kscans

Chapter 154 - The World is Full of Bad People

The Level 3 Healing Potion sold for 150 million yen.

"You needed it by tomorrow, right? Did you bring the money?"

"I have it prepared."

The old man said, taking an attaché case from his bag. He unlocked it and showed me the contents.

Inside, of course, it was packed tightly with ten-thousand-yen bills.

"Is this 150 million?"

"Yes. You may count it if you wish."

...He has the exact amount? This was within his expectations. I definitely could have asked for more...

"It's a pain, so I'll pass. Here you go."

I took a Level 3 Healing Potion from my bag and handed it to him. The old man accepted it and began staring intently at the flask.

"Fum, fum... Indeed. This is magnificent."

"You have Appraisal?"

"I wouldn't be able to do this business without it."

Come to think of it, Claire had it too.

"Hmm..."

"If you would be so kind, please keep my mobile number. I handle many such transactions."

"For athletes?"

"Yes, injuries are a common part of their profession. Also for martial artists, mercenaries, and the wealthy. The demand for Healing Potions is immense."

I see.

"Well, it depends on my stock."

"Of course, that is understandable."

I think I've found a good business partner, but is it just my imagination, or am I being completely taken for a ride? She's right there, I should ask Claire...

"So, are we done with the deal? I'm going to leave."

"Yes. I must also deliver this with haste. This is of no concern to Eleanor-sama, but our work becomes difficult from this point on."

It is smuggling, after all... It would be nice if he had a military route like Claire.

"I see. Good luck. Oh, and tell Pedro-san to go easy on us in the Japan match."

"I will pass on the message."

Well, Brazil is probably a lost cause anyway.

"Then, I will take my leave. Farewell."

"Yes. Thank you very much."

After finishing the transaction, I got out of the car. The car then drove off somewhere.

As I watched the black sedan, likely a rental car, drive away, I immediately headed towards the unnaturally parked taxi. As I approached, the taxi's automatic door opened, and I got into the back seat.

"Harry, drive."

As soon as I got in, I ordered the driver.

"What kind of ramen do you want?"

I knew it would be ramen. What is this guy even doing in Japan?

"Anything is fine."

"Alright! I'll take you to my top recommendation."

I bet that top recommendation changes all the time.

"Yes, yes. Take me wherever you please."

"You're in a bad mood."

Claire, sitting next to me, said with a laugh.

"Did you see that just now?"

"Of course. That was Minerva, right? You did business with a group like that?"

Minerva?

"What's that? Never heard of it."

"You don't even know the name of your business partner..."

Claire was exasperated, but it's their fault for not introducing themselves.

"Tell me."

"A dark organization that deals in smuggled and illicit goods."

So corrupt.

"Human trafficking or drugs?"

"They don't do human trafficking. They do drugs. And weapons, I suppose? They're a militant dark organization that believes in power."

Super corrupt. A textbook dark organization.

"The world is a scary place."

"Don't worry. You're the scariest one of all."

How rude!

"I'm a kind person."

"Sure you are. Anyway, what was the deal about?"

"Some soccer player got a career-ending injury, and they wanted a Level 3 Healing Potion."

"Huh. That's still a legitimate use."

I don't sell illegitimate products. Like Sleeping Potions, TS Potions, or invisibility potions.

"But I feel like I was tricked somehow..."

"Eh? You already sold it?"

Claire was a little surprised.

"I sold it."

"For how much?"

"150 million yen."

"...Seriously?"

Huh? Did I really mess up?

"Was that bad?"

"You are really terrible at price negotiation. They were probably willing to pay more than double that."

Double means 300 million!? I didn't even consider a price like that...

"How was I supposed to know. You bought one for 80 million yen, didn't you?"

"That was an open transaction. A backroom deal is never at the list price. It gets expensive because they have something to hide... You have to take advantage of your opponent's weakness."

I don't know anything about that. I'm just an ordinary person.

"So it was a failure..."

"A huge failure. They're probably gloating right about now. You were definitely seen as a pushover... Hmm, this makes the 'sheltered princess' theory more likely, doesn't it?"

"I told you I'm not from Frontier. And I'm not a princess either."

"Are you sure about that?"

She doesn't believe me.

"Fantasize all you want. Anyway, I'm not doing business with them anymore."

Deceiving people is the worst. Even though I was the one who suggested the price...

"Now, now. I've been thinking for a while, but how about you and I make a contract?"

"What kind of contract?"

I'm not becoming a magical girl.

"An agent contract. Basically, I'll step in for those kinds of backroom deals."

An agent... Like Satsuki-san or Yoshino-san?

"What's in it for you?"

"I just take a ten percent cut."

"If you deceive me, I'll cut off all four of your limbs."

"I won't. This isn't a normal contract. And that's scary, you know."

Claire... Can I trust her?

"What kind of connections do you have?"

"That Minerva group from earlier is one of my business partners. Also American companies and rich people. My biggest client is my old workplace, the military."

The US military...

"Is it Healing Potions you want?"

"That's right. And maybe Item Bags?"

"How much would you sell a Level 3 Healing Potion for?"

"Right now, 500 million. 300 million minimum. Next week, maybe 100 million? I think that's what it'll go for in the auction, and you'll probably sell more anyway, right? So the standard price will settle around there."

So it's expensive before the auction because of its rarity...

"What about the Level 3 Healing Potion you bought from me?"

"I sold that to the President ages ago."

P-President... The President. That must have been incredibly expensive...

"You deceived me...!"

"No, what? I didn't deceive you, did I?"

"You were acting so conflicted."

"I was just wondering how much to sell it for. Besides, you were the one who suggested the amount."

This woman...!

"You should never trust a merchant."

"Just figuring that out now? Isn't that common sense?"

"Here, a Level 3 Healing Potion. Sell it for 500 million."

I took a Level 3 Healing Potion from my bag and handed it to Claire.

"Alright, alright. Oh, and get me ten 100-kilo Item Bags. I'm selling them to Norman."

I've heard that name before, but who the hell is that?

"Here."

I did as she said and took out the Item Bags as well.

"You really have them..."

Claire was amazed.

"You're the one who asked."

"Well, yes. I'll sell these for you. I'll tell you the amount when they're sold."

"If you skim off the top and pocket it, I'll turn you into a frog and throw you into a pond full of black bass."

"How gruesome. I wouldn't do that."

I will never forgive betrayal.

"Whatever. Anyway, there's something I want to ask you two."

I decided to trust Claire for now and changed the subject.

"Something you want to ask?"

"What is it?"

"Do you know any other unique skill users besides yourselves?"

"Sure I do. There are some in the military, and some adventurers I know have them."

Harry said, and Claire nodded in agreement.

"Are those guys weird?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. Aren't they different from other people?"

"Oh, that's what you mean... Well, they have unique skills, so of course they're different."

Oh, so that's how it is. Unique skill users are eccentric.

"Well, there are no decent people in the military or among adventurers. Our former superior officer was called the Norman Who Smokes While Showering."

Can you even smoke like that? Isn't he an idiot?

"That guy's an idiot."

"That guy is Norman."

Norman is an idiot. I'll remember that.

Having learned something important, the three of us went to a ramen shop again, where I was forced to take pictures. Then, I went home, enjoyed hot pot with Kaede-chan, watched her delight over the 150 million yen in cash while I drank, and then went to sleep.