The Merchant God

Chapter 7: Hunters Gathered, Beast Scattered

As Alexander arrived at the front gate Merck’s house, there was a cluster of people gathered at the gate. Some of them are armed with bows and some of them has swords and axes. If one like Alexander would see this, he might think that Merck is in trouble but if look closely, they are not doing anything just standing and waiting at the front gate. “hmm… that old bag mentioned that he is aa hunter.” Thinking, an idea suddenly pop up in his mind and walk towards one of the people in the crowd. “hello there friend, may I ask what is happening here?” politely asked by Alexander. “nothing much kid, we are just waiting for the news regarding on our supply request for the beast repellant.” As the person said that, the gate suddenly open and it was Merck. “thank ya for waiting fellow hunters. I have a good news and a bad news for all of ya.” Once Merck’s voice faded, murmurs began and one of the hunter in the crowd said in worry “is the beast repellant request has been declined?” as the crowd heard this, worry and panic can be seen on every face of the hunters.

Merck tries to calm them down. “don’t worry, guys the repellants are currently in my house so rest assured that it was approved. However, the bad news is that the repellants that the kingdom sent was only enough to protect the village for a month before a new shipment of repellants to arrived.” Though some of their worries was calmed down another hunter questioned “then how about for hunting? Is there enough for hunting as well.” Merck frowned “that’s the bad news. We don’t have enough for hunting but the good news is that the kingdom promised to compensate out loses by the next month.” After the announcement, the crowd slowly disperse. Some are disappointed as they won’t be able to hunt for the time being and some have a ‘meh’ attitude.

As Alexander is about to enter the gate, he noticed a boy and a girl that didn’t go. The boy and the girl is about 8-10 years old. Alexander approach them “why are you still here?” the girl hides behind the boy and the boy is just standing there and stared at Alexander silently. Alexander thought for a while and walk inside the house to get a pen and paper. After a few minutes, Alexander walks outside and approach the two kids. “can you help me buy this ingredients?” he give a piece of paper to the boy and the boy reached out with his small hands to get the paper. After reading the contents, the boy nodded. “great! Here’s 150 coppers you can take the excess to buy food for you and your sister.” Alexander smiles and patted the head of the young boy. The boy and the girl immediately take off to buy the things that listed on the paper. Once he saw off the kids, Alexander enters the house to take a bath and have some snacks and tea while waiting on the two kids.

An hour has past and the kids are not showing up. Another hour has past and Alexander began to worry. As he was about to go out to check out on the kids, a knock sounded at the front door. Alexander opens it and it was the kids both holding a cloth bag full of the ingredients that he requested. “W-we a-awe s-sowwy. W-we… late… and… and…” the little girl began to cry and unable to finishes her sentence. Alexander looks at the boy and he notice that there are some bruises on his face and arms. It seems like there was something awakened inside of Alexander and a thick killing intent was leaking out on his body.

“what the f*ck is this! Did they found me?! Shadows! Report!” Merck was shocked on the thick killing intent that he felt and panic. “elder, we are not sure what happen as well but the killing intent that we are detecting right now is coming from the kid Alexander.” Reported by one of the shadows. Then Merck shouted “damn kid! Are ya gonna kill me with shocked!! You little sh*t!” As his voice reverberated in the whole house like a thunder, Alexander was awaken. Confuse on what happen, he didn’t reply to Merck. He stared at the boy and the girl and take the bags. “go to the dinning hall there are some snacks there you can eat it then wait for me there okay?” the boy nodded emotionlessly and drag her crying sister.

After that he make his way to the kitchen and ready the cauldron that he has. “if I remember correctly, that would be 100 grams of beeswax, 10 grams of basil, another 10 grams of rosemary and 20 grams of mint.” Alexander trying to remember the recipe for the beast repellant ball. After checking the bags “hmm… I should have enough for 2 sets. I should make the small ones as they are easier to make.” Once decided, Alexander began to brew a new concoction, and after a few minutes of brewing “now it’s finished, just need to mold them into small balls.” Alexander starts to mold the thick and sticky concoction that he made and after several minutes, he was able to make 10 small balls. “system, please appraise this beast repelling ball.” “initializing appraise skill… … appraising complete. Beast repelling ball – use to repels wild beast that is below the blue rank. For proper use, it can be put in a camp fire or in a torch. The burn duration per ball can last from 2 hours up to 3 hours and covers 100 meters around the campsite” After reading the description, Alexander makes another batch and after a while he has now 20 balls of beast repellant.

Afterwards, he goes to see Merck. “Hey old man, I heard you have a shortage problem for beast repellant.” Alexander said with a taunting tone. “so what?! Do ya have a solution kid?” coolly replied by Merck obviously annoyed. “I have this beast repelling ball here, it can help repel beast under blue rank and if it’s burned, the scent can last from 2-3 hours and covers 100 meters around.” When Merck heard this he slam his hands on the table and stand up “Are ya serious kid!! This is that effective?!” asked by Merck. “100% you can buy it from me for only 30 coppers per ball and have 20 of them.” Alexander offered. Merck thinks for a while and get a small pouch with 6 silvers. “I’ll buy it all! But if this is not effective, I want my money back doubled!” Alexander nodded and took off. “shadows, bring one of this ball and check its effectiveness.” One of the beast repelling ball was thrown in the shadows and disappear.

After going down, he meet the two kids again and approach the boy. “kid, take this 6 silvers and go to the market and buy the ingredients that you previously bought but this time, request them to deliver the goods here as it will be a big amount.” Alexander instructed the kid and nodded without saying anything. He also dragged his sister with him. After an hour, both of the kids got back and the girl said that the goods will be delivered later after supper. He patted the girls head. “by the way, where’s your family?” Alexander asked. The boy is just silent but the girl said “w-we are abandoned. W-we do not kn-know where our fa-families are.” Knowing this, Alexander suddenly remembered his first life as he was also abandoned and did not know his roots so he can totally relate to these two kids. “do you want to follow me from now on?” he asked the kids. The boy only stared at Alexander for a few minutes then stared to the girl and nodded and finally “we will follow you however, you have to protect Lulu. You don’t have to protect me.” With a firm eyes he said it to Alexander. He was touched of the determination and firm will of the boy and promises that he will protect them. “what’s your name boy?” Alexander inquired “Kratos.” The boy replied. “great! You can call me brother Alexander.”

After the introductions they had their supper and the goods has also been delivered. That night, Alexander continued to brew and make the beast repelling balls which resulted to 80 pieces of balls. As Merck has also confirmed the effectiveness of the balls, he didn’t hesitate to buy the 80 balls and with this sale, Alexander’s current money now is 24 silvers and 88 coppers.