"Merchant?" the Major questions, as her breathing returns to normal. Or as normal as it can be. That means her mana pool must have recovered sufficiently, and I admit it is quite a fast recovery, but then again, considering Jessica back at the Subway Station, her mana pool must be very small and the mana cost to activate her power is not that much.
"Yes. Merchant. Think of it as a codename if you will, but if you really want to know, my service is just one of many that I have for trade," I explain. More like making conversation. "If you require anything, anything at all, regardless of what it is, feel free to ask. I might be able to provide for you… for a price, of course."
"For a price," the Major repeats what I have just said. "Having that kind of power sure is useful. Is that why the System, as everyone has told me, decides to grant you that power?"
I ponder about her statement for a moment before shrugging. "I'm afraid that I really do not know. It was granted to me the day before last, and I have made good use of it like anyone would, considering that there is no way to leave this city at the moment. But make no mistake, Major, even enjoying this advantage, I am very good at what I do."
None of what I have just said is a lie. Sure, I have omitted critical information, but no one really needs to know everything.
"Is that so. I will have to take your words for it, Merchant," the Major responses. "Now, please do tell me, how much for those bombs you have used. I notice that they are very powerful for their size. Care to reveal what kind of mixture you have in them?"
I chuckle and shake my head. "I cannot tell you trade secrets, Major. As for their price, I am in need of information. The good Colonel has not informed me, and I cannot contact him at this time. And I have seen that you have rescued quite a lot of civilians."
"My men and I are merely doing our job, Merchant," the Major responses coldly. "As for information, I do not believe I have the authority to reveal anything to you."
"I am not interested in those kinds of information, as I have my own sources," I tell her. "I am curious to how many civilians have been taken to the military base in the last couple of days. You do not need to give me an exact number. Just an estimate is fine."
The Major takes a moment before answering, and I am somewhat surprised at the amount of people still left alive. It seems that having a fully functional military base inside the Life Zone will save quite a lot of people.
And that means a lot of people will be able to acquire some form of powers or more afterwards. That can be a good thing, but it is more likely a bad thing. I can still remember what happened when people sudden gain powers to become superheroes.
Most choose to become super villains, as it is easier to give in to their desire. As such, the Government has to enforce several new laws in regard to the Awakened.
I am sure this timeline will not be any different, considering people are people regardless of whatever where. And therefore, I must prepare for the worse of the worse.
Since the Major has given me information, I hand her an incendiary bomb. It is only right, but she isn't too happy. I smile at that. "One for one piece of information. Do you want to continue to trade?"