Chapter 9: Chapter 9
'Damn it. What should I do?'
'Should I leave this place before the attack comes?'
'No, I don't have any details about it. If I venture out alone, I may face them before the town does and no one would have my back.'
'It's better to stay here where I would have a chance to be alive.'
Seeing the scared face on the boy, the old man spoke, "Don't worry boy, it's not like you would be on the front lines. Most of the troops face the brunt of the attack. Since adventurers gain merits from this, veteran adventurers won't sit calm, they would be active on the battlefield. So you have nothing to worry about."
Alex gave him a smile and started to eat. He knows that he can't do anything for now but be prepared for the upcoming battle.
'I should go out and buy items that would keep me alive.'
After eating he immediately went out.
---
'Arrgh, why is everything so pricey?'
'Is it because of the incoming battle? Shouldn't these people sell to the ones who can fight?'
'If the price appears so high, who would buy?'
'Hmm, I think I'm wrong. Everyone was buying even though the prices are hiked.'
'Wait a minute...system shop...potions..'
"System, did you know about this before? Is that why the shop has the potions available to buy?"
[Yes.]
"Why? Why didn't you tell me then?" he almost shouted out loud.
[To teach you a lesson.]
"A lesson?"
[Indeed. If you become the emperor you need to know how the economy works. You may not need deep knowledge but you should in the least know about supply and demand.]
[Above that you should know how to efficiently manage resources. You should know when to buy goods and when to sell goods. Without this minimum knowledge, your empire would dwindle and be recorded under the section short-lived empires.]
[You should know even Intelligence is also a strength. You may wonder how that would help fight someone who can kill you with physical strength. The answer is you can outsmart him, either leading him into a trap or bluffing him that you are stronger than him.]
[Most people run away from stronger people or from those who appear stronger than them. Of course, this depends on luck, nonetheless, it increases your survival probability.]
Sighs!
"You are right. Forget me about what to do after becoming an emperor, if I had to survive I need to be smarter. I shouldn't ignore anything or I would be giving others the chance to kill me."
'I should find a decent sword. The basic sword doesn't look like it will last when the town was attacked.'
'It lasted this long. It is already a miracle. I should sell it and buy a new one.'
'I should buy a few health and stamina potions too. If they come short I could always buy through system shop.'
'Buying Tier-1 potions from the shop is a waste of points. Wait the points...'
Alex smacked his head, 'I didn't ask the system how to earn them. I should find out when I return to the Inn.'
'First a sword, then the potions.'
---
"Hello, how can I help you?" asked the man looking at the young boy who just entered his shop. The man has a well-built body, with a beard and a shining head.
"Hello sir, I am looking to buy a sword," the young boy replied.
"Oh, it looks like you came at a good time," the man replied with a gleeful smile. The boy didn't see it as it appeared only for a second. He only looked confused at the statement.
"See, I just finished creating my masterpiece a few hours ago. It is the best weapon I ever forged in my entire life. I believe it would suit you well."
'Wait, what did he mean by just finished? From what the people are doing, the sales and orders should be through the roof. Is he trying to scam me?'
'I should see what he might pull up or should I leave?.'
Before the boy decided, the man pulled out a weapon and placed it in front of the boy.
When he saw the weapon, he understood the scam. The weapon is a saber, not a sword which is the most preferred weapon in the kingdom. Though there are saber users they are few in number.
Though the boy doesn't know that, he understood the man is trying to get rid of something that isn't sold much. He just sees the boy as young and naive, which may profit him.
"Sir, I asked for a sword and that is not."
"Eh, I know, I know, but this seems to be calling you. It suits you."
'He is definitely trying to get rid of it. I should just leave and go to another shop.'
The boy is none other than Alex, who came into the blacksmith's shop to buy a better sword. He only came here because most shops were closed as they sold their inventory or were busy working to craft new ones before the deadline.
[Host, wait a minute.]
'Huh?'
"What is it?" he asked the system.
[The saber feels different.]
"What do you mean by that?"
[I don't know but it feels as ...I can't describe it.]
"It is useless for me as I don't know any saber arts."
[You can buy one in the store but you should get your hands on it.]
"Oh, is it powerful?"
[Yes but I can't measure it and moreover it's old. He lied to you when he said he finished creating his masterpiece. He most likely remodeled the handle.]
'Hmm, if I show interest he may hike the price. I should get it, after all the system recommended it. I mean it rarely helps me, that means this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.'
'Since he tried to swindle me, there is no harm in swindling him.'
Thinking that Alex turned his innocent gaze toward the man. The man thought he had him when he looked at the innocent gaze.
"Uncle..."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone