Mathew appeared in the gray void once again, this time surrounded by shopping shelves. “Mr. McGonalds, it’s a pleasure to see you once again.”

“Di! It’s a blessing to see a gentleman like yourself.” Mathew held up a duffle bag. “Do you have a table where I can place this? It’s a bit heavy, and I have things to sell to you.”

Di waved a hand, and a table manifested between them. Mathew placed it on the table. He was overplaying the heaviness. With his increased stats and rank, the bag weighed practically nothing to him now.

Mathew unzipped the bag and started to pull objects out and place them on the table top. “So, I have a few different things. Raw resources like gold and silver. Human literature in the forms of physical books. A few pleasantries such as cigarettes, alcohol and a few other odds and ends that humans place value in.”

Di picked up a magazine with a woman wearing very little clothing. “And this?”

“Oh, that’s something humans really enjoy. I’m sure if you open it up it will be obvious. I had these to trade others for food and such, but I have no problems obtaining the needs for the day to day life. So I hope those who are interested in our planet can find something of value.”

Dir nodded. “Many things here. Shall we start the oldest game and haggle?”

Over an hour went by with the two going back and forth on prices for objects. To Mathew’s surprise, gold was not worth as much as the thought. Earth’s gold was not treated nor produced the correct way according to Di and was almost junk. However it could be melted down and reprocessed so he still bought it.

A bottle of vodka was what was one of the most profitable items sold. “I have to say, Earth really knows how to create drinks that are both strong and decent tasting. My kind can’t be inhibited by such items, but my [Analysis] skill tells me more than enough to know it will be worth a lot”

The magazine and books were the money makers for Mathew. In the end, his total Universal Currency was more than he ever expected.

Universal Currency: 52,280

Mathew also noticed his [Negotiation] skill went up an entire two ranks. He smiled to himself at that, but didn’t want to be rude and closed his menus instantly.

Di put away everything and nodded. “Now that is away, shall we begin shopping?”

“Did you go weak on me with the prices haggling knowing I was just going to spend it all here anyways?” Mathew asked with a hint of a smile.

“I would never stoop to such underhanded techniques. I give fair prices for everything. Shall we start with a new staff or set of robes?”

Mathew shook his head. “First things first. My class is a Summoner, and my profession is Contract Scribe. I want information booklets on those if possible.”

“A smart start. What sort of information? I can have history texts of publicly known Summoners and Contract Scribes. I can pull up a list of known abilities, skills, and spells those two offer at higher levels. As well as many other things.”

“What do you mean to offer at higher levels?”

Di sighed and shook his head. “Did you not read the booklet you bought? You are going to force me to stop talking since I apparently keep accidently giving away information for free. At this rate I’ll go bankrupt.”

“Come on now Di. I am a man of honor! I did read it, however I was a little busy with killing some local pests and then selecting my class.”

“Well, you did already buy the information packet, so I can’t get in trouble. Every ten Levels after selecting your profession, you gain a perk. Same with your class. Essentially every 5 levels you gain something new from either one. This could be small such as a new skill, or large enough to be an upgrade. Outside that, it’ll cost you.”

Mathew waved a hand. “I’m good for it, as you know. Let’s start with general knowledge on Summoners, and with Contract Scribes I want information on their relationship with The Council of Order.”

“The first will be 7,800 UC, and the later is a bit harder to price. As not all Contract Scribes have any relationship with The Council of Order. I can give you an information packet of all known Contract Scribes who are on the council, or work for them?”

“Let’s start with who they are. I have a feeling, but more information won’t hurt.”

“I will add that to your basket. What can we examine next?”

“I am starting to plan long term now that I have a few goals. Firstly, I know Hearth Crystals can offer safe zones eventually. What is the process of acquiring one?”

“That will be 2,300 UC. The information packet will talk about Hearth Crystals. How they work, and even future uses of them.”

Mathew nodded and accepted that. “Next up, information packets on Gods and Patrons.”

Di seemed to pause in thought. “There are countless Gods sir, and even a longer list of Patrons. That isn’t just expensive, but a lot of information.”

“Then I want information on what is a God, same with a Patron.”

“Ah, that is something not available for you until Phase 2.”

“But the list on who are Gods and Patrons isn’t?”

“The names? No. Since you can’t interact with any of them until Phase 1.”

Mathew crossed his arms. “Then why did I receive an offer from a God and a Patron while choosing my class?”

Di paused and made an act of scratching his chin. “In all honesty, I have no idea.”

“I’ll be back in Phase 1 for information about them, Di. It’s only a handful of days away.”

Mathew didn’t need anything else, so he moved on to physical objects. First thing he wanted was a nice bag to try his new spell on. Apparently there were already bags that had a larger inside than outside. The cheapest of prices starting off at 20,000 UC.

