Chapter 157: Give Some Discount

Thinking about the recommendation letter he would receive from Eric tomorrow, Evan was grinning from ear to ear as he walked toward the academy market.

Even if he doesn’t use that letter himself, he could still sell that thing at very high price.

Liam looked at his grinning face speechlessly before reminding him in a serious voice, "Don’t let your guard down. Although you’re strong, that guy Eric isn’t weak either. Also, don’t take his promise to use only the power of a Peak Rank One Evolver too seriously. If things don’t go as he wishes, he’ll definitely use his full power to defeat you."

Evan nodded upon hearing Liam’s words and responded calmly.

"Don’t worry. I’m not one of those stupid people who look down on their opponents. No matter their level or strength, I always take my opponents very seriously."

Soon, they reached their destination, and Evan saw numerous shops and stalls where students and other people were selling all kinds of things.

"Is this the academy market?" He asked curiously, looking around.

"Yes..." Kevin nodded. "Here, you’ll be able to buy most of the things you want."

The academy market was actually very similar to the ordinary markets Evan had seen on Planet Zarth. However, the surprising thing was that he could see many Rare-Grade artifacts being sold there. He even noticed two Epic-Grade artifacts.

"Why are these guys selling Epic-Grade artifacts? Considering how difficult it is to obtain them, isn’t it a waste to sell them like this?" Evan couldn’t help but ask when he spotted a deep-purple sword and a magic staff, both of which were Epic-Grade artifacts.

"Actually, most of the students aren’t here to sell their items. Whether they’re Epic-Grade or Rare-Grade, the treasures the students have brought here are mostly for exchange," Liam explained.

"Exchange..." Evan raised an eyebrow and looked around.

Only then did he notice that most of the sellers weren’t actually students of the academy. They were merchants who had permission to sell their goods in the academy market.

These merchants sold their goods normally, while the students were mostly looking to exchange their treasures for something more useful to them.

Kevin pointed toward the person who was offering the Epic-Grade sword and spoke in a low voice.

"See that guy? His name is Oliver. His primary weapon is actually a spear. However, he somehow got his hands on an Epic-Grade sword, so he’s looking for someone who can exchange a good spear for it."

"I see..." A look of understanding flashed across Evan’s face, and he nodded.

He turned to look at Alice and asked, "Where’s the shop that sells Communication Crystals? Let’s go there first. If I have enough Mana Cores left afterward, I’ll see what else I can buy."

Alice looked around after hearing Evan’s words, and a look of confusion flashed across her face.

"I think I forgot where that shop is. It must be because I’m a blind fool that I can’t even remember where a shop is located."

Evan’s body stiffened when he heard Alice’s sarcastic remark, and he coughed awkwardly.

Liam and the others also couldn’t help laughing as they looked at Evan with amused smiles.

"I didn’t mean to insult you..." Evan said with an awkward cough. "I was just trying to annoy that guy Eric and give you an opportunity to send him away."

Alice rolled her eyes upon hearing him but didn’t say anything else. Instead, she led them deeper into the market.

Evan sighed in relief and shook his head inwardly.

’Grandpa was right. Women really are petty creatures.’

Around five minutes later, Alice stopped in front of a small shop.

"We’re here."

Evan and the others looked at the shop and noticed that it was named Hoze Artifacts.

Alice entered the shop first, and Evan and the others followed behind her.

The instant Evan stepped inside, he couldn’t help feeling stunned by the numerous artifacts and other items on display.

There were swords, spears, rings, necklaces, earrings, scrolls, and many other things arranged throughout the shop.

"Oh, Alice! It’s been a long time!"

Evan suddenly heard a surprised voice and looked to his right. There, he saw an old-looking elf who appeared to be in his sixties sitting behind a counter.

"How have you been, Grandpa Josh?" Alice asked with a smile.

"It’s been a while, old man," Erza greeted him as well, her attention still on the different bows displayed nearby.

