Conflict

"All right, Trist! How do you want to work together?"

"That depends on your offer. If the price is right, we can work together long-term, and I'll sell exclusively to you. Whether you use it yourselves or sell it, I don't care."

"Trist, how much can you supply each week? And how much of it will be this quality?"

"At least 20 pounds a week, and every pound will be this quality."

"Every pound?" Lia once again struggled to keep her expression in check.

"Yes, every pound!" Ian said, a little amused as he watched Lia. Was it really that rare?!

The various Extraordinary Associations on Central Avenue had all sold small quantities of Enchanted Weapon Oil, with the Bounty Hunter Guild selling the most.

They had sold Enchanted Weapon Oil from the Formula II series. The lower-grade quality went for around 30 gold coins per pound, the medium-grade quality for 40, and the upper-grade quality fluctuated around 60.

Powerful Enchanted Weapon Oil went for around 70 gold coins per pound, but it had to be exchanged for an equivalent number of points. It was rarely sold directly.

The Alchemist Fellowship divided enchanted products, including alchemical potions, into five grades: inferior (low-effect or ineffective, below 60%), lower-grade (low-effect, 60%+), medium-grade (moderate-effect, 70%+), upper-grade (high-effect, 80%+), and top-grade (powerful, 90%+).

In theory, inferior enchanted products couldn't be sold because of their severe side effects. But they were still frequently sold in large quantities on the black market, such as shoddy Awakening Potions.

Most enchanted products came from the Alchemist Fellowship. The Fellowship generally didn't sell potions, Magic Equipment, or other enchanted products directly. Instead, it supplied them to the various Extraordinary professional associations under all kinds of conditions.

A pound of Enchanted Weapon Oil could be used 20 to 50 times, depending on the type of weapon. Arrows and bullets needed less, while longswords and battleaxes needed more.

Each application lasted fifteen minutes, though attacking would make it wear off faster.

It was generally used to empower ordinary or magical weapons when facing difficult challenges. Compared to an Extraordinary's income, the cost was already excellent value.

"85 gold coins per pound!"

Lia considered it for a moment, then named her price with firm resolve.

As a director of the Whaling Group, Lia not only managed the Breath of the Ocean, but also helped the group leader handle the sale of their catches and the purchase of supplies.

Strictly speaking, she wasn't the sort of business expert who could charm anyone and navigate every situation. But compared with the Whaling Group's rough bunch, there was no one more suited to the job.

A deal of this scale was well within her authority.

The price was a little higher than Ian had expected. It seemed he'd underestimated the product's market potential.

"Lia, you're generous! If you can provide the raw materials, I'll charge 78 gold coins per pound."

The materials cost around 7 gold coins per pound, and the Whaling Group could definitely buy them more cheaply itself.

Most importantly, it would save Ian a great deal of time.

Ian wasn't worried about revealing the ingredients. The materials for many enchanted products were no secret. But without alchemical knowledge, the exact formula, and compatible spirituality, anyone who thought they could make it was fooling themselves.

"Deal!"

Ian and Lia discussed some more details and drew up a contract together.

There was no set term for their partnership, and either side could end it at any time.

While they worked together, the Breath of the Ocean would provide Ian with a luxurious suite on the fifth floor free of charge, and deliver the prepared materials to his room each week in advance.

They would trade every Monday, using a mix of magical gold coins and a small number of Divine Grace Gold Coins.

Once the terms were settled, Ian and Lia both signed the contract and left traces of their spiritual auras.

It was an ordinary business contract, with no supernatural power to enforce its terms. Spiritual contracts with supernatural binding power were rare, and seldom used for ordinary business.

For the three pounds of Enchanted Weapon Oil, the Whaling Group paid Ian 255 Poderia Gold Coins on the spot.

Ian put away the heavy money pouch and smiled. "A pleasure doing business with you."

Lia smiled brightly. "Likewise. I'll show you to your room."

Ian declined. She might still have other things to take care of, like reporting the deal to the group leader.

