Based of Dahmiel's Just a Merchant stories.
Testing a few things out and kickstarting new fanfics down the line. This one didn't click with me as I thought... I can't get that same feel that Seth brings or the same writing Dahmiel and his character emits.
Chapter 1:
It's been humorously suggested that shopkeepers who dare to open businesses within dungeons or other perilous locales are, in essence, retired heroes seeking to part with the treasures and trinkets they've amassed during their adventurous past.
Imagine battling your way through endless hordes of monsters, surviving death traps and treacherous environments, only to stumble upon a room where a merchant has set up shop in this unforgiving place. How had they arrived here unscathed and with their wares intact? Nobody dared to question it, but those foolish enough to attempt theft would swiftly discover that the shopkeeper might be the most formidable presence in the entire world.
In short, shoplift and die. Levels, status, and even divine equipment won't save you.
"Godammit! Where did I stash those building materials?"
But if there's one thing that even shopkeepers dread and struggle with, it's inventory management.
Over there? Wait, where are the blue marble tiles? Out of all the missing features, why is there no sort and filter in this? Whoever saddled me with this featureless storage system that turns organization into a bloody nightmare deserves every bit of misfortune coming their way!
A chorus of roars suddenly tore the upstart shopkeeper from her thoughts, the Dungeon floor quaking beneath the relentless advance of the myriad monsters inhabiting its lower depths.
"Here comes the next wave of mobs. More goods to acquire, I guess."
A young lady, elegantly dressed in an intricate red coat, strolled calmly toward the approaching swarm. Her brown hair was tied back and concealed beneath a red hat adorned with delicate golden patterns, casting a shadow over her eyes. In her right hand, she held a rapier, its blade emitting a faint crimson glow. One of the monsters surged forward, its massive claws descending upon her with menacing intent. However, just before the claw found its mark, the young lady lifted her head, an annoyed glint dancing in her brown eyes. In the blink of an eye, the colossal monster was cleaved into fine particles, its magic stone and a few claws clattering to the Dungeon floor.
The horde of monsters shared an identical fate, their demise swift and unrelenting, reducing their once-menacing forms to mere wisps of mist, all without a single sound escaping their vanquished ranks.
[The difference in user's level has prevented any EXP gain]
"And I better tweak the Battle Notifications, or I'll end up buried under a mountain of alerts..."
With a graceful wave of her hand, the corpses of the monsters shimmered with a brilliant blue light, disintegrating into motes of energy, while all the collectible loot was effortlessly whisked away into her inventory.
[Obtained Fomoire Magic Stone]
[Obtained Black Rhino Magic Stone]
[Obtained Fomoire Horn]
Her notification displayed the list of rewards she had acquired for slaying the monsters, but Blair paid it little heed. Instead, she reopened her Storage interface.
〔Storage〕
Before her, the shopkeeper's storage materialized—a chaotic and poorly managed interface that bore the weight of countless adventures. She gazed at the disarray that stretched out before her, a hodgepodge of items and treasures accumulated over time. Only the first tab within the storage exhibited a semblance of organization, a result of her preparations for this very day. A swift swipe of her hand sent the interface spiraling into a sea of items that seemed both familiar and completely foreign to her, many having long been forgotten. The shopkeeper couldn't resist her curiosity and began delving into her storage, pulling out a few items that caught her eye.
"Hello... What is this?" She retrieved an old book and a quill with an accompanying inkwell pair, then decided to employ one of her appraisal skills on them.
〔Lesser Appraisal〕
[Ancient Tome of Spells] A dusty old book containing forgotten incantations and arcane knowledge.
[Enchanted Quill and Inkwell] A set that allows the user to write spells with exceptional precision.
Oh, yeah. I forgot I had these... Well, these will fetch a good price, she mused before casually returning them to her storage. 'And what about this one?'
〔Lesser Appraisal〕
[Crystal Chalice of Healing] A delicate chalice that sparkles with healing properties when touched.
... When did I get this one? Eh, she shrugged and moved on to another item that had caught her attention.
〔Lesser Appraisal〕
[Mechanical Gauntlet of Strength] A metallic gauntlet with gears and levers that greatly enhance the wearer's strength.
This brings back memories. One of the first pieces of equipment I ever crafted for myself. To sell, or not to sell? Oh, and what's inside this box?
