Chapter 25: Selling the treasures

The city was much bigger than the village he had just left. It was more than twenty times its size, with tall walls surrounding the whole city.

There were people everywhere. Merchants pushed carts along the streets, groups of professionals moved through the streets, and guards stood nearby, watching everyone who came and went.

There were many villages around the city, and this was the largest place in the area. The villages depended on the city for trade and protection, especially when something dangerous appeared nearby.

Ethan joined the line of people entering through the gate. After a few minutes, it was finally his turn

He walked through the gate and entered the city.

His destination was one of the larger merchant stores in the city. It wasn’t just an ordinary store. Merchants from the nearby villages often brought their goods there, and professionals also came to sell whatever they found outside the city.

Ethan had something he wanted to sell as well.

He continued down the street, following a route he still remembered from his previous life.

As he passed a crowded street, a few voices caught his attention.

"The annual awakening happened a week ago, right?"

"Yeah. It was a big one this year."

"Of course it was. Have you seen how many new professionals are coming into the city?"

"I heard some of them are already trying to earn reputation."

"Already? They’re wasting no time."

Another group nearby was talking about someone who had cleared a group of bandits, while two others were arguing about who had earned more reputation.

Ethan didn’t pay much attention to them. He already knew why the city was getting crowded. The Order Academy would open its doors in a few days, and more new professionals would arrive before then.

After walking for a while, he finally reached his destination.

He pushed the door open and walked inside.

A middle-aged man behind the counter noticed him almost immediately and walked over with a polite smile.

"Welcome. Are you here to buy something, or do you have something to sell?"

The man’s smile remained as he waited for Ethan’s answer. He didn’t seem in a hurry, clearly used to letting customers take their time.

"I’m here to sell."

The man gave a small nod.

"Of course. Come with me."

He turned and led Ethan toward the back of the store. After passing through a wooden door, they entered a simple room with a long table in the middle.

"This is where we check items brought in for sale," the man explained. "You can put everything you want to sell on the table."

He pulled out a chair and stepped aside.

"Take your time. I’ll check everything myself."

Ethan opened his inventory and began taking out the items he had collected from the Spirit Vein Cave.

One by one, they appeared on the table.

Herbs, ores, spirit crystals, and other materials quickly covered the surface. Before long, there was no room left, and the pile grew into a small mountain. A few pieces even rolled off the edge and landed on the floor.

The owner’s smile slowly disappeared.

Ethan had not tried to sell these things in the village. The stores there simply didn’t have enough money to buy so many valuable materials.

That was why he had waited until he reached the city.

Here, he could sell everything at once.

The owner stared at the pile on the table.

For a few seconds, he didn’t say anything.

Then he slowly walked around the table, looking at the herbs, ores, spirit crystals, and other materials.

"That’s..."

He stopped beside the table and picked up one of the herbs.

"How did you get so many?"

"I found them."

The owner gave him a strange look. He picked up one of the herbs, examined it briefly, then looked over the pile before picking up another item.

"It’s been a while since someone brought this much here to sell."

He looked at the pile again and shook his head with a small laugh.

"Young man, you didn’t rob a merchant caravan on your way here, did you?"

"No."

"Good. I was starting to worry."

The man smiled and rubbed his hands together.

"How much do you want for all of it?"

"How much can you offer?"

The owner paused.

"Fair enough."

He pulled up a chair and sat down.

"Give me some time. I’ll check everything properly before I give you a price."

Ethan nodded and let him work.

The owner started with the herbs, checking each one carefully before moving on to the ores and spirit crystals. He examined their quality, checked for damage, and separated the better ones from the rest.

It took nearly thirty minutes before he finally leaned back in his chair.

"I can give you 3,800 Gold Coins for everything."

Ethan didn’t answer right away. He simply shook his head.

The owner raised an eyebrow. "Too low? I’ve checked everything carefully. That’s already a good price."

"I’ll take 4,500."

The owner laughed. "4,500? You’re asking for more than the total value."

"You offered 3,800."

"Yes, because I need to make a profit too."

Ethan remained firm.

The owner rubbed his chin and looked back at the goods.

"How about 4,000?"

"No."

"4,100?"

Ethan shook his head.

The owner sighed. "You’re really making this difficult."

"4,200. That’s as high as I’ll go."

Ethan looked at the pile on the table.

"4,280."

The owner gave him a helpless look.

"Come on. It’s only eighty coins."

"Then pay it."

The owner laughed.

"You really are something. Okay, fine. 4,280 Gold Coins."

Ethan nodded. "Deal."

The owner took out the money and counted it before placing the coins on the table. Ethan checked the amount, stored them in his inventory, and stood up.

"Thank you for your business," the owner said.

Ethan gave him a small nod before leaving the room.

He walked out of the store and continued along the street. He had only gone a short distance when a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Hey, it’s you!"

Ethan turned around and saw a familiar face standing nearby, looking straight at him.