"Although I'd like to say yes, no, I'm Takatsuki, and this is my younger sister, Seele. Nice to meet you."
Takatsuki knew, just from meeting Sampo and hearing his tone and some of his conversations, that he was a cunning, opportunistic person. However, such people usually have a lot of information, especially about things others don't know.
"Seele?"
Sampo looked at Little Seele again, making her a little embarrassed.
"Hello, Mr. Sampo."
Little Seele softly and weakly greeted Sampo, startling him so much that he clutched his heart.
"This... such a similar appearance, the same voice... Compared to the rude Miss Seele, ah... I'm going to die."
Watching Sampo's exaggerated acting, big Seele picked up her scythe, ready to strike him.
"Who are you calling rude!"
Sampo immediately began begging big Seele for mercy.
"Alright, big Seele, let Sampo off the hook for now."
At this moment, Natasha walked over and asked Sampo: "Sampo, where's the goods I asked for?"
"It's here, it's here, Big Sister, save me! I, your humble servant, have been working hard for the Fire, even if I have no merit, I have put in effort. Look, Miss Seele is trying to silence me."
Upon seeing Natasha, Sampo immediately ran behind her for protection.
"Why are you always so annoying? Alright, hurry up and take out the goods I asked for."
Natasha shook her head, stopping big Seele's attempt to silence him, and said to Sampo.
"Alright, Big Sister, the alcohol and bandages you wanted. I had a really hard time getting these goods. As for the money... hehehe."
Sampo said, rubbing his hands ingratiatingly.
"I'll decide after I see the goods."
"Alright, alright, please come this way."
While Natasha and Sampo were making their transaction, Takatsuki asked big Seele, who was grinding her teeth in anger nearby: "What's the deal with this person named Sampo?"
"Who knows."
Big Seele glared resentfully in Sampo's direction, then turned to Takatsuki and said: "However, this guy has a way to travel between the upper and lower levels after the blockade. Although his origin is very mysterious, and he rarely tells the truth, at least in terms of doing business, he's a decent person to deal with. If you're going to deal with him, be careful. This guy only cares about money."
Takatsuki nodded. For some reason, he felt that big Seele's assessment wasn't entirely accurate. This person named Sampo didn't value money so much as he had a bigger scheme.
However, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. He was doing his best to build his current persona in everyone's eyes.
He was a very deep person.
Sampo and Natasha's transaction quickly ended, and then Sampo moved closer, quickly speaking before big Seele could act.
"Hey, hey, hey, Miss Seele, don't be in such a hurry to act. Aren't you looking for the Astral Express?"
Hearing Sampo's words, big Seele stopped her movements, as she cared more about her friend's matters than her own likes and dislikes.
"Then hurry up and tell me!"
"Alas, Miss Seele, that's not how you negotiate business."
Big Seele's temper flared up again when she heard Sampo's words.
"You still want money!?"
"Information itself has value, after all. And actually, I, old Sampo, only care about money. Of course, since it's an information trade, paying with information is also fine."
"You!"
Seeing big Seele about to lose her temper again, Takatsuki quickly stopped her and said: "Big Seele, let me talk to him."
"By the way, I just wanted to ask, you all call Miss Seele 'Big Seele' to distinguish her from this little Miss Seele over here, right?"
Takatsuki had just stopped big Seele's temper, and Sampo started asking for trouble again.
"What's wrong! Do you have an opinion!"
"No, no, how dare I."
Although he said submissive words, Sampo's face, which seemed to be smiling, made people feel very angry.
Takatsuki quickly stopped big Seele, who was about to strike, and said to Sampo: "You can say less."
"Tell me, how much money do you want?"
"Ten thousand Shield!"
As soon as Sampo spoke, big Seele became agitated again: "You want to die! You dare to fleece my friend!"
"Oh, oh, my Miss Seele, how can you negotiate business like this? I'm raising the price, and you can just pay on the spot."
"You even know you're raising the price!"
Takatsuki quickly appeased big Seele. Now even Little Seele came to comfort big Seele.
"Sister Seele, don't be angry. Just leave it to Takatsuki."
Takatsuki then looked at Sampo: "As big Seele said, the price is too high, and I don't know the truthfulness of your information or if it will be useful to me."
"Oh, oh, my young friend, I, Sampo, do business with integrity. If I were to deceive you here, how could I, Sampo, continue to operate in the Underworld? Moreover, without looking too far, if I were to mess with you on this matter, Miss Seele would chop me down on the spot."
Takatsuki thought about it, and it was true: "My goal is to board the Astral Express and find the Stellaron. To what extent can your information help?"
"I, Sampo, don't know what a Stellaron is, but I do know about the Astral Express. As for boarding it, that depends on your luck."
"If you can't even guarantee I'll board, wouldn't my ten thousand Shield be wasted?"
"Oh, oh, you can't say that, brother. If you don't have this information, wouldn't you have no chance at all?"
Saying that, Sampo rubbed his hands and said: "Moreover, paying isn't the only option. I see that you few are newcomers, empty-handed, and can't produce that much money. I, Sampo, will just make friends. More friends, more paths, right? Brother, it's also fine for you to exchange information."
"Oh? What information do you want?"
Sampo rubbed his hands: "I heard that you few are from the outside. If possible, the way you came to the Underworld..."
"Don't even think about it."
Takatsuki shook his head and refused directly.
He had heard that Sampo wanted to inquire about his origins.
"Don't be so blunt. Everything can be discussed."
Takatsuki just shook his head at Sampo's words: "No need to discuss. Ten thousand Shield, right? I'll pay."
"Ah?"
Takatsuki understood that Sampo was using this as a pretext to extract information from him. He thought Takatsuki and the others definitely couldn't come up with ten thousand Shield, so they would eventually have to choose to buy with information. But he didn't expect that Takatsuki had the ability to produce it himself.
The Shield's material is made of gold and silver. Because current mining operations are all for marrow, these precious metals are now very rare, so the Shield itself doesn't have overly sophisticated anti-counterfeiting mechanisms.
Takatsuki could create them just by drawing.