Fantasy Realm – Infinite Worlds Adventure-Chapter 296: Acting and Clearance Sales

The group returns to the common area on the first floor and sits down in a private section.

“...Did I overplay my hand? Jewel, you naughty child, you could’ve given me clearer instructions!” Alex complains, still unsure about how he handled things.

“What did she tell you?” Menchi asks, very curious about Jewel’s influence during the negotiation.

“That they’re pushovers. Weak. Likely not a threat to us. I figured it’s probably true… maybe we’d run into a few higher-level players, but there has to be a limit. I doubt any of them are above level 9, and even then, it’s not like a level 9 is scary if they’re only getting a couple stat points per level. Meanwhile, we’re getting 3 to 4 times as many. So yeah, I wasn’t scared. That’s why I went in aggressively. It was a performance, and I hope it worked. I did the best I could… but I’m still not sure I made the right call.”

“Jewel made the exact right call. And you played it perfectly. I saw the fear in the Matron’s eyes. She was genuinely rattled. Her Aura was full of confusion, fear and uncertainty. You’re an incredible actor, Alex,” Rishi notes.

“Yeah, seriously,” Tereza agrees with a smile. “At first I thought it was just the dog tag effect, but no—you pulled that one off entirely on your own. I’m proud of you!”

“I disagree,” Menchi suddenly says, surprising the others.

“He wasn’t acting. At least he didn’t need to. It’s nothing serious, Alex, but I think you still haven’t fully found yourself yet. That’s why you can tap into both the light and the dark sides of the human psyche so easily. It’s also why you’re so caring with us. You tend to overestimate others while constantly underestimating yourself—always fearing the worst possible scenario.”

“In fact,” she continues, “you just considered what you said to be a possible future—not one you'd choose for yourself, but one you could see someone like you becoming. So you played it. You probably think it was all just risky acting, but I’d say it was a perfectly sound judgment. You are a softie. But because you’re also indecisive, you can see multiple perspectives, which is rare. It’s also why you care so much.”

She stands up, pats his head—making Alex flinch and turn away—but then immediately grabs his face and kisses him on the lips.

“See what I mean?” Menchi snickers. “You probably really enjoyed that.”

“Surely he did,” Tereza adds. “And don’t forget—it’s my turn later today.”

“...Is this my reward for doing all the work again? Also I don’t get what you are trying to say Menchi, you are confusing me,” Alex grumbles.

“Menchi’s being a bit harsh,” Rishi says thoughtfully. “I think being open to multiple paths isn’t a weakness. I’ve found a creed to live by, and I always stick to it, no matter what. But you? You haven’t done that yet. You can still choose, and that in itself is a strength. Keeping your current path is just as valid, as it makes you more flexible.”

“That’s true,” Menchi nods. “I just wanted to point it out. You’ve got so much potential, Alex. Maybe more than any of us. What you consider acting, could turn into the real you with minimal effort. Just be a little more confident, okay?” she smiles warmly at him.

“Fine! I am awesome! Fear me, peasants!” Alex blurts, fed up with all the encouragement.

❤️ Yes, Soulmate! Exactly! Put all the peasants in their place!

“See? That wasn’t so hard,” Menchi teases, her smile growing.

Damn, she’s bright today. Obviously influenced by her master. Even I can tell how wise her words were.

Honestly, though… these people are all mad. I’m the only normal one among them. But hey—if you act long enough, it stops being an act… right?

—[Scene Break]—

“Fuck off! That’s the market price. Don’t think I’m a retard. Not a single FC less than that!” Alex barks, staring into the eyes of a very annoyed scalper.

“Fine! Keep your stuff!” the man snaps back.

“Okay, bye,” Alex shrugs casually.

“FINE! I’ll take it! Damn newbies—supposed to be obedient, handing over your treasures. This is barely worth my time. I make a few thousand FC at most, and I’ll have to hunt for a buyer for days! Can’t you be more reasonable?” the trader grumbles.

“Hand over the damn FC. I’m busy,” Alex says flatly, as the deal closes—selling his [Skillbook: Flames] for 47,000 FC.

As the trade finishes, Alex’s tone shifts slightly. “I’ve got work for you, Mr. Scalper.”

“I’m not a scalper,” the man grumbles, insulted. “I’m an honest reseller, just making a slim margin—walking around all day, tracking buyers. You think this is easy?! Do it yourself you lazy asshole!”

