The Useless Skill Became The Most Powerful

007

Ronan stared at the merchant, his hand tightening around the strap of his bag. The doctors had always told him that his sister's condition could only be managed, and for three years, he had depended on the guild to keep her treatment going.

Even if he found enough money to settle the hospital bills, she would still need to remain under their care. He had asked whether there was anything else they could do, but the answer had always been the same.

Now the merchant was telling him that the egg inside his bag could be part of a permanent cure.

He wanted to ask where he could find the remaining four. If the young man knew what they were used for, perhaps he also knew where to look for them.

However, he stopped himself before the question left his mouth. The merchant had already asked where he had obtained the first egg. Asking how to find the others would only make him more curious.

Ronan loosened his grip on the bag and lowered his hand to the table.

"I can see you don't want to talk about it," the merchant said, glancing towards the egg's hiding place. "You can keep it. As I said, I can't afford what it's worth, and I wouldn't sleep well at night if I took it from you for less."

Ronan studied his face, waiting for him to add something else. He had spent enough time on the streets to know how people behaved when they wanted something from him.

Some became friendly immediately, while others tried to make him feel foolish for refusing them. Either way, there was usually something they expected him to do in return.

The merchant only reached for the crystals. He didn't ask Ronan to bring out the egg again or try to persuade him that keeping it would be a mistake.

For the first time since entering the room, Ronan felt that the young man was being honest with him.

"Thank you," he replied, his voice softening.

The merchant smiled and moved the crystals closer to his side of the table.

"Let's finish this, then."

Ronan watched while he examined them again. With the egg back inside the bag, the young man seemed able to give his attention to the things he was actually buying.

They agreed on the crystals he would take, and the merchant counted out the payment. Ronan reached for the money, but as he checked it, his fingers slowed.

He counted it a second time before raising his head.

"You've given me too much."

The merchant glanced at the money in his hand.

"I gave you what I wanted to pay."

"It's more than the market price."

"I know how much they sell for."

Ronan looked down again and separated the extra money from the rest. He had come here hoping to get enough for his sister's treatment, but he hadn't expected the merchant to pay more than everyone else would.

"You can take this back," he said, stretching out his hand.

The young man pushed the money back towards him.

"You're not cheating me. I want you to have it."

"You've already paid for the crystals. You don't have to give me anything else."

"I've wanted a Mother Worm crystal for a while," the merchant replied. "You brought me one, and I'm happy with what I'm paying for it."

Ronan's hand stopped above the table. He looked from the crystals to the young man, who smiled when he noticed the surprise on his face.

"Yes, I know my job."

Ronan had been careful about what he said since bringing out the egg, yet the merchant had recognised the crystal without needing him to explain where it came from. He wondered what else the young man had noticed during their conversation.

However, there was no sign that he intended to question him about the nest. He was already gathering the crystals he had bought, looking pleased with himself.

Ronan nodded and added the extra money to the rest.

Ronan put the money away, making sure it was secure before reaching for his bag. He could finally go to the hospital with something to pay, and for once, he wouldn't need to beg Darius to keep his sister's treatment going.

The merchant waited while Ronan gathered his belongings. When he stood up, the young man reached across the table and pressed a small card into his hand.

Ronan looked down at the contact details written on it.

"If you have anything else to sell, contact me first," the merchant said. "You don't need to go around looking for someone to buy from you."

Ronan turned the card over between his fingers before looking up again.

"I'll keep it."

The merchant smiled and rose from his chair.

"I believe we're friends now."

Ronan's fingers stopped moving. He looked at the young man, who was still smiling at him as though it were the easiest thing in the world to say.

He had known Darius since they were children. For years, he had believed that the boy he grew up with was still somewhere beneath the guild leader who ordered him around.

Even after Darius stopped his sister's treatment, Ronan had gone to him expecting an explanation. He had stood among the Hunters and reminded him that they were friends, but Darius had laughed and let the others mock him.

Ronan lowered his eyes to the card. The merchant had treated him fairly, and he was grateful for that, but he didn't know whether he could trust someone enough to call him a friend again.

There was no reason to explain any of this to him. The young man had done nothing to deserve being treated as though he were responsible for what Darius had done.

Ronan slipped the card into his pocket and nodded.

"I'll contact you if I have crystals to sell again."

"I'll be waiting, then," the merchant replied.

He walked around the table and accompanied Ronan out of the room. Ronan followed him through the stall, holding his bag close as the noise from the market became louder.

The merchant was still smiling when they reached the entrance, and Ronan turned towards him to offer his thanks once more.

However, before he could speak, he noticed several people looking in his direction.

Some of the faces were familiar. The people who had watched him enter the stall were still nearby, their eyes moving over his clothes and the bag in his hand.

Ronan stepped outside and felt their attention settle on him again. They were staring at him with the same disdain, as though they had been waiting for him all along.