"100 million cols, on account of its potential." The merchant replied.
"That's a ripoff! A rock that can make one in a thousand people or so feel dizzy for a second is hardly worth that much money! 1 million cols!"
"As I said, the rock may be useless, but who knows what mech designers like you can make of it. Maybe you'll be able to create a new weapon system that can make an entire crowd faint from a distance. 80 million cols!"
"Do I look like a Senior? If your best scientists haven't been able to figure out its secrets, I probably won't be able to figure out anything! 10 million cols!"
"Well, you're asking for it, right? Maybe you can defy the odds. 70 million cols!"
After several minutes of bargaining, the merchant agreed to hand it over for the sumptuous price of 35 million cols. This was almost equivalent to 3.5 billion bright credits, which was a very small price to pay for a material that reacted to his spiritual senses!
While he didn't necessarily have to keep up his act, Ves nonetheless maintained the same pattern. He walked over to a couple of other stalls and curiously perused the exotics on offer as if he hadn't purchased the most valuable item in the marketplace!
"Value is relative anyway. One man's treasure is another man's trash." He muttered.
Once the energy shielding above the sky began to fade to an evening setting, Ves finally emerged from the marketplace. He walked a few streets over and sat at a plaza.
"Here you go, Lucky!" He said as he passed on the scarlet rock.
"Meow!"
Lucky immediately snatched it with his maw and slowly crunched it with its teeth, savoring the taste of the bloody exotic.
Ves smiled as his cat began to purr.
"Do you forgive me now?"
His cat didn't squirm away or tried to jump from his grasp, which was a good sign he guessed.
As Lucky eagerly enjoyed his latest treat, Ves turned his attention to the hovering box that contained the grey rock. This was what he set out to buy in the first place. Although this wasn't the best place to examine it, Ves couldn't contain his curiosity!
"Let's see what makes you special!"
Just as he was about to open the box, someone suddenly coughed.
"Who?"
Ves turned around, only to see that a strange robed figure crept up behind his back!
"Heavens!"
"Mr. Larkinson, I presume?"
"That's me." Ves narrowed his eyes in suspicion as he recognized the man's outfit. "You're a Shadow Courier, right?"
"Correct. I am tasked with conveying a message to you from the Skull Architect."
Ves almost jumped from his seat. "Don't mention that name here! In fact, why the hell did you show up in Centerpoint at all?!"
The shadow courier smirked behind his hood. "Your concerns are ill-founded, Mr. Larkinson. Even underneath the gaze of the MTA, we are still able to maintain discretion."
Indeed. A small and subtle interference field emanated from the Shadow Courier. However, that still didn't ease Ves' concerns!
"Your interference field is way too weak!"
"It is sufficient enough for our purposes. Do not underestimate our technology. The MTA may be powerful, but they aren't in the habit of placing their best sensors on a planet that caters to space peasants. Besides, do you think we don't count the MTA as our customers? We guarantee absolute discretion and reliability in delivering your messages or your money back!"
Ves quietly cursed. In any case, the deed had already been done. Since none of the nearby security bots had approached them, Ves would just assume that the MTA's monitoring system hadn't caught the Shadow Courier mentioning the nickname of one of their fugitives.
"Pass me the message quickly and leave!"
"Very well. The Skull Architect wants to convey a single message to you. Hurry up with your task and send back the work he expects from you as soon as possible!"
"I still have more than half a year before I reach the deadline!" Ves protested.
"That isn't good enough for the Skull Architect! He expects more from you!"
Ves wanted to wring the demanding mech designer's neck. Was the Skull Architect his father or something?!
"Tell him that I'll finish my work within the deadline."
"The Skull Architect has promised to offer you an incentive if you can deliver your work in half that time." The Shadow Courier said. "Of course, the quality of your work cannot be any less!"
"What kind of reward is in store if I meet this demand?"
"You will satisfy the Skull Architect and obtain his appreciation." The Shadow Courier flatly replied.
"GET OUT!"
Ves grumbled as the Shadow Courier faded away and left the plaza. What kind of stupid reward was the Skull Architect's gratitude? The pirate designer was a nutjob! The sooner Ves fulfilled his promises, he would cut ties right away!
"Who the hell hires a Shadow Courier just to convey a few words?!"
Shadow Couriers did not come cheap! For the Skull Architect to make use of them just to tell Ves to turn in his homework early was very weird!
"Is he in a hurry?" Ves speculated.
What could make him feel so urgent? Did the Skull Architect reevaluate his work or something?
Whatever the case, Ves would hand over his work when he finished it, and not before! He still had two more variants to complete, and who knows how long it would take for him to reach the end!