Chapter 66

Returning home, I washed my face, had some tea, and logged in.

After logging in, I greeted the clan chat, but no one replied. I wondered if they were exploring the dungeons from the 6th floor onwards and thought about my plans for the day.

In the past, I felt a sense of frustration because I couldn't join my friends in new events or new fields due to the difference in working hours, but I've gotten used to it.

After producing items for sale, I decided to look for 'Tigal's Star Dust' on Ayre's Starfall Hill. I made a simple plan and transferred to Giath.

I had prepared Suzuki's Muniel box for Ekateryna, but I didn't encounter her until I left the temple this time.

Well, I didn't...

Feeling a bit let down, I went to the production facility and started making Nether Boundary Stones as a preparation for alchemy, producing Return Stones, concocting potions, and baking pastries. I carelessly put them up for consignment and collected the proceeds from the previous sale. This was my routine.

Next, I took out 'Dexterity Rings,' three of which were on consignment from Yaggyakuru. The Yaggyakuru Mantle I obtained was a black and white Holstein pattern, but apparently, other patterns also exist. Among them, the most popular and rarest is the plain white one.

Yaggyakuru is an early boss that is easy to defeat, and many players continue to visit until they get the white mantle. My Holstein-patterned Yaggyakuru Mantle is still in the warehouse, waiting to be sold to a production player later. Now, the value of mantles other than the white one has dropped significantly, and I regret not selling them sooner.

For this reason, the value of 'Dexterity Rings' has also dropped. When I first thought of trying, the price hadn't dropped yet, and it took courage to attempt it with the risk of failure, but now it seems feasible.

I placed the three Dexterity Rings in the alchemy array and said with determination:

"Alchemy Creation!"

Whether I said 'Synthesis' or 'Refinement' didn't matter, but I said it forcefully to psych myself up, as it was my first time doing this alchemy.

When the array's glow faded, one ring was left on the material placement point closest to me.

'Dexterity Ring +3'

Hmm. I thought I could combine them up to +10 with enhancement gems, and it worked. I had been wondering why the drop rate of rings from Giath's boss was unusually high, but now I understand that it's because they are meant to be combined and broken during the process.

However, unlike abundant gems, rings are not cheap enough to break recklessly while aiming for +10, and I don't need them because I have 'Dexterity Gloves.' Besides, two of my fingers are already occupied by Master Rings, so I need to be cautious about adding more rings.

Feeling satisfied with the result, I considered stopping, but decided to continue for the sake of leveling up my alchemy. I checked the maximum consignment price and confirmed that I could still make a profit even if the price dropped by half, so I decided to make more.

The level increased quite rapidly, so it must have been a moderately difficult synthesis.

While alchemy is less likely to fail with high dexterity, it still has a gambling element, and there's a certain probability of failure even with sufficient DEX. Making high-value items would be nerve-wracking. Given my past experience in another game where I succeeded with a 12% success rate but failed with a 99% success rate, I was particularly nervous.

So, I diligently made more, but I forgot about the consignment limit.

Consumables like potions can be consigned in batches of 99, but equipment items, even if they are the same, use up one slot each. I realized that my consignment slots were already full because I had too many types of dishes on display.

Would these rings end up as unsold inventory like the mantles?

Feeling a bit worried, I took the alcohol I had been distilling and making regularly to the Commercial Guild, where Quero spoke to me.

"The Guild Master wants to speak with you. We will arrange a time that suits you..."

I wondered what it was about and agreed to talk after finishing my consignment work. The Guild Master was in a meeting, so I had to wait a bit, but Quero kept me company, talking about the current state of the adventurers' market stalls, popular items, and even the latest fabric patterns in town, so I didn't mind.

When the Guild Master was free, I was led to the Guild Master's office. Opening the door to the Commercial Guild's office, I saw Ita.

Guild Master Moss Bauwah was sitting next to a smiling Ekateryna.

I tried to close the door and leave, but Quero stopped me.

"Why are you here?"

"Oh, oh, we're having a business talk at the Commercial Guild."

Wearing a white nun's habit and smiling, she looked like a gentle and kind woman, but her smile made me feel as if she was trying to push orphans on me or extort donations. Perhaps it took time to call her here as well.

"There are adventurers who want to have proper shops instead of market stalls," Guild Master Moss explained.

"Here in Giath, non-citizens are generally not allowed to buy land, do you know that?"

"Yes."

I remembered reading it in an old book or the Adventurer's Guild's reference room. Land can be leased but not sold, and if there is a proper recommendation, it can be purchased for a large sum of money.

"Originally, there are many restrictions on non-citizens even for leasing shops, but we have decided to redevelop the southwestern slum area and lease shops to adventurers. Don't worry, we have secured housing for the slum residents."

When I frowned at the mention of demolishing the slums, he explained the current situation.

The reputation of the slums had been deteriorating, and an investigation was initiated after a story about protected slum children reached the temple. The conditions were worse than expected, with many unhealthy residents. People were living in a few better buildings to protect themselves from the more dangerous residents.

Even scavenging was considered a legitimate activity.

It turned out that the slums were being dominated by criminals who had fled from the capital.

The Adventurer's Guild, knights, and the temple worked together, and the investigation quickly turned into a crackdown. They caught or protected a significant number of people. The criminals were found dead in their rooms, likely assassinated by the Assassin's Guild. The more serious offenders were punished, and the rest were given forced labor and rehabilitation.

