Chapter 57 - Transaction (Revised)

Once more, Ophelia took command of the vehicle as she aimed to skillfully maneuver past the clustered group.

Meanwhile, ensconced within the expansive carriage, the imposing figure of the corpulent man perceived the rapid approach of the vehicle.

"Bring that object to a halt!" His command reverberated through the air, a testament to his authority, directing it at his companions or conceivably his subordinates.

Their purpose was abundantly clear: to stop the encroaching object at any cost.

Yet, amidst this orchestrated scene of readiness, the subordinates grappled with uncertainty, their comprehension of the object's nature obscured. Armed and vigilant, they swiftly formed a fortified barricade upon the road, weaponry bristling in the face of the unknown.

Ophelia, keenly observant, promptly assessed the unfolding situation. Recognizing the gravity of the impending confrontation, she instinctively exerted force upon the brake pedal. 

The screeching halt of the vehicle served as a testament to her instantaneous response.

With the car halted in a tense standstill, the scene bore an air of suspended anticipation.

From his vantage point, Luke's emotions stirred to a boiling point by the scene before him.

The gravity of the situation was not lost on him. Had Ophelia failed to react with such precision and timing, the outcome might have been inadvertently fatal.

The chain of events, without a shadow of doubt, emanated from the corpulent man. A shrewd deduction formed in Luke's mind: this individual appeared to possess an alarming disregard for human life, evident in his orchestration of his commands. Such a conclusion only fueled Luke's growing anger and distaste for the man's actions.

With a deliberate stride, the corpulent man embarked on a determined approach toward the vehicle.

Simultaneously, Luke engaged in a hushed conversation with the two women at his front.

"Remain within the car. When I give the signal, accelerate at full speed. Do you understand?" Luke's voice conveyed a potent blend of caution and command. Having imparted his instructions, he proceeded to unlatch the rear door and emerged.

The corpulent man found himself taken aback as a figure emerged from the mysterious object. His astonishment was palpable, mingled with a trace of envy directed at Luke's countenance and his possession of the exquisite vehicle.

Suppressing his surprise, the man swiftly assumed a stern expression, engaging Luke in conversation with an air of haughty superiority. However, upon studying Luke's appearance, a flicker of recognition prompted a shift in demeanor. He deduced that Luke bore the bearing of a noble, prompting him to adopt a measure of basic courtesy.

"Good day, sire. Might I inquire as to the nature of this intriguing object?" His words carried a subtle tone of pride.

A mischievous notion flitted across Luke's mind, a notion as audacious as it was cunning. He entertained a certain idea that would undoubtedly leave the corpulent man regretting his actions.

"Ah, you see, this carriage is the embodiment of cutting-edge technology," Luke began, his tone carrying an air of practiced salesmanship. "Reserved for individuals of exceptional status, its ownership signifies great privilege. Naturally, such exclusivity comes at a considerable cost."

Luke was acutely aware of the corpulent man's penchant for wealth and status, evident in both his attire and demeanor. The luxurious robe adorned with intricate gold trimmings and ornate gem-studded jewelry attested to his opulence.

Each word, each detail, was strategically orchestrated to captivate the corpulent man's attention and ignite his curiosity, ensnaring him in the web of this performance.

"Is that truly the case?" The corpulent man's retort oozed with smug assurance. "I assure you, there is scarcely an object beyond my financial reach. Allow me to introduce myself—I am a slave merchant renowned for my unparalleled wealth, a reputation that extends even beyond the empire's borders. Pray, reveal the price."

The mention of the words "slave merchant" ignited a surge of emotions within Luke. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place with a resounding clarity. He now comprehended the man's sinister intentions. This individual, who reveled in the role of a slave merchant, harbored a malevolent plan involving the capture and potential enslavement of the elves.

The convergence of wealth, power, and malevolence painted a bleak picture, where lives were bartered and exploited for personal gain. Luke's inner turmoil and the gravity of the situation surged to the forefront of his thoughts as he faced this embodiment of darkness.

Amidst the unfolding drama, a disheartening realization washed over Luke. The parallels between this world and Earth were all too stark—the exploitation of lives to satiate personal desires. The stark reality that those wielding power often emerged victorious, while the less privileged endured unceasing suffering.

Gathering his composure, Luke transitioned into the next phase of his performance. His countenance transformed, morphing into an expression of helplessness.

With a weary sigh, he addressed the corpulent man. "Forgive my uncertainty, sire, but this carriage commands a truly exorbitant price. Are you certain your resources are sufficient to secure it?" 

His query carried a subtle undertone, probing the depths of the man's resolve while simultaneously baiting him into deeper engagement.

"I remain unaware of your origins, but rest assured, my wealth is beyond the realm of imagination," the corpulent man retorted, his words dripping with arrogance. "A solitary possession of mine has the potential to command thousands of gold coins."

Upon hearing these self-assured claims, a fierce glint ignited in Luke's eyes. His desire for the corpulent man's departure was palpable.

