Getting the ingredients was just a formality at this point. Ryan got them in bags as he did the previous day, paying the same amount as before without the hassle.

It was a pretty slow day. He spent the hours after that conversation brewing potions, his mind drifting off trying to figure out ways to solve his current problems.

In fact, he was so distracted that he started thinking about his time at the orphanage: the rush for food, having to share everything, the lack of privacy. That was probably what made Ryan become introverted. There was always a push here or there; fights were often commonplace.

There wasn't a day that passed by without some kid brawling with another. In fact, there were days that they had multiple brawls and all-out fights over scarce items. It was a dog-eat-dog world in there, and he couldn't necessarily blame the matron and her helpers. They were stretched thin as it was, having to take care of so many children at the same time. It must've been taxing for them, the feeling of having so many lives to take care of. Heck, Ryan could barely keep himself afloat.

Most of his friends from the orphanage skipped town after they were eligible to be kicked out, all looking for their purpose and their place to fit in the world. But not him. Ryan was pretty sure that he was going to make it in this town, and here he was on the cusp of greatness, yet problems seemed to follow him at every turn. He couldn't even put a hand down without someone trying to drag him into the abyss.

With a sigh, Ryan began to bottle his potions. It was a little interesting how he'd never thought about doing deals in all the time he'd been trading. Well, he'd actually thought about it, to be honest, but the potential profits being cut in half was something he couldn't stomach at the time. Plus, there was the fact that he had a policy of never borrowing because the guild's terms were terrible. Fat load of crap that was—he ended up eating from the sucker's hands anyway.

He couldn't wait to find out what his fate would be at this point. He was someone that worked hard, although the booze might've affected his work rate a little—well, a lot actually. But he was making amends now; the potion had to be his way out.

After he finished bottling up his potions, he opened up his shop for the day's customers and began to wait. It didn't take long before he started to get customers.

The first one was a very difficult adventurer to please.

"Hello, good morning. What can I help you with?" Ryan said to the adventurer.

"Good to be here. I heard that this was the place to get potions for cheap," the adventurer said.

"Yes, I'll have you know that we serve the best potion in Denair, freshly brewed with nothing but the best ingredients in the markets, sure to help you when in a pinch. And for a limited time only, we are currently offering package deals," Ryan said.

"Blah blah blah, please get to the point. You're wasting my time," the adventurer replied.

On a normal day, Ryan would've just moved the conversation along and offered the bozo the deal, but right now Ryan was pissed—not necessarily at the adventurer, no. More like at himself and how his life was turning out, how shitty of a day he'd had yesterday, and how uncertain his future was. So he might as well piss off this bozo too.

"Yes, of course, I will get to the point. My family has been in the potion-making business for years. My great-great-great-grandfather was the first in a long line of alchemists, and from generation to generation, the recipe has been passed down. All for me to prepare the quality potion for you to—"

"How much are your damned potions?" the adventurer practically screamed, causing Ryan to inwardly chuckle at the annoying prat.

"Well, good sir, it costs four hundred silvers for ten potions," Ryan said, inflating the figures by a lot.

Of course, it wasn't as though he expected the buffoon in front of him to notice with all that huffing and puffing he was doing. In fact, someone would've thought he was a bull.

"Finally. Take them coins and give me the potions." Within seconds, they were done, with both parties exchanging items. Ryan was the winner at the end of the day.

Ryan wasn't one to take advantage of people, but at that point, he was very well pissed and annoyed to the point he didn't just care about morals. And even though he felt a little bad for cheating the man out of his money, he had to admit that it did feel a lot good to have someone to vent to, even if he didn't raise his voice at the adventurer.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

Well, that was pretty much that. Before he could have a seat, more customers came to buy items, and so another day of haggling began. He argued, persuaded, coerced, and even had to compromise during deals. It didn't really help that most of the adventurers behaved like bulls—hot-headed and more brawn than brains. Of course, it fell to him to be the reasonable one, always the one to back down when things got too heated.

Of course, it wasn't like he really had a choice, as he could be attacked and killed at any point, and the adventurer could escape without much issue. That was the risk that came with being a small-scale merchant. Most medium-scale and larger merchants often hired guards because of the unpredictable nature of adventurers. One minute they could be smiling with you, the next you're being stabbed, punched at, burned, and if you're extremely unlucky, killed and all your wares looted by either the killer or the adventurers that come after.

It wasn't like the authorities weren't trying their best; they did what they could. But they couldn't be everywhere at once, and most of the guards themselves couldn't compare to the more experienced adventurers. In fact, most guards were likely to turn a blind eye to a static being killed by high-ranking adventurers. But when they could, they stepped in to save the static. If the static didn't survive, the adventurer would be sent to Valhalla.