As for the legitimate residents:

"Children without parents and the sick are temporarily protected by the temple. We have also rented a building for those who couldn't be accommodated. We planned to gradually rebuild and move them, but some were affected by disease, so we had to isolate them. Fortunately, it was a type that healthy people could resist, but we needed to act quickly to prevent a more deadly outbreak."

Ekateryna frowned, admitting that the process was somewhat forced due to lack of preparation.

"Leaving the criminals and the sick aside, we need to consider those who can work and those who can work after recovering. We received a consultation from Lord Asterk. The slum buildings are in poor condition, and some pillars are missing, possibly used for firewood. To prevent disease, we are demolishing them and building communal housing for the protected residents. The remaining land will be leased to adventurers for shops, gradually."

"The consignment fees from the shops will help cover the redevelopment costs," Ekateryna added with a laugh.

In addition to the consignment fees, they plan to charge higher guild fees than for market stalls and eventually build a new commercial district with a new gate in the southwest for new entrants.

However, due to other cities and countries starting to lease land and shops to foreigners, inspired by the Adventurer's Guild's clan land leases, it's unclear how many producers will stay in Fast, so the city expansion plans are on hold.

"Foreigners sometimes lose consciousness for long periods, right? We've received inquiries from adventurers with market stalls about hiring salespeople from the Commercial Guild."

"We thought of introducing the people the temple is protecting and the healthy slum residents."

"Did you call me to hear my opinion as an adventurer?"

I had been drinking the tea quietly, but this must be why I was called.

"Yes, we want your opinion."

"To hear your opinion, we thought you might want to lease a shop."

"No, setting prices and customer service are troublesome, and I'm satisfied with consignment sales."

"Oh, oh, the children you helped are young, but they are good at customer service. They worked hard to help you and learned well."

Her words suggested that I should talk to producers who run market stalls, but I felt she understood and ignored it.

Well, they learned well. They learned well.

"You can set prices based on consignment prices, display samples, and let the salespeople handle restocking. Even with 'Counters,' you can sell without being present, but having salespeople will help with inventory management."

Guild Master Moss smiled despite his bitter expression.

"The children are young, but they are strong for their age and can handle daytime operations in pairs."

Ekateryna smiled and pressed on, her face full of benevolence.

I was convinced.

Furthermore, they explained that not only the slums but also long-vacant and problematic properties would be available for lease to adventurers who benefit the city, and I could choose my location.

As someone who can't organize my belongings, the increased consignment slots were appealing. The prices were high, but I could choose my location. It was tempting, especially since I had money.

It seemed that I was the perfect candidate for a shop, as my business in alcohol and alchemy doesn't overlap with the city's residents. Guild Master Moss hinted that I should focus on these items.

The best option would be a seller who doesn't interfere with the residents' interests and is popular with them. Next would be a seller who can negotiate material purchases with the residents. A weapons and armor seller would need to be exceptionally skilled to choose a location outside the slum area.

Considering sales, it would be more advantageous to have a shop in the slum area, which is close to other players' shops and market stalls. The location is actually the best for attracting many players, as there are no plots near the heavily used temple or guilds.

They also mentioned that they would approach a few others, but I was the first to be offered the opportunity, likely to secure me before other countries lost their merchants. Even with some friction with the residents, a bustling commercial city attracts people and resources.

If this works out, they might shift from leasing to selling land to nomads and foreigners. Properties that have been abandoned for a certain number of years can be confiscated by the lord if not re-applied for every three years, and it seems that the absence of foreign players won't be an issue.

I have many acquaintances in Giath, so having a shop here is a good idea. I might consider buying a 'house' in another country.

"Regarding the salespeople, I don't produce all the time, so afternoon operations are fine. I won't live in the shop, so they can commute from the temple. If they don't meet my conditions after a few days, I'll pay for the days worked but won't hire them."

I wanted to clarify this to avoid being pressured into hiring the orphans. I have no intention of being a babysitter.

"Oh, I explained the orphanage's schedule. It's important for them to be with peers, and I understand the trial employment. However, even if they are under the temple's care, you'll need to pay the temple a fee for their wages, so the cost is similar to hiring them for a full day."

Ekateryna also mentioned that I would need to make a donation to the temple during the employment period.

Despite my initial reluctance, choosing a shop was enjoyable. I prefer home centers and furniture stores to clothes and shoes, so I was excited to walk with Quero.

We visited a few recommended properties. The first was a three-story shop on a street separating the slum from the commercial district, recently renovated for market stalls near the adventurers' stalls.

"The area was unsafe, but it became quiet after the slum crackdown. The price is still reasonable, but the building may need significant repairs."

The second was a narrow, deep three-story shop on a small street with a variety of stores, including a fabric shop that had been vacant after a rare incident involving a death.

I asked Quero if it was appropriate to tell me about such incidents, and he replied:

"We don't want to damage your relationship with the Commercial Guild if you find out later. Besides, the non-slum areas are already known to have issues."

The third property was good but too close to the temple, and I feared Ekateryna would send more orphans to help.

The fourth was a former workshop with a wide front and stone floor. The noise from nearby workshops might be uncomfortable for long periods, so I declined.

In the end, I chose the first property, which needed renovation but allowed me to freely design the layout.

The lord's name has been changed.