20 Chapter 20: Swindling the Merchant
-Heaven's Arena 237 floor-
Enma was throwing a die over and over again.
It had been 6 long hours since he got to pick at the Merchant's booth.
He had confined himself on the tower's 137th lavish floor.
'It's more difficult than what I initially thought to complete this task.
Jackpot knuckle… it's not a bad ability.
On the contrary, it could be extremely dangerous in the hands of the right person, but sadly, not so much in mine…
There is only a reason that let me chose this ability over the other 2 items.
It is really simple.
I'll use this ability on the Merchant's booth.
As soon as I saw this item appear, the idea wouldn't leave my mind. I couldn't think of anything else.
It seems to be tailor made for me!
With this, I'll get a new Hatsu, a specialist one if I am correct, one that can let me set the probability of an event happening to be 100%
What would happen if I were to use this Hatsu on the Merchant??
Yes, there are huge weaknesses to the ability, i. e. that I cannot use it an unlimited amount of time to alter the same event's occurrence…
It doesn't matter, hitting the jackpot a few time with the booth's items is more than enough to increase my strength by leaps and bounds.
Oh! Finally!'
Enma's thoughts were interrupted by the die in front of him, it was showing the number '6' on his upper face for the seventh time in a row.
'Now I only need to get 77 4 leaf clovers and to win 7 jackpots at the casino's slot machines.'
…
Completing the slot machines mission was as easy as spending money, and in fact, it was exactly what you needed to do to achieve it.
Enma lost almost half of what he had earned climbing the tower to get the 7 winning spins, and what he got in return was only short of a third of what he had spent.
The most difficult task, on paper, was obviously getting the clovers.
However…
'4 leaf clovers? How about finding them on the internet?'
And just like that, the difficult condition was reduced to another splurge of money.
'Leorio was right, this world run on money!'
…
'The feeling of getting a new Hatsu is strange.
A surge of information just appeared in my head, from the way to use the power, to the way it works, its limitations and its properties.
Nen is really a magical thing sometimes.
We are talking about an ability that can alter the probability itself!
This goes to show that Nen has so much potential. Anything can be achieved with a good amount of imagination and the right set of restrictions.'
Jackpot knuckle.
The ability activated, and a brass knuckle with three '7' appeared on Enma's right hand.
'I have the feeling that nothing is impossible for me right now.
This Hatsu… The ability to increase the probability of a set of conditions for a desired event to occur with a 100% certainty.
In simpler terms:
Can I destroy a diamond if I hit it in the right spot, with the right amount of force, with the right angle?
If the answer is yes, then I can enhance the probability of the event where I fulfill all the conditions to be 100%.
Can I draw a certain item from the merchant's boxes?
If the answer is yes, then…'
…
-Floor 137, inside a big training room-
One week later.
Three parchments were closed in front of the young man's face.
"Young master! Should I begin?"
"No. I want to do it myself this time."
"Oh… Well, it's not against the rules."
The merchant waved his hand and the first of the three parchment floated nearer the young floor master.
Enma bit his thumb in thoughts.
'Following its conditions, only the first time I'll use Jackpot knuckle there will be a guaranteed Jackpot.
Well, actually, even the few following times will have a near 100% chance of happening.
I remember from bleach that only after a couple dozens of times or so, is Moe's Fullbring starting to fail.
So, it's safe to say that I have, at the very least, the same amount of chances.
That is, if I am smart about what I want to happen.
First time is the most important.
I can basically wish for any ability or item to appear, and it will.
What should I wish for?
I have to remember that stronger items have higher prices.
Following this criteria, it'll be pointless to wish for an OP power, as I could never pay for it.
Also, I need to consider that every power that I choose will be automatically transformed in a 'Nen version'. My Hatsu cannot create another source of energy after all.
From this, I'll have to select an ability that could be in line with specialist Nen.
I need a simple ability, one that can be used in different situations.
Mmm…
Yes! That one is pretty good!
Will it work?'
Enma activated his second Hatsu and his hand carefully reached towards the closed parchment.
"No!!! You can't!!"
The Merchant tried to stop him, but it was too late.
A huge reaction happened.
A screeching sound, not different from when one scratched the blackboard, came out from the parchment, that was visibly vibrating.
It seemed that the parchment was trying to resist the opening.
"What have you done?!!"
Finally, green bolts of lightening extended from the booth, destroying the seal that kept the item closed.
[Obito Uchiha's right eye Kamui (Nen edition)
Price:
-Give Jackpot knuckle back to the merchant.
-Lose the left eye.
Time limit:
-1 day.]
'With a bit of difficulty, but, at the end, It actually worked!
This price… What should I do?'
Meanwhile, the Merchant was fuming.
His usual dumb grin gone, his face morphed in a despicable snarl.
"How dare you!"
He said, spitting black saliva around. He was angry. Incredibly so.
'Judging from the price and the big reaction a few moments ago, It seems that my Nen does not like me using this trick.
It is evident by the fact that it's asking for Jackpot knuckle as compensation.
It's like it doesn't want me to use this subterfuge anymore.
Also, the merchant, who is usually like a chill NPC, is behaving strangely emotional.'
"What's wrong?"
"What's wrong he asks! Bah!!!
In this world, the only thing that I hate more than thieves are cheaters!!
