I honestly would have flatly refused the summon if the Major did not inform me about the building in question. And knowing that it is a Museum, containing lots and lots of priceless historical artefacts as well as relics, I just cannot resist the temptation.
Oh. People too. People who are in desperate need of help. That is always a good thing, as I can bargain with them in exchange for all their worldly possessions.
While I can probably return to the Museum at a later date for some good old fashion lootings without any witnesses bothering me, this is still a golden opportunity to steal things without actually worrying about ownership. And steal things legally too!
Is there such a thing? Yes. And it is sanctioned by the US Government through the Major herself. She wants me to use my ability to save as much artworks, artefacts and relics as I can. She does understand that those items will likely get destroyed once the fighting becomes widespread throughout the area, especially when the monsters become more populated.
"Are you not afraid that I will keep them for myself after everything is over?" I question, just to remind her who I actually have introduced myself as. I am a Merchant, and I will not do anything that doesn't benefit me in some form.
The Major eyes me. "No. I do not think you are stupid enough to do so, and just say that you are, it is unlikely that you will live to see the end."
I wonder if that is a threat or something of the sort, and I do like to see her try. Of course, it would not come to that if I manipulated things to my advantages. And besides, as long as it is not a unique item, priceless or not, it can be duplicated via the Shop System.
That is one way to make an absurd amount of money later on, but paper money does not really have any value to the System, but I can exchange them for something of values, such as gold bars and jewels and more.
"Didn't know you've thought so highly of me," I response. "I will try to save as many as I can, but there is no guarantee as there is a limit to how many things I can store into another dimension. I have not reached that limit yet, but it is logical to think so. Oh. Try not to use your power too much, as fires is very, very bad for the Museum and its contents."
The Major nods and orders some of her men to follow her. She and her men would take out anything that isn't human inside the building while I focus on my thieving. Well, it cannot be considered that if I plan on return them later on.
As for how the soldier knew there were a lot of people inside the Museum. It is because of the smoke signals.
I watch the smoke rising and stopping at various intervals from inside the building, indicating that it is an SOS code. Since it is still going, those people are alive and well and likely at a well defended position, considering the state of the front entrances.
Passing through, I immediate get to work, touching any piece of artwork or ornament I can see, placing them into my Inventory before selling them into the Shop System for some quick GP. Each of them do net me hundreds of thousands of GPs. Some are in the millions!
Thus, I am able to power leveling up my Merchant Class through thefts.