Exorbitant Price

The moment Blacksmith Buka announced his ability to create the Ram Shroud Set, the extinguishing hope in my heart rekindled. I jumped at the opportunity and enthusiastically asked,

"Really? Will it be of Bronze-Copper grade?"

The idea of owning a Bronze-Copper grade set even before leaving the newbie village made me restless and excitable, unlike my usual calm self. 

"Easy there. My skills are not that good. But with such good quality materials and design, the set I make should surely reach Black-Stone Grade?"

He ended his sentence with a questioning look directed my way. 

The first half of his speech cooled my excitement but the second half filled me up with joy. 

Even though it would not be a Metallic grade Set, it would still be a Black-Stone grade Set! 

Black-Stone Grade equipment was the rarest and best equipment available right now in the Dreamverse. Not even the topmost guilds owned more than a few pieces each. 

In fact, most of the players in the villages were still scrambling to get their hands on White-Wood grade equipment. They could only dream about owning a piece of Black-Stone Grade equipment, much less a full three piece set! 

So what if Blacksmith Bula could not make it into a Metallic Grade set? 

At this point, I was more than happy to get my very own Black-Stone Grade set!

"Sure! No problem at all. Please make the set for me Blacksmith Buka!" I answered quickly, afraid the Blacksmith would change his mind. 

"Sigh! This work is going to take a lot of my time. Since you are a friend, I won't charge you much and only take these two Ebony Horns as my payment." 

Hearing his words, the smile spreading wide on my face disappeared in an instant. 

Ebony Horns were Black-Stone grade materials that were hard to come by. Maybe the two in my possession were the only two Ebony Horns in this entire Village!

Each one of those Horns could be made into a pair of heavy armor boots and a few daggers. If shavings were used well, they could be turned into accessories.

Just one of these Horns was full of treasures and yet the Blacksmith was asking for both of them? 

How could Blacksmith Buka act all sentimental one minute and ask for an exorbitant price the other? 

This just won't do. 

"Master Buka, creating this set was Master Kurba's dream. By bringing his dream to life, you are actually honoring his memory. How could you ask me for such a ridiculous price when I am the one helping you fulfill your friend's dream?" 

The burly middle-aged man snorted in derision and anger. 

"This was that idiot's dream. What has that got to do with me? If he wanted to fulfill his dream he should have stayed alive and not gone seeking his own death." 

It was clear that Blacksmith Buka was against Kurba's decision to search for the Ram and still harbored some resentment. Using the late Leather-Worker's name would not only be unhelpful in getting me a bargain but it may also agitate the Blacksmith into canceling his offer. 

I had to try a different approach. 

"Master Buka, the thing is I have also angered one of my friends. I planned to use these horns to make a nice pair of Heavy Armor war boots for her in order to placate her anger. If you take both of them, I will have nothing to calm her down." 

I had not uttered a word of falsehood in my story. I had just used the convenience of the story to align with Blacksmith Buka's current emotions and appealed to them. 

The Blacksmith carefully observed me. When he could not find any lies, he turned his vision to the large Ebony Horns, considering something. 

"I'll make the War Boots for you. Whatever is left of the two horns after, I'll keep it." 

Buka slowly said, after contemplating for a minute. 

"Thank you master Buka! You are a lifesaver! Actually, I was also planning to make a dagger…" 

I started to speak but the Blacksmith Buka gave me a steely, warning look, that said don't push it. So, I quickly changed my words. 

"... but I guess I will buy it from Master Buka's excellent offerings the next time." 

Blacksmith Buka smiled after hearing the blatant flattery. Even if he knew I was kissing his ass, so what? He obviously liked it. 

"You have made a wise decision. If you need anything, don't hesitate to come to my shop. My goods are much cheaper than those offered by the Faction Stalls." Blacksmith Buka said pompously. 

I physically suppressed the urge to roll my eyes at his arrogance. 

The man had just charged me two Black-Stone Grade materials to make equipment from my own materials and yet he said his shop was more affordable?

Right. That is why his tent which was filled with players before was empty now that the Factions had opened their stalls. 

As much as I tried to hide my disbelief at his words, Blacksmith Buka saw through my facade. He narrowed his eyes and asked, 

"What, you don't believe my words? Then take these to that damned Elf!"

The middle aged man said with a huff, pushing the materials towards me but not relinquishing his tight grip over them. As much as he wanted to save his pride, he was much more unwilling to let go of this business.

 In fact, I even suspected that the only reason he even showed me the Ram Shroud Set Design was to take the two Ebony Horns from my hands! 

'Were it not for your Ram Shroud Set, would I still be here?' I thought in my heart but on my face, I had the brightest smile I could muster.

"Master Buka, how could you say so? None of the offerings in the Elven Faction's stall compare to the Ram Shroud Set. I fully believe your words."

Sincerity oozed through my voice and Blacksmith Buka fell for it.

Even though I only meant to fawn over the Blacksmith to pacify his anger, I knew in my heart that the words he spoke were true in a way and he had indeed offered me a bargain! 

I had seen the offerings from the Elven Faction and knew I could exchange the materials for a total of 450 Faction Contribution Points. On the other hand, a Black-Stone piece of Equipment from the Exchange List would only cost me 80 to 100 FCPs, allowing me to buy at least 4 to 5 pieces of equipment for sure. 

Even though I could get more pieces of equipment from Elf Karn, they would merely be random mass produced equipment; none of which could be compared to the Ram Shroud Set.

In addition to the set, I was also getting a pair of Black-Stone Grade Heavy Armor Boots for Stivi. This helped me ease the pain in my heart for over giving away both the Ebony Horns. 

He kept the materials and ran some calculations before saying, 

"Come to the shop tomorrow afternoon. I will have your Heavy Boots and the Ram Shroud Set ready by then." 

I smilingly nodded at him and left the tent with mixed emotions- happy to get the Set but discontent at the price paid.