CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: YOU ROBBED HIM BLIND

Mr. Usher stepped back once the measurements were done, scribbling down a few final notes. "I’ll have them ready within the week.." he said, bowing.

Min-jae gave a curt nod, picking up one of the finished nightwear bundles. The fabric felt light, smooth against his skin, well done, but that wasn’t his focus.

"Good. Deliver the rest once they’re lined."

He turned and stepped outside. The sharp scent of smoke and ale drifted from across the street.

Vanadis followed. "We’re heading back?"

"No. We’re going in there."

Vanadis raised a brow as Min-jae crossed the road toward the tavern, the so-called guild of merchants and traders.

The air was thick with the smell of sweat and spilled beer, and the hum of overlapping voices filled the space.

The moment they stepped inside, heads turned. A noble in fine clothes didn’t belong here.

The barkeep hesitated, towel hanging from his shoulder. "What’ll it be, sir? Drink? Or business?"

"Business."

Min-jae dropped a pouch of coins on the counter. The sound cut through the noise around them. "I’m looking for someone who deals in metal or glass. I’m looking for an Alembic to be precise?"

The barkeep raised a brow, what was an Alembic? Sounded like an alchemist tool.

The barkeep blinked. "That’s an alchemist’s tool, my lord. Can’t say they’re easy to come by.."

Someone from a nearby table cut in. "I know a man who trades rare instruments. He’s not cheap though. And not the patient type either."

-_-

What was he trying to imply.

Min-jae turned his head slightly, eyes locking on the man. "Bring him here. You’ll get a coin removed for every second you make me wait. I am also not a patient man..."

-_-

Vanadis sniggered behind Min-jae, well this was certainly entertaining.

The man went pale and ran out without another word.

Vanadis leaned closer, muttering under his breath "You could’ve just told him to hurry."

"I did.."

They waited only a few minutes before the door swung open again. The man stumbled in with a trader, with a beard streaked gray and a look of someone who lived off deals more than sleep.

"My lord.." the trader said, bowing slightly. "You’re searching for an alembic, I hear?"

"Yes. Do you have one?"

"I have two, one imported from the East. Brass and copper, all fine work. They don’t come cheap."

"How much."

The trader hesitated while stroking his beard. "Forty thousand gold pieces."

-_-

Thud!

Someone glass felt to ground.

Forty thousand pieces?!

"Why not take my head instead. That’s an astronomical price you’re calling buddy."

-_-

The merchants and traders whispered among themselves.

"Old Hank’s done it again. Forty thousand? For an alembic? It doesn’t even cost that much in the South.."

"Indeed. And I don’t think this man’s falling for that price. He looks like he’s one of those smart ones, after all he’s asking for alchemy tools.."

"Shh, keep your voice down. You’ll get us all thrown out."

"Thrown out? More like cut down. Look at his face...he’s not one of those ’patient nobles.’"

The whispering died slowly as Min-jae drummed his fingers once against the counter. A quiet sound, but enough to make the air still again.

Hank chuckled, throat tight. "Now, now, my lord... you must understand. These things don’t walk into market on their own. I had to pull some strings, call in a few favors. It’s a miracle it even made it past customs. The cost..."

"—is forty thousand because your greed told you it should be..." Min-jae cut in smoothly. His tone wasn’t loud, but every word dropped like lead.

Hank froze.

Min-jae didn’t move closer, didn’t raise his voice, he didn’t have to. The room was dead silent. "You think nobles are fools with heavy pockets. And maybe they are. But I’m too stingy to give you this much.."

Vanadis folded his arms, watching the man start to sweat.

"Let’s try again.." Min-jae said, resting one hand on the counter. "You’ve wasted twelve seconds already. I’m removing twelve pieces.."

The barkeep shifted uncomfortably, pretending to polish a glass. Someone at a table muttered, "He really was counting..."

Hank’s grin faltered. "Ah...ah, my lord, perhaps... thirty thousand?"

Min-jae tilted his head, expression unreadable. "Seventeen seconds."

"Twenty-five?"

"Twenty-three."

"Fine! Fine! Twenty thousand!"

Min-jae straightened. "Ten."

Hank blinked. "Wh–what?"

"Ten thousand. Take it or I find someone else."

Hank swallowed, his bravado gone. The whispers started again.

"He cornered him fast..."

"That’s the price of greed."

"Old Hank should’ve stopped talking when he could."

Hank forced a laugh that came out strained. "Ten it is. But no refunds if it breaks."

Min-jae counted out the coins and dropped the bag in front of him. "Then you better hide where I can’t find you..."

-_-

He turned slightly. "Vanadis, take it."

Vanadis hoisted the alembic from the trader’s cart near the door. A polished copper, surprisingly heavy, and worth the trouble.

As they stepped out, the air shifted back into noise and chatter.

Vanadis smirked. "You robbed him blind."

Min-jae smiled "It was either me or him. And I’m not about to spend 40 thousand pieces, on a tacky alembic."

-_-

They stepped out of the tavern, the sound of laughter and tankards clashing fading behind them. The street beyond was a mess of carts and shouting vendors, the air thick with spices, roasted nuts, and sweat.

Vanadis adjusted the strap on the alembic’s case. "So... what exactly are you planning to brew with this thing? Don’t tell me it’s wine. You don’t look like a man who makes wine."

Min-jae’s gaze swept the crowded street. "Perfume."

Vanadis blinked. "Perfume? You mean the scented oils nobles dab on their wrists?"

"No not oil..." Min-jae said, stepping past a fruit stall. "Liquid. A proper perfume. One that clings to the skin without staining clothes. Something that doesn’t melt under heat or fade in an hour."

Vanadis made a low whistle. "Sounds complicated. And expensive."

"It will be. That’s why it’ll sell."

They wove through the market until the smell of dried petals and herbs thickened in the air.

The stall ahead was piled with jars, crushed blossoms, amber resin, sandalwood shavings, cinnamon bark. An old woman sat behind it, grinding something with a mortar.

Min-jae stopped. "This will do."

The old woman squinted. "You’re looking for incense? Oils?"

"Both..." Min-jae said. "And flowers. The freshest you have."