Ultimate Level 1 - Chapter 110: Selling and gathering

“I thought he would never leave us alone,” Fowl muttered as he finished off the last of his breakfast. “Did the man think we were going to try and find a room in the middle of the night and, as we did, proclaim to everyone about the attack?”

“He’s just trying to do the right thing for a lot of reasons, you fool,” answered Tanila as she pushed Max out of his seat. “Besides, you must go to Batrire and tell her you are there. We have other stuff to do, and I still want to accomplish a few things before dinner time.”

Rolling his eyes, Fowl reached over and swiped the half-eaten roll from Tanila’s plate, ignoring her protest as he moved toward the door.

“He’s still upset because of my gains last night,” Max whispered as he let Tanila move him from his spot.

“I know, but we need to get a move on. There is a lot we need to do today.”

Walking to the guild hall took far longer than Max or Tanila had initially anticipated. Everyone in the capital recognized Max from yesterday and wanted to wish him well or tell him they were sorry for his loss of the prize money.

Most admitted they had lost a fair bit betting against him and said they would never make that mistake again if he fought in the future.

The guild hall had fewer people congratulating him, but they did receive their fair share of stares.

“Are they upset with me for fighting?” Max asked Tanila as they waited for their attendant to come back.

“No, but you did something that surprises many. You offered each person but one the chance to surrender. You only killed those you had to. Countless others have fought for money and lost or died. Still, those who win always struggle with taking a life or not. You showed compassion and honor.”

“Shouldn’t all adventurers show that?”

She nodded and motioned to the returning attendant. “They should, but don’t.”

“Adventurer Seth!” the dwarf exclaimed, putting the backpack he had given the man on the counter. “I was able to get everything you had in here cataloged and listed at what we would deem is a fair price. As things sell, you will be paid by checking in here or turning in quest items. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“We are good. Thank you, sir.”

The dwarf nodded and smiled, watching Max move away from the counter while storing his backpack.

As they moved toward the middle of the hall and prepared to leave, Max heard his name.

“Seth Pendal!”

Turning around, Max saw Dexic striding toward him, her golden armor shining in the hall’s light.

“This is the faction woman I told you about, Dexic,” Max whispered to Tanila as he waved.

“We still haven’t talked much beyond our initial conversation,” Max said. “Right now, we are more concerned about our healer and her recovery.”

Dexic nodded and pulled out a piece of paper with a wax seal.

“If you change your mind or want to come and see our property, just present this to the guards, and they will bring you inside.”

Shaking Max’s hand once more, the woman smiled. “Amazing job again last night. Whatever faction does manage to acquire, you and your friends will be lucky.”

As she strode off, Tanila leaned over and whispered to Max, “Someday, you are going to have to make a proper offering to whatever god has made it so even your crap is gold.”

Laughing, Max took her arm and led her away through the hall.

“If only that was true. Then our money problems would be over.”

Three different blacksmith forges had made offers for the carapaces Fowl and Tanila had harvested from the rare boss. Each was excited at the chance to work with something so rare.

Merla’s recommendation meant something to each of them, and they promised to refrain from telling others regardless of whether they were chosen or not.

Two alchemist shops also made solid offers for the different parts, each explaining how they could form a partnership if Max and his team desired. Goods and other services could be part of the payment and reduced costs for special requests.

Then came the difficult task of splitting up and going to their individual libraries for more research.

All while stopping every twenty feet to deal with Max’s fame.

Standing outside a magical shop, Quirky Contraptions, Max decided to make a gamble and went inside.

Max met the owner, Firbina, and explained his problem to her firsthand.

“As a fan of your performance last night, I can understand why you might want to hide your identity from most,” the older dwarf woman said with a giggle. “Still, I am grateful for you signing that paper for me! Rest assured, I will display it proudly on the wall.”

Nodding, Max glanced at the wares she had laid on the counter.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“I can do something about people easily recognizing you, but your problem is, first, you’re bald, and that stands out. Second, your eyes. They do make a statement. Also, your equipment.”

Max glanced at his outfit and hated that he was still walking around in his gear. After that attack last night, he didn’t feel safe to go out in just regular clothes at the moment.

“People can easily recognize you because of those three things.”

“So, what do you suggest?”

Firbina tapped a broach. “This will help to stop people from immediately recognizing you. It won’t work against those who know you well, but for the average person, it will take them a few glances and some staring to know for certain.”

She then picked one of the vials that was standing on the tray.

“We can dye your armor so it doesn’t look the same. It won’t change the magical properties, but it will help ‘hide you’ in plain sight. You being in armor may stand out, but not as much as you currently do. You could even take that cloak off as its color really draws people’s eyes to you.”

Max groaned and nodded, undoing the clasp and storing it once it was off.

“I know you mentioned that you were a little light on funds because of your donation to the family of the last fight.”

Max nodded, making sure to keep a controlled smile on his face.

Firbina massaged her chin, the orange beard on her face becoming slightly unkempt as she did.

“I know who you are and that you would be good for the money. I could accept a small down payment, and we could work out something over time. Between those two things, I think that would help you with your current problem.”

