When you're a business owner, there are two ways to deal with competition most effectively.
The first is to kill the business by lowering prices, bribing suppliers, or intimidating workers.
The second method, and the most popular, is to bury the competitor himself. After all it was just murder when you were caught.
"I'm going to kill them." Ty saw the sign on the door of the store that read: "Lunevale Beautiful Potions Store. They used a different color for each letter, which made the logo look eye-catching, but it didn't Totally tasteless. “I’m going to kill them all. "
"With pleasure," said Laufey, delighted in his anger.
How dare these people open their shop just a street away from his, right in the heart of Lyon's business district. They bought the Tranquility Inn and transformed it into a larger "market" store, which was being replaced by rival Long Ge (D
ago
so
g) Got into trouble after transcending.
"Let's see the best potion," a good-looking businessman said to a group of spectators. "Elite alchemists have been supplying raw materials to the Academy and the Adventurers' Guild in Runevale since their earliest days!" Searching the dungeons for the antidote to the so-called "Death Cloud"? You'll find... in Runevale Found it at Nevers Beauty Potions Shop!”
A week and a half after the gas incident, the maggots have seized on the opportunity.
This is not the first time that the Necromancer has encountered the Runewell Guild. This alliance of merchants has cornered much of the magic item market in the Kingdom of Avalon, although they are mainly concentrated in large cities because city dwellers pay higher fees. They focus on mass-producing cheap products that everyone can afford, and while adventurers are not their core market, they have worked hard to expand there. The shop owner had considered selling it in Ru
ewell supplied themselves but later realized they valued quantity over quality.
Tai had to admit that their marketing was top notch. Rows of potions and magic items are displayed in the window, and the prices next to them are so low that most adventurers will be attracted by just one look.
Worse, this flashy strategy worked. Although the Necromancer did not see Anne and her friends enter the cursed place, he noticed among the new customers the uniforms of Academy members.
"Ah, our outstanding competitor!" The businessman noticed Taiyi and his "apprentice", and he walked towards them with a false smile on his face. “It’s great to meet a small business owner.”
said a representative of one of the kingdom's major businesses. Runevel's bombast worked because they had a grain of truth. They did provide most of the academy's alchemical supplies, but only those things that members didn't have time to make themselves.
"It would be my pleasure," Tai responded. "I'm here to congratulate you on finding the cure."
"Ru
ewell may be a business, but the safety of our customers is always more important than the pursuit of profit. "The merchant's voice sounded like a [meat puppet] reciting a script. "Royals and commoners alike. "
"Walter was also about saving lives," Laufey said innocently.
The merchant glanced at her, but at her chest rather than her face. He quickly came to his senses and focused on the Necromancer again. "Indeed! Ru
ewell may need someone like you. "
This is their sales pitch…
"We are prepared to offer you a generous buyout. You can even continue to purchase your merchandise under our company's banner."
The first way is to apologize. Niiiiiice. "How much?" Tai asked out of curiosity.
"Five hundred gold coins should be enough."
Laufey had to cover her face with a hand to hide her laughter. "That's more money than I've ever seen in my life!" Tai deadpanned, adding that his net worth was probably a thousand times that amount.
"Indeed," the merchant replied, his smirk turning condescending. "I swear you'll never see a better proposal."
"I'll think about it," the alchemist replied with the same expression. "I'll keep my fingers crossed. May your adventures go well in these dark times."
"Me too."
Tai swore that whenever he exchanged words with this humanoid, cold dead man, he would be harmed by [the poison]. He said sorry and left, followed by Laufey.
"These people have to go," the wizard said as they went to the temple area to deliver Sue's medicine.
"Do you really need to take action?" Laufey asked, although she didn't sound convinced. “Is it so important to keep the store open, especially when you’re leaving in a few months?”
She had a point, the store didn't bring in much revenue compared to the mining business. Guixian also told him that the famous Chief Gars had arrived in the city, accompanied by his personal entourage and mercenaries. The Necromancer is expecting a new raid that will be more concerning than the last one, and he should focus on this raid rather than his fake persona.
Walter Tye, however, was the mask that the necromancer had consciously crafted for years. He enjoys the life he created and doesn't let anyone or anything disturb his peaceful life. "They have to leave."
"As you wish," said the elf. “Can I take care of that person?”
"No," replied the wizard. "I cannot have anything to do with this in any way. Your focus is on the adventurers. If they do have the antidote to the poisonous gas then we can expect a raid. Save your name for the warriors."
"What a shame," lamented the Dark Elf. "What are you going to do? Send Dullahan to burn the shop down in the night?"
"I have...other nighttime friends."
Under the moonlight, Tai Yi from Ankou stopped the carriage as he approached the place where he and Patrick often met. Just like last time, this black marketeer did not come alone.
The Necromancer sensed at least twenty thieves hiding in the woods around them, ready to slit his throat. Patrick himself is surrounded by a group of hooded assassins armed with magical weapons.
A naughty woman seems to be their leader. Her long black hair, sharp face, and cold silver eyes reminded Tai of a stalking lynx, thin, agile, and fierce. She was dressed conservatively, but her brown top, gloves, and boots did little to hide the dagger she carried. Not to mention the [Lightning Blade] on her belt. She looked at Ankou silently, one urban predator looking at the other.
Fortunately, if he could trust the six boxes beside Patrick, they brought what he wanted.
