With a wicked grin, Alex's gaze fixated on the innocent young girl, his expression resembling the final flourish on an ominous masterpiece.
The smith workshop boasted a tempting array of equipment, but Purchasing the same items from an external source would cost more than five times what was being offered here.
"Of course," Alex assented with a nod, conspiratorially leaning closer. "I require a sword infused with holy elements..." He handed a meticulously curated list to the young girl, whose inner delight was carefully concealed.
The caveat was clear: the cumulative expenses should not exceed the ten-thousand-dollar ($10,000) mark. This amount would serve as a financial lifeline, affording them both the means to sustain their livelihood and prolong their shop's operations for several additional months.
The sinister satisfaction in Alex's expression mirrored his intention to exploit the advantageous prices offered by the workshop, further enhancing his arsenal while ensuring the girl's benefit, all under the guise of a seemingly routine transaction.
The young girl's eyes widened as she looked at the list Alex had given her. She couldn't believe her luck. It seemed that Alex was not only interested in their high-quality gear but was also planning to make a significant purchase.
"Wow, you've got quite a list there, Sir" she exclaimed with a grin. "You've got great taste, I must say."
As Alex and the girl began discussing the details of the equipment he needed, it became clear that he was a shrewd negotiator. Despite the high-quality gear and the extensive list, he managed to strike a deal that was favorable for both parties.
The young girl was impressed by his knowledge of equipment and his ability to get the best value for his money.
_ _ _
After a fifteen-minute wait, the young girl finally returned, clutching a small pouch in her hand.
Alex recognized the item immediately; it was a dimensional pouch. These pouches were imbued with the essence of space, appearing deceptively ordinary on the outside but concealing a vast inner space.
The size of a dimensional pouch depended on its rank, with legendary ones capable of encompassing a structure as large as a five-story building and extending the length of a football field.
Though Alex wasn't aware of the pouch's exact grade, he couldn't help but feel content that the girl had presented the equipment in such a refined manner.
"Sir, please take this, here place all your epic-grade items and equipment inside this pouch," the young girl said with a warm, inviting smile. Her eyes sparkled with genuine delight at having a customer to assist. "And, there's no need to worry about the cost of this dimensional pouch; it's just a low-grade item we offer as a courtesy."
"I appreciate your kindness," Alex responded graciously as he accepted the pouch from her hand. Intrigued by the value of the transaction, he inquired, "Out of curiosity, what would the total cost have been with the discount?"
The girl hesitated for a moment before answering, "Sir, the total cost would have been twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) with the discount."
Alex knew that he had initially removed some items from his list to keep the cost down. However, upon learning about the discount, he decided to include those items back into his purchase. $12,000," he mused to himself. It was indeed a substantial amount, but considering the quality and rarity of the items, it still seemed like a remarkable deal.
Inwardly, Alex couldn't help but marvel at his good fortune. If he were to acquire these same items from a reputable shop, he knew the minimum price would likely hover around $50,000.
This encounter was turning out to be a windfall beyond his wildest expectations, leaving him both satisfied and intrigued by the enigmatic workings of the shop and its accommodating proprietor.
After finalizing the deal, Alex paid for the equipment, and the girl prepared his order. As she handed over the gear, she couldn't help but feel grateful for this unexpected windfall. It was a good day for their shop, and Alex had just made a valuable connection for his future endeavors as a hunter.
"By the way, I forgot to ask your name, sir," the girl mentioned with a hint of hesitation, worried it might have offended Alex.
However, Alex didn't take any offense; instead, he responded with a warm smile. "Ah, how forgetful of me! I'm Alex Thorn, an F-rank hunter. May I know your name?" he inquired politely.
The girl was taken aback by this revelation. F-rank hunters might not carry much weight in society, but for a small shop like hers, it meant a great deal. "Um, sir, my name is Andria Smith," she replied, her voice tinged with surprise. "I'm the granddaughter of Dennis Smith, who is the owner of this shop"
The connection to Dennis Smith seemed to register with Alex, and he nodded in acknowledgment. It was clear that Andria was still processing the fact that she was assisting an F-rank hunter, and this encounter had taken an unexpected turn.
"Miss Andria, it has been a pleasure doing business with your shop today," Alex expressed warmly. "Although I was a bit pressed for time today, I am certain I will return to your shop in a few days. I look forward to meeting Mr. Dennis during my next visit."
Andria nodded, a smile forming on her face. "Ah, I see you've noticed. Yes, my grandfather isn't here today; he's visiting a friend in the next city. I hope you'll have the chance to meet my grandpa next time, Mr. Alex," she replied, her enthusiasm shining through.
With a nod of gratitude, Alex bid Andria farewell for the moment, leaving the shop with the dimensional pouch that held his precious items.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction from this serendipitous encounter, knowing that he had not only acquired valuable equipment at a reasonable cost but also made a connection with the granddaughter of the shop's proprietor.
As he stepped out into the bustling streets, he looked forward to his next visit and the prospect of meeting Mr. Dennis, who seemed to be an important figure in this intriguing establishment.
With his business at the current shop concluded Alex's next priority was to acquire health recovery potions.
Since he lacked any elemental abilities, he didn't require mana recovery potions which tended to come at a higher cost, but low-level health recovery potions were essential.
He knew that these potions were generally affordable, and he hoped to find them at a reasonable price at the next shop.
The next stop on his agenda wasn't widely known yet, much like the blacksmith's, but it was poised for popularity in the coming years.
Alex saw an opportunity not only to purchase potions but also to establish connections and make friends with the proprietors of both shops.
Exiting the alleyway, Alex arrived at a junction where he could easily hail a taxi. After a short wait, he managed to flag one down and instructed the driver on his destination. As the taxi began to move, Alex contemplated the potential for forging valuable relationships in this burgeoning part of town, all while restocking his essential supplies.