Chapter 321: Money games

Chapter 321: Money games

Bird took a step forward, but Number 14 pushed past her. Noah couldn’t see his eyes, but he could tell from a glance that the man’s gaze was solely fixed on the Rune Imbued into the Catchpaper before him.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what the man was thinking. He’d probably been confused at first – it wasn’t like he could understand the Rune, so it would have looked like a bunch of squiggles.

He’s going to think the Rune is fake and will want to touch it to feel the power in it. That’s the easiest way to verify it’s got actual magic.

Sure enough, the man brought the back of his hand up to the Catchpaper, brushing it across the Rune. His arm stiffened and he pulled back, his masked face raising to look up at Noah.

“What is this?”

“I told you. A Monster Rune,” Noah said, not even bothering to hide the smugness in his tone. It fitted the role he wanted to play perfectly. “It’s Rank 3.”

“That wasn’t what I meant,” Number 14 said. “How is this possible? I can’t read the Rune. What does it do? Where did you get it?”

“Those are a lot of questions,” Noah said smoothly. Down on the stage behind Noah’s back, Rin was calling out information about a new Rune. Noah paused for a moment to listen to the pitch, but it didn’t catch his interest. “I take it that means you’re interested?”

Number 14 grunted. He crossed his arms and took a step back, gathering himself – but it was too late. He’d overplayed his hand, and they both knew it. Shaking his head, Number 14 let out a chuckle. “Yes. I’m interested. I think that’s plain enough. The question is not of my interest, though. It is of the quality of the goods for sale.”

“An object is only as valuable as someone’s desire for it,” Noah countered. “And you aren’t going to be finding something like this anywhere else.”

“Which is precisely why I wish to know how you got it.”

“And that is the exact reason why I’m sure you’ll understand that I’m not sharing such information,” Noah said with a shrug. “It was not easy for my group to procure this. I was unsure if I wished to sell it at all, to be frank.”

“And yet you do – which means you can get more.”

“Logically.” Noah inclined his head, then waved the Catchpaper. “But for the time being, this is the only one on sale. It’s a defensive Rune called Chitinous Spine Armor. A Rank 3, as I previously mentioned.”

“You can read it?” There was even more surprise in Number 14’s voice.

“I am a man of many talents.”

And reading this isn’t one of them. That’s all Lee.

Number 14 didn’t respond for several seconds. He studied the Rune on the paper, as if trying to memorize it. Noah was pretty sure that was a faux pas, as Runes could be replicated if you knew how they looked and had enough of their matching energy to draw one, but he wasn’t concerned.

If Number 14 wanted to steal the Monster Rune, he’d need to find another one with matching energy. That wasn’t a problem for stealing a Fire Rune or the like, since anyone with enough gold could buy a Fire Rune.

Good luck finding another Monster Rune that matches this one any time soon.

“Okay,” Number 14 admitted, his fingers twitching as if he wanted to take the paper from Noah then and there. “I am incredibly interested. I will not beat around the bush – but I will also be forthright and say that, no matter how fascinating this Rune is, it is a long-term investment and will likely provide me little in the near future. As a Rank 3 with unknown quality, I would not be willing to overspend on it.”The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.

Bah. I get the feeling that you’ve got so much money you don’t know what to do with it. This is just damage control to save face after you spilled all the beans.

“I understand, but I obviously wouldn’t be willing to part with something as rare and expensive as this for an inadequate amount. Rank 3 or not, it’s still completely unique and incredibly rare. You can get a Master Rune by hunting down a Great Monster. When’s the last time you saw a Monster Rune, though?”

Number 14’s fingers drummed on his thigh. Bird shifted behind him. She was still scanning the room in search of anything identifiable, but nobody else was talking and they hadn’t brought anything with them other than the clothes the Troupe had provided. There was nothing to find.

“I suppose that would be acceptable,” Noah said, delaying as long as he dared. “Your kindness is appreciated. In that case, we should get down to what you are willing to pay for this Rune.”

Number 14 thought for a moment. The bids on the set of Runes were slowing down, and it had started to approach one hundred thousand gold.

“I will give you one hundred and fifty thousand gold, minus the cost of the set that is about to sell,” Number 14 said.

Noah damn near said yes on the spot. His heart clenched as he forced himself to freeze in place and put on the air of considering the offer.

“Two hundred thousand.”

“One hundred and seventy-five, but you will promise me another such Rune in the future at a reasonable price, should I request it.”

“How would that work? We are anonymous.”

“We are,” Number 14 agreed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small leather patch. It had a small cross embossed on its front, and it was clearly made from a single piece without any seams or cuts. “This will prove your identity to me. It is merely a unique piece of cloth with no Runework or Imbuements on it. All the power will be in your hands – and I will take the risk to trust that you reach out as agreed upon.”

“And how will I find you, should I agree?”

“One from my family will demonstrate the powers of the Rune I purchase today,” Number 14 said. “That will make it abundantly clear.”

Noah didn’t dare delaying any longer. He simply took the patch from Number 14, exchanging it for the Monster Rune. Number 14 handed the Catchpaper over to Bird and extended his hand. Noah clasped it, and they shook.

“A pleasure doing business with you,” Number 14 said. “I look forward to a very fruitful partnership. Bird, would you acquire the set on sale before some bumbling fool makes away with it?”

“Yes, sir,” Bird said. She raised a hand to her temple. A moment later, a new bid echoed out through the dark amphitheater, this one coming from the platform right to their left.

“One hundred thousand.”

There was a moment of silence. Then a woman on the other side of the room started to speak.

“One hundred and–”

“One hundred and ten thousand,” the voice from the platform to their side echoed out once more, not even letting the other woman speak.

The challenge was clear, and the price had gotten high enough that even the other nobles were hesitant to bring it any higher when someone wanted it that badly. The silence lasted for a few more seconds before Rin clapped his hands.

“Sold for one hundred and ten thousand to Number 12!”

“That’s my man,” Number 14 said. “It was a pleasure. The attendant on my platform will transfer the remaining sixty-five thousand gold and the set of Runes to your vault in the form of a treasury note. I trust that is sufficient?”

Kind of like a check? Works for me. I assume the Troupe can cash it, so I can use that money to bid.

“It is.”

“Then I wish you a good day. Until we meet again.” Number 14 raised a hand to his head in farewell, then strode out the door. Bird hurried after him, only pausing to gently close the door behind them.

Moxie waited until they were gone to speak again. “Damned Plains. What are you, a used flying swords salesman?”

“Hey, don’t complain. We’ve got an extra sixty-five thousand gold to play with, and I fully plan to blow all of it on getting a few more Runes for myself. I knew this was going to be fun.”