Chapter 136 - 132: Could This Be My New Love Rival

Chapter 136: Chapter 132: Could This Be My New Love Rival

"Look, you need materials, tools, and some precision parts to make all your stuff, right?"

"You won’t find those things in a goblin’s cave."

"But I can bring them to you. Just tell me what you want, and I guarantee home delivery."

"Of course, this place is far from human towns. It’s a long way across the entire Northern Forest, so it’s very likely I’ll run into danger."

"So, the prices will naturally be a little higher..."

A moment later, under the stunned gazes of Marcus and the others, Lu Wei began to explain his "cooperation plan" to Nick.

In his view, it was better to form a long-term partnership with the talking female War Lizardman before him than to enslave her.

After all, War Lizardmen were far stronger creatures than goblins or Kobolds. In large numbers, they could even easily hunt down High Level Monsters like bear goblins.

So, if he could help them grow strong, they could indeed bring him a steady stream of Gold Coins.

But he knew that "Enslavement built on Fear" was nowhere near as reliable as "cooperation built on mutual benefit."

That’s why Lu Wei decisively changed his approach and started pitching his "personal shopping" service to Nick.

This would not only gain him a stable, major client but also indirectly incentivize Nick to "expand her territory."

Because buying things costs money.

And the prices he charged were not cheap.

"Consider my proposal, my friend."

Looking at Nick, Lu Wei’s eyes were sincere. "This is something that benefits both of us."

"Uh..."

Nick swayed her tail gently, her pale yellow, slitted pupils filled with hesitation. After a moment, she asked in a low voice, "You... you really won’t kill me?"

Lu Wei said with conviction, "What a thing to say! Why would we ever kill a friend!"

"Then... then can you really help me buy things?"

"Of course! As long as you can afford it!"

"But I still find it hard to believe."

Nick lowered her head and mumbled timidly, "I’m a War Lizardman, after all."

"What’s wrong with being a War Lizardman? I never discriminate against any race!"

Lu Wei pointed at Urzha. "Look, I even have a Beastman teammate!"

Urzha froze, then grumbled with some displeasure, "I’m a Half-Beastman."

"See! He’s even a half-breed, not as good as a full Beastman!"

Lu Wei shook his head with a straight face. "So why would I ever discriminate against a War Lizardman who can speak the human tongue and craft all sorts of traps?"

’Who are you calling a half-breed?!’

Urzha’s eyes widened in fury.

Nick, on the other hand, suddenly wagged her tail happily.

The thing she was most proud of was her ability to "create," so hearing this instantly dispelled her suspicions about Lu Wei.

’That’s right, I’m the smartest War Lizardman!’

’It’s only natural for humans to respect me!’

"I believe you! I’ll hatch all the eggs as soon as possible!"

"Mm, you can write me a shopping list first."

Lu Wei nodded with a smile. "I’ll bring the goods with me on my next trip."

"Okay, please wait a moment... Oh, right, can I have my hat back first?"

Perhaps because she now had Lu Wei backing her up, Nick suddenly grew bold. She turned her head to Urzha, staring intently at the top hat in his hands.

But Urzha was still fuming over the "half-breed" comment, so he completely ignored her.

Until Marcus glanced at Lu Wei and commanded, "Urzha, give the hat back to Nick."

"...Fine, take it!!"

Urzha gritted his teeth and threw the hat at Nick with great force.

Nick, however, was very polite. After catching the top hat, she even said thank you.

Then she ran back behind her workbench and started writing the shopping list.

Like humans, lizards have five fingers. Although her claws were long, they didn’t hinder her writing.

So, about ten or so minutes later, she hopped off her stool and ran back to Lu Wei, holding a sheet of papyrus covered in small writing. She asked expectantly:

"Can you get all of this?"

"Let me see."

Lu Wei took the paper and gave it a quick scan.

