ISEKAI? More like I See Crap!-Chapter 151: A Drink and a Deal ( )

Hazuki licked the grease from his fingers, feeling satisfied. He glanced sideways at Ridan, who was still lightly munching on the skewer he had touched, eyes half-closed in bliss.

"So... where to?" Hazuki asked casually, tossing the empty skewer stick into a nearby bin.

Ridan floated lazily, still munching without a care.

"I dunno..." he mumbled between bites.

Hazuki sighed, stretching his arms overhead and feeling the slight ache from the day’s journey.

Ridan spun a slow circle in the air, finishing his "meal," and then resumed floating with his usual smugness.

"Hmm... you better find a place to sleep."

"Yeah, yeah... I know."

He adjusted his bag, tightened the strap across his shoulder, and started weaving through the colorful crowd in search of an inn.

Hazuki patted his side bag protectively.

"Ridan."

"Hmm? What?"

Ridan floated lazily beside him.

Hazuki looked around the busy night streets, spotting a few signs in the crowd.

"Do you think the merchant guild’s still open?"

Ridan shrugged midair, spinning once like a lazy fan.

"Who knows..."

"Let’s find the merchant guild first."

Ridan floated higher, swirling slightly like a little storm cloud.

"Up to you, buddy."

He gave a tiny thumbs-up.

Hazuki narrowed his eyes.

"I don’t want anyone stealing my loot while I’m sleeping."

He patted his bag again.

Ridan chuckled darkly.

"Yeah..."

He spun around Hazuki’s head, teasing.

"It’s not like you’d wake up even if someone did. If I placed a mana bomb right next to you..."

He grinned wide.

"You wouldn’t even wake up."

Hazuki scowled.

"Shut up! I wake up eventually!"

"Yeah. After the third explosion maybe."

As Hazuki marched through the busy street, Ridan floated a bit higher and sighed loudly.

"Ask someone," Ridan said flatly. "If we wander around looking for a sign, you’ll get lost for sure."

Hazuki gritted his teeth.

"Ugh! Fine, fine!"

He stopped in place, looking around the bustling street—beastkin merchants shouting prices, travelers chatting, lanterns swinging above their heads.

Hazuki’s eyes darted through the crowd, searching for someone easy enough to approach. Finally, he spotted a middle-aged fox beastkin woman standing near a fruit stall, calmly arranging apples.

Hazuki walked over quickly, clearing his throat.

"Excuse me..."

The woman turned, her fluffy ears twitching.

"Hmm? Yes, human?" she said, her tone polite but curious.

Hazuki smiled casually.

"Where’s the merchant guild?"

The fox beastkin smiled faintly and pointed down the road.

"Oh, just right there."

She gestured toward a sturdy two-story stone building a little further down, a wooden scale-shaped sign swinging above its entrance.

"That sign with the scales. You can’t miss it."

Hazuki followed her finger, spotting it instantly.

"Thanks, beauty."

He flashed a quick grin.

The fox beastkin blinked, a little caught off guard.

Ridan floated behind Hazuki’s head, whispering mockingly,

"Beauty? You liar."

Hazuki smirked, muttering under his breath,

"Gotta stay polite. Survival skill number one."

Ridan rolled his eyes but said nothing else as Hazuki trotted toward the guild building.

Hazuki pushed open the heavy wooden door, the iron hinges creaking as he stepped inside.

The inside of the merchant guild was bright, clean, and bustling with people wearing much finer clothes—silks, embroidered vests, and flashy jewelry. Some of the wealthier merchants practically glittered under the lamplight like moving treasure chests.

Hazuki, still in his travel-worn clothes and dusty boots, paid it no mind. He whistled softly to himself and strolled confidently toward the receptionist counter.

Behind the polished wooden desk sat a young beastkin woman with sleek rabbit-like ears and a professional smile.

Hazuki leaned casually on the counter.

"Hello, beautiful."

He flashed his best "I-totally-know-what-I’m-doing" smile.

The receptionist blinked once but kept her polite smile perfectly in place.

"Yes, Mr. Human?" she asked in a smooth voice.

Hazuki cleared his throat lightly.

"I’m Hazuki, and I was wondering if I could sell some loot I got before."

The receptionist nodded slightly, her long ears twitching.

"Ah, if it’s loot like monster skins, fangs, or bones, you would need to visit the adventurer guild. It’s about three buildings down from here."

She pointed down the street with a small gesture.

Hazuki shook his head.

"Ah, no, no. Not that stuff."

He grinned wider.

"I got some jewelry here."

Her ears perked up a little.

"Oh, jewelry? That we buy."

She tapped the counter lightly.

"May I see it?"

"Sure. Wait a sec."

Hazuki unslung his side bag and carefully opened it, digging through the semi-organized mess inside. He pulled out several rings, necklaces, and bracelets.

He was careful to leave the strange crystal he had gotten back in the sealed cave deep at the bottom of the bag. He didn’t know exactly why, but he had a bad feeling about showing it to random people.

The receptionist’s eyes gleamed slightly at the sight of the pile of shiny accessories.

"Please wait right here, Mr. Hazuki."

She stood up gracefully.

"I’ll call an appraiser to examine your goods."

Hazuki leaned back against the counter casually, hands behind his head.

"Okay. Take your time."

Meanwhile, Ridan floated invisibly behind him, muttering,

"Let’s hope they don’t rip you off, idiot."

Hazuki grinned to himself.

Hazuki leaned casually against the counter, glancing around the merchant guild while waiting for the appraiser to show up. He whispered under his breath, just loud enough for Ridan to hear,

"Heh... you can tell me if they try to rip me off, right? After all, we’re partners."

Floating just above his shoulder, Ridan spun lazily like a smug little ghost.

"Yeah, yeah."

He waved a misty hand dismissively.

"I’ll make sure they don’t rob your sorry wallet."

Hazuki chuckled lightly.

As they waited, Ridan’s cloudy body suddenly perked up. He pointed across the lobby with his misty finger.

"Now while we’re stuck here... how about we check out that wine sampling over there?"

He nodded toward a small table near the side wall, where several bottles and tiny glasses were set up neatly under a banner.

Hazuki squinted.

"Are you sure it’s sampling?"

He scratched the back of his head suspiciously.

Ridan puffed his chest out proudly. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"Yes! Didn’t you read the sign?"

He floated closer, pointing dramatically.

Hazuki leaned a little to see. Sure enough, in big bold letters, it said:

"FREE SAMPLE – Premium Local Wines!"

"Free is good," he said, smirking.

Ridan floated ahead, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Come on, partner! Let’s drink like kings for once!"

Hazuki grinned, straightened up, and started walking toward the wine table, completely forgetting the golden rule he should have remembered by now:

If something says "free" in a merchant guild... there’s always a catch.

( End Of Chapter )