Omniscient Necromancer POV

The atmosphere in that negotiation room shifted completely after I showed that I knew exactly what I was selling.

From then on, the negotiations could really begin.

A Primordial Rock was valuable and special. It couldn't be sold for just any price, but it also wasn't as valuable as the final product, the enchanted weapons.

Therefore, I couldn't believe I had a diamond in my hands and ask for whatever price I wanted. I needed to be reasonable, especially in a face-to-face negotiation with someone like Keira Swordhand. She had many contacts and was well respected. She wasn't corrupt, and as far as I knew, she was more reliable than most other trading companies. It wasn't a good idea to fall out of her favor.

"All right, I'll sell them for twelve gold coins each," I said, resting my elbows on my knees.

"Each?" Keira asked, confused.

So I showed her that I had other Primordial Rocks, and her unshakable pose finally collapsed.

"Eh... You know how to surprise a woman. Tell me, where did you get these rocks?" she asked with a greedy smile. "Of course, I can pay very well for that information."

I bowed my head in respect before quickly refusing. "I'm sorry, but that's information I don't want to give out."

"Oh, come on! Since I'm paying 120 gold coins for the Primordial Rocks, I'll pay double if you give me the location of the mine you found!"

Keira's cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled as if she could already see the golden glow of the Primordial Rocks or the gold coins that were undeniably there before her.

Luckily for me, I hadn't actually found a mine with Primordial Rock deposits, otherwise I probably would have given in in that moment of temptation.

After I refused the offer again, Keira took a deep breath and accepted. She snapped her fingers, and the attendant named Docan left the room. Minutes later, he returned with a tray piled high with gold coins.

"Here are one hundred thirty gold coins," Docan said before retreating.

My eyebrows inevitably arched, and I looked at Keira. I didn't even have to ask about the wrong amount before she answered me.

"It's my company's policy to always deliver more than promised, especially to new and promising customers like you," she said with a smile before extending her right hand. "I hope we continue doing business."

I gladly accepted this gift, as it would also be rude to refuse, and I was not in such a comfortable position that I could afford to reject ten gold coins.

When I left the store, Rosella smiled with her eyes when she saw me and immediately looked at my hands, but I wasn't carrying anything.

"Well, what happened? Didn't you buy anything?"

"Sorry for the delay. I found some things I liked, but they're expensive, and I think it's better to go to the Association first before deciding to buy anything."

Yes, one of our goals today was not only to shop, but also to go to the Lovikalen Climbers' Association building to perhaps apply to create a Guild.

The Lovikalen Climbers' Association building was two blocks away from where we were, so that's exactly where we went after leaving the Swordhand Trading Company.

We got there in less than five minutes and found a three-story building with an old façade and wooden doors. Next to the staircase was a sign telling us we were in the right place, but the broken windows and the noise coming from inside would make anyone think it was a tavern.

"Put on your hood and stay close to me, or we'll be in trouble,**" I told Rosella, who quickly agreed.

It was obvious, but Aland's 'Climbers' were just like the "Adventurers" of medieval fantasy worlds. This comparison wasn't only because of their profession as monster slayers or explorers, but also because of the way some of them felt superior to ordinary civilians and behaved rowdily.

So, when I entered that building, I worried I wouldn't leave without my hands aching from punching some extra in the face.

When I opened the door, the loud music, shouting, and the clamor of dozens of conversations almost deafened me. On the right was a mission board with requests from Rank F to D, and on the left stretched a huge hall with large wooden tables filled with Climbers drinking, playing cards, and eating.

"Good afternoon, everyone!" A receptionist in blue clothes immediately approached us. "Have you come for lunch?!" She held a menu against her chest.

"Actually, we—"

Rrrumble

A stomach growled loudly, like a stray dog wary of strangers.

Both the receptionist and I immediately looked at Rosella, whose face turned completely red. She was very hungry, which made sense since a few hours had passed since breakfast.

"I think we'll have lunch," I said to the receptionist, holding back a laugh.

The receptionist guided us to a table with four chairs near the wall, since the smaller ones were all occupied. Rosella sat down first, adjusting her hood and trying to hide her embarrassment at her stomach's betrayal. I sat across from her, crossing my arms as I looked around.

The smell of beer mixed with roasted meat and sweat was strong, and the clamor of the Climbers blended with the sound of glasses slamming against the tables.

Despite the noisy environment, for a few moments I thought we might be able to eat in peace. But that hope didn't last long.

As we waited for lunch, I noticed the stares beginning to fixate on Rosella. Her blonde hair, even hidden by her hood, reflected the candlelight from the chandeliers. Her light eyes shone like flashy gemstones in the midst of that place full of men who didn't know the meaning of "courtesy."

When a group of four men got up from a table in the corner, still holding beer mugs, I knew what was coming.

They laughed loudly as they walked toward us, their heavy footsteps drawing the attention of nearby tables.

It didn't take long for the noise around us to subside, as if part of the room had decided to pay attention to what was about to happen.

The tallest of them, a broad-shouldered guy with a scruffy beard, stopped in front of our table. He rested one hand on the back of the chair next to me and spoke in a voice like a rock dragging across the floor:

"You're sitting at our table. I don't remember seeing you here before, so I'll be polite just this once: get up and find another place before this becomes a problem."

It was a simple request, but my vast experience with situations like this told me it wouldn't end so easily.