Chapter 62: Zero-Grade Merchant, Gold Ring (2)
The items sold by the Zero-Grade Merchant were of a level where their value couldn’t even be measured.
Each item came with an astonishing price tag, of course.
_____________________
Shop List:
- Lost Wings of Radiance [Common-F-] X 4: Price: 1 Black or White Coin
- A Key That Looks Useful Somehow [Common-F-]: Price: 1 Black or White Coin
- A Faded Gem That Seems to Fit Something [Common-F-]: Price: 1 Black or White Coin
…
- Soul Stone of a Great Hero [Legendary-EX-]: Price: 4,444 Black or White Coins
- Essence of the Heavenly Thunder Dragon [Legendary-EX+]: Price: 4,999 Black or White Coins
- Armor of the Greatest Giant’s Strength [Legendary-EX+]: Price: 4,999 Black or White Coins
…
- Immortal Robe of Eternal Life [Mythical-SSS+]: Price: 9,999 Black or White Coins
- Left Eye of the Sage That Drank from the Fountain of Knowledge [Mythical-EX]: Price: 9,999 Black or White Coins
- Demonic Flame Sword of Eternal Apocalypse, Laevateinn [Mythical-EX+]: Price: 10,000 Black or White Coins
…
- Scales Containing Half an Origin [Origin-EX+]: Price: 999,999 Black or White Coins
_____________________
“Elixirs aren’t here…”
I was slightly disappointed. I had been hoping to find an elixir, or perhaps even an elixir-like item.
However, Gold Ring was only selling equipment, not consumables.
“Four wings?!”
My eyes lit up. I absolutely had to get those. The issue was whether he would sell all four items to me.
Lower-tier merchants begged customers to buy their goods, but Zero-Grade Merchants? They did things their own way. I could secure at least one item at full price, but buying all four?
That might be difficult.
“But for the quest, I have to collect all four eventually.”
Deep in thought, I glanced at Gold Ring, who seemed to be in a world of his own, completely oblivious to his surroundings.
After reviewing the list once more, I shook my head.
“Let’s think about this differently for now.”
One top-tier Mythical-grade item, the four wings, two other common items, and then that primordial dagger for free—is that being too greedy?
Even if I could get one item for free, asking for the most expensive thing seemed like it would prick my conscience.
I began searching for items I could afford with the coins I had.
I hadn’t expected to restore my equipment so quickly after sacrificing a Mythical-grade item to gain Arrogance.
“Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be able to buy anything Mythical-grade.”
The value of the black and white coins seemed much greater than I had expected.
After all, the reward from a hidden stage where a creator god-tier being was sealed only gave me five coins, despite the insane difficulty.
When I thought about it, that was a ridiculously stingy reward.
The coins were only granted after defeating a sealed higher being from the tutorial.
Slowly, I began reviewing the Mythical-grade items.
Each was so valuable that choosing one was almost paralyzing.
As I debated, Gold Ring finally seemed to finish his thoughts.
He tapped me on the shoulder, saving me from my impending mental breakdown.
“You… Do you truly have the Authority of the Golden Tower? The sacred land that all Golden Goblins seek as their lifelong mission? The greatest domain in the Abyss?”
I tilted my head in confusion. The greatest domain in the Abyss?
“Uh… I cleared the hidden stage, and it became my Authority, so I guess?”
I knew it was impressive, but to that extent?
The Golden Tower contained items that could make its user omniscient and omnipotent, so maybe it made sense.
Still, the greatest domain in the Abyss? And a sacred land sought for a lifetime?
“When I visited the hidden stage, all 9,999 Golden Goblins were alive and there. Doesn’t that mean they found it?”
Of course, that was in the future. At this point in the past, they might still have been searching for it.
At my words, Gold Ring let out a short laugh, threw himself into a chair, crossed his legs, and leaned back arrogantly, lifting his chin with a smug expression.
Oh, come on!
Arrogance was acting up again. With no choice, I sat across from him in an even more arrogant and insolent posture.
Gold Ring gave me a look as if I were insane, then shook his head and revealed the truth.
“The Golden Goblins have two forms: the true bodies that dwell in the sacred land and live for eternity, and the avatars that are born in this world, repeating the cycle of life and death. What you encountered were their true forms. If they die, the avatars in the mortal world disappear as well… Was it you?”
I turned my eyes away guiltily. There was no avoiding this.
If you were on the verge of death and surrounded by monsters, wouldn’t you struggle? It just so happened that I wiped them all out with a bomb.
“Well, their fate doesn’t concern me. They rejected me as a half-blood outcast. Besides, a new god and ruler has been born. As the last remaining Golden Goblin, I’ll serve the new ruler, gather new followers, and reign over them as I please! Hahaha!”
“Sigh, just how much ridicule has he endured for being a half-blood?”
I couldn’t help but feel pity for Gold Ring as his temperament swung wildly like someone with bipolar disorder.
“So, you’re saying you possess that domain, and our great god and emperor was also born there?”
“That’s right.”
“I thought it strange that the god had not manifested an avatar in this world despite not being destroyed. So, it was because the succession wasn’t fully completed.”
Nodding as if he had figured everything out, Gold Ring pounded his chest and shouted:
“Very well! I, Zero-Grade Merchant Gold Ring, shall graciously enter your domain as its first resident!!!”
