A moment of silence reigns between me and the Major, but her enraged flames tells me exactly what is on her mind. And I also have a very good idea of what she wants to do to me right now.
"I am starting to dislike you very much, Merchant," the Major speaks up, as she calms herself. She isn't one to give in to her emotions so easily, especially when attacking me out of frustration will only turn me into an enemy. A powerful enemy.
I doubt that the Major really wants me to be an enemy. More so when I am basically using the lives of her men as hostages. It is what it is, and I am not going to pretend that I am a good person, going out of my way to help people just because.
That is just stupid.
"Only starting? Don't be so modest, Major," I response with a shrug. "It is fine whatever your opinion of me is, as this is merely a business transaction. One that only happened due to circumstances."
"I will keep that in mind," the Major asserts. "Name your price. The US Government will compensate you for your goods and services after this is over."
I smile under my gasmask. "I am sure good old Uncle Sam will compensate me with interest, but that is all for later. I require some form of payments now, and I am not interested in hard currency, as not you nor your men have enough. Just hand over whatever items are of great value to you or your men and I will accept that as souvenirs."
"Souvenirs…?" the Major questions my eccentricity. "You mercenaries and your little quirk. Very well."
The Major removes her necklace and hands it over to me. It does not worth much, but I am sure there is great story behind the bullet bounded to the necklace itself. "This nearly ends me. I keep it around as a reminder of what could happen. Will this be good enough for your souvenirs?"
I accept the bullet and then sell it straight to the Shop System. If it doesn't worth anything, I can always buy it back and refuse. Not much of a surprise when the Shop System pays an excess of 10 million for it. Definitely good enough.
"Definitely good enough for one vial," I response and produce a vial in my palm. Its magical green glow catches the attention of everyone.
The Major takes the vial off me and uses it on one of the dying soldiers with my instructions. She only needs a few drops of blood from the soldier to convert the Life Essence into a Healing Solution strong enough to save a life.
And just seeing how the previously dying soldier now stands on his own two legs, the Major does not need to order her men to begin exchanging items of sentimental values with me, netting me a decent amount of Wealth.
I accept the transactions as long as there is profits to be had. All sentimental items have much greater value than the vial of Life Essence. As such, my profit margin is well worth it. Sadly, it is still not enough to bring me to level 8. But it does help greatly.
Not everyone has a chance to trade with me, however, as I put a stop to it as a show, especially when the Major is watching me like a hawk. I cannot allow her to think I have unlimited supplies.
Once the trade is over, the Major orders her men to continue onwards but with a lot more precaution.