Book 3: Chapter 21: The Human Market

Book 3: Chapter 21: The Human Market

I couldnt concentrate.

Now that the contest was finally upon us, I was stressing too much to really fit my head around the problem. I had that bet with Barck waiting in the wings, where he would send down an avatar to compete with me at a suitably impressive event, and I suspected I needed to get into at least the semi-finals to set that off.

The Most Valuable Beer

Should I do something magical with [Refine Brew]?

Should we actually go ahead and add gold? Or Mithril?

And it needed to be something the populace would vote for. This wasnt Minnova, and the general populace werent already used to our antics. On the grand scheme of things, we were still irreverent interlopers in Kinshasa, no matter how much the Highwatch liked barista brew. It had to be something the locals would like.

I clearly needed to clear my head, so I decided to go for a walk.

It looked like it was finally time to do something that Id been putting off; visit the Human Market.

Id swept past it during my whirlwind tour of Kinshasa to fill up my improved [Map] Ability, but hadnt taken the time to really explore it. Better late than never!

I found Kirk cleaning the rafters in the brewroom, and asked him to come show me around. The cleaning was more by habit than anything else the elementals were perfect for that particular job so he was happy to join me for my little jaunt.

We picked our way carefully through Greywall from the tavern to the giant district. Traffic was heavy at this time of day, and there was no sense in getting trampled.

How are you enjoying Kinsahsa? I asked, moving out of the way of a cart. You spent time here before, right?

Kirk nodded. A while back. I was originally going to try joining a human adventuring team here. But Deepcore isnt kind to new adventurers, and the entry test is horrific.

Aye. Balins been beatin his head over it. I think Brightstar is taking it next week?

Kirks gaze grew serious. They are. Theyll need to fight a monster in the Adventurers Guild arena first, then do a written exam. Its tough. The guild recommended I go to Minnova and spend time in Greentree first. And, well, the rest is history.

Any guesses what theyll fight? I thought back to the only monsters Id seen thus far. Giant mushrooms, giant trees, giant ants, giant moles. There was a definite pattern there. Maybe theyd fight giant rats.

Or a giant cat. I cursed as one of the myriad felines scampered between my feet, hissing as it fled Gods knew what.

Kirk thought for a moment before answering. Probably a shellback.

A what now?

Hmmm it looks a lot like a pillbug, with a shell made of spiked iron plates. It rolls really fast and is a common roadblock for new adventuring teams. If a team doesnt have a way of dealing with one, it can be a guaranteed wipe.

A giant pillpug?

Yes? Well, about chest height on a dwarf.

Of course.

We stopped talking as we approached a main thoroughfare and the crowd grew a bit too large to be properly heard. We were now well within the bounds of the less dwarven parts of town, and it was noticeable. Doorways were slightly larger, and the streets were slightly wider. The proportion of other races was quite a bit larger than near the inn, with gnomes in abundance.

And then I saw my first elf!

As we were walking past a beer garden, I spotted her sitting in a corner. At least, I was pretty sure she was a she, since there werent any uh secondary sex characteristics to tell. She was chatting with a dwarf in heavy chainmail and actually had a Whistlemug in front of her! My internal image was partly correct; she did have pointed ears, and was willowy, but her skin was green! And she wasn't much taller than a dwarf!

She was raucously laughing at something the dwarf accompanying her had said. Her mane of red hair was disheveled and she had to brush it aside from her nose as her guffaws turned into snorts. The entire effect was less than ethereal.

Not really. Id like to be able to have a date without needing to look up the entire time.

Hah! Seems like Aquas the odd one out!

Whuzzat!?

What, you couldnt tell she has a thing for giants?

I thought she was joking!

Naw, I can tell. They look at you a certain way when they see you as interesting.

I gave him a look. Now youre just bragging.

Kirk gave me a flashing smile and flexed. I cant help it if Kirk Manly is a prime specimen.

You mean prime speciman.

Booo!

The Human Market was almost exactly like the free-for-all at the centre of the Grand Market, with people, carts, and stalls filling a roughly five hundred metre square. It lacked the outer ring of fancy buildings and store fronts though, so it was more like a traditional bazaar.

It was mostly disappointing. I did find some rice, and while I seriously considered buying all of it and immediately making some rice beer like Tsingtao or Kirin, there just wasnt enough of it available. I got the merchant selling it to promise to get more, and paid him some up-front for the trouble.

Shortly after, we ran into the first human child Id ever seen on Erd. What Id assumed was a tall gnome turned out to be the son of the proprietor of a fabric shop that Kirk and I were browsing. They had some beautiful linens made in South Erdian human style that were simply divine. It was luxurious, with a feeling not unlike satin, but more.

It also cost more, since it was made using some dungeon monster bits from a far off-locale Kirk and I had never heard of.

I could afford it, but my armor was so comfortable now...

I decided against buying a bunch of expensive new clothes and simply meandered for a while. Kirk followed behind, buying bits and bobs and lots of snacks.

I was only really window shopping, since I had my [Map] up and running with notifications turned on. It was set to ring me if anything from a long list of ingredients showed up on the minimap. Id never actually gotten any notifications since I got the Ability, which meant I almost jumped out of my socks when there was a cheery *DING!* sound that seemed to come from everywhere at once.

Huh?? Whuzzat! I spun around looking for the origin of the sound before I realized what it was. I quickly pulled up the minimap, and lo and behold there was a cluster of green dots in one corner of the market. Right where the peddlers and more transient merchants were located.

I pointed. Kirk! Over here!! I found something!

Kirk was eating a confection that looked like a cross between a honey cruller and an apple fritter. Id caught him mid-bite, and all he was able to manage was a mumbled, whuzzat? around the mouthful. I grabbed him by the elbow and maneuvered him, protesting, through the market.

At the indicated location a South Erden man with an olive complexion was seated on a large cloth. He was wearing South Erden style loose-fitting clothing held together by a dark orange sash. He also had a look that I was beginning to associate with Specialised people. It was hard to describe, but there was a feeling of assured power when someone got enough Milestones. Baskets around him were filled with odd flowers and fruits. I spotted what looked like a dragonfruit, as well as some bananas and dates.

The proprietor gave us a friendly look and smiled widely. His accent reminded me of Aishablues vaguely Punjabi accent, though he really didnt look Indian, more Greek. Hello friends! Welcome to my store Exotic Eats of Erd! My name is Ganji, and I am a twice Specialised [Continental Teleporter]! I travel the world to share strange and wonderful new treats and delights with the people of Erd! Barck has truly shined upon you, that you chanced upon me during my visit to Kinshasa!

Kirk swallowed his treat and wiped his mouth with his sleeve before answering. Hey! Thats neat! I kind of want to try those pink ones. What about you, Pete? Pete?

I barely registered Kirks voice. My entire world had narrowed down a basket full of small, green, pinecone-like flowers.

I reached out to them, my hands beginning to shake.

Kirk taped me on the shoulder. Pete? You okay?

Kirk. I choked, tears springing to my eyes. I found them I found hops.