Re-entering

Chapter 31: Re-entry

"This..."

Karl frowned.

It was true that he could sell it to anyone, but he didn't think Kinsley could afford the price.

"Yiwenni's birthday is coming up soon, and I plan to buy it as her birthday gift."

Kinsley said, "How about three Pounds?"

Yiwenni?

A girl's image flashed through his mind, causing Karl to hesitate. He then sighed with some helplessness and slowly nodded:

"Alright then."

"Kran." Kinsley was overjoyed. She turned her head to look at the old man, Kran, swaying her body and said in a charming voice:

"Will you pay for me?"

"Sure." Kran grinned.

"I'll pay."

Three Pounds wasn't much for him.

Old Nick watched the scene and shook his head slightly.

The hairpin was worth far more than a mere three Pounds; even three Gold Coins would be cheap. This woman was so shrewd, getting such a great benefit without spending a single Penny.

However, he believed Karl also knew the true value of the hairpin.

Three Pounds...

It wasn't worth making a special trip for.

After paying, Kinsley's attitude immediately became much colder. She said a few words and then took her leave.

"Dear, are we going to your place or a hotel?"

"The hotel?"

"Then let's eat first."

"Of course!"

The two discussed their next plans as if no one else were around, their figures gradually moving away.

Watching their retreating backs, Karl was speechless. It turned out her enthusiasm just now was only because of the hairpin.

"Excuse me."

Turning around, he looked at Old Nick:

"I actually have another item."

As he spoke, he took out a jade bracelet and placed it on the table, making Old Nick's eyes light up despite his disappointment.

By the time they left the Badi Goods Store, the sky had already begun to darken.

Karl touched his heavy coin purse, turned, and walked into a dark alley. When he emerged, his appearance had completely changed.

A black cloak wrapped his body tightly, his features hidden deep within the hood, exuding an aura that warned others away.

"Divine Domain Fragment... it's really convenient."

He glanced back at the Badi Goods Store, muttered softly, and then turned into another consignment shop.

"Friend."

Geri, who was attending to customers, saw Karl enter and his eyes lit up. He hurried over:

"You're here."

"Mm."

Karl nodded, his voice cold.

"Same as usual. Let me see the goods. If the price is right, I'll sell."

"Yes, yes." Geri rubbed his hands together, his face full of anticipation.

"Friend, you always bring good things. I wonder what it will be this time. I'm looking forward to it."

"Still jewelry." Karl sat down and casually took a necklace from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"Take a look."

It was a necklace strung with dozens of gems, each sparkling with dazzling light. The overall design was simple yet elegant, with a flowing chain and perfect proportions.

If the quality of the gems wasn't so poor, it could almost be considered a beautiful, peerless treasure.

"A good item!"

Geri's eyes shone. He held the necklace and caressed it carefully:

"Unfortunately, the gem quality is average, but even so, it's still an excellent piece of art."

"Hmm..."

"Twenty Gold Coins!"

Huh?

Beneath his hood, Karl's brow twitched slightly.

It wasn't because the price was too low, but rather too high, exceeding even his own estimated price.

Small accessories rarely fetched high prices, especially when the quality wasn't top-notch.

A few Gold Coins was more common.

His target price had been ten Gold Coins.

"Twenty Gold Coins?"

"That's right," Geri explained.

"This price is already quite generous. If you're not satisfied, I can only express my regret."

With that, he placed the necklace on the table.

"No."

Karl's voice held a hint of a smile.

"I'm very satisfied. Twenty Gold Coins it is."

After Karl left, Geri clenched his fist and then, tucking away the necklace, hurried towards the backyard.

"A ring, earrings, and a necklace."

The youngest son of the Foster Family, Bray Foster, lay back on a plush chair, idly playing with the necklace in his hand.

His eyes flickered as he asked, "Is this a set?"

"It's a set!"

Geri nodded emphatically.

"All three pieces of jewelry use topaz, and the cutting technique is consistent. Among them, the topaz in the earrings is of the highest quality."

"The necklace is the most expensive single item at twenty Gold Coins. If sold as a complete set, the cheapest it could go for is a hundred."

While the ring and earrings are a pair, they are relatively small and didn't cost much to acquire. The combined price of both is less than that of the necklace alone.

This transaction, buying low and selling high, yielded a profit of several times the initial investment.

"Interesting."

Bray Foster narrowed his eyes.

"A complete set of jewelry sells for a higher price. Any normal person would know that. Why sell them separately?"

"And not in the same place, either."

The Foster Family's businesses spanned the entire city, and they owned more than one consignment shop, also engaging in business with other consignment houses.

These three pieces of jewelry were discovered by chance by someone under their employ. It turned out that items acquired from different shops were actually a set.

"This..." Geri hesitated for a moment, then said, "Could it be stolen goods?"

A set of jewelry, sold in batches, in different shops, with their identities concealed – it was clear this was not something to be done in the open.

"Perhaps."

Bray tossed the necklace aside and waved Geri closer.

"Next time he comes, make sure to let me know."

"..." Geri's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly nodded.

"Yes."

*

*

*

Karl was unaware that his efforts to sell his goods while concealing his identity had inadvertently drawn attention.

As for the set of jewelry...

He had acquired them in batches, and he hadn't known they were a set when he sold them.

At this moment, he had returned to Black City after several days.

"There are fewer and fewer people."

Walking into Laka Market and seeing the sparse crowd, Karl shook his head slightly and came to Aya's stall.

Huh?

The unfamiliar stall owner made him frown slightly.

Aya wasn't here.

"Friend."

Seeing someone stop, the stall owner immediately greeted him enthusiastically:

"What do you need? The price is negotiable."

Karl glanced at the goods on the stall and said slowly, "Is the previous stall owner not doing business anymore?"

"Hmm..." The stall owner's smile faded, and he sized Karl up from head to toe:

"As you know, it's quite normal for someone to die in Black City. Stalls changing hands is even more common."

"That's true."

Karl nodded and walked forward.

Just as the other party said, people dying in Black City wasn't a rare occurrence. Aya was just agile, but ultimately just an ordinary person. It was normal for her to die.

"Huh?"

Seeing Karl about to leave, the stall owner hurriedly stood up and blocked him:

"My friend, you're quite impatient. I didn't say she's dead!"

"You're looking for Aya, right? I know where she is. Follow me, let me pack up my things."

Karl stopped and watched the other party pack up the goods on the stall. After a moment's thought, he followed.

"Honestly, what's so great about that girl Aya? I sell the same things she does."

The stall owner carried his package and said as he walked:

"My friend, aren't you going to consider me? The price can be discussed, and there are discounts for bulk purchases."

"How much further?" Karl didn't respond, only looking up at the sky.

The sky was dark.

The two had already left the market and arrived at an abandoned ruin.

"Almost there."

The stall owner quickened his pace:

"Just ahead."

"Drip..."

Karl stopped:

"Right here is fine."

He lifted his cloak, revealing the broadsword on his back:

"Since you lured me out, there's no need to hide. Come out, all of you."