"Hmm, It doesn't really look that good. It would have been better if there were some glittering jewels here and there. Also, the design isn't really that suited as a weapon. It certainly gives the 'amateur' work from someone just starting out. Why don't I buy it for 10 copper coins for you? Hey, don't look at me like that. It might be small but it's a start. You need to start somewhere small if you want to be known. Don't be greedy and look straight at the high prices of the works of the smiths here. Their works sold for spare change at the start too. You know what, I like your spirit albeit overeager. I'll give you a bit of extra. How about 15 copper coins for this knife?"
"No, please leave."

Really? This early in the morning? What do you mean 'glittering jewels'? It's an everyday kitchen knife!! It's also the one made with the cheapest materials!! Why would anyone decorate their kitchen knife for anything other than ego?

It is true that I am a starting smith but do you really think someone starting out would make decoration pieces, that would probably cost a lot of money for materials, right off the start?

The materials of the knife might be cheap but you can't cover it with only 10 copper coins!!! What do you mean start small? You want to bankrupt a smith selling wares when they are just starting out? That isn't starting small, that is jumping into the cliff hoping to gain profit from it. It is unbelievably absurd that you can even tell that to someone with a straight face!

And finally! Why would the question of whether or not you can use the kitchen knife for battle!?!? Other than assassinating someone in their sleep, almost everything you meet here is resistant to slashing attacks! Monsters have tough skin, and the ones living here are wearing armour!

"Don't be so quick to reject me. Is the price not enough? Think of it this way. If I buy your knife, I can show it off to other people. That in turn would lead those curious masses here and perhaps buy your wares. You can then charge those ignorant masses with how much you think your items are worth. You would get much more profits that way. In actuality, I should even be the one charging you for advertising your knife out there."

Argh! Interacting with this one is hurting my head.

"No, I won't sell it to you. Go and bother someone else."
"Tch, you won't make it big like that. You think someone would buy junk like these! You are lucky I am even here talking to you about buying this. Hmmp! I was feeling good and decided to help other people but this is the thanks I get. Hmmp, then stay and rot here for all I care."

He finally left. What was wrong with that purple goblin's head? He has to be the worst customer I have ever met since I started selling my items here.

Haaah, It has been four days since I started selling my items here and I haven't sold anything to anyone other than that branch manager. This really isn't going as planned.

The only back alley store expert that is looking around for undiscovered gems that I saw is that branch manager. Most of the time, the people that frequent these places are nice neighbours buying things from their own neighbour as support, or weirdos trying to buy low from stalls that barely have a sale. All of which doesn't generate a good sale for me.

I don't know why but the locals are somewhat wary about buying things from me. There have been a few that are considering it but they are always on the fence on the decision. It eventually devolves into a staring contest which ends with them saying they will think about it as they leave.

Is it because they still don't know me that well? Am I so new that they can't put their trust into buying my items? 40 copper coins isn't that big of a spend.

Well, it's true that I don't know how much people here make. It could be considered as a very out of the way countryside but surely they can afford 40 copper coins for a kitchen knife.

I guess they have their own preferred store for things like that.

"Hello, it looks like business is slow. How about it, want to sign up with us now?"
"You sure are persistent. I hope this dry spell I am experiencing isn't due to some underhanded moves from your group."
"Of course not. We don't need to resort to something that sneaky. A smith's mood flows down to their work. We can't make you feel frustrated because of some unnecessary moves by us."

That sounds very convincing and very logical. There is also the fact that I am not that important for them to spend extra effort just to entrap me into a deal.

That would waste personnel, waste time, waste money, and may suffocate their target into burning out. The idea of sending people to bother someone who only has potential is full of disadvantages.

To sum it up, it is too unprofitable for a merchant group to even do.

"Well, as you can see, my small business is not doing too good. I'm closing up early today."
"I see, well like I told you before, our doors are always open. I'll see you again soon."

I don't really want to see you again soon though.

Anyway, I am feeling a bit impatient because of business, so I think I will indulge myself a bit. Eating out, window shopping and wandering around to clear my head.

I know I said that I don't need to make a sale throughout this period but waiting at the stall everyday for 10-12 hours really puts a strain on you. If you add in the nonsense of the idiotic conversations I have to go through with those bargain hunters and I build up mental fatigue fast.

Let's take a breather before I go crazy.

Hmm, maybe I could check the market for the mount too today.

"One barbecue please."
"Here you go."

This isn't that tasty. I'll avoid this place from now on.

"Do you happen to know where I could buy a mount?"
"Hmm, that depends on what kind you are looking for. If you want something of high quality, a normal mount or some cheap ones, there are stores that cater to each specific merchandise. All of those stores are gathered at the north and south of the town. They should have some barns outside the city with their own pasture."
"North and south?"
"It's divided by territory. There are currently two merchant guilds that hold the majority of the mount trade. It's divided like that to lessen the friction between them. The smaller sized sellers are also there, though they rent the space from those merchant guilds."
"The merchant guild, not the town?"
"They pay the rent to the merchant guild but pay the taxes to the city. The merchant guilds are the ones who built the barn and stables after all. The city allowed them to build on the land and they pay rent to continue doing business on it, they are also the ones who protect the surroundings."

Ok, it is weird that you know all of that. Don't tell me that the meat you are selling came from there? Do they raise livestock there too?

"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Our manager told us to help you to an extent. Please visit our Orange Shield Merchant Guild soon. We also own the South Creature market."
"Oh, yeah, thanks, I just might."

So this is the reason why he knows so much.

Tch, to think they have business over here too. Should I say, as expected of a merchant guild?

I wonder if I could get a discount if I visit their barn at the south of the city?

"Welcome, welcome, what kind of beast, monster, animal, or whichever creature are you looking for?"
"I want something that could be used as a mount."
"I see, a mount. What type might you be looking for in a mount? We have power types that are slow but can pull heavy weights, speed types that run fast enough to leave pursuers behind, or utility types that have a variety of abilities that will help you. The price will only differ depending on the rarity of the creature, how far the habitat of the creature, and how powerful the creature is. Of course as a person of interest with our Orange Shield Mercenary Guild, you will be receiving a discount depending on the creature. Now, which type do you want to see first?"

Hmm, the power type is nice since they would be tough. The only problem is how fast they are. I don't want to be pulled by something that would be slower than a walking pace, after all.

The speed type isn't really that useful for me. I don't really need speed that much. Also, if someone is chasing after me, they would also have their own speed type mount. To be sure that I could escape them, then I would need to buy some high class ones to ensure that I escape. Those who are chasing others would ride something faster than normal as a mount after all.

Utility types are a weird type for me though. I don't really need my mount to do anything though. It would be cool if my mount could breathe fire but that isn't really needed for me who has magic.

If there is a mount that could help in increasing mana then I might buy that but I would expect that it would cost a ridiculous amount of money.

All in all, the power types are the only one who has the least drawback for me.

"I want to see the power type mounts. They don't need to be fast but I do want them to have a certain amount of speed. Do you have those?"
"We have them, of course! However, it would depend on how fast you need them to be. Let me show you our merchandise. Please follow me."

I have to remember that I won't be buying anything. It's already noon. Early morning should be best when buying these, or I could ask when they refresh their inventory. However, the first rule when buying is to never buy anything on the first visit. You need to look around first to be sure, otherwise it would be impulse shopping.

However, once I buy something. That branch manager would have some idea about my spending power. It doesn't really bother me but I don't want her thinking that I refused her offer because I am not satisfied with the money.