Irregular Curved
Chapter 18: The Mysterious Shop

"Dam."

The night is getting late. Light has not found a gun shop that is still available to receive customers.

Visiting the adventurer guild was certainly not the right thing to do. In addition to his position who was still an Academy student, it would be very suspicious for a boy to buy a weapon at night.

This is more to keep the good name as well as the dignity that Light has. In fact, all of Light's actions had a huge impact on his home name. Because of that, Light really kept his attitude and tried not to do anything unnecessary.

"Hmm?"

While searching, Light discovers a strange light emanating from a rundown alley in one corner of the district. The situation was very quiet, Light's vigilance increased because he thought that he had entered an area with a high crime rate.

Contrary to expectations, the lighting came from a magic lantern that lit up right above a small shop within an alley. Not only does it look suspicious, but people will think if the store sells illegal items.

Light had already given up on the weapon shop, he didn't think doing any further searches would pay off.

Krring!

The sound of bells welcomed Light into the store. The interior was very messy, items such as books as well as some jars were placed carelessly.

The distinctive smell of incense also momentarily made Light clog his nose. The drastic change in the outside air and the smell of incense did not make Light comfortable at all.

Light has a desire to get his business done soon. However, the shop was empty, completely invisible to the existence of the person in charge.

"What's this?" Light headed towards the corner of the room, located a large urn inside which laid several shabby swords and spears.

Light picked up one of the most shabby-looking swords and examined them closely.

"10 silver, I'll sell it to you."

"Gyaaah!"

Having absolutely no sign of presence, the shopkeeper's old grandmother's words caused Light to jump in shock.

"J—don't surprise me!" Light involuntarily shouted.

Behind the pile of books that had the height of half a human body, the hooded old grandmother appeared and noticed Light.

His eyes were covered in cloth, his skin looked so wrinkled like he had turned over 100 years old. However, there was a foul scent that smelled from him. If Light was unable to hold himself back, perhaps he would spit out his entrails.

The old granny completely ignored Light's words, "After all, what are you in need of right now? I know you came to this place must be in a cornered state."

The granny's smile felt a little annoying to Light, "I need a sword, it doesn't matter if the quality is ordinary."

The old granny pointed towards where the big urn where Light had just picked up the sword a moment ago with his chin, "I don't have a good weapon, so pick yourself up on that urn. Those are all weapons I have."

"Hm." Just a quick glance at the various weapons placed in the urn, but not feeling that all of them were different, Light finally chose the shabby sword he was currently holding, "Then I'll take this."

"I changed my mind. I'll sell that sword if you buy some of my other potions."

"Wait!" Light's face was shocked, "Didn't you just offer this sword?!"

"I'm still changing my mind, son. If you don't want it, put the sword back down and find another shop."

The granny's behavior made Light become annoyed. Not only was the stench stinking, the interior atmosphere of the store was really very unhealthy and unpleasant to live in.

"Then, I will take the sword—" Light again put the sword he held into the urn and intend to choose another sword.

He thought that the grandmother might change her mind if she bought another sword.

"Now, I don't want to sell weapons other than the sword you just held, son." The mysterious salesman's grandmother smiled demeaningly.

"Huh.huh..." Inhaling a deep breath, Light tried to calm his heart and made a friendly smile, "Yes, alright. I'll buy one bottle of potion—"

"Well.well..." Light calmed himself back down after his anger almost peaked, "One sword and three bottles of potions. I'll just buy that."

A smile was formed, the mysterious grandmother took out several transparent bottles that each of them had a horrifying content. Each has a very thick deep purple color, the other bottle contains a diluted green liquid, and some other unpleasant colors.

Of all that, perhaps the strangest is the bottle that holds something white.

"What's that?" Light squinted his eyes at the last bottle containing white powder inside.

"Narcotics."

"K—ka—kau—"

"Son, the circulation of this item on the black market is very common. Are you a houseboy who's never seen anything like this?"

The grandmother again cornered Light, she smiled mockingly which made Light even more annoyed.

Of course, losing yourself to anger here is not a profitable thing. Light tries to stay calm, taking a breath to restore calm, "Alright, whatever. Give me your recommendation."

The mysterious granny smiled again, she placed the vial filled with the viscous purple liquid in front of Light. In a sequence, the grandmother placed two other bottles, each containing a deep red liquid and a blue liquid that looks diluted.

"Each of them contains liquid miasma, preserved demon animal blood, and mana— catalyst"

"Quite, I already know the usefulness of all that." Light turned his hand and opened his five fingers for the grandmother to stop.

"How impressive." After all, the granny was amazed by the insight that Light had. It was rare for a young man to know the impact of the danger of using such items unless he was a member of one of the prestigious imperial families.

The mysterious grandmother put the bottles back in the storage cabinet, leaving the bottles that Light would buy on top of the pile of weathered books.

"How much?"

"20 sliced gold."

"K—you intend to rob me, Grandma?!"

"Hm? What are you saying?" The grandmother was astonished by Light's shock. That's natural considering that Light has never been in contact with those items at all, "The price I give you is below market price, you know."

"I only have—" For a moment, Light's speech came to a halt. If he was honest about the amount of money he had, the granny smiling before him would definitely drain all the money he had.

So, Light decided to lie, "Five sliced gold in my pocket."

"Don't lie, son." Despite being covered by a black tire, the grandmother narrowed her eyes, "I know you actually have more than that."

"Good! You win! I have 7 sliced gold in my pocket! So hurry up and give me some valuable stuff!"

"The poor." Not in line with expectations, the seller's grandmother muttered bitterly while showing an unpleasant expression. He took out the purple and blue colored liquid and then placed both of them inside a special cupboard.

The grandmother took back the white powder she had previously put into the cupboard and thrust it into Light with a bottle filled with monster blood and the shabby sword that Light wanted to buy, "Seven sliced gold."

"Even though I already knew that you wanted to bankrupt me. I didn't think you wanted me to die, too, Grandma..."

One of Light's eyelids twitched. He was amazed at the indifference of the cursed grandmother in front of him with someone who had an age that was much younger than him.

"Give me a piece of advice for you, son."

"What...that?"

"Too others before they trick you."

Both of Light's eyes were wide open, he never thought that the grandmother would give him such advice. However, Light felt that the grandmother's advice was of little benefit to him.

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