quality could degrade.”

“…So what’s the quality of this one?” Luik asked, probably less perturbed than I am since she is naturally more thick skinned.

“Unfortuately, or fortunately. It is a lower quality soul gold. This means it wasn’t made from an entire human being transmuted into solid gold while still alive, or dead, even.” They answered. “Probably just some poor sod getting an arm ripped off and transmuted, whoever that was could easily recover.”

“…I see.” That makes me feel less scared about the spoon, at least.

…Weird to say that an arm could easily be recovered. That would certainly not be the case a year ago.

“Can such a small amount of gold be used for anything?” Luik asked.

“Well… In a similar vein to embedding a mana gem into a weapon, I suppose.” They answered. “Still, weren’t you going to sell it to us? Just to be clear, we’re not giving you a line to a reputable blacksmith.”

“It’s a question born out of curiosity, nothing more.” Luik explained herself. “So, how much would it be worth?”

“Hey, I am no expert appraiser, but I do know someone who is. It’s going to take a minute or two, so stay here.” They said before disappearing into the shadows… We didn’t get swindled, right? Did a valuable item actually get snatched in a place like this?

Luik maintained a calm expression, but this is her prize we’re talking about, and we didn’t even discuss to the broker about the mana gem she also got.

“Alright, I’m back. This could be sold for… Well, it’s actually worth a lot, I have no idea why they are willing to give these out.” They said, as if avoiding the issue. “Let’s say… Fifty grand.”

“Huh!?” I let out a bewildered reaction at the absurd price offer. All that for a tiny spoon? I know gold is worth a lot and this is a special type of gold, but even then…

“Very well.” Luik quickly accepted the offer as it’d be insane not to do so otherwise. Sure it’s not like that amount can be coasted off for that long but a huge sum of cash can never hurt.

“Here, don’t worry about the authenticity.” They said while handing out a plastic bag filled with stacks of cash. That looks kinda unprofessional ain’t it? “Ah, right, you got anything else? I heard they are handing out dangerous stuff as of late.”

“There is this, I don’t have a blacksmith around here to make use of it.” She explained while showing them the mana gem.

“Oh, a nicely made one. It could be better, but I suppose they were already being generous with that thing.” They remarked before taking it out of her hand. “Hmm… Admittedly there is no good frame of reference for it. Wait a minute.”

“There they go…” I remarked as they suddenly disappeared again. It’s obvious that this is no trick of the lighting. They flat out teleported. I’m pretty sure only the toppest of the tops can do something like that.

This place really is the hotpot for all the strongest to hang out and scheme for whatever reason. Maybe because of a large concentration of them in the first place, and likes attract likes and all that.

“Seven grand.” They came back with a number that is a lot smaller. I guess it is a tiny stone. It’s both lesser in volume and presumably quality since they didn’t bring attention to that aspect.

“Very well.” Luik accepted the offer and got more cash she had to bring back home and not look extremely suspicious.

“Anything else? I’m not exactly free.” They asked once the transaction was completed.

“No.” Luik replied and the mysterious figure nodded before walking away and leaving our line of sight.

“...Holy crap that was intense.” I said after letting go of my breath. Even if they haven’t shown any sign of hostility, the fact that they even sneaked up on us like that gave me goosebumps.

While any actions from the likes of them are unlikely to go undetected, the small chance that it might or was ignored was there, so if anything bad happened it would be catastrophic to say the least. To think I only followed her because I was also curious about how much they would sell for, maybe that wasn’t worth trying again.

“Indeed it was.” Luik said, maintaining a calm facade but I know that she isn’t as unshakable as her appearance suggests. It’s mainly for the sake of dignity.

“...Alright then, let’s quickly go back before more funny business happens.” I said before turning around to get out of this labyrinth of an alleyway. Or maybe a maze would be more appropriate. I don’t even remember when this small area of abandoned buildings was established, but it does make for a good place for shady characters to show up. Better than the standard alleyway with only one or two exits, or worse, I don’t really know. “Crazy to think this used to be a place for hooligans to fight each other. Those kinds of people don’t exist around here anymore.”

“They have been weeded out or wisened up. Nothing we need to pay attention to.” Luik said as we walked out of here.

“Funny how that works. Even an unassuming person can be much stronger than them, so anyone who knows about such a phenomenon doesn’t like the risk of acting as a bad guy any longer.” When it feels like anything could jump out and kill you, it’s best to not make enemies. Not even being in an organization could give you that protection. “...By the way, you feel that?”

“I do. It seems whoever is causing a ruckus so late in the day is back at it again.” She remarked as we continued to walk on the side of the road. It is happening in that stadium again, and who knows who got to face that oppressive individual this time around. “Still, both of us going there wouldn’t matter. Neither of us could bypass the invisible barrier that isolated the fight from the outside.”

“Yeah, I’m still curious as hell as to who is allowed to make a scene like this. We are definitely far from the only ones perturbed by the battle.” I remarked as we got close to our destination. Even if the town is quite compact it’s not like we’re that close to the school campus, and yet the sensation of detecting the battle inside felt like being near a hot stove.

“It is ultimately not a threat, so I seriously doubt much consideration is put into it.” Luik offered her perspective on the matter. “...By the way, I suppose you will fight the next time this type of event is held?”

“Of course. With valuable prices like that, there is no way I’m missing out on free cash.” Who knows how long this will go on for. I can’t not participate next time. “Who knows? Maybe I can get something more valuable than you even get.”

“It would be a pleasant surprise.” She said while looking at the bag of cash. If this was before the Eclipse she would be in serious risk of getting mugged. “It’s certainly a strange way of spreading their limitless wealth. I suppose clear cut cash is simply too much even compared to the magical materials.”

“The value is just too apparent with that. Who knows how the parents will react, let alone the students. Not to mention the other people in the town.” It would cause a lot of chaos if they knew for the fact that the school was clearly not lacking in money, and the admission fees and such were all done as… just following how schools usually operate. Everything they have equipped inside the campus should logically drive up the entry cost more than ten times over, and yet the cost to join doesn’t go up much, as for us old guards we got a massive discount.

No idea how things would go if they were being too open about the operation, but I can’t imagine bad things not happening. It wouldn’t ‘simply’ be a quirky school any more in that case.

“Are your parents not gonna question you at all? Need me to back you up?” I asked as we got close, staring at the bag of cash that is hard to ignore, just to be considerate.

“No. They trust me well enough. No need for you to waste more time following me around.” She bluntly answered. I guess I was more of a spectator in all of that, if anything I was intruding quite a bit even if she ultimately doesn’t mind. In hindsight I would have made zero difference against someone like that. They were called an angel… What even is the significance of that. Maybe Glery knows something? “Alright then. Let’s split up here.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow.” I said while doing a small wave before we walked off in different directions.