Deal

"Huh!"

It is no wonder Misty was shocked hearing Hira say what he said. 

He was just a small-time assistant who would take care of the keeping products clean and in order in the shop and was completely new to how things worked when he joined the shop. Frankly, if not for no-one willing to work in the shop, she would have never given him the job as an assistant. He doesn't know anything about how market or even the shop works. And he was telling her that he would not let the shop close. 

"Are you okay?" She asked. 

"Hmm? Of course I am okay." Hira replied. 

"You know what you are saying right. You don't need to say those things to make me feel good. Anyway, I have already prepared your salary, take it and leave this shop. We are closed now."

"No, we are not." Hira replied. 

"Listen here Hira…" Misty was about to persuade him to leave the shop but was interrupted by Hira.

"Listen to me boss. I know what I am doing, just give me a chance." He said firmly.

…

Misty was on the verge of giving up already, but listening to Hira speak, she finds herself unable to resist the light of hope which, in fact might just be imaginary, from getting away. 

"Alright…, it wouldn't hurt to hear you. How are you going to save the shop then?" She asked. 

Hira sighs as she finally calmed down. 

"Before that, can you please tell me what our situation in the market is, and do you know who is behind all these incidents happening around us." He asked. 

"The ones who is causing this? Hira they are not someone we can mess with. It's a gone case already. You shouldn't bother knowing about them." Misty mutters sadly. 

Hira who realized she will not talk about the perpetrators, decided to move on to other important information.

"Aah…okay… but can you tell the goons who harass us… are they also with those who are causing our troubles in the business?"

"Yes… It seems likely, the goons only started appearing after our relationships with other businesses got worse. But I don't know who is sending them, or maybe all of them together are behind it.' Misty sighed. 

"Okay… then. Boss I will be out for a while now? I suggest you take a break. I will be back by the noon." Hira said as he started walking out of the shop.

"What… where are you going?" Misty asked. 

"I know where to find the solution. I will come back in a while." Hira said as he shut the door behind him. 

…

"Now where can I find those idiots."

Hira mutters as he started walking towards the alleyway where he was beaten the day before yesterday. 

After some time, he comes across a group of thugs.

"Found them…" he mutters as he finds a group of goons moving around with Barn in the lead. 

"Hey boss look who it is." One of the goons who saw Hira walking towards them points at him as he alerts Barn. 

The goons look towards Hira as he waves his hands at Barn. 

"Yo… Barny how are you?"

…

"What...?" 

When did this brat get the guts to talk to Barn like that. In fact, ever since Hira realized about the system and his abilities. He seems to be a new person. He has become calmer and more provocative now. 

"You didn't hear? I asked how are you Barny?" Hira asked again. 

"Talking to boss like that, it seems you have a death wish brat."

One of Barn's minions said as he started walking towards Hira. 

"Hey hey calm down dude. I came with a good business proposal."

Hira waves his hands as he takes a step back. 

Then he directly talks with Barn. 

"You know… because of various bad stuff happening around our shop. I have decided to leave the shop, especially now that Lord Keith has also terminated the contract. The shop is in bad condition so I was planning on leaving anyway but the owner decided to not pay me salary saying the business is bad. So, you know… I have decided to steal a vial of body strengthening potion tonight to make up for it. So… you know… would you like to buy it?"

…

"You… You want to steal a body strengthening potion from your shop." Barn asked, he was flabbergasted. Body strengthening potion is useless to magicians as they have better potions to increase the strengths of their bodies, but to commoners, this was nothing less than a treasure. It could increase the strength of mortals up to three times. And it was sold in hundreds of golds. Not something a low-level assistant can even dream to have. 

"Yes, you see… the shop does not have a lot of supplies remaining anyway. So, I plan on stealing a body strengthening potion and a few vials of vitality potions. But of course, I am in a hurry so why don't you guys buy them from me? I am willing to sell them at half price." Hira replied.

…

The thugs looked at Barn, who thought for some time before replying 

"Sure."

"Alright… I will be waiting for you guys here tonight. Later…" Saying that Hira again headed towards the shop. 

…

"Boss… do you think he is lying?" One of the goons asked Barn. 

"Hey… he better not be playing with us here. Or we will just take care of him. What are we losing here anyway?" Another goon gives his opinion. 

"Let him bring the potions first, we will decide what to do with him later." Barn said. 

As for paying for the potions. As if they were ever going to pay for it. 

"Well, it looks like Misty's shop is done for now. They have already lost their mage and now with this brat gone, the shop will lose its last employee as well. I really pity that shop owner. She gave him a job. And now that bastard is trying to steal her shops potions. If only she was mine. I would have never left her like this." Another goon remarked. 

"As if…'" Barn reprimanded him.

'he he…' The goon smiled embarrassingly.

The goons did not leave the area and started waiting for Hira right there. They could not give up on such a huge opportunity. Forget about body strengthening potion which will be hooked by Barn, the vitality potions, even though not as effective as the former were still highly costly, the goons couldn't help but drool at the thought of having those potions.