The adventure association building of Cloud Tower City had many stores that sell new world's stuff such as magical herbs, beast weapons and equipment, magical devices, energy resources, alchemy materials, inscription materials, and so on.
The market section for adventurers was located in the north of the building, and it was bustling with peoples as they looked at the browsed through the items by using market display stands placed on each side of the entrances of the shops.
Upon reaching the place, they saw the area illuminated by moonlights emitting out of light orbs that were hanging down from thin and almost invisible wires.
"So beautiful," Leilani exclaimed as the view of the market section mesmerized her.
If one doesn't look closely, it'll feel as if small moons were floating above their heads.
"So this is what one of the most expensive places in the world looks like," John said. "Must've cost a lot to build this."
The market section was run by rich merchants. They were rich enough to utilize dozens of costly droids.
A lot of droids were moving around this place, guiding and helping a lot of people. When Vincent asked how many shops are in this place, the cute droid responded by saying that there're 53 stores here. It also shared the name and the location of the best ones.
"There are 53 stores here, we'll look through them, one by one, starting from the best ones, of course," Vincent said.
"All right." Leilani felt that it'll not be tiring and boring to look through so many shops as long as she with her older brother.
"Eh, wouldn't it be too boring, or could it be that you have a reason?" John asked.
"If there's a reason, you'll find out soon," Vincent said with a mysterious smile.
After a while, John found out that prices varied according to the popularity of the shop. The popular shops were selling new world's items at a higher price as compared to the less popular ones.
"We are trying to find the shop that sells new world's items at the cheapest price, right?" John questioned Vincent.
He replied with a nod of the head.
After almost half an hour, the group stood in front of a small shop made out of wood. As for the reason why Vincent and his group were here, this shop was selling items at the cheapest price, and although it looked plain through and through, Vincent could not decline that he felt a hint of attractive seriousness from this plainly decorated shop.
"It feels as if the lines of the words are trying to display something. But it's just a feeling." Vincent internally thought before they entered the shop through the door.
"Welcome to the mystic shop, young'uns," Wilson, an old man with crooked teeth and a patch on his right eye said with a pleasant smile from behind the counter.
He was dressed in plain robes covering most of his body, exposing only his hands.
"This old man feels weird, he said the same thing when we entered the shop a few minutes ago," John whispered in their ears, as he felt that the old man in front of him was acting like an NPC, saying the same dialogue again and again.
"Maybe you're overthinking things," Leilani said.
"You guys look around and I'll buy some things from him," Vincent said before he walked up to the old man.
"How can I be of service, young one,"
"I want to buy a magic scroll, black serpent ring, and elemental heart blood of a fire beast," Vincent told him about the items he wants to buy.
"These things can only be purchased by legalized combatants. Show me your combatant certificate or adventure license," the old man said.
Most of the items could only be legally purchased and utilized by registered combatants and adventures only.
"Here you go," Vincent said as he gave his adventure license to the old man.
"Here are the items you requested." The old man explained the prices of the items and the storage size and the limitation of the black serpent ring and so on after taking out the items Vincent requested. "If you want, I can recommend similar items of the same prices."
"Thanks but these are perfect for me," Vincent replied.
Magic scroll × 3 – 10000 Federation Cash
A vial of fire type elemental heart blood × 2 – 18000 Federation Cash
Black Serpent Ring ×1 – 60000 Federation Cash
"It'll be 88000 Federation cash," Wilson said after calculating the price of the items.
The price of these items in the other stores was far more than this. The minimum was at least a hundred thousand yet here, it was only 88k. It was a wonder why the old man was selling the items so cheap, barely making any profit.
"It's far too cheap," Vincent thought as he handed over his credit card to Wilson.
"Before we complete the purchase, let me ask what do feel about the decoration of this shop?" Wilson questioned.
"The decoration is simple but it felt like the carvings on the woods are trying to showcase something."
Vincent's answer put a satisfied smile on Wilson's face.
"Your answer is satisfying and the purchase can be made," Wilson said as he started packing the items Vincent just paid for. "If you feel anything else while looking at the carving on the woods, then now is the time to say it. It might even net you a discount."
Vincent stared at the carving on the wooden walls with a gaze of scrutiny.
"I feel like the carvings somehow represent inscription patterns." He said after several seconds, "Though, it's just a guess."
As soon he said those words, Wilson gave him a discount of 10000 fed dollars.
"Why ten thousand less?" Surprised by his actions, Vincent asked as he looked at the old man.
"It's a rule set by my creator," Wilson replied.
"Your creator?"
"Yes, I am a human-like robot created by the owner of this shop. According to the rules set by the creator of the mystic shop, only those who feel a sense of mystery from the shop's decoration are eligible to purchase ten items in the shop. Similarly, any person that happens to understand that the carvings on the walls represent inscription patterns shall obtain a discount ten times. Lastly, if someone can comprehend the patterns of the wall and perfectly inscribe them on a scroll to create a magic-grade inscription, they will be rewarded with the choice of taking away a million federation cash or pick up one of the items left behind by the owner."
The owner of this shop must be a rich person, Vincent thought.
"Since it's something I've earned, I won't shy away from it," Vincent said
"Pleasure doing business with you," Wilson said as he handed over the adventure license, credit card, and the things he just purchased to Vincent. "Please come again!" He added as Vincent walked up to Leilani and John.
"Wow, this is so pretty," Leilani said while pointing at a hairpin.
"But it's a little bit too much costly," John said.
"Ah, it's beautiful but I have no money to purchase it. No worries, I'll buy it after earning some cash."
Leilani believed that she would pass the entrance examination tomorrow and attend the military academy to learn more about the usage of her ability, magic techniques, and transcendental grade combat techniques. Then, she'll become a powerful soldier and would be able to buy stuff she likes.
"No need to wait so long. It's only a thousand fed cash. I'll pay for you," Vincent said to Leilani before he turned towards the shopkeeper. "Come here. Get me this one. I want to give it to my little sister."
"Of course, of course." Wilson quickly came over and packed the hairpin.
"But–"
"Big sis, don't decline. It's a gift from brother," John said as he winked at his sister.
Leilani couldn't decide whether to accept it or not, but thinking on it a moment more, she readily accepted. She felt immensely happy as it was the first gift she received from her brother.
"Thank you," Leilani said to Vincent before they stepped out of the shop.
"It looks good on you," he said after he settled the hairpin in between her hair.
At the moment, Leilani's heartbeat increased exponentially and she realized she has fallen in love. For her, the like she held towards Vincent was that of a lover and she wondered what it'll take to help him realize her feelings.
Though she couldn't confess outright as it was embarrassing. So, she silently followed after his footsteps like a meek squirrel with chubby cheeks.
"Where are we going?" John asked.
"To eat," Vincent replied
"Who is gonna pay?"
"Don't worry about it. It's my treat," Vincent said before he entered the restaurant with his friends.
After eating in a nearby restaurant that was famous for its food, they returned to the orphanage with a few parcels of various dishes for the members of the orphanage.