Exhausted from her trip towards the town square, Artanis wondered when she would get used to walk such path; at least her effort had been rewarded in form of single point at both vitality and agility. Heading towards the fountain, at the middle of the town square; Artanis sat on a wooden bench.

It was a welcome surprise, to find an free bench amidst such movemented place. It was the same bench, Artanis had used; when she first arrived in Rockheim. For some reason, no one but newbies such as herself; ever sat on it. She was of course, curious as for why that happened; but in the end all it meant was she had an nearly exclusive bench for herself.

In which she now rested comfortably, or at least as comfortable as a wood bench allowed. Picking up her canteen, Artanis refreshed herself; taking large sips from it.

‘If this were the real world, I could have taken a bus or something.’ She thought, tired of the long trip she had to undergo any time she wished to go to the library.

‘I know this is a medieval fantasy game, but can’t they offer a carriage ride or something?’ It was a reasonable question, to which she had no answer. Perhaps someone like Wystan, who seemed to have lived here for a long time knew the answer to such question.

Sometime later, after having rested properly; Artanis started searching on map for the merchant’s guild. It didn’t take much effort to find it, but when she did; her expression slowly changed into one of rage.

“You gotta be kidding me!” She screamed, startling everyone around her. The reason behind her anger was simple, the merchant’s guild location. Going from the garden’s south exit, it could be found after a short time walking.

Her sudden outburst was ignored, as most players had heard the rumor about a beautiful yet crazy elf NPC; which sometimes visited the town square to scream her complaints. Artanis’s scream was indeed ignored by all, except by a obese; brown haired middle-aged man which started talking with her.

“Hello young lady, may I ask what troubles you?” Asked the obese middle-aged man, who a concerned; yet amused look at his face.

“I walked all the way here, from the library. Hoping to find the merchant’s guild location, in this map, only to find out it were not far from where I was before.” Artanis explained sighing, the reason for her sudden outburst to the man; as a way to unburden herself of her frustration.

“Huhuhehehe! Just that?” He asked, as his laughter resembling the one of a hyena; echoed in the town square.

‘Rude bastard’ Thought Artanis, as she was sure that the overweight man; would not have said so. Had he walked such path, at least once.

“If it’s just that I could help you, right now I am finishing my preparations for a long trip. Should you help me, I wouldn’t mind taking you along to the gate on my carriage.” Said the man, who judging by his expensive clothes; and accessories. Seemed to be a rather wealthy merchant.

'I take that back, perhaps he is not such a bad person after all’ Thought Artanis, slightly embarrassed of her precipitated judgment; of the man’s intentions.

“Do you accept my offer?” Asked the obese man, who had a rather suspicious smile at his face; however that did not bother Artanis. Having heard the man’s laugh, his weird smile seemed to complete; the hyena man’s set.

The Hyena’s Suspicious Offer

This rather over sized merchant has earned the title of hyena, thanks to both his strange laugh, and his ability to earn large amounts of profit. By somehow selling and buying his wares at such prices, that often at the end of a negotiation his target had no money left, just the hollow carcass of their pouch, remained at their hands.

Quest Rank: F

Requisites:

The merchant must have yet to complete his preparations to his next trip.

Reward:

Increased familiarity with Hywel. Transport to the city gate. Other rewards may be given based on your performance.

“Thank you for your offer” Answered Artanis, knowing it the man’s offer might be a trap, It was however a better alternative; that walking such long road again.

Quest accepted

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

“Excellent, I will be done with my purchases shortly. You may wait for me at the benches.” Said Hywel, as he pointed towards one of the many benches, around the town square’s fountain.

“I rather go along with you.” Said Artanis to the man, which having heard so; started once again laughing in his unique way.

“Worried I might forget about you and my promise? Well, who knows; perhaps I would. Huhuhehehe! I do not mind if you follow me, but do not speak while I am buying anything.” He said, before walking into a nearby store, she soon went after him.

Arriving at the store, she saw the scene of a massacre, not the bloody kind, but one of words. The obese man was discussing the price of various food and beverages. The old shopkeeper, who looked to be an experienced person being someone who had worked at such stores for years, but before the obese man, speech, haggling and acting skills.

All which would put even the most shrewd and charismatic politician in the world to shame. His poor victim looked that she would burst into tears at any moment. The obese man, once again worked his magic. He took nearly all of her products. For almost nothing, If this man were to negotiate with a devil, he might end up earning the devils soul, instead of losing his.

‘I am sure glad, he is a NPC’ She thought, because if such man were a player, she would have met the future owner of the world. Which would, with his shrewd business sense conquer the world.

“I suppose this will be enough.” He said, on his rotund face were a rather big grin. He were extremely satisfied with what he had done, and the fact he had manage to show off his skills, shocking the young woman who were following him were part of the reason.

“So were done?” Asked Artanis, not that anyone could recognize her, under the large amount of bags and boxes. She was carrying for the merchant.

“Yes, that is unless I buy a larger cart. Although that is not a bad idea.” Hearing the man say so, caused Artanis to shake in fear. At her eyes was the image of a beautiful elven maiden. Who was being crushed, under the large pile of bags and boxes, brought by the obese merchant. The image were see clear that perhaps it could be seen, that is if you managed to see her eyes, hidden behind the pile of boxes that currently covered her face. The man’s next words came as if they were an act of mercy.

“But that would take too long, after all the cart would need to be custom made.” His current cart, were already larger that any cart, which could be bought by players. Even at a specialized store. However, he wished to make it even bigger, that not being surprising. As it was a well-known fact that humanity’s greed and ambition had no limits.

After a short walk both arrived into a nearby alley, in it was parked a well-armored carriage. In front of it, were four magnificent horses. Seeing Artanis’s expression, the man spoke.

“Beautiful, aren’t they? Each cost me a small fortune.” The man boasted. He were, very proud of his horses. Which were rumored, to have descended from the noble lineage of royal purebred horses of the ancient kingdom Karnagmiel.

“I bought them, from a famous horse breeding couple. For less than half the price they had asked.” He told her, and having remembered their faces when he bought their four best horses at an incredibly lower price. He exploded in laughter.

“So, where I put them?” She asked, referring to the large amount of products the man had her carry.

“Inside the cart, of course.” He said, before taking a complex gold key from his pocket. With it, he opened the only door that the cart had. His cart looked like a solid iron safe on wheels. The cart was already half-filled with various goods, some that she had never seen before. Her task finished the large man called out for her while him comfortable sat on the carriage’s single seat.

<<< Last ChapterNext Chapter >>>