Ryan shook his head, the memory bringing a smile to his face. It was that very day that he decided that he'd become rich.

He'd get rich enough to court one of the twins someday. Looking back, that seemed like a reasonable dream for any teenager to have, but for an adult, that was terrible source of motivation.

His goal as an adult now, was to have enough to eat and pay his rent on time.

Unfortunately he was one of the few people who couldn't let their childhood dreams just pass by them. He couldn't and wouldn't stand idly by, nope, he'd become the best in the world, ring or no ring.

Just as Ryan was about to laugh at his internal confidence. He saw the dwarf that had patronized his earlier premium package, seemingly walking up to his stall.

Ryan hoped that the dwarf would actually make it into the stall, rather than turn and run away like the rest of the other potential customers he'd had today.

"Good day, step right up for your premium potion package and a teleportation stone that is guaranteed to save your life" Ryan said

terms and conditions apply of course.

"None of that yer nonsense with me lad" The dwarf said as he stepped right up against the shop.

"I see business ain't going so well for you boyyo?"

Now, Ryan didn't really know how to respond to what he'd just been asked by the dwarf, he could lie, but what would be the point in that.

"It's been a slow day. What can I help you with ?. I have potions and T-stones readily available for you" Ryan said hoping to sell off something today.

"Actually, it's more of a case of what can I help you with lad" The dwarf said with a mischievous grin.

Ryan didn't like what was happening, this verbal exchange didn't look like it'd be pleasant for him at any rate. He'd interacted with the dwarf a few times and he could tell that the adventurer was a certified sadist, so whatever could be making him smile at this point probably wouldn't be good for Ryan or anyone that smile was directed towards.

Ryan felt sad for whatever monster in the dungeons, that had the misfortune of seeing that predatory smile.

"Well, what do you have for me? " Ryan asked warily.

"Well, me folks back at da' tavern were arguing about da' best potion for price and I said you serve the best potions." Pausing to stare intently at Ryan he continued.

"So, do you think that you actually serve best potions? Or am I bonkers?. If you can quickly give me your word on the matter lad, I'll quickly leave your presence." The dwarf said with a merry tone.

"That is quite generous of you, I'll swear on the fates that I haven't been selling substandard and watered down potions. You've had one of my potions before, haven't you?" Ryan asked.

"Of course I have, but most of me mates don't believe me. It's my word against the lot of them, so I've come here to purchase thirty potions lad, and if yer potions holds up. Yer might get yer'self a good number of new patrons" The adventurer said.

Ryan's mind wanted to explode. Here he was, sulking about a terrible sales day and the god's had decided to bless him with a chance to both earn money, and grow a customer base all at the same time.

Working on adrenaline pumping in his veins, he managed to bag the potions in record time.

"A one-time special just for you, my good friend. I'll be giving you the potions for half the price, as a gesture of goodwill. I'll take three hundred and ten silvers for the thirty potions" Ryan said with a sweet smile.

"Ahh, tryin' to butter me up, ehh lad" the dwarf cracked a smile and continued,

"I must confess that it's working boy, more generosity like that and you'd have the adventurers eating from the palm of your hands."

Ryan couldn't help but smile at the prospects, before snapping back and facilitating the exchange of money and coins between hands. The dwarf leaving with a nod and his weird smile towards Ryan.

It wasn't something that Ryan could easily believe, he'd never at any point in time had a thought that he could get an opportunity like this so early. After all, it wasn't something that happened everyday.

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The possibility of earning so much money partnering with the adventurers. He sat down on the chair in his shop and continued to think on the various possibilities that could be. The bauble ring on his finger was nothing but trash at this point.

Ryan knew that he had to take this opportunity by the neck and try to maximize the profit margin.

This type of partnership was nothing more than a standard tactic in the Eternal Realm, most especially the merchanting industry. A win-win strategy. He would get a chance to advertise by using the dwarf's word of mouth, or perceived generous situation.

Plus it was a good deal for both sides, he'd halved the cost of the potion for the dwarf. The dwarf on the other hand, would help him to advertise his products to other adventurers, helping Ryan to get more customers.

However, it was good practice for him not to get too ahead of himself and forget that it was not done deal at this point in time.

More customers came by during the day, a few buying potions others wasting his time. As the sun began to go down. Ryan was approached by another adventure, It was a tired looking adventurer caked in what looked like mud from head to toe.

"Hello, I heard that this is the place for discounted potions. I need a couple of health potions and teleportation stones, if you have them. " The adventurer said.

