Chapter 1487: Enchanted Chart
There was one thing he noticed from all the store owners and their workers. They were not just ordinary people who opened the shop for profit. They were people with more if not stronger than all participants. He noticed that when the chef in his lodging dispersed his aura easily, and the barkeeper at the tavern he often visited was also not ordinary.
While not all of them were not necessarily stronger than the participants, these people had their fair experience against the Calamity. He thought about it before, thinking he should befriend all the store owners, but then that was just too much for him. Until he got Tortoine's meat. He did not need to get close to them, but he could exchange those for information with the meat or maybe other materials.
"I have one fifty meters tortoine, three of forty meters tortoines, and five of thirty meters and lower tortoines."
The Chef raised his hand, "Wait a minute...." He did a quick calculation in his head, "Depending on the quality of the meat. If it's perfect, meaning you don't damage the meat while hunting it. I can give you fifty million for all of them."
Tang Shaoyang raised his eyebrow, surprised to hear the price. He expected for a few million at most or maybe ten to fifteen million GC. But he just did not expect them to be that expensive. That was around the price for Ancient Grade equipment or even Myth Rank Equipment. It was just the meat of Rank 1 Calamity, and yet it fetched that high price.
"I don't have the meat with me now. But they will be ready by tomorrow. Don't worry about the meat. I cut them by the neck. You will not get the damaged meat."
"Did you bring them to the market? You should bring them to me directly, and I will dismantle them for free for you. I will just take the meat and give you the remaining parts," The Chef shook his head in pity, "Is it your first time selling Tortoine's meat? Ah, I forget you are a bumpkin who does not know the elite gourmet. Of course, you don't know anything about tortoine."
"It fetches a high price because of how rare It is. You can only find calamity like tortoine in an abandoned world like this world. In the blacksmith's words, tortoine is similar to the rare ore."
"That's why The Sorc Clan was angry that I hunted the tortoine," Tang Shaoyang realized why the Sorc Clan went that far just because he killed a few tortoine. While being a Rank 1 Calamity, tortoine was sought, not just for the meat but for its shell as well. Duvrag looked for tortoine's shell, and this chef was interested in the meat.
"Fifty million, deal?" The Chef offered his hand to transfer the money. He wanted to finalize the deal immediately and did not think that Tang Shaoyang would deceive him.
"But I don't want your money."
The Chef furrowed his brow when heard that part, confused, "What do you mean? What am I supposed to pay you with?"
"Information. I want information for tortoine. Not just any information, but specific information that might help me in the Calamity Hunting. Ah, I also found one seventy meters tortoine, and three of sixty meters tortoine. I will catch them for you as well."
The Chef was surprised and then he smiled. His index finger knocked the table. It looked like he was considering the offer instead of agreeing immediately. However, little did he know that Tang Shaoyang had [Absolute Sense]. A passive skill that could read emotion.
Tang Shaoyang immediately knew that he had gotten the deal. The Chef looked like he was contemplating the deal to bargain.
The Chef reluctantly took out a token. It was the same token he got from Duvrag Smithy. It was the same token to access Cladeos Emporium's exclusive items, "What about this token for the meat in the market? We will talk about if you can bring me the seventy-meter tortoine." He looked proud as he presented the token.
"Don't look at the material. The token might look cheap, but with that token, you can access Cladeos Emporium's exclusive items. Don't you need the proper equipment to hunt the Calamity?"
Tang Shaoyang chuckled, "Unfortunately, I am not interested in your token. I have one." He then placed his token given by Calderon, "And I have met the person who manages the store. Elonia, right? She allows me to put a reserve order for up to ten items."
The Chef's smile froze, not expecting Tang Shaoyang to have the token. He grabbed the token to ensure it was not fake. Even though he knew it was impossible for it to be fake. All participants did not know the existence of Cladeos Emporium's token, so how to fake something they did not know?
