《Ashes of Hell》Chapter 16 - Training - part 6
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'I see, this person has lived for so long that most things have lost their value for him. Even the coins that merchants are famous to adore and accumulate have changed their meaning in front of his eyes.
Then what I need to do is to spark his curiosity, to give him something exciting like a risk or a bet.'
Thinking of many possible offers that could peek the merchant's attention, Nestor stood still on the spot, while caressing the short beard that was starting to grow on his chin.
"Your friend seems to be elaborating something, I can see why the old man accepted this fellow.
Now, quick let us exchange the message, I have other customers waiting for me after all."
Saying so, Levante pointed at another guest who was lingering over the same stand, only on the opposite side. There one could see various metallic objects, they had firm handles and to Linneo their shape didn't make much sense.
'They aren't weapons, they are too blunt and heavy, and their shape is also inappropriate. Well, is not like I haven't seen any other strange tools since coming here.'
However, the new guest was all too familiar with them. He seemed to be ecstatic about the newfound merch.
"Finally! Let's see what we have here. Dumbells, kettlebells, some discs, and even a barbell. I could do some with those, still just looking at them is making me remember the gym."
His physical appearance made Linneo a little stunned at first. Since as a knight he had to train his body to a certain extent, he also had developed a very resistant physique, having a great deal of stamina.
However, the shirtless man had an extremely chiseled physique, he was extremely tonic and muscular. At the same time, the man appeared to be very lean and well proportioned.
'An elite, he must have trained his body for years to achieve such results. However, at the same time, he must have not been to the battlefield much, since I cannot see any scars on him.
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Seeing that he has arrived in Ceres with his original body he must own a high-tier key, like me.'
While thinking so, LInneo hurried near the merchant, taking out his tablet and pressing it over Levante's. A small blue light emanated from the two devices, before quickly fading. Then he retracted his own, before noticing that Nestor had walked over them, probably with some sort of plan.
'If he still can't get the candle I'll offer him my help, friends must help each other in time of need after all.'
Ready, and with a reasonable offer to make, Nestor waved out his hand, getting the merchant's attention for a brief moment.
"I understand you a little more now. What I can do at the moment is quite limited as you might imagine.
Thus all I can do is bet on what I'll be able to do in the future. Think of it as an investment, give me the candle and I promise that from now on I'll trade exclusively with you.
For all my needs and various things I'll wish to sell, will have you as the priority target. I know that the city continues deep underground and treasure and unknown marvels are laying down there.
Since the start of my second life I wanted to do things differently, I won't ignore adventure when it's right in front of my nose. I will explore the depths of this world, if you don't believe me I can even write a contract through a black quill for you.
However, this is an entirely different accord from my previous request. I am betting my future on you, so I want your support too, I want some premium offers and a few gifts on your part."
Nestor had just dropped a huge bomb on their ears, however in a certain way it made sense. Of course, if Levente was a normal merchant this deal wouldn't make much sense. However Nestor managed to understand the merchant's desire, he wanted something new and exciting.
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"Ah!, an interesting fellow indeed. I believe your words, there is no need to make such a serious face. Go on, take two other things from this stand, I'll also give you some fine discounts on my merch. I believe you won't go back on your words, you know I have a good eye for people, I have been doing this job for centuries after all."
Nestor managed to surprise Linneo once more, sometimes the monk could really pull some of his tricks to good use.
'Now is time to go shopping, I need to be careful with what I pick. The candle's effect resulted to be a pleasant surprise, something for the long term sounds very good, but maybe I should pick also something I could use in an emergency.'
As he was left undecided about which pick would fit him better, on the other side of the stand another customer was trying to bargain a new deal with Levante.
The athletic, shirtless man was currently touching and analyzing the barbell, inspecting both its grip and weight.
From Nestor's position, one could see the huge tattooed wings on the sculped back of the athlete.
"Hello good Sir, my name is Marco. You can't imagine how excited I am right now, I have finally found some gym equipment, after hours of walking around the market.
What a huge plaza this is, and that big fellow over there, oh man I would like to know how he became so disgustingly big.
Can humans become this tall in here or he is not one in the first place? Ah, I didn't mean to discriminate or anything. I almost pity the guy, he mustn't fit in the gym anymore after becoming like this.
So, back to business. I want this barbell, plus six plates, these on the right. I feel like they must weigh about twenty Kg each right?
I have also taken a liking to this spiked gauntlet. My budget is about two silver coins, what do you think?"
While talking, Marco kept a broad smile, as if confident in the advice the merchant would provide him. Probably he understood Levante's character from his dealing with Nestor.
The merchant seemed to be a lot less stingy and bound to wealth, compared to the market corporation back on his home planet. The man didn't seem to lack money, no, he had way more than what he needed.
"Young man, be careful with your words. Saying that you are desperate for these old pieces of metal, makes me want to rip you off.
He he, however, you already know that I wouldn't be scamming you, however, it wouldn't be any fun if that'll be our last encounter because of that.