“What are the chances I can sell the bags I make?” Mathew asked.

“You could, but these bags are expensive going toward you, whose planet has none of them. In the rest of the universe they are a dime a dozen. As the phrase is used if I recall.”

“Been receiving other people here a lot lately?”

“I have a few coming from the same place as you. I expect you had a small play in that.”

“I always suggest and offer the best advice.” Mathew said proudly.

Mathew and Di moved on to other items. First things first was a new robe. His current one was still nice, it just needed a few repairs and a wash. However, Mathew wanted something nicer.

“So I have some money now. Let’s get me a new set of robes. I want more mana, or mana regeneration. What can you do for me?”

Di waved a hand and a series of robes appeared. One robe floated off the shelf and appeared in front of Mathew. “This here is a popular choice by mages. Woven with manathreads, it allows you to regenerate mana at an increased rate. It won’t be noticeable, but one or two more blasts from a spell or weapon could be life saving.” Di said as an example.

Mathew nodded, he did like this color of blue. “Enchantments?” He asked.

“We can do the speed boost again, or we can increase stats. What would you like?”

“The speed boost was more than enough last time, how about pockets?” Mathew asked curiously.

“Oh we can add weapon storage to it just fine, or general items. What would you like?”

“Just normal pockets. I can enchant them myself.”

“Very well Mr. McGonalds. Shall we move to weapons? Or will our spell list peak your interest?”

“A new Staff would be nice. Nothing fancy, but preferably something similar, just better.”

“That is easily doable. It will look the same, just better crafted to channel mana better and increase output damage. Anything else?”

Mathew stroked his face, a slight beard had started to grow when he ran out of razors. “What about some limited use items like potions?”

“We have potions, pills, powders, and several other forms of medicine.”

Mathew soon was taken through a mound of different items that can cure practically anything if you have the right price. Pills that can feed you for an entire day. Potions that can grant you night vision. Powders that when applied to an open wound closes it instantly with new flesh. Not even a scar would appear.

In the end, Mathew settled on healing pills, not many, but to be used if he ever was horribly mauled like Leo, or worse. They won’t regrow limbs, but it’s better than nothing.

“Anything else you can suggest for a fine connoisseur of the high life?”

“With what UC you have left? I have a few suggestions. One of which plays well with your [Ritual] skill.” Di waved a hand and supplies that fit well for any magical office worker appeared. “Since it’s an enchantment, you are going to need engraving tools, for cloth simple inks do well. For leathers, metals, or more solid items, engraving tools work best. Inks can be ruined or smudged over time. Battle wear and tear can make them work less efficiently over time. Also we have special inks that are pricier to dye leathers or cloth to make the enchantment much longer lasting.”

Mathew didn’t even question Di’s advice and purchased an entire kit. He also splurged on paper and ink for future contracts. After everything, Mathew was looking at just under 20k UC. “Di, I think I might want to take a look at other Rituals if possible. Do you have a book on them?”

“Well Rituals take two different forms. Proper spell formations and recipes. The former is much like the one you have and described to me. While the latter is like a cooking recipe. It requires ingredients and chants. I don’t suggest it at your current skill level, but there are a few you can practice on to improve your skill.”

“How much?”

Di pulled a booklet out of the air. The title read ‘Rituals for Novices’. “It’s primarily given out as study material at schools or families that use it to teach their children. This is an older version, and significantly redacted on outside knowledge that is banned till Phase 1 and 2.”

“How much?”

“For you Mr. McGonalds? I’ll sell it for 7,000.”

Mathew nodded. “I’ll give you 10, and you give me enough ingredients to use those lower ranked rituals.”

Mathew wanted to look more at spells, but the thought of rituals that could be on par with spells interested him much more. If a ritual can be prepared ahead of time, it could be a life saver. Plus he doubted a single ritual cast over and over will increase his [Ritual] skill.

“Lastly Di, I want to look into a good knife. I haven't had to use one recently, but a friend suggested it.”

“How does a knife with elemental damage suit you? If not, we have knives that are coated in poisons, knives that return when thrown, knives that can hit ghosts as well. Different metals, different enchantments, you name it.”

Mathew made mental notes about ghosts. He would rather not fight something he can’t hit. “A simple knife that is serrated. It’ll be used to keep causing enough pain to get away from me so I can attack at range again.”

“Serrated we can easily do, I suggest a metal from the Vixen clan. It causes a reaction with blood to thin it out and increase bleeding.”

“Sold.” Mathew smiled. He looked at his expansive pile of items. A thought occurred to him seeing he had more Currency left than he did when he first came to the store. “You mentioned poison?”