〔Lesser Appraisal〕
[Mysterious Pandora's Box] A small, ornate box with a sense of foreboding about it.
She paused and stopped herself from opening it. Probably shouldn't open this.
She carefully returned the ominous box to her storage and gazed at the cluttered contents, feeling a sense of overwhelm creeping in. After a minute of contemplation, she threw her hands into the air in frustration.
Screw it! I'll ask Seth to deal with this godforsaken mess. I'm going treasure hunting. There's bound to be something rare and valuable waiting on the fifty-first floor of this place.
/-/
A battle party of four individuals hailing from the Loki Familia pressed onward through the fifty-first floor of the Dungeon. Their journey was remarkably uneventful, encountering only a handful of monsters along the way, which allowed them to advance with remarkable speed.
"You know, there don't seem to be as many monsters around today," Tiona remarked. She was an Amazoness with medium-length black hair and striking dark green eyes.
"Much better than having to run away. Not having to fight is just what we wanted," responded Tiona's older twin sister, Tione. The older sister contrasted her twin with her long black hair and a well-endowed physique.
"That's not quite what I meant but… eh."
Tiona confidently led the formation, with Ais, a human girl with blond hair and golden eyes, right behind her. Lefiya, a nervous elf with flowing golden-yellow hair and deep, round dark blue eyes, followed closely. At the rear, maintaining unwavering vigilance, was Tione. The women maintained a single-file formation as they battled not only the Dungeon's denizens but also the ever-present anxiety that the labyrinthine depths of the Dungeon could induce.
The Loki Familia had embarked on an ambitious expedition into the Dungeon's deepest reaches, venturing into uncharted territories. This mission had been prompted by the ever-shifting terrain of the Dungeon and a request from the Dian Cecht Familia, although Tiona often found the task vexing. Their objective was to collect a substantial amount of water from the Cadmus Springs on the fifty-first floor, a challenging endeavor due to the presence of the Cadmus dragon guarding the spring and the perplexing labyrinth that housed it. However, the promise of a lucrative reward made the effort worthwhile.
After wandering for a while, a familiar wide hallway began to narrow in front of them, signaling to Tione that their destination was just up ahead.
"Almost there… Let's go over a few things before we get to the spring," Tione said as they continued their trek towards the Cadmus Spring. "Our main objective is to collect the water, but we should be prepared for a battle with Cadmus, the Great Dragon; it's probably unavoidable."
"Cadmus, um, isn't it…?" Lefiya asked meekly.
"Yep, really, really strong…" Tiona nodded cheerfully.
"In terms of strength alone, stronger than the floor boss Udaeus, I think," Tione added, making Lefiya gulp.
Considering that Lefiya was only at Level 3 while her peers were at Level 5, the prospect of fighting a dragon with more physical power than a Level 6 floor boss was frightening.
"C-can we distract it long enough to finish the quest?" The elf weakly asked.
"Impossible. Not with that dragon on guard. Trying to gather spring water during the fight is a death sentence," Tione said straightforwardly.
"Last time, it hit me so hard it turned my guts to soup," Tiona giggled disturbingly, recounting her previous encounter with Cadmus herself. Lefiya stared at her, turning pale as all the blood left her face.
"We finish off Cadmus before getting the…"
"Wait." The first to sense that something was amiss, truly off, was Ais. Her eyebrows furrowed with a frown, and she abruptly halted the group behind her, grasping the arm of their vanguard to pull her back.
"Ais?"
"… Strange."
"Huh?"
"Listen..."
Everyone strained their keen hearing, and sure enough, a distinct, albeit faint, humming sound became evident. It originated from the end of the narrow hallway where light filtered in from the wide-open chamber, often referred to as a room by adventurers. This chamber was none other than the Cadmus Springs.
The realization dawned on them—someone else was deep in the Dungeon with the Loki Familia. To their knowledge, only the Loki Familia and their associates were on floor fifty-one, and only the four of them were tasked with gathering the spring water.
Tione exchanged a silent nod with Ais. The Amazon took point, displacing her younger sister, while the others adjusted their formation behind her. The quartet advanced as silently as possible, their synchronized steps masking one another's footfalls. Tione extended her arm and mouthed the word "wait" to her companions, then inched forward alone.
The soft humming became increasingly distinct as the party of four crouched near the entrance of the Cadmus Springs.
