Secrets of the Cursed Talismans

The source of the cursed talismans was easy enough to locate. Strolling down the busy market, I spotted the vendor hawking his "mystical" goods to anyone with the coin. How he could sell such dangerous trinkets so nonchalantly after nearly turning a noblewoman into a slumbering doll was beyond me. Then again, he probably didn't know the real effect of his wares.

I approached, adopting a hardened tone. "I'll take all the talismans. Every last one of them."

The vendor's eyes widened, and he eagerly extended his hand. "A pleasure doing business, sir. That'll be—"

I cut him off with a cold stare. "You're not getting paid."

"What?" he stammered, eyes darting nervously. "You can't be serious."

"Consider your life the payment," I replied, my voice low.

The color drained from his face. "Wh-what?"