Ryan stared at the adventurer head to toe, he couldn't even tell the race of the adventurer because of how much of their face was cover with mud.

Stylishly taking a closer look, Ryan couldn't really tell if that was really mud or some other thing that he definitely hoped it wasn't.

"Sure, I have potions and teleportation stones, how much of each would you like to purchase." Ryan said.

"I'll take your premium potion package and a teleportation stone although I don't have coins to pay" the adventurer said, his tone somewhat abashedly.

Ryan didn't even know what to say at this point. Why was this goo covered man wasting his time. Ryan had the urge to snap at the man and release all his pent up anger on the man but he decided to calm down and take it easy.

"What exactly is that supposed to mean, you do know that I am not running a charity right?" Ryan said.

The adventurer let out a little chuckle at the fact.

"Oh, I don't have any coin on me but I have information, valuable information that'll be worth far more than whatever you'll be charging for your products" the adventurer said confidently.

The confidence in the way the words of the adventurer really intrigued Ryan.

"Is that so? " Ryan asked skeptically.

"I assure you, I and my teammates just finished a dungeon run, we got down to the twelfth floor, but we had to get out as it was way above our level, I have injured teammates and I need to get this back to them." The adventurer said.

Now, Ryan had his reasons to be skeptical but the thought that the adventurer in-front of him was strong enough to go down to the twelfth floor was mind boggling.

Most adventurers died after the seventh or eighth floor, even when they were in teams.

So Ryan had to take a second to analyze the situation properly.

The adventurer was indirectly claiming to be a high ranking player or atleast someone that was affiliated with high ranking adventurers.

Second was the fact that the adventurer was claiming that he had information that would certainly be worth more than the gold value of his products.

There was the part of him that was concerned that this was an elaborate scam, like the ring that was currently on his finger.

The other part of him salivated thinking about the opportunities the information could open up for him, whatever it was.

He couldn't even put a finger on how much he would be losing within last night and this morning if this turned out to be nothing more than a scam.

Taking a deep breath he twirled the ring around his finger.

The uncertainty weighing deep on his mind, he'd remembered the word of the iron bender. Here in the eternal Realm; information was the real currency.

"How do I know you're not just an opportunistic scammer." Ryan asked

"You don't, but I assure you that I'm not" The adventurer said with a small smile.

Ryan couldn't help but smile at the response, the adventurer definitely had a way with words.

"Fine, just know that I'm a devout follower of Veron and he wouldn't spare you his wrath if I'm cheated" Ryan bluffed. Hoping that the mention of the well known deity would be enough to scare off any scammer.

"Then you have nothing to worry about as I am also a devout of the all father" the adventurer said.

Ryan couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at the response from the adventurer.

His entire being was vibrating at the prospect of him being caught in an obvious lie. All in all, it wasn't really a bad deal as the adventurer was unshaken at the potential repercussions of defrauding Ryan.

Well, as always, what merchant had ever gotten big without taking risks. This was one that might help him build a reputation with a high ranking adventurer, and his team by extension. Something that the dwarf certainly wasn't, not like ryan was going to discriminate against customers.

Setting the items on the counter. Ryan hesitated to pass the items to the adventurers outstretched hands.

"Well, I don't know how you managed to do it, but you've convinced me to take a leap of faith. " Ryan said.

"Ah. Sasha always said I had a silver tongue, good to see it in action," The adventurer said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

With a start Ryan realized that he'd probably have been keeping the adventurer waiting for a long time and it was quite uncommon for a high ranking adventurer to remain disciplined in such conditions.

Ryan shouldn't let the opportunity presented to him just go past him. Although calling it an opportunity was abit of a stretch.

"Well, how do I know that you aren't just trying to pull a fast one on me" Ryan asked.

Ryan carefully stared at the adventurer's expression but it was hard to read as the man was covered in mud and things Ryan wouldn't really want to dwell on.

"You don't. You'll just have to take my word for it" the adventurer said.

"Hehe, that's definitely going to be a tricky one. Tell you what, I'll give you what you've asked for if you can tell me my full name" Ryan said.

Of course he hadn't met the man before, and all these events occurring around the same time was really starting to freak him out. So he'd best verify if the man or elf by the looks of it, actually sought him specifically or it was just a scammer looking for their next victim.

"Sure, You're the Merchant most adventurers have been talking about, You're Ryan, Ryan Lionheart."