All eyes remained fixed on the Amazon, their muscles tensed, heartbeats racing, and hair standing on end. Taking a silent deep breath, Tione cautiously leaned forward to catch a glimpse of what lay within the Cadmus Springs, completely uncertain of what she would find on the other side. The sight that greeted her was enough to bewilder her for a moment and made her withdraw her head with a frown. Everyone exchanged quizzical looks, uncertain whether they should be more concerned or puzzled by her reaction.
"...?"
"... See for yourself," Tione said, her voice tinged with intrigue.
The three girls exchanged glances and cautiously peered out from the corner of the room's entrance. What lay before them was a lush paradise, akin to a small forest. However, several trees were either in pieces or uprooted, scattered to the farthest edges of the room. Evidence of a fierce struggle marred the outer floor and walls, with fresh cracks, debris, and strange melted marks on the walls and trees. The spring itself remained untouched. The water flowed from a natural crack in the wall, creating a small stream originating from the cavern beyond the Dungeon wall. The light blue liquid sparkled as it collected in a basin surrounded by wildflowers.
Within the Cadmus Spring stood a finely dressed young lady. She wore an intricate red coat adorned with delicate golden patterns, her brown hair tied back and concealed beneath a matching red hat. At her belt, an expensive-looking rapier hung alongside several pouches and tools.
The great dragon, Cadmus, was nowhere to be found. In its place lay a pile of ashes, which the mysterious young lady was sweeping away with what appeared to be a high-quality broom.
The most peculiar sight, however, was the central area, which appeared to have been redecorated with exquisite blue marble tiles that extended right up to the spring's edge. Positioned upon these marble floors were finely crafted display racks showcasing a variety of items, from potions to weaponry. Yet, what truly captured everyone's attention was an ornate floor-standing sign, reminiscent of those seen in front of stores, which read:
Spiritual Retreat
Treasures for your quest, solace for your soul
All of the girls rubbed their eyes, their uncertainty evident as they stared at the scene before them. Could it be some sort of trick by the Dungeon? A store, deep within the Dungeon where even the highest-level adventurers could be overwhelmed and killed by monsters? Who in their right minds would attempt such a thing?
"You four are acting as if you've never seen a store in a dungeon before," the young lady in red remarked, turning toward them with her brown eyes glinting in the shadow of her hat. "I'm quite certain there are shops on the 18th floor. What was the dungeon town called again? Riveria?"
"It's Rivira, not Riveria!" Lefiya interjected with a hint of offense. "Lady Riveria is the elves' idol and vice-captain of the Loki Familia! Don't use her name for a shabby town that overcharges for every service and item!"
"Lefiya..." The Amazon twins winced at the elf's sharp tone, remaining on guard in case the person before them turned hostile.
The young lady chuckled at Lefiya's retort. "I know that. I'm just trying to break the ice."
"Break the ice?" Ais looked confused.
"Ah, it means to do or say something to relieve tension or start a conversation when people meet for the first time," explained the young lady as the cap and brush of her broom faintly glowed. With a sweep, she magically made the pile of ashes disappear. "Sorry about the mess around my store. Multitasking can slow a person down."
"And you are?" Tione inquired of the mysterious young lady.
"I'm Blair, the store owner of Spiritual Retreat. Nice to meet you all," she replied, tipping her red hat in their direction. "I know who you four are. It's nice to meet some members of the Loki Familia. Welcome to my little dungeon shop, although I wish I had more time to set up for a grand opening..."
"This really is a store!" Tiona exclaimed, her carefree demeanor returning. "You must be really strong to take on Cadmus and make the spring your own! How did you get down here, and which familia are you from?"
"I don't belong to a familia. As for how I got down here, I simply arrived through my own wandering. You might not believe what I say, but here I am in the lower levels of the Dungeon on my own." She gestured for them to come closer as she walked behind a checkout counter. "I know you guys are here for the spring water, so I've decided not to monopolize it for the time being as a gesture of goodwill." Resting her head on her hands, she smiled. "But while you're here, please feel free to browse around. My inventory is somewhat limited at the moment, but there might still be one or two items that could catch the eye of a high-class adventurer like yourselves."
"Don't mind if I do." Tiona's carefree nature returned as she began to explore the makeshift dungeon store with piqued curiosity.
"This sister of mine..." Tione mumbled under her breath and then turned to the other two girls. "Lefiya, Ais, gather the spring water," Tione ordered. "I'll stay here to make sure she doesn't break anything..."
