Sid's opening bid was a heavy one: five hundred gold coins.
Over the past few days, Wade has developed at least a rough sense of this world's currency and its purchasing power.
The most common currency was copper and silver coins. Only in larger transactions did people bring out gold—and gold carried immense buying power.
Just the other day, he had acquired a storefront on the commercial street near the market. Renting it for a year, plus renovations and other costs, had only come to a few dozen gold coins.
So for a torn-off chunk of Rainbow Fruit to sell for five hundred gold coins… that was a bargain.
"Add another hundred, and I'll tell you how I slipped past the monsters," Wade said evenly.
"No problem," Sid replied without hesitation.
Now this was a true moneybag.
Before long, Gina returned with a banknote from the Magic Crystal Bank—redeemable for gold at any time.
Wade then "explained" his method of sneaking past monsters, even sketching out a shortcut map on the spot. He laced the story with enough "lucky coincidences" to make it sound difficult, if not nearly impossible, to repeat.
In reality, of course, it had been laughably simple. Dungeon monsters didn't even target him. He'd strolled up to the Rainbow Fruit, torn off a piece, and walked away.
But if he didn't make the story sound extraordinary, how could he hold anyone's attention?
"You really are fortunate," Sid sighed after listening.
Wade didn't answer. Even the shortcut he'd drawn was fake. He'd just tweak the dungeon map later that night to match the story.
Of course, even if he did create a "special path" just for Sid, it wouldn't make much difference. At best, it would be a little shorter, with one or two fewer monsters along the way.
"But luck is also a kind of strength," Sid continued. "If the Guild establishes a Rainbow Fruit Exploration Squad, I'd like to invite you to join." Then he asked, "Do you have a residence in the city? Somewhere we can contact you?"
"Actually, I just acquired a shop. Planning to sell dungeon-sourced items," Wade said, jotting down an address and sliding it across the table.
"A shop, hm." Sid glanced at the note, then asked casually, "If you already have a store, why bother setting up a roadside stall?"
"Because advertising works better where there are crowds."
"Hmm. That does make sense." Sid nodded. Promoting products in crowded areas could indeed drive traffic to a shop. Merchants often used that tactic.
Of course, Wade's true intent was to lure more adventurers into the dungeon to die.
And the promotion was already working. Just opening the box had proven how irresistible the Rainbow Fruit was. Anyone who had smelled that fragrance was probably still restless now, dreaming of obtaining it for themselves.
On top of that, Sid's public display of advanced magic at the market had caused an even bigger stir than the fruit itself. People would be whispering about a mysterious powerhouse who revealed his strength in public—all because of a fruit from the Dungeon.
What kind of fruit could demand such attention? If I could get one too…
See? That was advertising.
When Wade left the Guild, he planned to let the information spread that he'd sold a piece of Rainbow Fruit for six hundred gold coins, fanning the flames even higher.
The meeting ended on good terms. With Gina seeing him out, Wade departed from the Adventurer's Guild.
Moments later, when Gina returned to the reception room, she nearly lost control of her saliva. A sweet fragrance filled the air. Sid had opened the box again and was staring at the Rainbow Fruit with an expression caught between awe and hunger.
Frowning in concentration while swallowing hard—it was almost comical.
"Sir, spending six hundred gold on a fruit of unknown effect… and just a small piece at that—is it really worth it?"
"It certainly is."
Sid slowly closed the box, licking his lips with lingering desire.
"When I look at it, there's a voice in my head that keeps telling me to eat it. Eat it. The more I relax, the louder it gets. Even with calming spells, I can't suppress the urge."
"You mean…" Gina caught on quickly.
"Just the fact that such a tiny piece of fruit can affect my mind so strongly—that alone makes it worth the price."
Sid's lips curled faintly. "And if it can be used to craft illusion-type artifacts, just imagine the possibilities. I can't wait to test it."
"..."
Watching him grin like some shady villain, Gina couldn't help but whisper:
"Um, sir… your drool is dripping."
"What? But I was holding back so hard…"
"Should I cut you a small piece to taste?"
"This is precious research material. I can't just eat it."
"You don't want to try it?"
"Heh. It's you who wants a taste, girl. Don't use me as an excuse."
"You really don't want to?"
"..."
"Then I'll take it with me."
"Wait… fine. Cut me a little."
Sid pressed a hand to his forehead, exasperated. He had never wanted to eat something so badly in his life.
Then he remembered what Wade had once said before leaving:
"The Rainbow Fruit's sweetness is beyond human imagination. If you want to taste it, I'd suggest diluting its juice in water. As for the ratio—one drop for an entire swimming pool."
At the time, he had scoffed, dismissing it as exaggeration. Now, he wasn't so sure.
He turned to Gina.
"Where's the nearest pool? Take me there. Call the Guild staff too—we'll make it a little gathering."
That day, the Adventurer's Guild in Bedford City shuts down entirely.
The rumor was that the staff had drunk themselves unconscious on fruit juice and ended up in the hospital.
Of course, it sounded so ridiculous that no one actually believed it.
Meanwhile, Wade had gone to White Whale Street, a commercial district, to check on the store he'd recently acquired.
It wasn't too big or too small, just the right size. Nestled between a potion shop and a fashion boutique, it had a steady stream of foot traffic.
The street itself leaned toward middle-to-upper-class spending in the city. Most customers were adventurers, with a sprinkling of moderately wealthy townsfolk—the "middle class." Ordinary people only came by occasionally.
Normally, no shop space here ever stayed vacant. Wade had simply gotten lucky—he'd come across an owner desperate to sell quickly and snatched up the opportunity.
He planned to use the store as a front to sell dungeon specialties and as a hub for information gathering.
He wasn't interested in business itself; the shop was just an experiment. His attention wouldn't really be on it.
For now, the place was still under renovation, likely a few days away from completion.
He bought fruit drinks for the workers, earning their thanks, then dragged a lounge chair into a quiet corner, lay back, and pretended to nap.
In truth, his consciousness had already shifted back into the dungeon. He could switch freely between his Maldron and Aldwin bodies, instantly aware of what was happening around either.
It had been strange at first, but he was slowly growing used to it.
"Let's see what nonsense the adventurers are up to today…"
His gaze drifted toward the Gourmet Zone—only to witness a bizarre sight.
Fishing rods, buckets, folding stools…
The Gourmet Zone was absolutely packed with fishermen.