The adventurer said as he seemed to roll his eyes at the question.

Ryan couldn't really tell if the elf or man really rolled his eyes or he was just imagining it, because it was really hard to tell what was going on with the adventurers face with all of the muck or whatever thing was on him.

The important thing was that the adventurer didn't only confirm knowing Ryan, he also dropped the fact that Ryan was known amongst the other adventurers which in Ryan's situation was a big big plus.

It felt like despite all the adversities he was currently facing, he'd started making headway.

"Okay, any proper scammer would know that, but I'm feeling a bit peckish today, or perhaps you could say gamb-ly and I'm willing to take a chance on you." Ryan said.

" All fine by me, I'll take the potions now, I'm really in a rush, I have to get back to my group ASAP. " The elf said.

Ryan didn't really have anything more to say as this was his first time dealing with a situation like this, and he was hoping he'd have a big hit rather than a very, very, very expensive lesson.

Going into the back of his shop he quickly arranged a premium package of potions —that was fifteen vials of minor health potions and took out a single teleportation stone.

" Well, Mr... " Ryan said, giving a chance to the adventurer to complete the sentence.

"Cicero, Cicero Cross. It's nice to finally be introduced to a real gentleman. Unfortunately I'll have to leave now, I'm sure that you understand. " Cicero said with a sad smile.

"Of course, go do you. Just one more thing, where's my information?" Ryan asked as he handed over the items, his ring glinting in the sun

" All in good time Mr Lionheart, Come by the Sirens call whenever you're done with work I'll be there, the all father willing" Cicero said with a chuckle before suddenly pausing as Ryan's new ring glint again in the sun. " Huh?"

"What?" Ryan said seeing as Cicero's eyes seemed to be glued to the ring on his finger.

"It's nothing, so, Sirens call after work, yes?" Cicero responded as he seemed to catch himself.

To be honest, Ryan found the reaction weird.

He didn't know if he was to press Cicero for what had startled or drawn him about the ring, or if he was just going to keep it on a hush and wait for when they actually met up at the most popular tavern in Denair— the Sirens call.

"Sure, see you then" Ryan said.

The elf quickly picked up the items and dashed in another direction, Ryan's eyes struggling to keep track of the adventurer's movement in what was actually a straight road . Which probably meant that the player himself was most likely high leveled

Shaking his head at the absurdity of the situation and bizarre reaction Ryan stared at the ring still on his fingers.

It was probably nothing more than a bauble but even the walking mud man thinks it's something.

Pushing the thoughts of the ring away from his mind, Ryan began to take stock of what he had left in his shop. It turned out not to be that much and Ryan couldn't really put a finger on what he was going to do about his dwindling stock and his lack of materials to make more.

Here he was, basically running a charity when he was neck deep in debt was basically something that he couldn't wrap his head around. Was he unfortunate, stupid or was something off with him. At this point he it could be all three.

It didn't really make alot of sense but his intuition was screaming at him that he'd made the right decision.

Maybe even the best in his career or this month was what would be timestamped as the moment he sold his dreams in exchange for nothing, well probably jail or a life time of servitude if he couldn't make up for all his lost time.

Ryan didn't have much time to dwell on it as the dwarf from earlier came back looking a little down trodden and beaten.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

Raising his head and standing tall for what would most likely be a terrible, terrible review or the most interesting plot twist he'd receive in his trading lifecycle.

"Hey, how've you been" Ryan asked hoping to break the ice and make small talk.

"Haven't I told you to stop with all yer sweet words lad" the dwarf growled.

Ryan wanted to comment that he definitely wasn't smiling compared to the version of him that came earlier.

"What's got your knickers in a twist fine sir" Ryan said in a placating tone.

"Ha, fine sir he says. You've turned me into a pauper" the dwarf said

Ryans brow creased at the accusation.

"I'm not sure I'm following" Ryan said.

The dwarf balled his fists and stood on his tippy toes to reach Ryans face, staring menacingly in the eyes before he let out a soft sigh and dropped back on the balls of his feet.

"Let me break it for yer, yer wimp. The lads them think that they've never done tasted something as crass as what you've been selling. Did you gimme expired potions lad ?" The dwarf Thundered while pointing an accusatory finger at him.

"Of course not, what kind of business do you think I run here. I only produce the best of the best and you even felt the need to defend me yourself" Ryan quickly pointed out.