[1-inch, 1.5-inch, and 2-inch diameter gears x10]

[Smallest size springs x20]

[Precision tweezer set x1]

[Universal wrench x1]

[Arcane Resonance Tuning Fork x1]

[Mithril...]

[...]

There were twenty or thirty items in total, all of them parts, materials, and tools.

"No problem."

Lu Wei nodded. "In one month, I’ll deliver them myself."

"Okay, thank you so much!"

Nick was ecstatic. "How much will I owe you for this?"

"At least 30 gold coins, I’d say."

Lu Wei thought for a moment before quoting a number.

He didn’t actually know the specific Value of the items on the list, but he felt one or two Gold Coins should be about right.

So he only marked it up twentyfold. Not much at all.

Nick, who had almost no concept of this, simply asked quietly:

"Can I pay with other things? I’m worried I won’t be able to gather that many coins in a month."

"Of course. Any spoils of war will do. I’ll deduct their Value from the total cost."

"That’s wonderful! Thank you so much!"

Nick flicked her tail excitedly. If you blocked out the rest of her body, she almost gave off the vibe of an "innocent young girl."

Lu Wei could barely contain his glee.

"No need for thanks. After all, I’m a reputable merchant who provides customers with any service they require."

Lu Wei smiled, waved his hand, and then pulled out his pocket watch to check the time.

"It’s getting late. I think we should be leaving."

"Oh, okay..."

Nick watched the pocket watch with great envy. She had always wanted one of those small, precise machines, but her kin had never brought one back among their spoils.

A moment later, she snapped back to her senses and said very politely:

"Let me see you out. There are many traps outside."

"It’s fine, we’ve already destroyed them all."

"Ah, but please allow me to escort you to the cave entrance. That’s basic human etiquette, isn’t it?"

’Not really.’

’And you’re not human, either.’

Seeing Nick’s sincere expression, Lu Wei gave a helpless nod.

"Fine."

...

...

Outside the cave, the sun had sunk below the horizon, leaving only the last sliver of afterglow in the sky.

"The captain and the others are coming out!"

"I hear them!"

By the campfire, Andrew’s [Perception] was the highest of the three outside, so he was the first to jump up.

Bai Ya, who had been distractedly cutting bread, instantly perked up at his words, immediately dropping the bread and running toward the cave entrance.

Andrew and Geluo followed close behind, and the three of them soon arrived outside the cave mouth.

Before long, accompanied by the sound of laughter and conversation growing closer, Furen and Urzha appeared in their line of sight, carrying a large Wooden Box.

Judging by their expressions, the operation was clearly a great success!

"Thank goodness!"

Gently patting her chest, Bai Ya could finally relax.

Andrew and Geluo also sheathed their Weapons, their faces full of joy as they hurried forward to meet them.

But after just a few steps, they suddenly stopped, their expressions turning to utter shock.

Because just behind Furen and Urzha, Lu Wei was walking and talking with a War Lizardman.

???

’What in the world is going on???’

The two of them stared wide-eyed, completely unable to comprehend the scene before them.

Bai Ya was even more bewildered.

After all, she had never seen a War Lizardman before, so all she saw was Lu Wei chatting and laughing with a "standing lizard" that was wearing clothes and a top hat.

"Wh-what is going on..."

"Am I hallucinating..."

Staring with her mouth agape, Bai Ya felt like she must be hallucinating, mistaking Marcus for a lizard or something.

Meanwhile, Nick also saw the three people standing frozen outside the cave.

"Hello, my name is Nick. I’m the leader of the War Lizardmen in this cavern."

Being a polite War Lizardman, she immediately stopped, held her top hat down with one claw, and bowed her head to greet the dumbfounded trio.

And, as if worried that Bai Ya and the other two would misjudge her gender like Lu Wei’s group had, she made sure to add:

"Oh, right. I’m female."

"..."

Bai Ya: ????

’No! Wait a minute!!’

’Don’t tell me my premonition about a new rival was about this big, clothes-wearing lizard???’