"Patrick, didn't I tell you to be cautious when meeting?" the person asked. "Unless you want me to get rid of the witness. If you want someone dead, you can just ask."
"It's ... complicated," said the black marketeer, who was visibly anxious at the scene. "I'm just here to introduce and transition. I'm retired."
"Are you retiring?"
"Yeah, after last time, I felt like my job was just a one-way ticket to Coffin Town. So I'm going to cash in my savings and leave this mess behind. Buy a farm and everything."
"Oh. Congratulations." What a loss. Patrick has a knack for finding hidden and prohibited items. "I suppose this charming lady will take your place?"
The woman responded with a smile. "Yes. You always deal with me."
"She's my boss," the black marketeer said. "And Na
bo
. You know...before you kill him. "
"He deserved it for trying to cheat both of us," the woman said. "You can call me Robin."
The crime lord of eastern Avalon? Really? She looks to be in her mid-twenties at best. "I'm Anko," Tai replied. He climbed down from the carriage, mentally prepared to kill everyone in sight if necessary. "I hope you don't try to renegotiate the agreed price. These woods are dangerous at night."
The woman smiled, her teeth reminding the necromancer of a cunning wolf. "I apologize for the poor customer service provided by my staff. To make up for it, I'm giving you extra points for your delivery."
She snapped her fingers and Patrick opened the box with the help of the other gangsters. Ty watched as they presented the contents to him.
Bones of giants and monsters.
The femur of a frost giant; the hand of fire; the mouth and fangs of a giant wolf; and the spine of a great serpent, which his magic confirmed was the descendant of a Midgardian serpent. This kind of delivery would be a serious drain on his bankroll, but would pay off in the end.
"Are you going to raise them?" the mockingbird asked.
"No." In fact, Ty planned to use them as materials to create powerful magical items for his minions; maybe a [Cursed Axe] for Hagen, a [Male Claw] for Spock, and so on. The stronger the creature and the better preserved the body, the better.
However, he noticed the “raised to immortality” part. It was obvious that the woman connected the facts.
As for the "supplement"... Tai couldn't believe his eyes when the gangsters put it in front of him. He had to cast [Super Magic Scan] twice to believe it.
Dragon skull.
Although small, it's still a real dragon's skull. That thing was worth a king's ransom, allowing Tai to craft powerful artifacts for himself or a powerful guardian. How many people did she use to get this job?
A necromancer recognizes a bribe instantly.
"So you know my taste, and I appreciate your gift," Tai said. "But I don't think a talented criminal leader like you would come in person just to deliver goods?" Even if it's as important as this time. "
"Patrick told me that you killed my subordinates using a spell called 'Death X'. According to my caster, it was a sixth level spell. A necromancy spell."
She did her research. clever. "Do you want the princess to put a bounty on my head?"
"The royal family are not my friends," replied the robin. “Instead, I would like to know whether you would consider deepening the partnership between our two institutions.”
This gave Ty pause for a moment. "organize?"
"In addition to the army in the dungeon, I know you control the Tai's Boiling Pot shop and possibly other businesses. You cover your tracks well, but most of your purchases are only made when used by a high-level [Alchemist] It just makes sense. I compared your shopping history with the store’s shopping history, and an idea struck me.”
The brief silence that followed became unbearable.
"You're going to keep the sales records of the criminal enterprise," Tye said in a tone of doom. "It's dangerous."
"This is the trump card that protects us from treason," replied the robin. "I have no intention of disrupting your activities, nor do I have any intention of betraying your human agents. Nor do I want to blackmail you. But if you dare to mess with me..."
The necromancer debates whether to kill her immediately, then speculates that she may have set a dead man's switch before coming here. "I get it. A blockade of mutually assured destruction."
"It's the best place to trade," the scammer replied. "I want to stay in business...and even go further. Most 'banned' spellcasters are caught before reaching the third level, and you're probably the only one who isn't employed by the Kingdom or the Five Scourges Sixth level spell caster.”
"You want to buy my magic skills."
"Yeah, mostly magic items. I'm willing to pay a premium for quality."
"I have no use for gold," Tai replied. "But I do need a favor from you."
"So, exchange services?" Mockingbird nodded. "What's the rush?"
"I hope Ru
Ewell ceased its activities in Lyon, allowing Tai's Boiling Cauldron to continue to be a favorite school for adventurers. "
"So you can keep an eye on those who try to raid your dungeon?" Clever. If I were you, I'd suggest taking over the major hotels and brothels as well. "
A shrug of the shoulders. "Can this be done? Quietly?"
"Yes. It comes at a price. Specifically, robberies, robberies, and thefts, are one of my top five sources of income. However, most of our high-income targets have woken up and now invest heavily in magic locks and alarm.”
"I can make keys out of fairy fingers," Tai replied. "With the exception of the Archmage, they should be able to break most magical locks and protections."
"If you make 20, we'll seal the deal." The woman then looked at his car. "Did you really hide the souls of your victims in your carriage?"
"Not those my victims."
"And him?"
"My fellow necromancers, of course!" Do you want to meet them?"
Of course, the robin didn't take the bait, but it still found it amusing. She held out her hand, with velvet gloves on its iron fingers. "I look forward to our collaboration."
"Me too," the Necromancer said, holding her hand. "Me too."