"Ah bollocks, the lot of it. I done lost lot's of coin betting on yer potion, sure it was as effective as the last time but most of the gang preferred that of them scum bags — the Looter's Heaven." the dwarf said.

Ryan struggled to understand, did the Looter's heaven minor health potions do more for minor injuries, taste better or were the lot of them just deluded, he couldn't tell.

"Well, I assure you kind sir that I haven't skimped on producing quality content for your hands, maybe the looters heaven are doing something better than me". Ryan said thoughtfully.

The dwarf kept staring at him

"those swine" the dwarf hissed while spitting on the floor on the last part.

Fantastic. Ryan thought as he'd managed to sway his first loyalty customer and it wasn't as though he planned it but more or less that the realm had decided to reward his good heart, probably.

"Well, you're always welcome to shop here, maybe you could also bring your pals here too" Ryan suggested hoping that he wasn't stretching this too much.

"Ah, I couldn't really even remember the last time those hammer heads weren't up the Looter's Heaven arse." The dwarf said with a snort.

Ryan couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the image the dwarfs words painted in his mind.

"Well I'm sure if anyone can convince them it'd be you sir " Ryan said with a soft smile.

"Still savvy with the words aye lad. A good skill for a proper merchant to have, keep it up and you might just make something of yourself" The dwarf said with a rare grin.

"I have ta' hit the road now lad, monsters ta' hunt, coins ta' earn, debts ta' clear" the dwarf said while making sure to look pointedly at Ryan at the last part before turning and leaving.

Ryan could barely make sense of the dwarfs personality, he seemed like a very interesting character.

And it was alittle weird how he didn't really know much about the adventurer, and yet, here he was calling him a loyal customer, when he hadn't really gotten to know him on a first name basis.

Heck he didn't think that the man even knew his name at this point.

Ryan would've continued contemplating his thoughts if not for the trio of adventurers that seemed to be headed for his shop.

Fixing his posture and getting ready for the battle of words that was most likely to come with such a group, He started the interaction.

"Hello gentlemen and fair lady, what would you like to get today, I serve only the best health potions and there's also teleportation stone available. Won't you be interested in having some backup incase of a hiccup ?" Ryan proclaimed using his best salesman tone.

"lady ?, I'm a man you filthy imbecile" the adventurer that he'd referred to as a lady said, completely disregarding every other thing that left Ryan's mouth.

Looking closely Ryan could see how he could've made the mistake, the adventurer in question was tall and lithe like a female and had long golden hair covering his face so it was alittle hard to discern what was underneath.

Ryan couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the situation he'd found himself in. Almost certainly a hopless one.

How would he begin to apologize to an adventurer who'd just had his masculinity challenged in the most brutal way possible, in front of his friends or comrades nonetheless.

Ryan was officially screwed if he didn't manage to placate the elf — if the pointed ears were anything to go by. That he was really sorry about the mishap.

"I'm really really sorry about that, I'm getting blind in my eyes. Its hard to see in the shades of red, blue and purple, I didn't mean that sir" Ryan said lying through his teeth.

" Ah, so you're partially blind is it?,Too bad. I was looking forward to seeing you bleed for what you just said but I'll willing let it slide this time" The elf said with a somewhat melodic voice.

Ryans heart started to beat alittle slower as the promise of violence seemed abate with each breath

"Pfft, you're just too weak to do anything about him... Man child" another member of their group mocked. Ryan would put all his meager coin on a gamble that the adventurer that just spoke was a troll judging by how he was built like an oak tree.

"Man child ?, Boreas I'm literally higher ranked on the leaderboard than you are and you haven't beaten me in a one on one fight in almost three years, are you accepting the fact that you're being bested by a 'man child' ? " The elf quipped with a smirk.

Ryan eye's widened involuntarily, his entire being couldn't believe that the mammoth of a being that was the troll couldn't beat the feminine and wiry form of the elf infront of him.

"You only win because I let you, Master silver wouldn't take to kindly to his investment being damaged after all" Boreas said with a tone that promised violence if the matter was pushed further.

"Master silvers doesn't pay you to just stand on the sparring mat like a dummy, it's your inability to handle me that's holding you back, troll" The elf said with a sneer making sure to up turn his nose at Boreas.