《Reincarnated Cat Becomes a Magical Beast》Chapter 12: The 'Howling Paragon'
Advertisement
Jonathan passed by all the stalls and various shops until he ended up at a rather large shop called the 'Howling Paragon'. This shop is a world famous chain of shops all dealing with Magical Beasts; from the selling of parts to the acquiring of knowledge, from the buying of Magical Beasts themselves to the buying of items for Magical Beast's. The inside of the shop was quite wide and there were quite a few people looking at the various wares. At the bottom floor of the shop were Magical Beast Items for the most part while on the second floor was an Information desk area where Magician's can acquire knowledge on the whereabouts of certain Magical Beasts or what there abilities are, among other information. And behind the shop was an open area with several cages that are all magically enforced to keep Magical Beasts at bay. The little kitten didn't see past the first floor however as Jonathan walked straight up to the front desk on the first floor.
Behind the front desk was an older gentleman with a bald head. He put off a somewhat proud and elite attitude which was common in a grand business like the 'Howling Paragon'. As soon as Jonathan reached the front desk, the older gentleman put on a fawning smile; it was clear to him that the customer in front of him was from a good family from his noble clothing.
"Welcome sir. How can I help you this fine evening?" The bald man said with his brightest smile.
"I'm here to sell my wares first and foremost. My party has acquired quite a lot and some of great worth, so it'd be better for you to bring an appraiser!"
"Follow me to the back area, our Beast Tamer is our best appraiser in this humble store. He'll be able to give you fair prices for your wares!"
"Good, good. Show me the way."
"Come, just follow me."
The bald man willingly left the front desk and lead Jonathan to the open area at the back of the establishment. Jonathan told the soldiers that they can stay behind and inspect the shop for themselves. Soldiers would preside for themselves for the most part as only they knew what items would benefit themselves personally in their magic. While the 'Howling Paragon' held items for Magical Beast's, there were some items which were usable by humans as well.
In the back area of the 'Howling Paragon', the little kitten looked with a conflicted gaze at the several Magical Beasts captured in cages. There were around 10 of them in total, most at the Minor Magical Beast Rank and two at the Major Beast Rank. They all had lifeless eyes and were merely waiting for the time to past, they had long given up on causing trouble; most probably due to the whip the little kitten could see by a certain person's side.
Advertisement
This person was the only other person in this area at the moment and his mere presence would cool the room. He had sharp dagger like eyes and jagged black hair. He sat cross-legged on the ground in the center of the cages, the whip placed by his side, close enough to be grabbed at any given moment. The whip seemed to be magical as it contained several runes on its ebony handle.
"Fair customer, this is our Beast Tamer, Rhomas!" The bald man gestured to the man with dagger like eyes and that man only nodded slightly for his greeting.
"Rhomas will appraise your wares if you may be so kind?"
"Certainly." Jonathan brightly replied and with vigor, Jonathan proceeded to pull out one beast corpse after the other out of his personal Bag of Holding until a rather big pile was made to the astonishment of the two employees. Even Rhomas' icy demeanor seemed to crack as his jaw hanged low in astonishment; though only for a few seconds before recovering. However this was just the beginning, the two were even more shocked when Jonathan pulled out a second bag, Uncle Kil's Bag of Holding and began to release even more corpses.
In the end, around 50 corpses were laid bare, taking up quite a big amount of space in this back area of the 'Howling Paragon'. By this point, even the little kitten was shocked at the accumulation of beasts that were on show.
'Only when you pile them up like this can you see how terrifyingly powerful these two numskulls really are... Sigh... Will I ever be able to catch up to them? I can't even make a breakthrough to the Late stage of Minor Rank...' The little kitten sighed.
"Cough, cough... Well, this'll take me a few minutes to sort through all this." Rhomas said with a wry smile.
Several minutes later, the Beast Tamer Rhomas had sorted through all the beasts, checking the damage done to them and what important parts remained. Apparently, Jonathan and Uncle Kil were good at dealing lethal blows at just the right places, where little important parts were to be found; this meant that their gains were definitely going to be big.
"Okay then, I think all together we can pay... 4300 gold pieces for all the corpses." Rhomas spoke after some thought.
