Chapter 263: Navigation Card

Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Navigation Card

Seraphina Sinclair raised an eyebrow.

’This Traveling Merchant’s nose really is sharp.’

"5,000? That’s a bit steep for just a location."

Seraphina Sinclair calmly began to bargain. "Besides, you said it yourself—the place has swarms of small Wind Blades, and only powerful people can make use of it. Such harsh conditions inherently lower the information’s value, yet you’re still asking for such a high price."

001’s expression faltered, a flicker of regret flashing across her face as if she regretted being an honest system.

’She almost glanced back instinctively. If these bodyguards weren’t here... Her actions had to abide by the rules of a Traveling Merchant, but if not, she would have absolutely jacked up the price until this stinking human started questioning her very existence!’

Seraphina Sinclair registered the reaction. Her gaze swept over the bodyguards before returning to 001.

She unhurriedly produced 1,000 Black Fog Coins. "1,000 Black Fog Coins. And I’ll need you to provide more detailed information on the Wind-carved Fissure, like the general strength of the Wind Blades, the recommended safe duration for a stay, and any other potential dangers."

"One thousand?! Do you think you’re buying cabbages here?!" 001 nearly leaped into the air. "This is information on a prime location for rapidly increasing Attributes! 5,000 Black Fog Coins was already more than fair! And as for those details..."

Her eyes darted around as if weighing her options. Finally, looking like she’d made a momentous decision, she said, "...Alright, alright! Seeing as you’re such a valued customer! 3,000 Black Fog Coins! That includes the detailed location and all the precautions I know of! This is an absolute friendship price!"

Seraphina Sinclair saw 001’s "you’ve struck gold" expression and knew there was still room to bargain.

’Either that or there’s a trap waiting for me to fall into,’ she thought. ’There’s no way this one is that kind.’

"2,000." Seraphina Sinclair’s voice was level but carried a sense of finality, as if the deal would be off if 001 refused.

"That’s the highest price I’m willing to accept. After all, the risks of this place are unknown. The Black Fog Coins I’d be investing could be a complete loss. If you don’t agree, then this deal is off."

As she spoke, she made a motion to retract the Black Fog Coins.

"Wait!" 001 cried out, her small face filled with conflict.

’She quickly did the math: 2,000 Black Fog Coins was less than she’d expected, but it was better than nothing. And besides, the intel cost her virtually nothing...’

’Most other humans give up the second they hear about a place like this. Only this lunatic in front of me is willing to risk her life for some attribute points.’

’Besides, even if she knows the location, she might not have the means to get there anyway.’

’This way, I not only make some Black Fog Coins, but I also get to vent my frustrations!’

At that thought, she practically snatched the Black Fog Coins from Seraphina Sinclair’s hand, terrified she would go back on her word. "Okay, okay! 2,000 it is!"

As she spoke, she shoved a card and a memo into Seraphina Sinclair’s hand with equal speed. "The Navigation Card and the precautions! You’ve taken them, so no backing out! This transaction is concluded!"

Seraphina Sinclair took the items and glanced at them. The memo listed a few basic precautions, pretty much what she had demanded during their haggling.

She’d never seen a Navigation Card before. She was just about to use Insight to check its detailed Description when she heard 001 grunt. The merchant then turned and left with her bodyguards, her steps so quick it was as if a wild beast was hot on her heels.

She instantly sensed something was wrong. Just as she was about to speak, she saw the merchant glance back with a wicked, triumphant grin. Her lips curled as she uttered three words: "See you never!"

The next second, the Traveling Merchant and her bodyguards vanished from Seraphina Sinclair’s sight.

She glanced at the empty doorway, then turned her head to look at the neat stack of runes on the storage shelf. The Traveling Merchant hadn’t taken the runes for this deal, and hadn’t paid any Black Fog Coins, which meant there had been no rune transaction at all.

When she thought about it, wasn’t it like she’d just gotten a piece of intel for free? Then again, the information she *did* end up with had still cost her two thousand Black Fog Coins even after haggling...

Seraphina Sinclair fell silent for a moment before the corner of her mouth curved into a faint smile. "It seems I’m the one who profited after all."

「Meanwhile」 The Traveling Merchant, who was fleeing for her life, suddenly snapped her head up. "Wait a minute."

...

Seraphina Sinclair gathered her thoughts and focused on the Navigation Card in her hand.

The card was cool to the touch, its material reminiscent of the bank cards she’d often used in her past life. Its surface was etched with a simple but clear topographical outline.

A conspicuous point of light blinked in the very center of the card, which had to be the location of the Wind-carved Fissure.

As for how to actually use the thing... Seraphina Sinclair used Insight.

[Simple Navigation Card — Wind-carved Fissure]

[Description: Special Item, No Grade. A Navigation Card that must be used in conjunction with the Mist Beacon item! After both items have been used, the mobile cabin will begin to move automatically, navigating by moving forward or backward to finally reach its destination. The destination for this card is the Wind-carved Fissure!]

[Note: A godsend for the directionally challenged, but be careful not to get led into a ditch.]

Seraphina Sinclair’s vision went dark the moment she finished reading the Description.

’So that’s how it is.’

’It’s only half an item!’

’It’s useless on its own. You need a Mist Beacon to even use this thing!’

No wonder 001 ran off so fast. If she’d delayed for even a second, Seraphina could have knocked another thousand off the price.

With this new development, it was suddenly hard to say who had truly won or lost in today’s transaction.

Seraphina Sinclair shook her head, deciding not to dwell on the issue. She was about to open the regional channel to search for a Mist Beacon when a thought struck her. Her eyes fixed on those two words, which seemed more and more familiar the longer she looked.

’Wait, don’t I have one of these?’

’I do, don’t I?’

Seraphina Sinclair rummaged through her Silver Moon Earrings and, sure enough, pulled out that very item from a corner.

The moment she saw the item, her memory came rushing back, and she remembered where it had come from.

It was one of three rewards from the Path’s Gift she had encountered on The Misty Path.

But speaking of that...

Seraphina Sinclair suddenly turned to look at Sunflower, who was sprawled on the floor nearby.

’This thing has gotten bigger, and more useless.’

’It wasn’t useful for the last path choice, and it wasn’t useful for this one, either.’

Meanwhile, the clueless Sunflower thought its human was just showing it some fleeting affection and was happily bubbling with joy.

Seraphina Sinclair took the [Mist Beacon] out from her earring.

Only now did Seraphina Sinclair understand exactly how this item was meant to be used.

Before getting the Navigation Card, she had assumed the Mist Beacon’s appearance was purely for aesthetic purposes. Now, holding the card up to it, she discovered it could be inserted perfectly into the Compass. The slot was on the inside—a flawless design.

The very instant the two items slotted together, a prompt appeared before Seraphina Sinclair:

[Activate?]

Seraphina Sinclair glanced at the time. It was still a long way from nightfall; she had more than enough time to go check it out.