Chapter 53
{Deal}
The arrival of a group of humans and an orc placed enormous pressure on the village.
Why?
Because all of them were second level.
Yes—Ian himself was second level. This wasn’t the mask’s disguise, but his true strength.
He possessed a legendary training skill that functioned at all times, and with additional training in the World of Death, he had advanced with ease, forming his internal pillars.
Their arrival frightened the village and forced the elderly village Lord to rush out at the head of his army.
The village Lord was second level as well, and he understood the differences between races… Orcs were stronger than other races at the same level—especially stronger than humans.
“Who are you? Identify yourself.”
“The Merchant,” Ian replied.
“What do you want?”
“A deal.” Ian gestured to one of his followers, whom he had named Number One.
Number One stepped forward and tossed one of the eyes toward them.
The village Lord caught it and examined it.
To assist players, the world granted them a special Appraisal skill—but only players.
As for natives, they could either use an appraisal-type skill or acquire the Appraiser profession, through which they learned an item’s properties, methods, and value.
The item’s properties appeared before the village chief’s eyes. He was shocked, then summoned one of the soldiers. “Eat this.”
The soldier consumed it and gasped. “I… I advanced one step, my lord!”
The Lord was stunned. “Open the gates.”
>>>>
The Lord sat with Ian.
“Welcome. I wonder how many of these you have.”
“Aren’t you rushing things?” Ian said in a firm voice.
“You’re right,” the Lord laughed. “How much do they cost?”
“How much do you have?”
The Lord froze, then understood the implication. “Tell me what you want and don’t worry… coins, items, slaves—we can provide them, as long as you have the quantity.”
“Good. I want everything,” Ian said.
…
The items were brought.
Hundreds of common weapons, dozens of normal weapons.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Thirty slaves—men and women of various backgrounds.
One thousand silver coins.
“Good. These are enough for one eye,” Ian said.
The Lord frowned. “Are you joking with me?”
“You’re the one joking—bringing this trash here. Where are the rare and ancient items? The second-level slaves? The gold coins?” Ian said coldly.
The Lord did not reply.
He did, in fact, possess those things—but how could he hand them over? They were the very foundation of his village.
The atmosphere tightened in an instant.
Behind the lord stood his general and his strongest forces.
Behind Ian were four humans at Level 2, equipped with decent armor and rare swords. In truth, however, they were very weak—their skills and mastery were nonexistent. They were nothing but raw energy, mere fa?ades Ian used so he wouldn’t have to fight here. Even so, he was confident he would leave alive even if a battle broke out.
“Fine… let’s change the deal,” Ian said. “I’ll give you everything I have—one thousand complete eyes—in exchange for one service from you. A service you’ll benefit from as well.”
“What service?” the lord asked, startled.
He understood the value of these items very well—they could ignite wars.
How could someone offer them so easily unless…“Tell me,” he said cautiously, “are there any side effects to this item?”
“Of course.”
The lord frowned. “What are they?”
“The five-and-three limit,” Ian replied calmly. “It can’t be consumed more than five times, and it doesn’t work on those at Level 3.”
The lord frowned, still uneasy, and gestured to someone behind him.
Ian ignored it and waited. He remained calm. In truth, he had wanted to give the entire village these eyes, but he feared they might exceed the limit and be afflicted by the curse. That was why he set the five-use limit. After all, these people would become his subordinates in the future—how could he harm them?
Moments later, the messenger returned and confirmed that the soldier who consumed it was completely fine and had suffered no side effects.
The lord let out a breath of relief. “What is the service?” he asked.
“Killing a Level 3 monster,” Ian said. “You get its corpse, and I get its egg.”
“A Level 3 monster?” the lord exclaimed. “You’re not talking about the Cloud Dragon, are you?”
“That’s exactly what I mean,” Ian confirmed.
The lord’s expression darkened. Ever since that dragon appeared, he hadn’t slept peacefully.
A Level 3 dragon… and its offspring would be born with the same strength, an even stronger bloodline, and greater potential. Worse still, the dragon was extremely close to his village.
“We’re not enough,” the lord said honestly. “If we were, we wouldn’t have waited until now.”
The idea of possessing a soldier in the form of a Level 3 beast was incredible—especially considering the power it would grant the village. After that, he could easily crush the nearby elf village, and even that strange northern village he knew nothing about and hadn’t been able to approach.
“I know,” Ian said. “That’s why I’ll gather the other two villages—the human village and the elf village.”
“Human?” the lord exclaimed in shock. “The northern village is a human village?!”
“Yes.”
“How? How did you reach them?”
“I made a deal with them, just like the one I made with you, and obtained the lord’s word. Tomorrow, we’ll all gather to kill the dragon.”
The lord frowned. “And the body?”
“Yours, of course.”
“And them?” the lord didn’t understand.
“That’s my business with them. You can ask them yourselves when you see them, if you don’t believe me,” Ian said calmly. “Tell me—are you in?”
“One question,” the lord said slowly. “Why are you interested in this?”
“That’s a foolish question, my lord. I’m a trader—how could I not value treasures?” Ian gestured to the bag beside him. “This thing is valuable, yes, but it’s worthless when compared to a Level 3 existence. Let alone its egg, which might reach Level 4. There’s no comparison at all.”
Level 3 with the potential of Level 4.
Silence once again filled the hall, until the lord finally spoke. “When do we move?”
“At sunrise,” Ian replied with a smile, then stood up and left.
He had cast the bait.
He was confident they would follow.
After Ian left—
“Lord, will you agree?” the general asked.
“Of course.”
“Why?” the general didn’t understand.
The item was already in their possession. They could easily choose not to go.
It wasn’t as if the Orc could come and force them—he was strong, yes, but they weren’t weak either. It would be a losing battle for both sides. As a trader, he wouldn’t make such a foolish sacrifice. He should simply accept the gain and move on.
The lord laughed. “That trader is sly. Orcs aren’t known for their intelligence—but the smart ones among them are terrifying, just as the rumors say. Yes, nothing forces us. It’s not like he used an ancient contract or some kind of binding oath… but he offered us something far more important.”
“The eyes?” the general replied.
“No.”
“Then what?” the general asked, confused.
“Fear,” the lord said.