Jonathan's eyes lit up and a confident grin surfaced on his handsome countenance. "Nuh, huh. Those two transcended beasts are worth at least 2500 gold pieces on there own! The remaining beasts are all in the Minor and Major ranks, but there are quite a number of them. If I were to appraise them personally, I'd say they're worth at least 3000. Together, that's at least 5500 gold!"
Advertisement
"You have to think about this from our perspective, sir. Our business needs to make a profit, we can pay 4750 gold pieces at most." The older gentleman chipped in this time with confidence. The little kitten turned to look at Jonathan's response and could swear she had never seen his eyes look more excited.
"How about this, I'll put in this!" With that, Jonathan pulled out a herb. It looked quite miraculous, with three leaves all of a violet trim and a crimson center. It even seemed to let out a dull glow. The two 'Howling Paragon' employees' eyes shun brightly upon seeing this herb.
"A 'Violet Sun Leaf'!" The bald man exclaimed. "I've heard that you can find this herb in the Red Winter Forest... But it is very, very rare... It can be used to create Cultivation Enhancement potions and pills!"
"Indeed! With this herb added in the mix, how about the fair price of 6000 gold?" Jonathan made his new offer and the two 'Howling Paragon' employees seemed to go in thought for a bit while exchanging glances. They then began whispering to the other before the bald man came back with his answer.
"We'll pay 5600 gold."
"Hmm... There are plenty other shops in Evergale and I'm sure I can get way better prices if I go to them instead!" Jonathan's smile turned into a deep frown.
"Okay, okay. 5750 gold!" The bald man responded quickly.
"...What if I blah blah!!"
"Blah blah blah!"
The little kitten continued to lay in Jonathan's arms in shock as he bickered back and forth with these two employees for at least a half an hour before they finally came to a deal...
'Oh my bloody god... Jonathan's a demented deals freak! I'm never going shopping with him ever again, the suns going to be bloody setting soon!!'
"Thank you for your patronage!"
Jonathan let out a pleased smile as he shook hands with the bald man, who can only let out a defeated sigh. He had truly never been overpowered to such an extent before. Jonathan had most definitely wormed his way into getting one of the best deals he could have got. In the end he sold the Magical Beasts and three herbs for a total of 7000 gold.
As Jonathan left the back area of the 'Howling Paragon', the little kitten could also let out a sigh of relief. She had grown tired of hearing about money for one day.
"Now then, it's time to buy you some things, little lass!"
"Meow!"
'Finally. I'll finally be able to do some magic soon!' The little kitten's eyes lit up in excitement.
★★★
Jonathan was quite attentive in his search for items, he not only ended up buying four items relating to magical spells for the little kitten, he also bought two other Magical items for Magical Beasts.
The first item was a collar. This collar was quite comfy and had a spherical bell hanging from the front. This bell held the magical component of the collar. The bell was called the 'Calling Bell' and can connect a Magical Beast to its owner. When in danger for example, the little kitten can concentrate her aura to activate the bell which will notify the owner through a psychic connection that she is in danger. In this case, Jonathan had made the connection with the 'Calling Bell', so if she is in danger it would be him she would be notifying for help. At the same time, the bell can also release an aura blast of the same level of power of the Magical Beast's master for the briefest of seconds; this will act as a deterrence for the attackers of the beast.
The second Magical Item was a bracelet. This bracelet, when activated, would shoot out in front of the little kitten and seek out her target and explode in a blast of aura. It's a one time use item, but it is quite powerful, able to defeat a Minor Rank beast and hold off a Major Rank Beast or the Magician's equivalent rankings.
Soon enough, Jonathan had lead the little kitten and the rest of their party to an inn in the northern part of Evergale with the help of a Magical Item that let him communicate with Uncle Kil, who lead them to where he had settled down. Meanwhile, apart from cultivating, the little kitten was feeling excited and was settling her nerves as she would soon be learning those Magical Spells!