He went downstairs and quickly tidied his room, then followed a servant to a luxurious suite on the inner side of the fifth floor.

The suite certainly lived up to its name: a spacious living room, a dining room, a bathroom with a flush toilet, a large master bedroom, and two smaller bedrooms.

The master bedroom had a huge window that faced the sea, offering a sweeping view of Paradise Port's bustling docks.

"Wonderful! Though I probably won't be staying here for long."

Ian was grateful for the Whaling Group's kindness, but Wawa had grown several inches after a nap in his arms. He knew he needed a private place of his own.

Ideally, it would be near the sea, so Wawa could go swimming once she grew up.

He also needed to find a chance to recruit a few capable crew members. Damir and Lia from the Whaling Group were both excellent, but the group was a major power. It wouldn't be easy to poach them.

Tomorrow would be another busy day. For now, though, there was a little one beside him going "Wawa" and clamoring to be fed.

In the end, Wawa nearly drained him dry. He could only enter deep meditation to recover, then feed her again once he was fully rested.

Early the next morning, Lia delivered the materials for making Enchanted Weapon Oil to Ian's room.

After accepting them, Ian didn't start working right away. Instead, he headed straight for the Bounty Hunter Guild.

He needed to find some spiritual materials to feed Wawa. Otherwise, not only would her growth be delayed, but his own advancement might be affected.

The first-floor hall of the Bounty Hunter Guild was as lively as ever, while the third floor was noticeably quieter. Even on Paradise Island, after all, Extraordinary professionals weren't exactly everywhere.

The third floor was devoted to Extraordinary materials. Its business model differed from the second floor's: nearly everything was appraised by the Bounty Hunter Guild and sold on behalf of its owners, though the Guild still took a commission.

Ian waved away the servant, indicating that he wanted to look around by himself.

He placed Wawa in the pocket on his chest, leaving her big head poking out. Then he went from counter to display stand, letting her choose what she wanted to eat.

He'd only meant to try it out, but it actually worked. What an eater's instinct!

"Wawa, wawa..."

As they browsed, Wawa excitedly "pointed out" one thing after another, exclaiming that this one "could be eaten" and that one was "tasty" too.

Ian had no choice but to call over a servant and ask about the prices as they went. Whenever something was reasonably priced, he had the servant take it.

The scene piqued the curiosity of several other Extraordinary professionals. As bounty hunters, they often saw magical creatures, but they'd never seen anything like this.

Ian didn't pay it much mind. The Sea of Miracles was full of magical creatures, and Wawa was growing rapidly. Sooner or later, people would see her anyway.

A short Extraordinary professional with a long metal staff strapped to his back had a faint violet glow in his eyes. He stared unblinkingly at Wawa in Ian's arms.

He looked to be in his thirties, with brown hair and blue eyes. He wore a silver-blue short robe and wasn't tall, but he had a commanding presence. His whole bearing radiated confidence, making people overlook his height.

Ian sensed something and turned to look.

The man had already dispelled the violet glow in his eyes. The corner of his mouth lifted in a faint smile as he walked straight toward Ian.

"Your magical creature is unusual. I like it. I'll offer you a thousand Divine Grace Gold Coins. Sell it to me."

The man stopped in front of Ian. He didn't introduce himself or offer a greeting, and he used no polite form of address. His tone was calm but blunt, carrying an air of dominance that brooked no refusal.

Ian's expression remained impassive, but inside, he was furious enough to laugh.

"Not for sale!" Ian replied curtly.

"Two thousand!" The man's expression didn't change as he made another offer. He'd met plenty of greedy adventurers. When they said no, it just meant the price wasn't high enough.

Ian didn't bother responding. He turned back and continued letting Wawa pick out materials.

"Three thousand!" The man's expression shifted. The faint smile vanished from his face. "That's my final offer. Excessive greed will only bring you trouble."

"Not for sale!" Ian repeated, then ignored him and continued shopping.

What was he, some young master from somewhere? Did he think he owned the place?

The man's face turned stern. He gave Ian a long look, then turned and walked away without another word.