Rich People, Huh

Sid's opening statement was a bombshell: five hundred gold coins.

Gong Qiying had gained some understanding of the purchasing power of this world's currency in recent days.

People most commonly used copper and silver coins, only resorting to gold coins for large-scale transactions. Gold coins possessed considerable purchasing power.

He had purchased a shop on the commercial street near the food market a couple of days ago. Renting it for a year, along with renovation and other miscellaneous expenses, had only cost him a few dozen gold coins.

A small, rotten piece of Rainbow Fruit selling for five hundred gold coins seemed like a rather good deal.

"Add another hundred, and I'll tell you how I avoided the monsters," Gong Qiying said.

"No problem," Sid agreed readily.

This time, he had truly encountered a wealthy patron.

Before long, Gina brought over a Magic Crystal Bank check, which could be cashed for gold coins at any time.

Gong Qiying recounted his method for evading monsters and even drew a shortcut map on the spot. He embellished the story with numerous elements of luck, making his method appear difficult to replicate.

In reality, it wasn't that complicated at all. The monsters in the dungeon didn't attack him; he simply strolled over to the Rainbow Fruit, tore off a small piece, and left.

But if he didn't make the process sound difficult, how could he capture people's interest?

"You truly are lucky," Sid remarked after listening.

Gong Qiying said nothing. Even the shortcut map he had drawn was fabricated. He'd have to make some adjustments to the map later that night when he returned to the dungeon.

Of course, even if he created a shortcut specifically for Sid and his companions, the difficulty wouldn't decrease significantly. At best, the journey would be shorter, and there would be one or two fewer monsters than elsewhere.

"However, luck is also a part of strength. If the Guild decides to form a Rainbow Fruit exploration team, I'd like to invite you to join," Sid extended an olive branch. "Do you have a place to stay in Bed City? It would be convenient for future contact."

"Actually, I just recently acquired a shop. I plan to sell some items produced in the dungeon," Gong Qiying wrote his address on a piece of paper and slid it towards Sid.

"An item shop?" Sid glanced at the address and asked casually, "You already have a storefront, so why are you still setting up a stall by the roadside?"

"Because the effect of publicity is better in crowded places."

"Hmm, that's true," Sid nodded. Advertising a treasure on the main street could indeed attract customers to the shop; this was a common tactic used by businessmen.

However, Gong Qiying's actual intention was to attract more people to their deaths in the dungeon.

The publicity effect had already been achieved. The Rainbow Fruit, upon being opened, had displayed immense allure. Those who smelled its fragrance at the time were likely now unable to eat or sleep, eager to explore the dungeon.

Furthermore, the sensation caused by Sid's display of high-level magic in the market had even overshadowed the Rainbow Fruit. People were discussing a mysterious powerhouse who had revealed his strength in the market. Why had he done so? Because of a fruit from the Sain Underground City! What kind of fruit could attract the attention of a powerhouse? If only I could get my hands on it...

See? The publicity effect was already working.

After leaving the Guild, Gong Qiying planned to spread the news that the remnant of the Rainbow Fruit had been sold for an exorbitant price of six hundred gold coins, adding fuel to the publicity fire.

The meeting concluded with both parties satisfied. He left the Adventurer's Guild under Gina's escort.

A moment later, when Gina returned to the reception room, a sweet fragrance made her almost lose control of her saliva. She saw Sid open the box and stare at the Rainbow Fruit in contemplation.

He was frowning in thought while desperately swallowing his saliva, a rather comical sight.

"Sir, is it worth spending six hundred gold coins on a fruit of unknown purpose, and even just a small piece of it?"

"Absolutely,"

Sid slowly closed the box, licked his lips with lingering desire, and said:

"When I look at it, a voice in my mind keeps telling me to eat it, eat it. Once I relax my mind, that voice grows louder. Even using a calming spell can't suppress the thought."

"You mean..." Gina understood something.

"Just this piece of fruit alone can have a significant impact on my mind, making it worth the price,"

Sid revealed a smile and said, "If I were to use it to create illusion-type items, what kind of effect would it produce? I'm looking forward to it."

"..."

Seeing the old man's smile, reminiscent of a villain from behind the scenes, Gina couldn't help but whisper:

"Um, Sir, your saliva is dripping..."

"What? I thought I was controlling it well,"

"Shall I cut a small piece of Rainbow Fruit for you to try?"

"This is precious research material; it cannot be eaten."

"Don't you want to try it?"

"Heh, it's you, little girl, who wants to eat it, isn't it? Don't use your official position to tempt me."

"Do you really not want to try it?"

"..."

"Then I'll take it away."

"Wait. Cut a little for me."

Sid covered his forehead in resignation. He had never craved something so much before.

Then, he recalled Gong Qiying's parting words:

"The sweetness of the Rainbow Fruit is unimaginable to humans. If you wish to taste it, I suggest diluting it with water. As for the ratio, one drop of juice would require an entire swimming pool of water."

He initially scoffed at the remark, dismissing it as mere boasting, but now he felt a flicker of hesitation.

He said to Gina:

"Where's the nearest swimming pool? Take me there, and call some people from the Guild too. We can consider it a meet-and-greet."

Later, the Bed City Adventurer's Guild closed for a day for unknown reasons.

The rumor was that the staff drank so much fruit juice they passed out and were all sent to the hospital.

But because the story was so ridiculous, no one believed it.

Returning to Gong Qiying's perspective, he arrived at a commercial street named "White Whale Street" and found the shop he had taken over.

It was a shop of just the right size, neither too big nor too small, located in the middle of the street, with a potion shop and a fashion store on either side. The customer traffic was decent.

The spending level on this street was slightly above average in Bed City. Adventurers made up the vast majority of regular customers, along with some wealthy but not that wealthy patrons – in short, the petit bourgeoisie. Ordinary people would occasionally browse here.

There were no vacant shops on this street originally. Gong Qiying got lucky and happened to encounter the owner of this shop who was urgently looking to transfer it, so he took it over.

In the future, he could use this shop to sell some special products from the Dungeon, which would also serve as a channel for disseminating information externally.

He wasn't interested in doing business; opening the shop was just an experiment, so he naturally wouldn't focus his attention here.

The shop was still under renovation and was expected to be completed in a few more days.

He bought some fruit drinks for the workers, received a chorus of thanks, then found an unobtrusive corner, pulled over a lounge chair, and lay down, pretending to be asleep.

In reality, his consciousness had returned to the Dungeon. He could switch between the bodies of Gong Qiying and Godwyn at any time and could perceive what was happening around both bodies in real-time.

He found it quite unaccustomed at first and had to slowly learn to accept it.

"Let me see what new tricks the Adventurers have come up with today,"

He looked towards the food area, where an unexpected situation had unfolded.

Fishing rods, buckets, folding stools.

The food area was packed with anglers.