Do you even deserve to be my customer with that black heart of yours?
Did I not give you several priceless treasure? And now you want to cheat me??"
Enma was completely dumbfounded.
'Is his tantrum a way for my Nen to tell me that I'm treading a fine line? I'm using a loophole to bypass my Hatsu restrictions.
Restrictions are there for the ability to work correctly.
Shit! I didn't consider this! Who knows what will happen now?'
"Merchant I'm sorry! I didn't know it was prohibited! You gave me that Hatsu! I thought it could be used like that!"
"This stunt of yours will have repercussions!"
While saying the last threat, the Merchant started laughing.
"That is right! Heheheh
I'll show you what the Shady Merchant does to thieves and cheaters!"
Instantly a foul green miasma came out from the merchant's mouth, along with black gooey stuff.
The miasma gave off an extremely dangerous feeling, so much so that even Enma, the owner of the ability, felt fear.
Slowly, the miasma compressed and transformed in a page of paper.
"Look! Actions have consequences!!"
[Merchant's one sided contract.
Following the user's breeching of the Merchant's conditions, this contract has been issued.
The Merchant is requesting damage payment.
If the user does not pay, the Merchant will return to wonder the world, never to be seen again.
The Merchant also assumes all the rights to change the pre-established partnership deal with the user.
Due payment:
-Buy the last item that appeared at the booth within an hour.
-Give a random item that you bought back to the Merchant.
(The Merchant will draw casually.)
New partnership conditions:
-The Merchant's Booth of wanders will now open at the start of every month, instead of every week.
-Only 2 items will be up for grab at each time.
Additional details can be discussed with the Merchant.]
"No! Please Merchant! I really didn't know better!"
"Fool! I tried to stop you, but you ignored me! This merchant is not easy to swindle.
You will pay back what is due, or I will never appear before you ever again."
Enma wanted to cry.
'Why did I not think about it!! Shit! I should have stopped at the first sign that the Merchant was getting agitated.
Fuck!
I can't lose the Merchant, he is the fastest way to the pinnacle of this world.
I have to do it. It's just an eye, it is not that important... right?'
He went to the kitchen and took a knife.
With the knife pointed towards his face, Enma was doubting his decision.
The glistening short blade was treading closer and closer to his left eye.
His hand started to tremble, and, at the end, he stopped.
"I can't… I can't!"
It was an incredibly difficult feat, his survival instincts were screaming, and wouldn't let him do something so foolish so easily.
"Is that it? Are you refusing to pay? If that is so, than I'm going."
"No… Wait!"
Enma took a deep breath.
'I'm fucking trapped!
If I do not give him what he wants, that's it, I'll be left with the abilities I have now.
Who knows how long before I can produce a personal Hatsu again, IF I can even do it.
Specialists are not like the other categories, they do not create their Hatsu, it just appears.
No! I can't let the Merchant go.'
"I'll do it!"
'Calm down. Not everything is bad. I will get Obito's ability. An eye is a little price that I'm willing to pay.
The problem is the new set of conditions… Damn it!
I'll think about that later.'
"Don't waste my time! Do it!"
"Shut up!"
Enma was so anxious that he didn't think about licking the Merchant's ass at that moment.
Thump-thump!
'Fuuuu'
Thump-thump!
Enma stopped breathing.
His hearth also seemed to have slowed down.
The knife, firmly grasped in his right hand, stopped trembling.
Enma's entire life fleshed before his eyes, as if reflected in the polished blade's steel.
It was there, in the reflection, that he saw his left eye for the last time.
He didn't hesitate a second more.
With a beautiful arc, the weapon plunged in the man's eye.
"Gaargh!!!"
Blood started flowing like a river.
Pain, unbearable pain.
With both hands clutching the self inflicted wound, Enma was wriggling and convulsing on the ground, blood all over his face.
'Nen! I need to activate nen!'
That was the only coherent thought in his mind.
And, maybe subconsciously, he did it.
Nen was life energy, it slowed the blood, but did nothing to cure the now gone eye.
It was a temporary solution, he needed a medic as soon as possible.
"Good! That is what a man should do! Atone for his mistakes!
Should I now proceed to cash out the rest of the payment??
…I take your silence as a yes! Hehehe"
The Merchant crouched down to its master, is hand grasping the teen's head firmly.
"First, the…despicable! Ability"
Gzzzzzzzzing!
Enma felt as if the Merchant was tearing his soul out of his body.
"Waaaaa! Stoop! Arghh!"
"And…Gone! Heheheh Gone! Gone!
Now the other one. Random, as the contract said."
The boney hand shot forward for the second time, gripping with such strength that his nails were entering Enma's flesh.
"Bzzzz! Bzz! Bz! B! b…"
" No! Not that one! Take another one!!"
"Too late. This is mine now. Gakakak cough cough Heheha.
I'm satisfied! The payment has been fulfilled."
This time, the Merchant gazed back at Enma with pity.
It was the same look a parent would give, watching their child cry after a scolding.
"Once you feel better… Summon me. We can discuss the new conditions.
Most of the details were omitted from the contract, we can work on them, I'm a flexible guy Hehe.
It's not as bad as you think, in fact, maybe you lucked out!!"
He waved his hand, and was gone in a puff of smoke.
Enma was left alone with his regrets.
