"For starters, you're not the type for conversations. Even the facade you use when dealing with customers is meh," Leo said. "Then there's the fact that you're submissive, probably because you're scared of being hurt."

Ryan couldn't help but nod in agreement. Of course he was scared of being hurt—did you see the kind of fellows that came to his shop? Adventurers that were hardened, and he always had to try and keep them on their good side so they didn't cause problems for him.

If that meant sucking up for a few moments and acting all respectful and such, then why not? At least he'd still get paid and, as a bonus, he'd get to keep his life and all his limbs intact.

"Well, I'm pretty sure that you know how these things work in Denair, Leo," Ryan said. "I don't know how you go about your business in Wergon, but here I try to make money and survive at the same time."

"I know, this shitty backwards town is a mess. They've got proper regulations in the bigger cities," Leo said with a sigh.

"Look, I understand what you're saying, but I've had time to craft a working business model," Ryan said. "It's not as fancy or as efficient as I'd like, but it's mine and it's helped me get this far."

"This far?" Leo snorted.

Ryan really didn't want to get into it with Leo, as that was a battle he'd definitely lose without much stress from the big man. All the evidence available actually went against Ryan in a sense; right now, Ryan was barely able to argue a case on the matter.

"Well, at least I'm better off than I was yesterday," Ryan mumbled.

But even that was a lie, and he knew it. The D-day had arrived but hey, at least he had a brother to take him home in case he fainted or anything after losing his property.

"Pfft, only you would think that," Leo snorted.

"That's good because only my opinion about me should matter," Ryan said defiantly.

The pair were locked in a war of wills; both refused to give up ground for the other. Ryan could sense their interaction about to get heated, and he didn't want it to come to that.

Luckily for him, someone rapped on the door.

Ryan's death glare left his face as he turned to meet whoever had saved him from imploding a relationship, probably.

"Hello, good morning! What can I help you with?" Ryan said, noticing that it was a new face. He quickly added, "I have Minor health potions, the best in Denair"—a snort echoed behind him—"and I also sell T-stones that will save your life when in a pinch."

Ryan wasn't one to dwell on the conciseness and well-spoken pitch, but now was as good a time as any to let a smile crest his face, knowing that Leo himself would be proud of that 'little upgrade' compared to his sales technique from two years ago. Although calling what he used two years ago a sales technique was a bit of a stretch.

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"Actually, I'm just here for the potions. Sasha said that I could get... some here," the new customer said, seeming to pause mid-sentence and pick a suitable ending.

More interesting, though, was that Cicero's squad were beginning to make good on their promises. They'd become more useful as the days wore on, if only they could complete the main part of the deal so that they could begin. Ryan glanced at the ring before looking back up at the... elf. Yes, pale skin, pointy ears—definitely an elf.

"Well, I have a potion package just for you," Ryan said with a smile. "Fifteen Minor health potions for the small price of three hundred and fifty silvers."

A smile seemed to appear on the adventurer's face as she... or he—Ryan wasn't going to make assumptions about elves again—seemed to find the price acceptable.

"Sure, if they're that cheap, then I'll have three sets of those," the elf said, beaming.

Ryan had to struggle not to split his face with a smile. Three sets of potions at once was forty-five potions in all and equated to him making up to a gold and fifty silvers. A good haul for him, especially since it'd be coming from only one customer.

Calming himself not to seem too rash, Ryan took a moment to think about it, which was really hard as his entire being wanted to jump back into the shop, stuff forty-five potions into a bag, and hand it over before the adventurer could change their mind.

Another part of him, however, noted that if this adventurer was willing to throw that kind of gold around, it most likely meant that they had more lying around, and he could go from a good haul to a great haul using just the right words.

"Sure, would you also want to reconsider buying some T-stones? The cheapest you'd find them in Denair," Ryan said with a smile as he lied through his teeth. "It'll be sure to save you in a pinch. I often think it best to avoid being hit than downing a health potion."

Ryan said this, trying to convey the importance of a T-stone to the adventurer. Ryan didn't really care about the health of the adventurer; no, it definitely wasn't that. Rather, Ryan was more concerned about increasing the bulge in his pouch. A single T-stone sold would bring in more profit than all forty-five potions combined, which was nothing to scoff at.

"Your offer is very tempting," the adventurer said as the elf seemed to contemplate the issue, no doubt gauging if they really needed the item at this point and losing that much gold in an instant.

"I'll have to decline. Perhaps I might return for the T-stones, or I might not," the elf said, staring expectantly at Ryan.

Ryan almost blanched. Surely not. Did the adventurer think that his wares were substandard or weren't worth the effort of purchasing? Ryan couldn't believe it and almost wanted to slap himself when he remembered that he was keeping a customer waiting.

Rushing into the back, not bothering to glance at Leo, he packed up the vials of potions, throwing in an extra one as a token of appreciation for the large order.

"Here's your potions," Ryan said as he handed them over to the outstretched arms of the adventurer. The potions immediately disappeared into thin air as the adventurer put them into a place only Veron knew.

What excited Ryan's eyes more were the coins that clinked on the countertop. The adventurer had already gone by the time he'd lifted his head from where the gold coins lay, and Ryan honestly didn't care much at that point.

Scooping up the coins, he counted up all one gold and fifty silvers complete. What a sale! He hoped the rest of the day would get to be as exciting as this.

A cough from behind made Ryan turn red.

"You done ogling the coins like a lover?" Leo mocked.

"Oh, shut up," Ryan said, face still red.

"My bad, I forgot that you were in the middle of a conversation with your lover... carry on, man," Leo said, hands raised in mock surrender.

Ryan almost face-palmed. He really had to keep it in his mind that Leo was standing behind him. It had been a long time since he'd had a supervisor—not that Leo was supervising, but still.

"Just let it rest, okay," Ryan said.