"I'm pleased to see my judgment wasn't off. Seems my skill at sizing up strangers is still as sharp as ever," he replies, flattering us with a smile.

"No wonder you have such a successful business and a beautiful shop," I say, returning the flattery, accompanied with a smile of my own.

With the niceties out of the way, it's time for the real showdown to begin. The air in Garen's shop thickens with anticipation as we prepare to fight. This is where the fun begins- a playful yet earnest battle of the tongue.

Garen starts with a chuckle, eyeing the heap of materials on his counter. "Last time, I gave you 50 bronze for a haul worth only 30. You've certainly outdone yourselves today, but let's not get carried away. This time, I won't be so generous." he says with a teasing grin.

"True, but we didn't just bring quantity; we brought quality- and from five different floors, no less. Ayame estimated our haul could fetch around 10 silver.

Considering the effort and those boss drops, I'd say that's fair." I nod towards Ayame animatedly, intentionally drawing his attention towards my partner, this way I'm able to use my trump card, the Fujimori clan connection he supposedly holds dear.

He raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips. "Ah, pulling the clan card again, huh? You shameless little devil. Even then, 10 silver is just ridiculous."

Ayame steps forward with an expression that's calm and confident. "Slime cores are always needed for potions. And the Tri-Elemental Direwolf's claws? I struggle to believe that you come across them as often as you suggest.

I've fought that beast myself, and I can only shudder when I think of how many casualties must've been caused by such a monster that was somehow placed so unfairly low in the labyrinth."

I'm pleased to see Ayame's loyalties clearly lie with our party. She knows when to switch gears.

Garen leans back, crossing his arms. "You are right there, lass. Not many people dare face that big wolf… I admit that the boss drops do pique my interest, but jumping to 10 silver is quite the leap- a leap I'm not willing to accommodate even if you bring me a painting of my dead grandmother while begging me with puppy eyes. My offer is 5 silver."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Five is a tad low, considering the sweat and near-death experiences involved. Let's meet at 9 silver, fair and square."

Garen's eyes twinkle with amusement. "You drive a tough bargain, my friend. But let's be real- 8 silver is my limit, and that's only because I like you two."

Like me, my ass. Bet he would open a champagne bottle if I sent Ayame in her lonesome to negotiate in my stead. That is, if they have such drinks here in the first place.

I glance at Ayame, who gives me a subtle nod, her lips curling into a small smile. "You've got yourself a deal, old man." I state finally.

Garen strokes his chin playfully, clearly enjoying the exchange. For a merchant like him, this is where the day's thrill lies. "Glad to hear it, devil."

Looks like I've gotten my first nickname… Not sure how I feel about what it turned out to be though. Why couldn't it be 'young and benevolent hero'? 'Handsome young master'?

Those seem much more accurate.

Anyhow, we shake hands to seal the deal, and Garen counts out the silver coins, placing them on the counter. I pocket them with satisfaction. 8 silver for the loot haul obtained on the first five floors is actually really decent. I can only imagine what sort of riches lie further towards the labyrinth's core. With this we have 12 silver and 412 bronze coins in our possession.

Before Ayame and I head 'home', we make a few stops at some shops to get ready for tonight properly, after which we stride back to our rented room, eager to change out of our conspicuously flashy outfits. Our attire is far too "fancy-nancy" for a surveillance mission. It's a shame that our superstar, Blossom, can't participate in what's about to go down.

She would absolutely thrive here with her Phantom Canine class. Unfortunately, since she's an ownerless slave, her class and stats are sealed, preventing her from accessing her abilities.

I instructed Blossom to guard our room while we're out, more so to keep her from getting bored than for actual security. As I open the door I half expect her to attack us, mistaking us for intruders. Instead, I'm greeted by a ballistic missile that launches itself straight into my chest, knocking me to the floor.

Ah, yes, my scent. I must smell awful after today's labyrinth challenges. But this blonde beauty doesn't seem to mind; if anything, she seems more eager because of it. Blossom animatedly sniffs me all over, her nose twitching as if she's experiencing the day's battles through my scent alone.

I open my arms wide and grin, inviting her affection. She nuzzles into my chest, her soft fur brushing against me as she inhales deeply, taking in the day's story written in my sweat and grime. Her excitement is infectious, and I can't help but chuckle as I pet her gently.

In a playful, sing-song voice, I ask, "Have you been a good girl?"

Blossom nods energetically, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Yes! Yes! Blossom guarded Master's territory intently!" she declares, her tail wagging furiously.

"That's my girl," I coo, giving her an extra scratch behind the ears, which she leans into with a satisfied hum.

As I continue to pet her, Blossom gazes up at me with adoration, and a hint of something deeper that promises she's more than just a companion. Her playful nature is cute and endearing, but there's an undeniable allure in the way she looks at me. I might treat her like a pet sometimes, but she is still a humanoid woman, with the needs of a humanoid woman, no matter how ditzy she may appear at times.

The problem is that she might not be aware that she even has such needs in the first place; after all she has not yet been touched by a man and with how clueless she can be about a few aspects of life I can see a reality where I might have to educate her thoroughly. Naturally, I'm more than up for the challenge.