"Brat, how many times have I told you to speak respectfully to your elders?" Josh glared at Erza before shifting his attention to Liam and Kevin.

"You two are here too. Are you guys here to buy something for your mission?" Josh asked, still unaware of Evan, who was standing at the back.

"No, Grandpa. We’re here to buy a Communication Crystal for a friend," Alice replied before looking back at Evan. "Evan, this is Grandpa Josh, one of the best blacksmiths on Planet Elvador."

"Hello, Elder," Evan greeted Josh with an awkward expression. He knew that most elves didn’t like humans, so he wasn’t sure how Josh would react to him.

Only when Alice pointed toward the back did Josh notice Evan, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"A human? This is the first time a human has come to my shop!" Josh exclaimed loudly.

Evan couldn’t help sighing in relief when he saw that the old man didn’t show any displeasure upon seeing him. He had been worried that after discovering he was human, Josh might increase the price of the Communication Crystal instead of giving him a discount.

Recalling what Alice had just said, Josh stood up and walked toward the shelves behind him.

"Which rank of crystal do you want, young man?"

"A Rank Three Crystal will do."

"A Rank Three Crystal? Let’s see..."

Josh scanned the shelves as though searching for something in particular.

After a few seconds, he finally found a light-blue crystal and picked it up.

"It’s been a long time since someone came here to purchase a Rank Three Crystal," He said, handing the crystal to Evan.

Evan took it and raised an eyebrow at Josh’s words.

"Why is that? I thought most people would want to buy Rank Three Crystals since they allow them to communicate across planets."

"Hahaha! Looks like you don’t know much about these crystals..." Josh laughed upon hearing Evan’s words. "A Rank Three Crystal costs around two thousand five hundred Rank One Mana Cores. To collect that many Mana Cores, you’d have to kill tens of thousands of monsters. Do you think it’s easy to kill that many monsters just to buy a Communication Crystal?"

"That..." Evan was taken aback by Josh’s words and found his explanation reasonable.

If it weren’t for the Animal Kingdom Dungeon, he himself would have had a hard time collecting so many Mana Cores.

Shaking his head, Evan looked at Josh and asked how much he needed to pay.

However, just he finished speaking, Liam grabbed his shoulder.

"What kind of strange question are you asking?" Liam glared at Evan. "Are you looking down on our Grandpa Josh? Since you’re our friend and we always buy everything from his shop, he’ll definitely give you a fifty percent discount!"

"What?!" Josh nearly fell out of his chair when he heard Liam’s words, and his old eyes widened in shock. But before he could refute him, Kevin took a step forward.

"Fifty percent?" Kevin scoffed, looking at Evan with disdain.

"Are you looking down on Grandpa Josh? He’s one of the best blacksmiths on Planet Elvador! Do you really think he’d care about your puny Mana Cores? Just take the Communication Crystal and pay one thousand Mana Cores. Although Grandpa Josh doesn’t care about Mana Cores, I know you won’t be able to sleep at night if you take it for free."

After speaking, Kevin looked at Josh with shining eyes as if he were gazing at his idol.

Josh wanted to shout that Kevin was completely wrong and that he absolutely loved Mana Cores. But before he could open his mouth, Erza spoke up.

"Kevin is right. Although this old man looks like someone who would rob a three-day-old child, he’s actually a selfless guy who doesn’t care about Mana Cores. Just give him a hundred Mana Cores and take the Communication Crystal."

Josh’s mind went blank upon hearing Erza’s words, and he slumped back into his chair.

’Scam!’ He shouted in his mind. ’These guys came here to scam me!’

Josh turned his head toward Alice, who was the most honest child among them, hoping she would help him.

However, when he turned to look at her, he found her staring into the distance as though she’d spotted something interesting.

She was even trying to whistle, but no sound came out of her mouth.

Josh opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out his mouth and only one thought continued to run through his mind.

’How the hell did these kids turn into thugs?’