"Indeed? Allow not the price to deter you, for it stands at a mere 10,000 gold coins," Luke declared with a calculated air of nonchalance. "Originally valued at 20,000 gold coins, I've seen fit to halve the cost, considering it is you."

"What?" The corpulent man's incredulity rang clear, laced with a note of eagerness. "You should have unveiled this earlier. No need to discount the price. I shall procure it at its full value."

From his elevated position, the corpulent man cast a condescending gaze upon Luke, underestimating him as someone hailing from a less influential kingdom. Luke presumed that 20,000 gold coins were a paltry sum to someone of his own stature. 

Curiosity regarding the origins of such a remarkable creation stirred within him, though he postponed the pursuit of such information. After all, his extensive network held the capability to uncover the source.

Internally, Luke chastised his own hastiness. He acknowledged the gaps in his understanding of the world's complexities. Had he been aware that the corpulent man considered 20,000 gold coins a trifling sum, he might have proposed an exorbitant figure like 100,000. 

Regrettably, hindsight held no sway; modifying the terms now risked inviting suspicion and undoing his meticulously crafted charade.

With a commanding gesture, the corpulent man prompted one of his subordinates to spring into action. The subordinate disappeared into a nearby carriage, emerging moments later with two sizable bags in tow.

In a ceremonious exchange, the corpulent man directed his subordinate to present the bags to Luke.

"These two bags," the corpulent man proclaimed, "each contain 1000 mana stones. I trust you're aware that 1 mana stone is the equivalent of 10 gold coins. Should this arrangement suffice?" His words dripped with an air of arrogance.

With a measured response, Luke nodded his agreement, his strained smile masking his inner complexity. The exchange of mana stones for the car mirrored his expectations; each stone did indeed hold the value of ten gold coins, validating his previous understanding. Yet, beneath the surface, Luke's mind churned with the intricacies of his scheme.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Luke's thoughts crystallized into action. With a gesture, he summoned a remarkable spectacle.

A second car materialized seemingly from the thin air. Mirroring their own BMW in every aspect, it emerged into view with uncanny precision.

The corpulent man's assembled group stood rooted in astonishment, their gazes fixed upon this inexplicable manifestation. Their perplexed stares bore a tinge of disbelief, directed at Luke with a mixture of incredulity and curiosity.

Amidst the array of reactions, the corpulent man remained singularly absorbed in the vehicle itself, his covetous gaze lingering upon it, transcending his bewilderment.

Luke seized the opportunity to assert control over the unfolding narrative. "Our negotiations have reached a conclusion. I shall now proceed on my way," he declared, his words tinged with urgency. The haste in his voice echoed his desire to conclude the interaction.

Without deigning to reply, the corpulent man's attention remained ensnared by the contours of the car. His captivation was palpable, a testament to his affection for the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Luke wasted no time. He hastened back to the shelter of the car's interior. His entrance was swift, accompanied by a directive that brooked no delay.

"Proceed at maximum speed now! Swiftly!" His words were urgent and imperative as he turned his attention to Ophelia, whose keen intuition picked up on the gravity of the situation.

The unfolding events did not escape the watchful eyes of Ophelia and Lunaria. Regret gnawed at them as they witnessed Luke's transaction with the corpulent man.

"Luke, why did you sell them a car?" Lunaria's voice dripped with indignation, her frustration evident. The beautiful car now rested in the hands of their adversary, a notion that equally perturbed Ophelia.

Both women were left perplexed, struggling to fathom the motives behind Luke's actions.

Sensing their confusion, Luke turned his gaze towards them, his expression suffused with reassurance. "Fear not," he quipped, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "That car will vanish within 5 minutes. And even if they retain possession of the car, they don't know how to operate it." The laughter that followed was underscored by a sense of playful triumph.

Observing Luke's demeanor, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place for Ophelia and Lunaria. They realized that Luke's seemingly unconventional transaction had been a calculated ruse to outwit the corpulent man, leaving him empty-handed despite his perceived gain.

Their understanding led to a shared sentiment of admiration. They applauded Luke for his ingenuity and reveled in the poetic justice that had befallen the corpulent man. The reversal of fortune brought a measure of satisfaction.

In truth, Luke's strategy hinged on a recently acquired skill, "Copy & Paste."

Executing his plan with precision, Luke copied the car, replicating its entirety and storing it onto the clipboard. With a deft maneuver, he then pasted this copy onto the ground, causing it to materialize as though by magic.

Drawing upon the mechanics of the system, Luke was well aware of the temporary nature of the clipboard. As dictated by this framework, anything copied onto the clipboard would inevitably vanish after the passage of 5 minutes. This knowledge informed his calculations, leading him to anticipate that the duplicated car would follow suit and dissolve within the same time frame.

As he contemplated the success of his ruse, a mischievous laugh bubbled up within him. Beyond outsmarting the corpulent man, he had gained a considerable advantage, an influx of 20,000 credits, without relinquishing any physical possession in return.

The victory, both tactical and financial, was a source of quiet satisfaction.