“Greetings fair lady, would you like to trade?”

“Initiating handshake….” System-Veronika stated

“Ah. Handshake reciprocating…” The peddler nodded as she closed her eyes to allow a handshake scan over her face. Then activated one of her own from her own eyes, which ran over Veronika’s sober face.

“Oh? A Concordat clone? That is something I did not expect to see here. And built with a Chingu handshake. I’m impressed fair lady. Because our meeting was with good impressions, I’ll impart a 2% discount on all sales for today.”

System-Veronika nodded. Her eyes scanned over the goods and stopped at a hand fan, which was made of sandalwood and rice paper. Rare materials to be seen on Seria, so they were obviously imported from Earth. Even on Earth, it was likely the materials to be rare. To be on display at a common goods counter, was the peddler stupid or scheming at something terribly devious. Likely the latter from the smug grin on the peddler’s face.

“The hand fan is not low grade goods. You could have your trading permit suspended if the Planetary Commercial Administration found out.”

The peddler responded with a nervous laugh then brushed the comment aside while she busied herself with other patrons.

System-Veronika picked up the hand fan and carefully examined it closer.

[System, I’m zooming in the material compounds. There’s something familiar with the materials of this fan]

Veronika did a microscopic scan over the object, and sure enough, she found what she had been suspecting. The trace was so weak it could be missed. But some of the organic base of the paper seemed to originate from Seria continent on Earth, before it was destroyed and made as a seabed when the continent sunk under the fury of molten lava and fire. Due to immortal cultivation mishaps, historical evidence of the continent was literally wiped off the maps and records. Just as well, it wouldn’t have done future humanity any good if they had learned about immortal cultivation. And from that point, humanity focused on technology advancements. Magic were just figments of imagination. But somehow a mineral from the old continent had survived: possibly as a fossil that had lasted for generations and was preserved by science. It made her wonder on things.

[This fan is not low grade, it’s too high grade. But I want this fan, System. Would there be an issue owning it?]

“No. Not for us. Acknowledged target acquisition. Engaging…” System-Veronika’s eyes narrowed. “There must be honor with business.”

She stepped before the peddler with the fan in her hand. “Illegal goods.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“It’s premium grade. Your merchant permit wouldn’t allow these goods for trading. So your profit will be solely in your pocket without a cut to your guild house.”

The peddler chuckled and smugly regarded System-Veronika with shrewd eyes.

Veronika internally groaned, feeling that her reassurance of no trouble was flying out the window.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Considering our first impressions were good, how about I take this off your hands for 60% cost reduction inclusive of the 2% discount. It’s fair considering the danger having this out in the open might give you.” System-Veronika coolly said to open up a trade deal.

The peddler glanced sideward with thought. Indeed, she was hoping to sell the damn thing off her hands to some wealthy patron on the black market. But the Guild Inspectors had somehow caught on to her possession of it. So all she could do was almost give it away at a bargain price in some common backwater sale. The sooner, the better. She didn’t anticipate a Concordat Clone to be a local at a Lakionian tavern, and aware of the item’s quality. It did pose risk, and should her guild house find her dealing the item, they would fine her out of business. So far she had been doing well to keep herself off the radar and in control. But this clone wanted to deal for it. Looked like things might work in her favor after all.

“That much?! Look at the quality. No, how about 30%”

System-Veronika carefully placed the folded hand fan down and stepped back to walk away. “I won’t be the one fined out of business should another human discover this… mishap.”

She took a few steps away.

The peddler groaned when she realized she probably couldn’t get away with trying to palm off the premium good to a clueless buyer. At least this person knew what it was and willing to take a risk on the purchase.

“Come back and let’s work on our deal again.”

System-Veronika flashed a grin then dropped it and turned around to return to the table and deal.

“59% and those mechanical brushes.” She stated her price with her eyes pointed at a set of common paint brushes that were glowing with circuit patterns and synthetic fibers.

“Training brushes? Are you learning to draw?” The peddler mused and eagerly showed off some training tablets. “How about, I’ll throw in these art tablets for 45% discount, making the hand fan, brushes and tablets all for a low low price of 30 thousand credits.”

[How many credits?!] Veronika gasped and splurted in her mind.

“Fifteen thousand. I’m taking trouble off your hands after all.”

“Twenty five thousand. It would be easy to sell to non-human patrons and not have anyone know.”

“Eighteen thousand. A bad sale will always come back to you. At that time, you’ll receive far worse punishment than being fined out of business.”

“Twenty thousand. Oh, are you the one to make that happen?”

“Eighteen thousand five hundred. Not if this sale goes ahead with a good price. Business is business.” System-Veronika stood steadfast before the peddler.

They both stood in a silent stand-off before the peddler disengaged with a hearty chuckle and wide grin.

“Deal! You know your bargains when you see it.”

System-Veronika calmly swiped the Concordat credit card over the peddler’s palm to register the transaction. Veronika groaned when she saw her credit balance reducing to a bitty number on a console screen in her mind.

“My calling card, should you ever need to deal with me again. Just scratch the flower and I’ll be there.”

System-Veronika accepted the card with both hands and cordial bow, then turned over the card to examine the silver circuit pattern of a chrysanthemum with a scratch panel floral disc. She placed the card in Veronika’s left breast pocket, which had the peddler smiling with satisfaction. Then picked up and carried the goods up the stairs and to the room Veronika was using temporarily.

“I’m relinquishing control.”

Veronika sighed when she felt her control over her body again. Although, it wasn’t too bad to be a passenger this time around. But she still felt a smug feeling and glow from the transaction. Naturally, System was still relishing the energies of a good deal.

[I’ll be offline running patches. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the items] System went offline.