Ryan was just coming out of his reverie when he saw Mr. Darius walking towards his shop. He quickly arranged himself and his shop, slicking back his hair and arranging his clothes, positioning his potions, and clearing anything that looked out of place.

"Good day, Mr. Lionheart," Mr. Darius said.

"Good morning, Mr. Darius. I've read your terms, and I have decided to decline your offer, respectfully," Ryan said.

It might've been Ryan's imagination, but Mr. Darius's left eye seemed to twitch, and it happened in a way that was comical. Ryan almost burst out laughing if not for a little bit of self-control holding him back. He could tell that Mr. Darius was a man who wasn't used to rejection; his formerly bored expression now seemed forced, as though he was trying to suppress something.

"Is that so? We can, of course, discuss the terms," Mr. Darius said.

"Well, overall, I believe the contract isn't in my best interest, so I won't be negotiating as I don't believe there is anything to gain from the partnership," Ryan said politely.

"I want you to consider your words, boy. An offer like this only comes once in a lifetime. Some merchants hope and pray to be presented the contract I have just given to you. So many before you have signed that contract in a heartbeat. Do you think that you're better than them?" Mr. Darius said.

"Better? Nope. Luckier is the word. I pray for the hearts of all of those who work for you. May the All Father give them peace," Ryan said.

The atmosphere was charged. Both men were tense, but they were merchants and both preferred to battle with words. Ryan would definitely not sign the contract, and Mr. Darius seemed hell-bent on getting his signature.

"Young man, I assure you that spurning this offer will destroy you in more ways than you can count. I hope for your sake that you come to your senses immediately and sign this contract, or else..." Mr. Darius said.

"I am in the right state of mind. My senses are intact, unlike whoever was unfortunate enough to sign that diabolical thing you call a contract. I will never sign that contract, and you can't come to my shop to threaten me. Please leave before things escalate," Ryan said.

Ryan's heart was beating so fast. Was he really about to start a fight with the richest and most connected franchise in the Eternal Realm? How did he go from politely rejecting an offer to purposely antagonizing the STO of Looter's Heaven?

"Well, that is true. I'll leave your SHOP, but be rest assured, Lionheart, you'll regret this decision for the rest of your life," he said while standing up. "Oh, before I forget, good luck with your trader's tax. It'll be a shame for you to have to lose everything." Mr. Darius said with a smirk before turning and leaving.

Ryan collapsed on the chair in his shop, hands on his head. He didn't even have an idea what he'd just gotten himself into. This was something he couldn't afford; they could crush him without even trying. In fact, he was pretty sure that they'd thought they had him wrapped up either way with the trader's tax. It was either he signed for them or he lost his shop. They most likely didn't even think he'd partnered with someone. That was good—in fact, that was splendid. That gave him about five to six days extra before the tax collector came, and he hopefully surprised them with the money.

He couldn't even believe he'd just stood up to Mr. Darius. It was a surreal feeling, him, a nobody, rejecting the pressure from someone way above his station.

Ryan didn't even have much time to dwell on the visit before his shop was once again overrun with customers. The first adventurer was a dwarf woman. She was well-built, dare he say ripped even. She had a mean face but, surprisingly, no beard. He didn't know why that tripped him up. It wasn't like it was his first time seeing a female dwarf; it was more like he'd come to associate their race with overly ridiculous beards, which was why he always got a bit off balance when he saw a female dwarf.

A loud thud shook him from his thoughts. Focusing back on her, he realized that she'd let her warhammer drop to the floor, and that was what probably made that loud noise.

"If yer done gawking, boy, pass me yer potions deal I been hearing so much about," she said with a clipped tone.

Without wasting time and risking annoying her, he hurried to package the potions. "Here you go, ma'am. I also have teleportation stones, sure to save your life when in a pinch," Ryan said.

"Yer merchants are always trying to squeeze us dry. I ain't ask yer for anything else but the potions. How much them potions cost?"

"For you, ma'am, three hundred and ten silvers only." They quickly made the exchange, and with that done, Ryan moved on to the next adventurer.

He managed to sell four out of the nine teleportation stones he currently had on hand, and a grand total of two hundred and ten potions. A quick check on his ledger revealed that he had made twenty-six gold and five hundred and ten silvers, which was a pretty impressive haul for the day.

Although he was overjoyed with the tally for the night, Ryan kept trying to keep his recent talk with Darius off his mind, but it kept popping up in his thoughts.