“How much would you say all this would cost?”

“Normally twenty-five gold, but for you, I am willing to do it for fifteen. I did make quite a bit on you last night.”

Max flashed his best smile and gave a bow.

“I have only two gold on me at the moment. Would that work?”

Rubbing her hands together, Firbina nodded and snapped her fingers, summoning one of her employees who had been watching the two of them from a distance.

“If you don’t mind, Aylanna will take you to a room to swap your gear and clothes in, and then I can start changing their color. It should only take about twenty minutes.”

The young human woman motioned for Max to follow her, apparently unable to speak while her mouth fought to stay closed. The squeal she had made when summoned over was enough to warn Max he had another fan in his presence.

Stepping out of the shop, Max waited to see if anyone was going to accost him.

A minute passed as people walked by, some glancing at him for a moment before looking away, and a smile appeared as he moved toward the library.

He tried to ignore the fact all his armor was bronze. Firbina had told him multiple times that this would be the best color for blending in. Anything else would stand out even more.

As a pair of guards passed him, their bronze armor glistening in the sun, Max made a mental note to find a way to repay the dwarf for her kindness.

“Adventurer Seth, your insight about certain skills has been well received by the scholars I have talked to. I must say, I am grateful for the knowledge.”

The librarian was beaming at Max. Max could sense the man’s excitement from his racing heart, even with his robes hiding most of his body.

“I believe you mentioned other creatures you have faced that might be of value.”

Max nodded.

“Let me ask a question first. After some conversations with others, it recently came to my attention that monsters possess certain skills and abilities that are not always recorded. This is because they are considered bad or evil if I remember right.”

Adam frowned as Max spoke, and his once happy face turned sour.

“Yes, there are things most would not record or share. There are many things regarding skills that…” The man paused and looked around them, ensuring no one was nearby. “Only people of a certain station are supposed to have access to it.”

Max nodded, frowning himself. “That is what some of my friends told me. They have access to the other races’ information and teased me horribly about how little our race knows about things.”

Snorting, Adam’s face showed the man was clenching his teeth as his jaw muscles bulged.

“Again, another true statement. They are a little more free with the information about certain things. I… we librarians struggle to get the knowledge we believe others should have.”

“Is trading for knowledge allowed? I mean, I only ask because I was offered some special and hidden secrets for my knowledge of two rare beasts I have seen and defeated.”

Max could hear the man’s heart thumping inside of his chest. His face fought the rush of color that came as blood began to surge through him.

“You say…” Adam coughed, clearing his throat at the higher pitch of his voice, “That others have offered knowledge you don’t already have or things I might not know?”

“Both,” Max replied, thumbing a book’s cover as he glanced down at one he just returned to the man. “Skills, different colored skills and what they mean to the diff–”

“Shhhh…”

Max glanced up as Adam cut him off. The man walked over to the end of the row of bookshelves and glanced sideways, quickly checking the two rows on each side before hurrying back to Max.

“We shouldn’t talk about those here. Come with me. I know of a room.”

Standing in a small room with a massive dome and lights that allowed him to see, Max wondered why one would build a round room with twenty-foot tall bookshelves that required a ladder to climb up and down to retrieve them.

In the middle of the room was one desk, and Max heard Adam closing the door behind them.

“You realize talking about those things can get you into trouble with the nobility?”

Shrugging, Max shook his head. “I didn’t, but that is why I wanted to ask you first. They seemed to think it was ok to tell me certain things in exchange for what I know.”

Adam sighed, a small smile appearing as he motioned to the bookshelves around them.

“In here is most of the knowledge we have about skills. Typically, you wouldn’t be allowed, but we can stay for a moment since I am here.”

Max nodded, seeing the man puffed out his chest in pride at being able to bring him in here.

“So they mentioned red and clear skills and one other…” Max scratched his forehead, pretending to struggle to remember.

Adam’s eyes were growing wider as he spoke, and Max could see the man holding his breath as he pretended to try and remember something he had forgotten.

“They also said Bl–”

Adam rushed over and almost put his hand over Max’s mouth, shaking his head the entire time.

“Don’t! Do not ever mention that color!”

Pretending to look shocked, Max gave a few quick nods and stepped back.

“Sorry, I didn’t know. The elves and dwarves seemed to mention them like they were no big deal.”

Forgetting where he was, Adam spat on the ground and then realized and used his foot to clean up the mess.

“They are fools! That kind of knowledge is only spoken of by a few, and anyone else would be interrogated as to why they were openly sharing it.”

Wincing, Max waved his hand in surrender. “Sorry, I didn’t know. They just started talking about it, and I let them go on. It was as if they were proud about knowing stuff.”

Adam took a deep breath and let it out. He moved closer to Max and whispered, “Do you remember what they said?”

Nodding slowly, Max watched as the corner of the librarian’s lips curled upward.

“Are you willing to tell me?”

“Wouldn’t I get in trouble if I did?” Max whispered back.

The man shook his head as he pursed his lips. “I wouldn’t tell a soul.”

Max smiled.

“Ok, well, they told me…”