"Y-yes," Lefiya scurried to the spring, with Ais trailing closely behind, leaving only the Amazon twins with the shopkeeper.
Surprisingly, the store was well-organized, considering its unconventional location. Items were neatly arranged into sections, each marked by free-standing signs. Though the selection was somewhat limited, it still catered well to a medium-sized party.
Pharmaceutical
Potions, antidotes, salves, medical kits, and more.
Equipment
Weapons, armor, clothing, and accessories.
Supplies
Utility tools, munitions, and other essential adventuring gear.
"So, how did you manage to get everything down here in one piece?" Tione asked, probing for answers.
The shopkeeper responded with a sly smile, "As an old friend of mine once said, 'that's a trade secret' for anything too complicated to explain."
"Hey! Hey! Is it true that this thing can boost all your basic abilities?" Tiona excitedly waved a sturdy-looking cuff adorned with a strange, swirl-shaped triangular symbol etched onto it.
[Prismatic Cuff]
Increases all basic abilities of the wearer by 15
Price: 59,000 Valis
Blair nodded approvingly. "All basic abilities: Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, Agility, and Magic; increased by 15 points. I think it'll complement your armguards nicely."
"That sounds like a scam," Tione flatly commented, scrutinizing the price tag.
"A mere 15-point increase in all basic abilities isn't particularly significant," Blair admitted as she tapped her chin. Then, a thought occurred to her, and she snapped her fingers. "I have an idea! Since the materials are so robust, why don't you try to break it? If you manage to break it, I won't ask for compensation. You might doubt the effects, but I can assure you of the quality befitting a first-class adventurer."
The older Amazon gave the shopkeeper an incredulous look. "What are you trying to achieve?"
"I'm demonstrating that my wares are of superior quality, surpassing what others can offer you, and all at a much lower price."
"Just to warn you, I break my equipment a lot! So much so that I'm known as the 'store crusher!'" Tiona twirled the cuff with her finger, looking somewhat proud of her reputation.
"Don't look so proud! Our familia is in the red, and you carelessly took out a large loan for your weapon!" snapped her sister.
"Like I said, I won't ask for any compensation if you do break the cuff," Blair reassured her.
"Here goes nothing!" Tiona began to exert her monstrous strength on the cuff, then blinked when it remained intact. "Let me try that again. Hrrrrgh!"
Tiona exerted all her strength, visibly straining as she tried to break or deform the item in her hands, but to no avail. The cuff didn't even appear remotely altered. Her sister looked surprised by this and walked over to snatch the cuff away from her.
"Let me see that." Tione then tried her hand at damaging the cuff, getting the same futile result. The cuff felt as if it possessed the nearly unbreakable Durandal trait forged into it. "Grrrgh... Gah! Ow..." She fanned her hands and closely inspected the cuff, not finding a single crack or deformity after all of that effort. "You really weren't kidding when you said the materials are robust."
"Glad to put some of your concerns at ease," Blair said with a smile. "Are you interested in buying it?"
"I want it!" Tiona snatched the cuff back from her sister but was stopped by her once again.
"Hold it. How is anyone supposed to buy these things down here when money is just unnecessary weight?"
"Similar to how Rivira conducts their business, I obtain someone's signature and their Familia's emblem to create an IOU in the form of receipts. Or, we can always arrange a trade. I'll be happy to buy magic stones and drop items from you in exchange for Valis or equivalent goods of similar cost," Blair explained, her eyes glinting in the shadows. "Of course, you also have the option of attempting to shoplift, cheat, or steal, but a shopkeeper who sets up shop in such a perilous place isn't a pushover, wouldn't you agree?"
Both Tiona and Tione felt a slight chill run down their spines, their battle instincts briefly flaring up upon the implied threat should they decide to act like unruly customers.
"... We're the Loki Familia. We are not criminals nor dishonest," Tione responded firmly.
"Maybe not criminals, but dishonesty can be subjective. Let's not delve into that kind of topic. On to business. I'm sure you have a few drop items and magic stones you can exchange for the Prismatic Cuff."
"I have a lot of big horns and hide pieces!" Tiona plopped a handful of drop items they had gathered from all the monsters they had killed along the way. "You know, we shouldn't have left all those drop items back there."