Advertisement
Polly and Drake
Drake has been searching for a job as a personal guard, but wherever he turns, he is kicked out without fail. It's not that he's terrible with weapons, or inattentive. It could be because of his obvious racial heritage. Or because of Polly. With his funds dwindling, the only remaining option is to become one of the Cursed: poor souls that work for the Dragoneye Guild. In other lands, they may be called adventurers, saviors or even heroes, but not in the White Desert. Here, they are shunned and ignored. Depraved people who forsook their humanity for money and fame. With this choice, Drake may not only fall from grace, but also become one of only a few thousands capable of unearthing the secrets of ancient times. If he could get this guardsman notion out of his head. May contain gore, violence, profanity and traumatising content. Taking another shoot at this writing business. I write for fun and when I have time. There is no plan. The story may change drastically from what it starts out - or not. We'll see what happens. Currently, I'm aiming for a Slice of Life with LitRPG elements at a later time.
8 87Infinity Force: Heroes of Yesterday
The modern world, where superhumans are respected and adored, was not always the way it was. Decades before, the world held a different view in regards to those with godlike abilities. Observe the happenings of this era through the eyes of Harold Farwell and his friends, as they make their way through a not-so pleasant world, trying to save it from what seems imminent catastrophe. Spinoff of "Helix Academy of Superhuman Development." [Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 108Tales of the Animists
New updates every Monday & Friday (pending me catching up to my own writing) . Length of updates varies as the chapter dictates. Eil has turned thirteen years old. This year he must participate in the test to join King Paulus's Military Institute. It's the one opportunity every Leonaisian gets to escape a lifetime of mining earth stones at-the-risk of punishment from the Sovereign State of Buffon's prefects. Eil is fortunate he belongs to one of the four noble tribes and already knows the secret to passing the test. What he doesn't know is the trick to surviving an institute more determined to see every one of its students dead than graduating alive. It's only when the odds are staunchly against you that the greatest animists are made. This is the philosophy of King Paulus's Military Institute.
8 205A Shade Underneath the Heavens
What does true freedom entail? Faced with a reality where forces behind the curtain guide and manipulate one's actions, what is a person to do? Five people, puppeteered by hands both known and unknown, set on a path that is bound to cross. The prince Julius Alneal and his knightess Annea head out seeking help for a conflict at home. The magus Elynne seeks adventure and involves herself with the Inquisitor Dannar whose very job is to hunt renegade magi. And from the north comes Edwin, a boy sent on a quest he does not understand, whose fate might influence far more than he is aware of. And the five of them will discover truths about themselves and the world, slowly starting to understand that there is something terribly wrong with the very land they walk on and the heavens above. Updates every so often on Friday/Saturday.
8 176Demonizing Matters
A high fantasy drama about a young woman who finds out a demon secret. This secret sparks a growing conflict between demons and humans. While trying to save her own life and dealing with the unexpected consequences of her actions, she falls in love with a hated demon. We follow the drama of Lita, alongside a cast of several other POV characters, as she discovers secrets (both open and purposefully hidden), makes well intentioned but sometimes disastrous decisions, and encounters prejudices and truths. Demons may be evil… or not. Humans may be good… or not. God is aloof… or not. Publishing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is my first real work! Super excited to be publishing! I don’t spend a lot of time describing gore, sex, trauma or any other type of scene that would be labeled as mature. I've labeled the story as mature in every way more because I don't quite understand the standard and don't know if I've crossed the line at all (and I'd rather be safe than get my story rejected for under labeling ;)). Mostly I hint, start the scene then interrupt/fade out, and in general let the reader know it happens but without making it too explicit. (I’d love to hear how I did on this! And if it was still entertaining/informative without being traumatizing.) This is what I prefer to read myself so that’s what I write. I’m not apologizing. ;) If I mislabeled my mature content it was by accident. And, yes, the pacing was also on purpose. Beyond that, I welcome any feedback you want to give! Enjoy the story!
8 199Kiddnapped (A parent's worst nightmare)
North and South America have been kidnapped !! It's up to the other countries to find them. Their fathers Portugal, France, England, and Spain are having panic attacks since they don't know where their kids are or if they're okay. But these dads are willing to do anything they can to get their babies back safe and sound. After all, someone's child being kidnapped and hurt by some one is every parent's worst nightmare.Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
8 288