C15 The True Value of a Lighter!

"Friend, are you pulling my leg? This is a Devil Crystal, universally accepted across the continent, more valuable than currency itself. In our little duchy, they can be impossible to come by. How do you not recognize it?"

Bao Guo scratched his head and offered a sheepish grin, handing back the small box. "Just messing with you. Of course, I know it's a Devil Crystal, harvested from the insides of wild beasts. By the way, what was your name again? Are you truly an Alchemist?"

At the mention of 'Alchemist,' the middle-aged man straightened up, adjusted his attire, and spoke with gravitas, "I am Hu Da Feimer, affiliated with the continent's Alchemist Association. Pleased to meet you. Here is my Level 1 Alchemist badge."

Bao Guo examined the wooden badge Hu Da had produced with a quizzical look before returning it. "Made of wood? Tell me, Alchemist Hu Da, is Level 1 the bottom rung or the pinnacle in your field?"

A blush crept across Hu Da's face as he stammered, "No, it's not the lowest. Beneath Level 1, there are Apprentice Alchemists, also known as Alchemist Apprentices. Ahem, but you haven't told me what this is."

"Oh, this? It's a lighter, or 'fire machine' as I like to call it. Just an everyday item. What, did this little gadget really catch your eye?"

Bao Guo couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Hu Da fiddle incessantly with the plastic lighter. He had bought them wholesale, three large boxes at less than seventy cents each, and had been bartering them for fruits, meats, and the like. They were more sought after than coarse salt.

"A lighter?" Hu Da echoed, his eyes alight with excitement. He sidled up to Bao Guo and whispered, "Friend, don't you sense anything?"

Recoiling from the man's pungent odor, Bao Guo replied bluntly, "Sense what? It's just a run-of-the-mill item. What about it?"

"Run-of-the-mill? You think this is ordinary? Good heavens, can't you feel the rich fire element within? This device could serve as an initiation tool for fire element mages or as auxiliary gear for combat fire mages. Its worth is immeasurable. And you call it ordinary? That's not even the most crucial aspect. Have you not detected the faintest hint of lightning power within?"

Bao Guo was taken aback by these words. He faintly recalled that Anna was the first to trade for a lighter, offering a tidy bundle of tobacco leaves—perhaps twenty or thirty in total. This memory triggered another: Anna's knife, which often bore a faint flame as she wielded it surreptitiously, and the lighter that dangled from her chest. Something didn't add up.

"Uh, I've got plenty of those. Seems pretty standard to me. But tell me, are there any flammable gases or liquids around here?"

Bao Guo's hint was crystal clear. As an Alchemist, one would expect Hu Da to catch on quickly, but whether his thought process was too linear or his thinking too naive, he missed the cue entirely and blurted out, "Flammable liquids and gases? Oh, there's an abundance. The Stampeding Swordfish in the tanks exhale a green mist three or four times a day—highly flammable, extremely so."

"Then there's the Black Death Swamp, over four hundred miles west. It's home to the Black Fog Grass, which secretes a flammable juice. When it flowers, it emits a gas that's just as combustible."

"And let's not forget the Flame Vines found throughout the forests. The male flowers exhale, the female flowers secrete, and all of it is flammable. Are you sure you're an Alchemist? This is basic knowledge for an apprentice."

Bao Guo was inwardly thunderstruck, but he managed to retort with a snort, "Then let me test you again. If these plants in the forest were ignited by lightning or something, wouldn't that spell disaster for the entire woodland?"

"Are you kidding me? Aside from the fire-type Devil Beasts that feed on these plants, the water-type Devil Beasts aren't just sitting ducks. If there's a fire, won't they douse it with water? Or has my potent medicine scrambled your brains? You're talking nonsense."

Hu Da reached out to pat Bao Guo's head, but his hand was swiftly batted away. "Enough, enough, I was just messing with you. Keep the lighter. After all, you did drink a bottle of that expired potion for me. We're square now."

After finishing his piece, Bao Guo made to leave, but Hu Da blocked his path. "Hold on, hold on. Let's talk more about this lighter. I'm not after your design; I'm interested in striking a deal. This little gadget could make us a fortune. Aren't you the least bit eager?"

"Make money? I fail to see how this device could be profitable. Surely, the Alchemist Association's elite have numerous ways to conjure flames in an instant, and their tools can't be much larger than this one, can they? Why are you so keen on mine?"

Bao Guo didn't break stride, intent on departing, but Hu Da's words stopped him cold. "Wait, just wait. You have no elemental affinity; you're merely an ordinary person. Good heavens, how can an ordinary person create such a potent Alchemist Tool? Who is your master? Could you introduce me? I'm willing to pay handsomely."

"Elemental affinity? I have no master. I crafted this myself. I'm open to trading any amount you need, but be aware, the production costs aren't trivial. Do you get that?"

Hu Da, nervously swallowing, hands fidgeting, whispered, "You're right, of course. Aside from the union's bigwigs, even I could produce several fire-starting devices of similar size. But I can't achieve such a concentrated and safe fusion of fire elements. It's truly astounding. However, that's not an issue. Since you're the producer, we can work something out. How about we draft a contract?"

"A contract?" Bao Guo perked up. If his lighter could unlock the market doors of this world, it would be an excellent opportunity.

A grayish-brown piece of beast skin was spread at Bao Guo's feet. Hu Da pulled a feather pen and a small silver ink bottle from his iron box, grinning from ear to ear. "You dictate, I'll write. This is the start of something big. Don't worry, I'll ensure you get a fair deal. I promise your lighter will be a hit across the kingdoms. We're going to strike it rich, for real."

In no time, Bao Guo's words flowed as Hu Da penned them onto the beast skin. They outlined dozens of sales terms, from exclusive distribution rights to pricing, and agreements on quality and quantity. This contract was an eye-opener for Hu Da, who became increasingly convinced that the black-haired, yellow-skinned man before him was an unwitting "treasure," likely a runaway from some noble family, oblivious to the value of what he held. To Hu Da, not profiting off such a person was unthinkable—what else was life for, if not for seizing such opportunities?

"Alright, next up is the Bloodprint Ceremony. Once we each press our blood onto this spot, the agreement will be witnessed by the God of Contracts. Should either party breach the contract, they'll pay with their blood. If you're certain, let's proceed with the final Bloodprint."

Bao Guo watched as Hu Da produced a silver awl and couldn't help but roll his eyes. So this whole Bloodprint Ceremony was nothing more than pricking one's finger and pressing it against the black circular pattern beneath the animal hide to seal the deal.

Bao Guo's only concern was to ensure the quantity and quality of the lighters. After that, it would be a straightforward exchange of goods for payment, leaving no debts between the parties. There seemed to be no real risk. However, just as he was about to pierce his finger and make his mark, a tumultuous sensation surged through his mind, causing a wave of intense dizziness. He staggered, unable to keep his footing, and collapsed onto the ground.