First Day at The Market

People bustled through the market, and occasionally, someone would wander over to Nikos' stall, purchasing weapons, magic items, and occasionally, a potion or two. Being new and not in the most strategic location, their stall wasn't the most noticeable.

Under the scorching midday sun, more customers approached, inspecting the products on the stall and haggling over prices. They often bought a potion or two to test the quality first. 

Nikos sold his potions for 6 silver coins each, which is a steal prices for adventurers compared to the Alchemist Association's 10 silver per potion.

The true cost of making one potion was only 3 silver coins, but the Alchemist Association, having a monopoly on the market, priced them at 10 silver. This meant they enjoyed a staggering 233% profit margin per potion—truly a classic monopolistic behavior. 

Nikos lips smiled slightly. Well you can't blame them either, that's the beauty of a monopoly market for the victor.

And by selling my potion at 6 silver for each, I achieved two things. Firstly, the lower price would penetrate the market quickly and once customers realized the superior quality of the potions, it will allowing my business to gain market share swiftly. Secondly, I still made a 100% profit on each potion. 

This was the best pricing strategy for this situation.

My potions are not only cheaper but also of better purity grade than those sold by the Alchemist Association, making my products far superior. Nikos thought, his eyes sharpening.

Meanwhile, Liriel had been sent to promote their stall at the Adventurers' Guild, placing notices information on the bulletin board about the new, cheaper health and mana potions in town. 

Nikos also taught her a few sales techniques he remembered from his life on Earth, instructing her to approach adventurers and direct them to their stall.

Sitting at his stall, with few customers early on, Nikos chatted with the seller next to him. 

After a couple of hours, Liriel returned, this time with a group of adventurers. Leading them was a big, burly man with a massive sword strapped to his back and three other adventurers. This man was none other than Reychard.

"Sir, I brought the 'Lunar Vanguard' party here," Liriel announced.

"Nice to see you, Sir Nikos," Reychard greeted.

"Oh, hello Reychard. What brings the 'Lunar Vanguard' to my humble stall?" Nikos replied politely.

"Ah, sorry where's my manners," Reychard gestured toward his party. "This is my team." He pointed to a voluptuous woman in a revealing magical robe. "This is Chloe, our mage." Then he indicated a fox-man in a green cloak with a bow slung over his back. "This man is Thalion, our ranger." Finally, he pointed to a half-orc in a white healer's robe, holding an oak staff. "And last this is Orin, healer of our team."

Nikos nodded in acknowledgment. "It's an honor to meet you all."

Chloe the mage stepped forward. "I heard from Reychard there's a new handsome adventurer in town. Now I see for myself, he wasn't lying."

Nikos smiled lightly. "Thank you, but Lady Chloe too is not only beautiful but also a strong woman. From what I see, you must have many men pursuing after you."

Chloe stepped closer to Nikos, touching his chin with her finger. "I do, but I wouldn't mind adding another one, especially someone as good-looking and charming as you."

Before Chloe body could get any closer, Reychard pulled her back by her robe collar. "Sorry about her, Sir Nikos. She's always crazy for handsome guys," he apologized.

"Tsk, you're no fun, Reychard," Chloe pouted.

Nikos smiled gently. "It's okay, Reychard. Lady Chloe means no harm," he said, which made Chloe wink at him. "So, what brings you all here?"

Reychard cleared his throat. "Right. We came because Lady Liriel mentioned you sell good potions and that they're cheaper too."

"That's correct. Feel free to look at our items. All the potions here are mid and high-grade purity; we don't sell low-grade ones in here," Nikos offered as he walked out from behind the desk to assist them.

Reychard turned to his teammates. "What do you think, guys?"

Chloe and Orin the healer look through the various item and checking them out.

While Thalion the ranger examined the potions, holding a mana potion up to the sunlight. "This looks clearer and denser than the usual potions from the Alchemist Association, but I'm not sure."

"What's the price for a single mana potion?" Thalion asked.

"One mana potion is 6 silver coins, the same as the health potions."

"That's really cheap," Reychard said, astonished. "It's hard to believe, even hearing it directly from you, Sir Nikos. Are you making any profit selling them so low?"

Nikos nodded slightly, placing his hand on his heart. "I'm pleased to hear that my customers are pleasantly surprised. As for the profit, I do make some, though is not much."

Thalion turned his attention back to Nikos. "So, if these potions are mid and high-grade purity, why sell them so low?" He tried to gauge any deceit from Nikos.

"I'll be honest to you all. This price isn't fixed. Since I'm just starting my business, many products are made inexpensive to attract customers. Later, when the business stabilizes, prices will rise to a stable level. As for now, I'm selling mana and health potions at 6 silver coins, but in the future, I foresee the price reaching only 9 silver, that still 1 silver less than the Alchemist Association's price," Nikos explained.

Reychard nodded. "That makes sense, Sir Nikos. You're truly a smart merchant."

Nikos nodded politely. "Thank you."

Thalion, finding no sign of deceit in Nikos' explanation, thought for a moment before placing 2 gold coins on the table. "I want 6 potions, 3 mana, and 3 health."

Seeing Thalion stock up on potions, the rest of 'Lunar Vanguard' did the same, while also buying a few magical accessories.

"Liriel, help count the price for all these items our customer bought," Nikos instructed.

Liriel, who had been standing on the side, immediately began counting up their purchases.

Seeing all the party in full gear, Nikos turned back to Reychard. "May I know where you're headed, Reychard?"

"We're going to a lake dungeon west of Oakheart. Why do you ask, Sir Nikos?"

"A dungeon, wait," Nikos rummaged through his inventory bag and pulled out a small yellow ball. "Take this with you."

"What is it?" Reychard asked.

"It's a paralyzing bomb, a low-grade one, but it should help incase you all encounter dangerous situation inside the dungeon. It will paralyze monsters for 5 seconds, giving you enough time to retreat."

Reychard looked at Nikos. "How much for this?"

"Just take it. It's a small gift to you all."

"No, I can't accept this without paying," Reychard tried to return it, but Nikos politely refused.

"Okay, how about this: consider it a test of my product inside the dungeon. If it works well, you should recommend my stall to other adventurers. I sell various things," Nikos suggested.

Reychard thought for a moment.

Thalion placed a hand on Reychard's shoulder. "Let's just take it, Reychard. We never know what will happen inside the dungeon."

"Then I'll accept your gift. Thank you, Sir Nikos," Reychard put the item safely, and Nikos nodded in response.

After finishing their purchases stocking up potions, the 'Lunar Vanguard' bid farewell and continued their journey.

Reychard looked back and shouted, "Oh right, could we two talk next time over a drink?"

"Just make sure you come back in one piece first! Then we can talk about it!" Nikos replied.

As the 'Lunar Vanguard' slowly disappeared from view, both Nikos and Liriel were left alone again, tending to their stall.