Voices of many people filled the busy marketplace. Some were selling meat, spices, herbs, and even weapons. The atmosphere reminded me of a morning market, where everyone tried to convince you to buy their goods.
"Why are we here?" Sebastian asked. We were wearing cloaks that covered our bodies to keep people from recognizing me. You know, Leon was infamous for causing trouble. If I showed my face, every shop here would probably close immediately.
"Just follow me. You'll find out soon enough."
We went deeper into the market, where gangs of thugs seemed to be watching our every move. Sebastian looked tense, but I motioned for him to stay calm.
"We're here," I said, stopping in front of an old blacksmith's shop with a nearly broken signboard.
Inside, it was quiet and dim. Unlike other smithies filled with the sound of hammering, this place looked abandoned even though the tools still hung on the walls.
"If you're here to request a weapon, then leave. This forge doesn't deal with cheap ore," a voice said from behind a curtain.
I saw the shadow of a man sitting with his back to us.
"What a waste. How long has it been since these tools were last used?" I asked.
"Two generations. If that answers your question, then leave. Are you a debt collector? Let me make this clear. My ancestor owned this forge before this district was even built. So no, I owe nothing!"
"Great Blacksmith, The Jugoan," I said, and the man froze instantly.
In the game, there was a character descended from the Great Blacksmith, The Jugoan, the only person capable of forging the legendary metal, Pyraxium. A rare ore that had to be forged correctly, or it would evaporate and crumble into nothing.
Standing before me was the last descendant of The Jugoan family, Nox Jugoan.
"How do you know about that? Only royal archivists should know such things."
"Of course. When Pyraxium became so rare it was thought extinct for a hundred years, your family turned to dust. But not for this young master."
"Young master? What are you—"
I quickly covered Sebastian's mouth before he could say anything. I didn't want any interruptions. He could just be the witness.
"Hah, even if you know about my family, so what? Pyraxium is a myth now. It's rarer than a dragon. Just leave already."
I knew he would say that.
"Sure, but what if I told you I could supply you with Pyraxium in large quantities? So much that your hands would ache from forging," I said, and that got Nox's attention.
"So, what do you want?" he asked cautiously.
"Work for me. Profits will be split 40:60. Of course, 60 for you," I said, handing him a contract. Nox glanced at it, then tossed it aside.
Ah, he took the bait.
"You say that, but where's your proof?"
"Naturally, but the contract says you must agree first before I show you the Pyraxium. Should I rewrite it?"
Since Nox had no real work, he had spent his inheritance gambling. That habit made him reckless and easy to manipulate.
"Huh! Fine. If you can bring me even a single Pyraxium ore by the day after tomorrow, I'll work for you. But if you fail, you owe me 10,000 G!" he said.
"Alright, but because of your arrogance, I'll change the profit share to 1:99. Deal?" I said, rewriting the contract to include his own challenge. Nox hesitated.
"F-fine! Deal!" he said and signed immediately. Once a gambler, always a gambler. Just like… urgh, why am I remembering her?
"Alright. I'll have it delivered to you tomorrow."
"And I'll be waiting for my 10,000 G," Nox said as we left.
As I looked at the signed contract, Sebastian spoke up.
"Young Master, what did you just promise him?" he asked. He clearly had no idea what Pyraxium was.
"Pyraxium is a superior metal. If struck or scratched, it repairs itself under sunlight. It's extremely rare, rarer than a dragon itself," I explained.
Pyraxium was considered a myth now, since it hadn't been found for centuries. There were almost no records left about it, except in the game.
"Sebastian, go to Higrid Hill. Hire some miners to dig a tunnel there. Rotate them every four hours. I don't want information about that place leaking out," I said.
"But, Young Master…"
"Just follow my orders," I said firmly. I understood his hesitation. This operation was outside the Moriet family's authority. Leon's father, my so-called father now would never approve this.
Still, this was part of my survival plan. My daily allowance was only 10,000 G. It's enough to save a little, but not enough for long-term goals. I needed my own source of income.
"Understood," Sebastian said. Fortunately, he was still new to the Moriet household. If his loyalty leaned toward the family instead of me, he would've reported this to Leon's father immediately and that would be game over.
Tomorrow, I would move on to the next step.
Money was no longer the problem. Now, the issue was power. Leon was utterly talentless, and to survive, I needed strength to balance that weakness.