“Shut up and don’t complain, I’m giving you a shot to earn my trust, if you’ll do a good job I’ll give you a deal worthy of a master trader, so if you want to prove yourself just listen okay? You’ve got connections. You’re in a trading guild, huh? Any way you can get your hands on an upgrade token? Preferably Light Purple or higher—not the kind that raises the quality by one stage. I’ve had one of those. I mean one that raises the grade of an item to a specific tier, specifically Light-Purple or above,” Alex says, calm but firm.

“Pfft, are you insane? Those are way more expensive! An item like that will cost you… at least 100,000 FC. Also, your item would need to be within three grades of the desired quality. Otherwise, the system won’t accept it.”

“Just find someone for me. I’ll make it worth your while,” Alex responds coolly.

“I’ll contact someone from my guild. He still had one, but that was weeks ago. Anyway that guy might have one left. But you better reward me, or I’ll wreck your reputation. I don’t want to waste my FC on a contract, so I’m taking your word for it and if you deceive me I’ll walk around all day badmouthing you!”

“Smart decision, Mr. Scalper, just calm down,” Alex says with a smile.

“I’m not a sca—just shut up and follow me!”

❤️ Good job, Soulmate. That Scalper may be a lowlife scamming newbies, but he seems fairly well connected, as he’s probably scamming all day. Soulmate’s approach seems promising to Princess Jewel.

Let’s hope so!

The trader sighs and opens his system.

Jewel! Try to sneak behind him and see what he’s typing!

❤️ Understood, Soulmate.

Forcefully and clearly annoyed, the trader sends out a message. Jewel, quick and efficient, relays what she sees:

“I found some newbie with a bit of an attitude. He wants an Upgrade Token—the V2 version that raises the grade to at least Light Purple. I think you can sell it to him for a fortune. He’s got cash. I want 20% of the profit.”

The reply follows instantly. Jewel relays it too:

“I got one—Light Purple. It’s worth 50,000 to 55,000 FC, and I need the FC now. If I sell it for more, you get your 20% of anything above market. Meet me at the usual spot and act like we hate each other so he doesn’t get suspicious.”

GOOD JOB, JEWEL!

❤️ Princess Jewel is Soulmate’s loving companion and eternal servant. No need to thank Jewel.

You are my companion, not my servant, Jewel.

Ten minutes later, they meet another trader on the ground floor of the player tower.

“You annoying asshole. What was so important that you had to disturb me while I’m playing with my girls, huh?” the man greets irritably, clearly putting on a show.

He eyes Alex. “You want the token? I’ve got one. Light Purple. 200,000 FC. No negotiations.”

Alex sighs.

“This will go exactly one way, so let me explain. I know you’re friends with this Scalper—”

“Not a scal—”

“Shut up. Yes, you are. I know exactly what this token is worth. 50,000 FC at max. Reasonably, it’ll sell for 45,000. I’m giving you one offer, and I won’t entertain any kind of bargaining. Take it or I leave—right now. 55,000 FC. That’s already the maximum for which this item can reasonably be sold for. So either fuck off… or hand it over.”

“…”

The two men look at each other. Finally, they sigh.

The trader emotionally opens a trade window. Alex transfers 55,000 FC.

[Upgrade Token V2 (Light Purple)]

World: Fantasy Realm

Quality: Light Purple

Effect: Raises the quality of a weapon/equipment type item to Light-Purple. Limited to Light Blue Items and above.

Hehe. Perfect. It really exists. That Scalper was a jackpot.

“Perfect. I’ll throw you both a bone, as promised. I’ve got a few items I’d like to sell. How about you two find me some buyers? I’ll give you 5% commission.”

“Okay!” they both respond at the same time.

Damn… did I just overspend? Well, they seem fairly motivated… who cares.

“And I may use a contract to avoid lies. Don’t think you can find one more buddy and trick me into selling stuff for chump change.”

“Fine…” they repeat like two NPCs in sync.

These guys are clowns. They have no individuality. Well who cares… they’ve got connections. They might be useful for future trades.

It takes the traders three days until Alex finally consents to the deals they bring in. In total, he sells:

[Legacy of Fann], [Basilisk Fang], all of his [Goblin Steel] and [Goblin Silver], along with the weapons of Roja and Perlah.

Alex earns a total of 240,000 FC a huge sum, though he pays 12,000 FC to his newly recruited minions.

Selling his skillbook for 47,000 FC

Buying the token for 55,000 FC

and his sales profit totaling 228,000 FC, Alex made a total profit of 220,000 FC having sold his noteworthy items.

I sold all the notable items, the rest of the trash items I’ll simply turn into shards. Next, I’ll use my [Upgrade Token V2 (Light Purple)]

At last some progress!