The Rat King placed a cup of clear water on the low table in front of Cheng Shuili, then sat down opposite her while holding a glass of amber-colored liquor.
“So,” he said, gently swirling his glass as his gaze landed on Cheng Shuili through the hazy steam, “let me guess, our new monarch, what fine goods in my storehouse have caught your eye? Surely you haven't seen the good gear those wolf-race pups are using and decided you want to buy some yourself?”
Cheng Shuili paused; this fellow had guessed exactly right.
Why?
Did he notice her rubbing the wolf fang before she spoke?
Though it seemed incredible, it appeared to be the only explanation.
After all, the Rat King was a beastman, and the world in his eyes was likely quite different from that of humans like her.
Since the other party had already pointed out her intentions, Cheng Shuili decided to be direct: “You guessed correctly. I am very interested in the rocket launchers used by the wolf-race and hope to purchase a batch. Of course, if you have any other high-power weapons suitable for defending strongholds, I am also very interested in learning about them.”
“A batch?”
The Rat King repeated the word once more, but his tone was completely different from before.
Without waiting for Cheng Shuili to react, the Rat King tapped his cane on the floor and then spoke: “You cannot afford that many yet. These big guys are not small fry like pistols; the price of the shells alone is comparable to that of a pistol.”
“The things in the hands of those wolf-race pups were distributed uniformly when each race was first established. I did not expect them to be so willing to use them in front of you.”
The Rat King's words were like a small pebble cast into a calm lake, causing ripples to spread through Cheng Shuili's heart.
It wasn't because of the price; she was no longer the survivor who worried about three meals a day and basic weapons.
Recalling the game coins on her panel, her confidence was far greater than the Rat King imagined.
Cheng Shuili was simply a bit moved.
So, the wolf-race didn't have many rocket launchers either.
When she first summoned those wolf-race beastmen, the way they used shells like they cost nothing made Cheng Shuili think this gear was easy to obtain.
Now, she realized it in hindsight.
Those wolf-race beastmen were trying to put on a good show in front of their “monarch,” weren't they? Even though, strictly speaking, she had always been enjoying the convenience of the wolf-race without doing anything for them.
Cheng Shuili pressed her lips together, feeling truly uncomfortable now.
“Do you think it's expensive?”
The Rat King's voice remained the same, yet his tone carried a dismissive sense of inevitability.
This sentence pulled Cheng Shuili back to reality.
She did not immediately retort but picked up her water cup and took a sip, her posture composed, before speaking unhurriedly: “Price is not the issue; what matters is value and quantity. You might as well tell me: for one rocket launcher, including the base ammunition, what is the specific price? Also, what is the lower limit for what you call a batch?”
A flash of subtle appreciation crossed the Rat King's eyes; he enjoyed doing business with people who were clear-headed and goal-oriented.
He set down his glass, folded his hands over his cane, and for the first time, looked his nominal friend straight in the eye.
“Individual rocket launcher, universal model, strong compatibility, and relatively simple maintenance. The price per unit is 80,000 game coins.”
The Rat King reported a figure, observing Cheng Shuili's reaction. Seeing her expression remain unchanged, he continued, “The matching high-explosive rocket shells are 1,000 game coins each. For the initial transaction, I can provide the configuration for a small combat unit: three launchers paired with thirty shells. Totaling… 250,000 game coins. This can count as the starting point for a batch.”
250,000.
This figure was indeed not small. Let alone ordinary players, even those on the wealth leaderboard would have to carefully deliberate upon hearing this number.
But Cheng Shuili had just checked her game coin balance, and this price was clearly still within an acceptable range.
For heavy firepower like rocket launchers, this price point was entirely understandable.
Before having such weapons, things were relatively fair between players; even Cheng Shuili, as the number one on the leaderboard, had to obediently hide behind cover to dodge bullets.
But with this, it was completely different. Let alone people, a single rocket shell could blast even cover to pieces!
Not to mention that this item was also effective against monsters.
“The price is fair enough.”
Cheng Shuili nodded, not haggling over the unit price.
The other party had been very clear, even giving her a discount of 20,000 game coins; he had already shown great sincerity.
This caught the Rat King, who had been preparing to see a look of surprise, slightly off guard.
Cheng Shuili, however, shifted the topic and raised a more critical question: “Then, what about follow-up ammunition supply and equipment maintenance? I do not wish to buy something that turns out to be a single-use item.”
“Heh heh, rest assured.” The Rat King suppressed that hint of surprise and returned to the composure of a merchant.
“I, the Rat King, conduct business with a focus on long-term relationships. Ammunition supply is not an issue as long as you pay the corresponding fees. As for maintenance… I can include a basic maintenance manual as a gift and provide paid technical guidance services.”
In short, everything required game coins.
Cheng Shuili felt a bit helpless, yet she understood clearly that game coins were the only truth in this godforsaken place.
She had no other objections to this batch of goods, so she simply stood up and reached out a hand to the Rat King: “250,000 game coins. I hope we have a pleasant cooperation.”
The Rat King paused, then slowly stood up, remaining on his stool, and placed his hand into Cheng Shuili's.
Only then did Cheng Shuili realize she might have been slightly impolite.
Their hands touched and parted instantly.
The Rat King gently stroked his beard, not stepping down from the stool, and asked: “My young friend, will you pay a deposit first, or take the goods directly?”
Since she didn't know when she would see this little old man again, Cheng Shuili naturally replied: “Take the goods directly. 250,000 game coins, I am paying now.”
As her voice fell, a payment panel immediately popped up in front of her.
Cheng Shuili's expression did not change as she raised her hand and pressed “Pay.”
250,000 game coins were transferred immediately.
The Rat King looked at his newly received notification with slight surprise. After confirming the amount was correct, he readily clicked confirm.
“Pleasant cooperation, Your Majesty the Monarch.”
The smile on the Rat King's face became much more sincere, and he tapped his cane once more.
Soon, several mouse-race beastman attendants carried in three long metal boxes covered with canvas and placed them gently in the center of the room.
“The goods are here. You may inspect them.”
The Rat King made a gesture of invitation.
Cheng Shuili walked forward and lifted a corner of the canvas.
Inside the box, pitch-black metal launchers and orange-yellow rocket shells were arranged neatly, emitting a cold metallic luster and a faint scent of gunpowder.
“Very good.”
Cheng Shuili nodded in satisfaction and covered the canvas back up.
She reorganized the space in her Abyss Ring before storing the items inside.
Rate on N.U.