Tione silenced her sister while Blair carefully recorded the valuable items the four had acquired in the Dungeon. The shopkeeper then retrieved a sizable book from the counter, its title reading 'Monster Compendium.' Blair flipped through several pages, her finger tracing down a list of entries for the drop items.
"Let's see, Black Rhino Horns and Hides... Good materials for average high-class armor and weapons. Horns would net around 23,000 Valis, and the hides around 19,000 Valis." Blair did the calculations and estimations out loud. "The closest price would be around 3 Black Rhino Hides, which gives us 57,000 Valis... Tell you what? I'll cut down the price for the Prismatic Cuff to 57,000 Valis in exchange for 3 Black Rhino Hides, since you're my first customer. How about it?"
"Deal!" Tiona eagerly accepted and pushed three pieces of Black Rhino Hides toward Blair before putting on her newly acquired Prismatic Cuff.
"Don't come complaining to me if that item turns out to be cursed," Tione sighed at her sister's recklessness.
"Are you looking for cursed items? I happened to have a lot in stock that I don't display due to the negative side effects of using them."
"No thanks," Tione replied promptly.
"Are you sure? Most of them are durable and come at a reasonable price for their power, though the cost of using them is the biggest downside."
"Not interested."
Cursed items, especially weapons, may not be as dire as they sound. All curses require a cost from the user in exchange for their power, a key point that distinguishes them from regular magic. Furthermore, a curse cannot be resisted by the development ability Abnormal Resistance, making them useful, although many would prefer not to rely on such gimmicks that can be detrimental to their abilities.
"That's understandable. It looks like your friends are done gathering the spring water," Blair remarked, glancing to the side to acknowledge the return of Ais and Lefiya.
"Sorry it took a while," Lefiya apologized.
"Look what I bought!" Tiona showed off her new cuff to her friend. "Me and Tione tried to break this thing earlier, but it's unbreakable! It's supposed to raise all my basic abilities by 15 too!"
"It looks pretty," said Lefiya.
"Right? It fits nicely on my arm too! What do you think, Ais?" Tiona asked.
"It looks good," the doll-faced girl answered, nodding in agreement.
As the girls chatted for a brief moment, Blair tilted her head upward slightly, a flicker of interest crossing her face, knowing what was about to happen.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
A bloodcurdling scream suddenly erupted from somewhere deep in the Dungeon, reaching the Cadmus Springs and bouncing off the walls in all directions, assaulting their eardrums from every angle. It conjured gruesome images of someone in immense pain.
"That voice!"
"Raul…!"
The four women instantly took off toward the source of the scream, only to find Blair appearing in front of them with such speed that it looked as if she had teleported.
"Wait, you guys are going to want these when facing those caterpillar monsters." The shopkeeper held out eight waterskin bottles, two for each of them.
Each of the eight bottles bore a label stamped with the words:
[Virga-tier Acid Neutralizer]
INSTRUCTIONS: Apply to acidic burned areas or coat items with acid neutralizer. Reapply under repeated exposure when the acid neutralizer hardens or turns brown.
CAUTION: Do not ingest unless in emergency situations!
[Product of Spiritual Retreat]
"What is this?"
"Acid Neutralizer. The caterpillar monsters you'll be encountering soon have powerful corrosive acid. Apply this to your weapons or yourselves if you're going to be fighting them up close or you'll get burned." She handed them the waterskins and tipped her hat at them. "Though I know you guys will all make it out alive even without this. Good luck!"
The four exchanged glances but didn't have time to stop and ask questions. They sprinted off into the darkness, following the sound. After seeing them off, there was a moment of silence as the shopkeeper stared down the narrow corridor. She then adjusted her red hat and drew her rapier.
"Now then, where are those drop items those girls left behind?"
/-/
Curious if there's a level cap that can be reached before someone could ascend to godhood, if that's even possible at all, Blair pondered silently to herself as she immersed herself in a book while collecting the drop items left behind by the battle party on the Dungeon floor.
[Obtained Black Rhino Horn]
The book she was engrossed in happened to be the Sword Oratoria light novel, which she was using to refresh her memory on some key plot elements of this world. According to the book's contents, leveling up not only dramatically enhanced all the abilities of an individual blessed with Falna but also brought them one step closer to divinity. In that respect, the gods who bestowed their blessings could be seen as individuals who had long completed their own stories and now idled about out of sheer boredom.