"Who gave you this token?" The Chef subconsciously raised his voice. He wanted to have a talk with the fool who gave out the token even before the trial started. The fact Tang Shaoyang had this on his first day of the trial, told him that Tang Shaoyang got him before even the trial started. He wanted to talk with the person who foiled his plan.
"I can't disclose my partner's information. So, do you have any good information for me?"
The Chef clicked his tongue, "Let me think," He placed the token back on the table, closing his eyes. This time, he was contemplating for real, thinking what he could give to Tang Shaoyang that was worth fifty million.
"Ah, that's right that thing," He remembered something, "What about the map? If I am not wrong, its name is Enchanted Chart? It records the area you have explored. But that's not just an ordinary map. You can register the Calamity, and it will show you on the map if you are at least ten kilometers from the monster. On top of that, the map has a navigation ability if you want to go to a specific area. It can even give you a safer route by avoiding the monster."
"Are you interested in the item?" The Chef smiled.
*** ***
In Addition to the map information and where to get it, Manoe, The Chef decided to pay Tang Shaoyang the original price of the tortoine meat, fifty million GC.
Tang Shaoyang stood in front of the Cladeos Emporium once more. There was no more crowd in the store, just dozens of people. He showed the token and was led to the third floor, "I want to buy an Enchanted Chart."
The attendant was surprised when she heard that. They sold the map, but they never promoted it. It was a secret item in the shop that only a few knew about.
"I will get the item for you, Sir. Please wait for a moment," the attendant bowed and left the room.
Tang Shaoyang was in the same room when he first visited. It seemed like the token holder would be assigned to a specific room. Less than a minute later, the door was opened. It was not the attendant, but Elonia and the store manager.
The half-elf wore a red dress with flower embroidery, holding a scroll in her hand, "I don't expect you to return this early and find out about this item." She waved the green scroll in her hand.
"But how do you know about this item? Who told you about the item?" Elonia sat across Tang Shaoyang and asked.
"Manoe. The owner of the only exotic restaurant in this city." He thought of getting information from this lady. But soon he realized he had nothing he could offer to her to help him. There was no reason for Elonia to help him. Especially when there was no benefit for her.
"Ah, that disgusting self-proclaimed gourmet," For the first time, Elonia showed genuine disgust on her face, "It seems like you got something that guy likes for him to tell you about this. What do you get for him?"
Tang Shaoyang furrowed his brow as the meeting turned into an interrogation, "I feel like I am being interrogated. Am I wrong, Lady Elonia?"
"You are taking it too seriously. It's just a simple question. It's not like that information could be used against you, right?" She smiled.
"I just don't like being questioned." That was because it reminded his past. He had gone through a lot. Fighting the monster he never imagined existed, fighting the self-
proclaimed God, and going to another world. Despite everything he had gone through, it was just over one year, almost two years since the game started. It was not that long. So he still remembered vividly his past, being interrogated by the police as well as his boss. He never liked that, and it was still the same until now. It sounded like a simple question, but it was similar to how an interrogation started. They started with trivial questions before going for the real issue.
"And are you admitting that you are looking for something to be used against me?"
On top of that, he did not like being interrogated. He felt like this lady was looking for something from him. Even though he did not know why, he could tell that from the first time he met him. They did not talk that much, but he could tell the lady was observing him. He did not know the reason, but that was enough for him to be cautious.
"Am I?" Elonia rubbed her chin, thinking by herself then she smiled, "But why do I need to find something to be used against you? Are you really that important for me to do that?"
"That's what I want to know too," Tang Shaoyang shrugged, "So, do you want to sell the item or not?"
"I am offended by your suspicion of me. But I will never get personal feelings in the business. Business is still business," Elonia put the table on the table and offered her hand. That meant Tang Shaoyang wouldmake the purchase directly with her, not the manager, "It's fifty million."
Tang Shaoyang was surprised to hear the price, the same price as the meat he sold to Manoe. He understood why he insisted. The map was the payment for the meat. He transferred the money, took the map, and left the room immediately.
"Am I being too sensitive?" Outside the building, he asked himself. He did not know but he just felt that way when Elonia started asking questions.