I got you, two silver coins and we have a deal. I'll also look for more of this stuff if you like it, so drop by my tent every so often.
Also, I have connections with some good blacksmiths, I may be able to get someone to stitch that gauntlet back in one piece if it gets damaged somehow."
The young man quickly ruffled his messy brown hair, before taking out two sparkling coins and tossing them to Levante. Then he made the plates and gauntlet disappear while grabbing the bar and placing it on his shoulder as if it didn't weigh much.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, I hope you'll make many interesting transactions today. Marco out."
With a radiant smile, a small wave of his hand and Marco was already walking toward the other side of the plaza. His eyes ever lingered on the towering figure in the middle.
'Finally, I have decided on two articles that would be most useful. In truth, I wost confused about most of them, as I completely lack the knowledge about how they even operate.
The only thing I could do is make a guess, hopefully, Levante will stay true to his character and won't sell me crap.'
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Badass
At the end of everything, Taylor Hebert realized something. She didn't want to be a superhero. No, she wanted to be a badass. And then her prayers were answered. Imbued with the power of mimetic badassery and the ability to channel a different real-life badass every week, she set out in search for all the best things in life - well, according to Conan, at least. Modeling herself after Conan have been a mistake. Join her on her high-octane, pulp-fiction journey for vengeance, adventure, victory and mayhem. This isn't just uncensored. It's anti-censored! =========================== (Worm/Fate/Badass of the Week) Warning: crack-taken-seriously, over-the-top pulp-fiction style violence, overpowered protagonist, banned on two other sites. Hell, even the light-hearted omake jokes in this were considered too subversive to persist. ============================ AN: There’s this really, really excellent website called Badass of the Week. I’ve wasted many an hour browsing through, marveling at all the crazy shit some humans are capable of. Check it out, then come back and read this in a few days when the awesome starts to wear off. It’s worth it (all 576 entries). Back? Good! Anyways, I was looking through it recently while thinking about who I wanted to make expy’s of for my The Flying Dutchman quest ship captains (which now languishes in indefinite hiatus), and I had this idea. What if Taylor, wanting to be a badass, triggered with the power to be a different Badass every week? With a bit of Fate-style ability to draw on the tools associated with the legend (but to a just marginally less ridiculous degree), and a drive and aura to be and do badass? And thus, Badass was born in it’s somewhat cracky glory. Enjoy.
8 188The Sorcerer's Aria
Only ten years have passed since the last war. Now, war threatens to break again as both powers of Acolythis ready their forces. The stakes are higher than ever before because this time there will be no surrender. Sorcerers of this world use melodies and harmonies to create their powerful and deadly magic- Meaning the loudest score is often deemed the strongest. But when a child born of two nations finds that his score is too quite to master the harmonies and melodies that master sorcerers can, he must find a way to get creative or die trying. Especially when he is possibly the only one who knows the secret behind the entire war- and of those who will stop at nothing to keep the silence.
8 112City States (Working title)
A boy accidentally steals power from his new friend, one that many immortals would kill for, and is thrust in a world of intrigue and academics where one step could mean death or worse, a failed grade. Photo by Afonso Morais on Unsplash
8 91The Break
What would you do if you knew humans were not the only Intelligent ones? What would you think if you knew humans had more potential and power than you thought? What would you aim for if you knew that all dimensions will merge and become one again? When you could have the power to not only protect yourself but to influence this changing world by the core, what would be your first goal? Laith Arslan never knew that he had to come across these questions. And it all started with one dream. A dream that changed his life completely.
8 143The Island's End- A Fortnite Story No.5
"If you're afraid of me this much, why did you bring me back?" "I took your life away all those years ago, and I felt guilty despite the things you did to me. And after everything that's happened, I've made the decision to give you a second chance..." "..." "I know the Queen is bound to destroy the island... But I'm still willing to give you a chance to change your view on me...before she ends all reality..." "If you think I'll change my ways because you brought me back to life and this island's doomed to fall, you can dream on M." "... I understand..." --------------The Cube Queen's rise is in sight as the whole of Apollo Island build what's left of their armies and prepare to try and push back her forces.The Island's fate is already sealed, but they'll fight for its survival one final time.Meanwhile Midas, Jones, Jules and now a reanimated Ares are stuck living together, causing a lot of stress on the mastermind because of everything his father did to him as a child.He wishes to try and fix things between them, but his PTSD and trauma continues to hold him back. However, dad issues aren't the only things he's worrying about now.It turns out that maybe the God of light and gold he called his friend hasn't exactly been very truthful with him...And as he digs deeper into the mystery, he'll uncover the God's past and find himself in an identity crisis.
8 101GCSE Revision!!!
This is just going to be my tips and tricks on how to revise, what works best for me, and actual revision notes --> however as the GCSEs are all changing because of the education system, remember that it's all different now as my year are the first to do the new maths and English GCSEs, but the rest are the old ones. But you can always just apply what I say to your own :)and good luck to everyone with exams and everything as they're all super stressful and hope you get the grades and results that you wanted :)
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