Blair snapped her book closed and stowed it away, fully dedicating herself to gathering all the valuable monster parts strewn about. These items presented three distinct avenues: selling them to the Guild for a lower but guaranteed transaction, selling them to a familia where the dealings were handled in private, or using them as materials for forging or crafting. Of the three, only the last two held any appeal for her. Alternatively, she could sell them to her friend, who had a way of converting materials into something else of equal value, but where was the fun in that?
[Obtained Enhanced Black Rhino Horn]
[Obtained Black Rhino Hide]
I wonder if I should appear before the Loki Familia after they've dealt with the threat.
She could also lend them a hand and make a favorable impression, but much like the gods, she preferred to let them handle their own problems; otherwise, they wouldn't struggle and grow. It was also for her own entertainment. Not to mention her storage had not been organized yet, and the Loki Familia was supposedly in the red for this expedition. They would probably be interested in what she had to offer.
[Obtained Black Rhino Hide]
However, given the Loki Familia current financial situation and the disorder in her inventory, it would likely be an awkward meeting as she tried to cater to the needs of a large Familia that probably had ample supplies to return to the surface. It was even a minor miracle that she had managed to establish a basic layout for her store.
"Still, it wouldn't hurt to check up on my potential customers and watch the fight."
/-/
The battle between Ais and the colossal, enigmatic humanoid monster reached its climax with a brilliant, multicolored explosion of a magnitude the world had never witnessed before, erupting on the fiftieth floor of the Dungeon.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
"Miss Ais?!"
Lefiya's voice rang out at the top of her lungs as the Sword Princess and the vanquished monster were swallowed by a dome-like mushroom cloud that loomed over the ash-covered forest, obscuring the natural light from the ceiling. Debris carried by the shockwave landed at her feet moments later.
Following Finn's orders, everyone had hastily grabbed only the essentials from camp and put as much distance as possible between themselves and the monster, all in an effort to avoid the inevitable explosion. The members of the Loki Familia had watched the battle from a distance, their hearts filled with hope that Ais could emerge victorious. Every set of eyes remained wide open as the heat from the detonation brushed against their skin.
Beneath the mushroom cloud, everything was bathed in a crimson glow from the roaring flames. The heart of the blaze remained dense and showed no signs of slowing down. In the blink of an eye, the ash-covered forest ignited. New pyres of fire erupted with each passing moment, reaching skyward like the desperate arms of demons attempting to escape the depths of hell.
"Ais…" Tiona gazed out at the burning wasteland, her face illuminated by the dancing orange and red light.
In the next moment, she noticed a flicker. The wall of fire bent and warped outward, as if being pushed from within. The vibrant, resilient flames swayed from side to side, akin to a candle stubbornly refusing to be extinguished. The sea of flames reluctantly yielded, revealing a solitary figure emerging from the midst of the fiery maelstrom. It was a feminine form, clad in battered and scorched armor, with a gleaming silver sword at her side. The girl, with her blond hair and golden eyes, moved deliberately and steadily, her determined steps carrying her out of the blazing inferno.
A collective eruption of joyful cheers filled the air as everyone rushed forward to greet Ais, the valiant young woman who had single-handedly rescued them all.
"Ais! You're okay!" Tiona cried out, wrapping her arms around Ais in a tight, heartfelt embrace.
Ais smiled warmly as she returned Tiona's embrace, her voice calm and reassuring. "Mhm."
The rest of the Loki Familia gathered around, their expressions brimming with gratitude and admiration. Amidst the cheering crowd, their leader Finn, a Pallum with blond hair and piercing blue eyes, stepped forward with a nod of approval, his face mirroring profound relief.
"Well done, Ais," he said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.
Ais nodded humbly in response, acknowledging the praise but not dwelling on it. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a figure dressed in fine red clothes adorned with golden patterns, paired with a matching hat. The figure stood at a distance on a slightly scorched tree branch that had managed to survive the explosion, overlooking the entire area. It was the same woman she and her battle party had met earlier, Blair.
"Ais? What are you staring at?" Riveria, a beautiful elf with emerald hair and eyes, inquired of the girl, then shifted her attention in the general direction. Upon spotting the figure in red, her eyes widened in alarm. "Finn, we're not alone here."
"… I see her." Finn stepped forward to assess the situation, analyzing the young lady in red and taking note of her equipment. "My intuition isn't warning me of anything, but let's remain on guard."
