"100 gold coins," Rohan said firmly, not even blinking.
The merchant leaned back, steepling his fingers as a measured chuckle escaped him, eyes sharpening with quiet amusement.
"My dear young fellow… a hundred, you say? Now that is a most… ambitious valuation. The trinket does possess a certain charm, I grant you, but not, I'm afraid, a hundred gold coins' worth of charm. You see, I am a man of means, certainly… but not one inclined toward financial folly."
"Listen, this is a very valuable ring given to me by a believer of the Storm God." Rohan threw the merchant a stern look before continuing. "Anyone who swears an oath to the Storm God can use this ring, and they will possess the power of an Indigo-level mage."
The merchant inclined his head ever so slightly. "The Storm God, you say?" A low, knowing chuckle followed, rich with quiet amusement. "My dear boy, that has all the flavor of a tale crafted to lend hope to those most… economically unfortunate."
His gaze returned to Rohan with a faint, calculating smile.
"Now then, indigo-level power, you say? Ah… now you have my attention. That, I confess, is a language I understand rather well." He paused, eyes narrowing just a touch. "However… I am not so easily persuaded. Power of that magnitude rarely presents itself without… a most inconvenient stipulation attached."
Without any hesitation, Rohan shook his head and walked away as he muttered. "I can just find someone with better eyes who could see the real value of this ring."
The merchant raised a hand, halting him, and placed it upon Rohan's shoulder with deliberate calm.
"Now, just a moment, my young friend…" he said, voice smooth yet firm. "I find myself… persuaded. One hundred gold coins it shall be."
His grip tightened ever so slightly, his expression sharpening with intent.
"However, let us be perfectly clear with one another, should this object prove… less than satisfactory, and should my clientele return with grievances, I shall, without hesitation, seek you out and reclaim every last coin of that sum."
A faint, polite smile followed.
"Do we have an understanding?"
"Deal." Rohan didn't even hesitate as he was about to receive 100 gold coins. Such an amount of money was enough to provide him with food and shelter for years.
After they completed the transaction, the merchant returned to his basilisk and continued on toward the city.
As for Rohan, he also entered the city, though he walked slowly as he thought about whether to tell the city guards about the cult that had kidnapped him.
Whatever he did next would affect him for the next few days.
If he told the truth about being kidnapped by the cult, he would be questioned, and in the worst case, his movements would be restricted, something he could not afford, as he had to complete the emergency quest within the City of Light.
Not only that, but he already knew there was an influential member of the Shadow Cult within the city. Telling the truth might expose him to danger.
On the other hand, if he lied, saying nothing about the cult and claiming his injuries were caused by thugs, it would make moving around the city much easier. However, it would risk another victim being kidnapped and imprisoned in that same building, just as he had been.
'For now, my survival comes first. When I become stronger, I will come back to destroy that place.'
After he made up his mind, he approached a guard and reported that he had been attacked by some thugs.
He was questioned for a while before being allowed to enter the city after paying a small fee, which he could afford with ease.
Once the city came into view, he immediately noticed something different about it. Nearly every building was painted red. At a glance, one might think the city had been drenched in blood just moments ago because of how red it looked.
Rohan felt a sense of unease as he looked at the city, though he tried to convince himself he would eventually get used to the sight.
Even so, his discomfort did not slow him down. He had no intention of finding an inn for the night. He needed to complete the quest as quickly as possible.
'First, I'll help David to complete the shrine quest faster.'
'Unlike David, I'll build a proper shrine this time. A tree hidden within the city with my honorific name carved on it will do. It's simple, but better than a random slum.'
Once he was done planning, he immediately scanned his surroundings as he walked.
When he finally saw some tall trees in the distance, Rohan didn't waste any time and headed straight toward them.
But as he made his way toward the trees, someone suddenly bumped into his shoulder.
Rohan turned his head and looked at the man, immediately noticing the black military uniform he was wearing.
"Ah… my apologies."
The man adjusted his sleeve slightly, his tone calm and polite.
"Though I wonder… were you distracted, or simply deep in thought?"
'What does it matter to you? Just move along,' Rohan thought.
"Just thinking. Nothing important." Rohan tried to reply calmly.
"Of course," the man said with a faint smile.
"Ah…" His eyes rested briefly on Rohan's uniform.
"An academy student. How… unexpected."
He tilted his head slightly. "If I'm not mistaken, the Rivia academy lies quite a distance from here. Nearly three hundred miles, isn't it?"
"Which makes me wonder…"
"…what brings a student so far from home?"
Of course, Rohan wanted to leave. Not only was he in a hurry, but he also felt no need to continue the conversation.
However, leaving abruptly would only make him seem suspicious, especially in front of a man wearing a military uniform.
"Family," Rohan replied calmly. "I have a cousin in the city and I came to visit."
"Of course," the man gave a slow nod.
"Family does tend to justify even the longest journeys."
He paused, as if considering something trivial.
"Tell me… What is your cousin's name?"
Rohan's eyelids twitched as he realized the mistake he had made.
'I should've bought a new set of clothes…'
'But what's this guy's problem? He's suspicious of me just because I came from far away?'
After a few seconds, Rohan replied calmly, "Just a relative. He works in the city."
"I didn't think visiting family required justification."
After hearing Rohan's reply, the man was about to speak, but his gaze shifted briefly to the watch on his wrist.
He then looked back at Rohan.
"I see," he said calmly.
"The city can be… unpredictable for newcomers."
"Do be careful."
Rohan nodded and quickly turned away. Without looking back, he kept walking until he found a clothing store.
A few minutes later, he emerged in a new set of clothes, a black tunic and brown trousers.
After changing, he found himself thinking about the man who had subtly tried to interrogate him.
'That guy… I need to avoid him in the future.'
Not long after he left the clothing store, he finally arrived at his desired destination.
Once he confirmed there was no one nearby, he didn't delay any further and began to carve his honorific name on the tree using a nearby stone on the ground.
[You have built a shrine]
[You have built a shrine]
[You have built a shrine]
[You have built a shrine]
[You have built a shrine]
[Quest Progress: 5/10]
'Who said shrines can't be close to each other?' He thought with a smile.
After he carved five trees, Rohan suddenly stopped the moment he saw another notification.
[Bruno Moon has followed you]
[Volvo has followed you]
[Dana Sbully has followed you]
[You have built a shrine]
[You have built a shrine]
[You have built a shrine]
[You have built a shrine]
[You have built a shrine]
[Edmund has followed you]
[Burton has followed you]
[You have 30 followers]
[Quest Progress: 10/10]
[Quest Complete]
[Divine Steel of Storm has been added to your inventory]
[New Quest: Build your first church]
[Time limit: 30 days]
[Reward: A fragment of the Storm God's authority]
[Failure: Paralyzed for 30 days]
'A church…'
His expression slowly hardened. 'This is not just about survival. This is the beginning of something much bigger.'
'I can hide the church in a secluded or hidden place… but I can't hide what it will become.'