Chapter 55

"Five hundred gold coins," the old slave trader said with a smile.

The two guards behind him remained expressionless, while the old man, though smiling, had eyes that did not share the same sentiment.

As I glared at the old man, I checked my status and saw the skills: 'Arithmetic LV4', 'Deception LV3', 'Negotiation LV3', 'Appraisal LV6', 'Analysis LV4', and a unique skill, 'Appraiser’s Eye'.

"It's no wonder you're surprised. However, this slave is 13 years old, a virgin, and a Dark Elf. At this level in a slave auction, 500 gold coins might even be considered cheap. As you know, Dark Elves have high magic power and a long lifespan, making them in high demand as sex slaves."

"But she has scars on her face and neck?"

"Hehe, if you ask a user of holy magic, the scars can be healed."

"You're an interesting old man."

"For a D-rank adventurer like you, Yuu-sama, this amount is not unreasonable."

I had just been promoted to D-rank two days ago. Indeed, in this world, a merchant's weapon is information.

"Oh, a normal person would be surprised here... How about 113 gold coins instead of 500? Of course, selling her for 113 gold coins would be a significant loss for us. So, how about we add a 10% monthly interest? I hear that the average earnings for a D-rank adventurer are about 15 to 20 gold coins per month. It's not an unreasonable amount, surely."

A 10% monthly interest? If only the interest is paid, it would amount to about 135 gold coins annually, with an interest rate of over 120%. What a sly old man. Did he choose an awkward number to confuse me? In this world, not many people can do simple calculations. The average earnings for a D-rank adventurer are about 15 to 20 gold coins per month, but after deducting expenses for lodging, consumables, and equipment maintenance, only about 10 to 15 gold coins would remain.

In other words, this old man intends to squeeze out the interest forever.

"You're a sly old man."

"Damn you!"

The beastman guard reached for his weapon, but the other guard stopped him. The Dark Elf girl's face turned pale from the tense atmosphere.

"Hehe, what do you mean by that?"

"Everything you've said is a lie. You claim she's worth 500 gold coins? If she were, she would be treated the same as the high-class slaves in the back rooms."

"Unfortunately, the back rooms are full—"

The old man tried to make an excuse, but I cut him off.

"You said the scars can be healed with holy magic. Why haven't you healed them? Let me tell you why. Healing them with holy magic would require a high donation, which you can't afford. Look at this Dark Elf. She hasn't been fed properly, and the scars on her face and eyes make it hard for her to speak or judge distances. You said her high magic power is her charm, but what's the charm in a Dark Elf who can't use magic?"

"That... that's—"

Sweat appeared on the old man's forehead. Both guards now had their hands on their weapons.

"You're terrible at handling slaves."

"Ugh... Perhaps your words are a bit too harsh."

The two guards looked ready to pounce, but I ignored them and looked at a different door.

"Are you going to call for more guards?"

When I said this, the old man's face turned pale.

"Wait... Wait a moment! What are you doing! Put your hands down from your weapons!!"

The two guards hurriedly released their weapons and apologized to the old man.

"My men have been rude."

"Everyone, you've made a profit."

"Made a profit? What do you mean?"

"If things had gone on, all of you would have died. So, you've made a profit by saving your lives."

Everyone stared at me in shock.

"Hehe... Yuu-sama, you have a good sense of humor. How about—"

I threw a stone coin on the table. It looked like an imperial coin, but I had already confirmed that imperial gold coins are accepted, so the stone coin should be fine.

"A stone coin... just one? That's... that's ridiculous."

"That's about the value of that slave right now, isn't it?"

"But that would be a huge loss for us."

"Make her pay it. The amount is 500 gold coins with 10% monthly interest."

"What!? Yuu-sama... this slave doesn't have the ability to pay such an amount."

"If she's worth 500 gold coins, she can pay it."

"Then, would you be willing to be her guarantor if she can't pay?"

The old man seemed to have calmed down a bit. He smiled and tried to negotiate.

"That's fine. But when she pays it off, I'll take your eye."

"My eye...? What would you do with it?"

"It's obvious. I'll transplant it into the Dark Elf. Your eye seems quite useful."

In the silent room, I was the only one smiling.

"...I understand. I'll sell her for one stone coin. The conditions are that she pays 500 gold coins with 10% monthly interest, and if she can't pay, she will be returned to our shop as a slave. But you will surely regret this."

The old man spoke with a bitter expression.

"That's a shame. Your eye seems quite useful. Anyway, the deal is done. Clean her up and dress her in better clothes."

The two guards glared at me, but when I told them to follow the old man's instructions, they reluctantly took the Dark Elf away.

"Old man, you said I would regret it, but I think you'll be the one to thank me."

I took three potions from my item pouch and placed them on the table.

"Thank me? That's ridiculous... These are potions?"

He looked at the potions suspiciously, but his eyes widened when he realized the difference.

"Now, the real show begins."