Finn possessed a remarkable intuition that manifested as a throbbing sensation in his thumb. It warned him of imminent threats, with the pain increasing in proportion to the level of danger, allowing him to prepare countermeasures accordingly. While it mainly served as an alert for potential threats, it had also guided him in making significant decisions, such as choosing which Familia to join.
The celebratory atmosphere quickly dissipated as everyone became alert to the presence of an unknown individual in the depths of the Dungeon. The Dungeon was a lawless place where adventurers could commit wrongful deeds without consequence, as the Guild had no jurisdiction once someone entered the Dungeon. It was not uncommon for adventurers to engage in conflicts, even resorting to murder and disposing of bodies to monsters, where death was an everyday occurrence.
The fact that someone was present on the fiftieth floor, seemingly alone, suggested that they were highly capable and potentially very, very dangerous.
"Oh, it's the shopkeeper!" Tiona greeted Blair loudly with a cheerful wave. "Thanks for the neutralizer thing and my bracelet!"
Blair reciprocated the gesture with a smile, waving back at the Amazon. She gracefully executed her signature hat tip before vanishing from view at a speed none of them could discern, leaving the group of adventurers in stunned amazement.
"Tsk! She's fast! I couldn't even keep track of that! Oi! Who was that?" demanded Bete, a renowned werewolf with grey hair and fiery orange eyes, known for being one of the fastest adventurers alive.
Tiona shrugged, still slightly awestruck by Blair's sudden departure. "Just a shopkeeper. She's a bit mysterious but seems friendly enough."
"Bullshit! That was clearly an adventurer!" he retorted.
"That's enough!" Finn intervened before the two of them could escalate their argument. He turned to Tione and asked, "Was that the mysterious shopkeeper you were talking about?"
"Yeah. She seemed to know what was happening in the Dungeon, enough to provide us with these..." Tione lifted the waterskin labeled 'Virga-tier Acid Neutralizer' in her hand.
The neutralizer had proven immensely useful during their battle with the acidic caterpillar monsters, though they hadn't emerged completely unscathed. Tiona's expensive weapon had suffered some minor corrosive damage, though it was a far better outcome than having the entire weapon melted away.
"Interesting..." Finn mused, his curiosity piqued.
"What should we do?" Riveria asked him, her emerald eyes reflecting a hint of uncertainty.
"Seeing how our mysterious benefactor helped us," Finn began, his voice measured, "I think it's best to leave it be for now and express our gratitude when we come face to face." He motioned for everyone to start heading back. "Let's take this discussion when we regroup and attend to the wounded. I have a feeling we'll be meeting our new friend soon."
/-/
"I'm dying for some sunlight after spending too long in this cavernous Dungeon," Blair muttered to herself. She made a mental note to get some UV lights installed in her shop.
[Note Created]
[Reminder: Install UV lights for the shop]
Since she couldn't fully build her dungeon shop for the time being, Blair decided to quickly travel to the upper floors of the Dungeon and eventually to the surface.
Let's see what I have so far...
She pulled out her spreadsheet notebook containing the items she had acquired and recorded them before her storage could be rearranged.
{Spiritual Retreat Inventory Log #1}
557x Magic stones (disregarding their quality)
79x Black Rhino Horns
120x Black Rhino Hides
103x Fomoire Horns
300x Cadmus Spring Water in 4-liter bottles
88x Chunks of Adamantite ore
45x Chunks of Oricalchum ore
24x Thousand Year Tree Sap
48x Chunks of Blood Onyx ore
…
She hadn't been in the Dungeon for less than a day, and already, she possessed an extensive collection of valuables that could fetch lucrative prices. With the right blueprints and ingredients, along with her crafting expertise, she could eliminate the need for middlemen and potentially sell the final products for millions, if not billions. The primary challenge lay in acquiring the necessary blueprints and ingredients to refine the materials into high-quality gear while also finding a wealthy buyer interested in purchasing them.
Hmmm... What should I do? I could take the easy route and ask Seth, but I want to explore and understand this world better. Blair snapped her notebook shut and continued her journey toward the surface, wearing a small but determined smile.
Being a shopkeeper wasn't just about having goods; it was about knowing the local and trade markets, understanding the needs of the adventurers, and building relationships with the locals. And what better way to achieve all that than by getting to know the people and the world around her?