The girl at the reception desk quickly called for one of their appraisers to come over. She explained that the quality of the scales I brought in needed to be properly identified so they could make a fair offer for it.
The appraiser appeared not long after she went to get him, and the look of pure shock on his face was very visible the moment his eyes landed on the [Black Scales].
"Not only are they in a perfectly useable condition— they are also much better in terms of quality than any of the ones I have seen before. They are much darker in color, which indicates that they are significantly harder in terms of overall durability."
"And there are just so many of them here in one place!"
The appraiser said those words with his eyes opened wide in disbelief.
Apparently, [Black Scales] are incredibly useful for things like armor reinforcements, alchemy, making magic-resistant gears, and other types of high-end craftings.
’So there really is magic in this world... I wonder if I can actually use it myself. What would happen if I drank the blood of a mage or a creature that can naturally use magic?’
I wondered about that possibility for a moment. But I decided to set aside such thoughts for now and focused my attention back on the situation at hand.
The appraiser was talking quietly with the receptionist, and they even sent someone else to go and inform the guild master of this branch about what was happening at the counter. This was quickly turning into something big, and I honestly did not expect this much of a reaction.
But then, after a short while—
TAP!
Someone started coming down from the upper floors of the building. It was an old man with gray hair and a matching beard, both of which were well-cut and very neatly kept. He was wearing a proper suit that looked quite expensive as well.
I am not an idiot, so I immediately figured out that this man was likely the guild master.
Every eye in the room shifted toward him. His presence was commanding everyone’s attention without him even having to say a single word.
He walked straight over to our group, and after a few moments— he stopped directly in front of me.
"Hello, my name is Joseph Smith, and I am the guild master of this branch."
Then he introduced himself with a warm, professional smile on his face.
"My name is Verc, a wandering knight."
I did the same for him, giving him a polite nod of my head.
"I was made aware of the situation here. Thank you for bringing such important monster products to our guild."
Joseph said that, eyeing the pouch that was still full of [Black Scales]. Then, looking back up at me—
"We would like to offer you a total of eighteen gold coins for the whole batch. It is technically supposed to be twenty, but we will take two gold coins off as our standard commission fee."
He told me that as if it were a routine transaction. I heard several sharp gasps from the people around me. I glanced around and saw that Geremie and Albert were looking very surprised at the size of the offer being made to me.
’So it is a fair, or maybe even a very good offer.’
I was just about to accept his deal after concluding that in my head, but before I could actually speak—
"That is, of course, if you can actually prove that you did not steal these scales from anyone else."
Joseph said that, and I could hear a hint of doubt in his voice. I could also feel a sudden pressure coming from him, and my [Danger Sense] was starting to warn me about him.
At his words, everyone in the room turned their eyes to look at me.
’I see. I guess it really is suspicious from their perspective.’
I thought to myself, then opening my mouth—
"Oh, I can prove it to you easily with my skill."
I declared that with confidence.
SWOOSH~
Then I suddenly activated [Dominion Aura].
It was the skill that I recently obtained from the Alpha Dire Wolf. My presence became incredibly overwhelming in an instant and it enveloped the entire area surrounding me. Everyone in the guild felt the weight of it.
"That way, it will be easier for you to believe that it was me who killed the [Dark Serpents], right?"
I followed up with that question, my face remaining perfectly calm.
Geremie, Albert, the receptionist, and everyone else standing around us looked like their faces crumbled. They went into a state of shock after feeling the massive pressure coming off of me.
My aura clashed directly against the guild master’s own pressure— FWIP!
And my aura actually neutralized his completely!
"..."
I saw Joseph’s face turn into a deep frown for a second. He shook his head, then opening his mouth to speak—
"It looks like I have said something unnecessary. I am sorry for doubting your capabilities— but this is just a needed procedure for us to follow."
He said that, his tone becoming much more respectful.
FWIP-
I deactivated my skill immediately, then keeping my poker face—
"It is understandable."
I just replied with that simple sentence.
’Damn, this is actually my first time using this skill... It’s stronger than I thought it would be.’
*****
After that short incident was over, Joseph, the guild master, personally handed me a pouch that was full of heavy gold coins.
Apparently, a single gold coin is equal to 100 silver coins, or 10,000 copper coins. The amount of money I just received can give me a comfortable life for 2 years even if I am staying in a decent inn every night.
This much money could even buy me a small house in this city if I wanted one.
’This is more money than I thought I would get...’
Joseph also gave me a receipt with his personal signature on it as proof of the sale. He said that in case someone became suspicious of me for having a lot of money— I could just show the receipt to them.
Not only that, he gave me a small wooden plaque with the adventurer’s guild logo engraved on it. He said that I would be prioritized and the price of any monster products I sell would be valued a bit more if I showed this to any adventurer guild in the future.
It is something I do not really need, but having it is still pretty cool.
I thanked Joseph for the items, then with a casual excuse— he went back up to his office.
... ... ...
"Damn, you really are something else. I would need to hunt for a couple of months very diligently if I wanted to earn as much as you just did."
Albert said, watching me as I put the pouch of gold coins into my bag. I stopped what I was doing to look at him and Geremie, then after thinking for a short while—
Fwish~
"Here."
I threw three gold coins toward the two of them.
The look of total shock on their faces was so funny to see. Even Geremie, who was always the calm one, almost missed catching the coins because of how surprised he was.
"W-What exactly are these for?"
Geremie asked me, looking down at the gold in his hand.
"Split it between the two of you. It’s thanks for not abandoning us when we were outnumbered by bandits back then."
I answered him with a small smile on my face.
*****
Geremie and Albert thanked me profusely for the gift. I just shrugged my shoulders and told them they were very welcome.
And after that, I excused myself from their company.
I just got myself some money— so of course it’s time for me to spend it.
First, I asked the girl receptionist from before for some directions. She happily told me where everything was, and she even gave me a free map of the city!
’Damn, I am really living life on easy mode in this world so far.’
Of course, excluding the fact that I spawned off in a cave and was trapped in there for a long time.
Anyway, after leaving the guild building— I immediately headed over to the local blacksmith.
There, I bought myself a quality set of reinforced leather armor, and a proper arming sword. It was a one-handed steel sword of the type commonly used by knights. If I’m going to pretend to be one, I need to actually look like one.
That whole setup cost me a total of 5 gold coins. I also sold my previous equipment that I had taken from the goblins and the bandits; it earned me a few extra silver coins.
After that, I went to find a clothing store. Specifically, I was looking for a clothing store for nobles.
’When I was reading manwhas set in medieval times, I always liked how the nobles were dressed... Like that one red-haired golden trash loved by everyone. I hope they have outfits like that in this place.’
I thought to myself as I walked down the street.
(The Golden Trash is a reference for Cale Henituse of the [TOTCF])
Moving on, I eventually got to the clothing store called [Fancy Wears]. The staff there immediately thought I was a noble because of my looks and they served me with a lot of respect right away.
I did not bother to correct them. Being treated with such care and urgency is a pretty good feeling, after all.
Also, I was very happy to find that the exact types of clothes I was looking for were actually here.
So opening my pouch— I spent 5 more gold coins on a new wardrobe.
This much money could already get me two decent horse, but I don’t care; I already have Bong.
’And I can just make more money easily.’