"How much?"
Makun heard the man's voice clearly.
How much could he pay for a book this precious?
He only had twenty dollars left in his bank account. Maybe less. He couldn't afford anything valuable.
Can I really compete with this guy?
The veiled lady looked at Makun. Then at the tall man.
She spoke, her voice soft but clear.
"Cash won't do it here. What do you have to offer?"
The man closed his eyes. His face tightened in concentration.
Makun stood there, mind racing. How could he get his hands on that book? Information was something he needed right now. He couldn't do without it.
The man's eyes opened.
He stared at the veiled lady.
"I have a demonic mirror. It can help you observe whatever people you set your eyes on might be doing. And you can harm them if you're ready to pay the necessary price." He spoke with confidence. "It's a great resource I got during one of my adventures. What do you say? Are you interested?"
Makun was dumfounded.
Was that something possible?
A mirror that could spy on people from a long distance? And hurt them from that same distance?
This is...
He was lost for words.
The veiled lady was quiet for a moment. Then she shook her head.
"I do not have any particular use for that treasure."
She gestured at the items on her blanket. The bowls of ash. The bones arranged in patterns. The stones with painted symbols.
"I have a variety of objects in my arsenal to deal with people who want to harm me. Your mirror, while good and probably wanted by many different people, is not useful to me."
Her voice was calm. Matter of fact.
"I cannot exchange such a valuable book for something I do not need. Offer something else."
The man's jaw tightened. He looked frustrated but not surprised.
He reached into his coat, pulled out an old root. Gnarled. Dark brown. It smelled like earth and something bitter.
"Here is a ten year old enlightenment root. It can help you gain knowledge of a third grade Adept on the path to Mysticism. It's gonna provide you with a decent breakthrough."
Third grade Adept?
Makun was stunned.
Zuri never mentioned such a thing.
Grades. Levels. This world had structure he didn't understand yet.
The veiled lady leaned forward slightly. Her eyes studied the root with what seemed like appreciation.
"Impressive."
The man's expression shifted. Hopeful.
But then she shook her head.
"However, I am not in need of that root. Such a comprehension enhancement is beneath me at this stage. It might even derail my Mystic path." Her voice remained polite but firm. "It is better if I do everything naturally."
She leaned back.
"Not interested."
The man's face darkened. His hands clenched at his sides.
"State your price. Anything. I'm gonna make it happen."
His voice was strained now. Desperate.
He'd been searching for this book everywhere. He felt like he'd reached a bottleneck in his practice. He needed information to grow stronger. Understanding. Direction.
And this book was exactly that.
The lady stayed silent.
Makun smiled on the side.
Did I meet someone as unlucky as me? Or am I getting luckier?
Either way, he had to think hard. What could he offer that would be interesting to her?
He recalled everything Zuri said. Every interaction he'd seen in the market tonight. The memory bottles. The jewelry that moved. The vague prices and strange payments.
Everything has value to someone. Just have to figure out what she actually needs.
Then something clicked.
Wait.
Makun approached the lady. Leaned down slightly.
He whispered something only she could hear.
Beneath the veil, her eyes trembled.
"Is what you are saying true?" she asked quietly.
"Yes it is. But I don't know how it works now." Makun kept his voice low. "Give me the book and I'm gonna pay you here next Monday. At your stall."
The lady went still. Looking at him as if trying to perceive something deeper. Reading his spiritual signature the way the old man had.
Several seconds passed.
Then she picked up the book. Extended it toward Makun.
"Meet you next week."
Makun took it. The leather was warm in his hands. Heavier than it looked.
Next to him, the tall man's entire body went rigid.
His hand formed a fist. His jaw clenched so hard Makun could hear teeth grinding.
"Wait."
The word came out sharp. Angry.
The man turned toward Makun. His eyes blazed with frustration and something darker.
He'd been searching for information like this for months. Visiting market after market. Asking vendors. Trading lesser items just to get leads.
And now some scoundrel had come out of nowhere to take what he'd set his eyes on first.
No. Absolutely not.
Makun clutched the book to his chest.
Time to leave.
He started walking toward the plaza exit. Quick steps. Not running, but purposeful.
Before he could take five steps, the man moved.
Fast.
He stepped directly in front of Makun. Blocking his path entirely.
"You give me the book."
His voice was authoritative. Commanding. The tone of someone used to getting what they wanted.
Makun stopped. Looked up at him.
The man was taller by half a head. Broader shoulders. Expensive coat. Everything about him screamed privilege and power.
But Makun had been lucky for once. He wasn't letting this opportunity go to waste.
"What if I don't?"
His voice came out steady. Defiant.
Makun was very combative. With all the shit he'd experienced, all the times he'd been pushed around by landlords and supervisors and life itself, he wasn't one to back down.
Not tonight.
The man's eyes slowly turned red.
Actually red. Like blood filling the whites.
His hand shifted color too. Slightly red. The skin seemed to darken and flush with heat.
The fingers twitched.
Steam rose from his palm.
He raised it.
Reaching for Makun.