“I refuse.”
Gold Ring’s eyes widened as he shook his head wildly. He dug into his ear and then looked at me as if asking me to repeat myself.
“I said no. What benefit would I gain? Why should I accept a dangerous Zero-Grade Merchant? You could have ulterior motives for becoming a resident, like sneaking items out of my Golden Tower.”
Gold Ring’s expression turned incredulous before he exploded in indignation.
“Do you think a resident can defy the lord’s commands?! A… well, I can defy them to a certain extent! But the Golden Tower is your Authority, so stealing from it is impossible, you ignorant mortal!”
I didn’t trust him. He was too suspicious.
But then, Arrogance flared again, and my mouth moved on its own.
“Fine. Gold Ring, the lesser half-blood Golden Goblin, I shall graciously accept you as my subordinate with my great and generous heart!”
Before I even finished speaking, I punched myself in the mouth.
“Ugh, damn this Arrogance stat. It’s seriously annoying. I need to get a proper class and replace it with a Mythical-grade stat or something.”
Could this Arrogance stat have a will of its own?
“You lunatic. Regardless, I promise to serve as your resident and help protect your domain alongside the emperor. Due to system restrictions, I can’t give you items for free, but as long as you bring coins, I’ll sell you anything at its listed price.”
That was tempting. Too tempting.
“Wait. Then what about the bet where you said you’d give me one for free? You know lying about that would cost you your hands, right?”
“That…”
Gold Ring rolled his eyes before checking the system. After confirming something, he nodded and sighed in relief.
“The system allows one free item due to the bet. No more than that. Even though I’m a Zero-Grade Merchant, I’m still an employee under the system. Granted, the employee benefits are insane.”
I grinned and nodded. No need for separate negotiations now.
“Then let’s head into the domain. I’ll make my purchases there.”
“Ooohhh!! I’ll finally step foot into the sacred land!”
“So, as a half-blood, you don’t have a true body?”
“Exactly. My Goblin blood is stronger than my Golden Goblin blood. That’s why. Still, through sheer determination, I became a Zero-Grade Merchant. After that, even my Golden Goblin kin couldn’t openly mock me. Sometimes, they even bought items from me. Greedy bunch, just like me.”
Opening my Inventory wider than before, I stepped into the domain.
Gold Ring trembled with emotion as he cautiously entered behind me.
“Amazing…”
Leaving the awe-stricken Gold Ring behind, I summoned Golden One and completely closed the entrance to the Inventory. I didn’t want anyone spying on this place—it was my most secret domain.
Gold Ring wandered around in a daze before returning to me and opening his sales list.
“Choose. As long as you have the coins, you can buy anything. Plus, you get one item for free.”
“Alright, then. I’ll buy all four Lost Wings of Radiance.”
Gold Ring’s eyebrow twitched at my words.
He smirked and held out his hand. I pulled out coins from the Golden Tower and paid him.
“Are you aiming to become Lucifer’s successor?”
“You figured it out?”
“When it comes to items, no one knows more than me! I, Gold Ring, the transcendent who surpassed my half-blood limits! So, how many have you collected?”
“I recently awakened, so just two. With these, I have six.”
“You’ve gathered a quarter already. Perhaps you’ll truly become Lucifer’s heir.”
“It’s disappointing, though. The Golden Tower doesn’t seem to have Lucifer’s items.”
At my comment, Gold Ring shook his head, as if lamenting my greed.
“I don’t know much about the Golden Tower, but I’ve heard it contains most of the items that exist in the world, items yet to appear, and items that will never appear. Lucifer’s Wings might fall under the ‘variable’ category, as they’re not in the Tower.”
I nodded, placing all four wings into my Inventory.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t use them immediately.
Buying unique-grade sacred or demonic items would consume expensive coins, so I had to wait.
“Once this adventure ends, I’ll return to Earth and make the purchases.”
Buying them all at once wouldn’t be easy, though. Demonic items were especially rare. Sacred items… I might manage to buy them from the Black Market or the Miracle Guild if I asked.
“I need one demonic item and three sacred items.”
It was frustrating, but there wasn’t much I could do.
The more wings I gathered, the higher their grade and effects would be.
Set effects wouldn’t disappear just because the set wasn’t perfectly balanced. It was just annoying that they weren’t symmetrical.
Next, I focused on choosing one Mythical-grade item. But which one?
Each was the stuff of legends. Odin’s left eye, offered to Mimir for knowledge. Surtr’s demonic sword, foretold to destroy Asgard. Dongfang Shuo’s robe of immortality…
As I agonized, Gold Ring spoke up.
“If you’re having trouble deciding, why not claim the item from our bet first? For the record, Origin-grade items aren’t yours just because you want them. They have wills of their own and must choose you. Oh, and some come with trials.”
For example…
Gold Ring pointed to an item at the bottom of the list: Scales Containing Half an Origin.
“This item proposes an impossible trial unless you possess its other half. So? Will you challenge it?”
Smirking slyly, Gold Ring baited me into accepting the challenge.
Naturally…
“Hah! A trial? If I clear it, the best item is mine!”
Arrogance refused to let me back down from the provocation. Damn it.
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