Forests Don't Support Idle Goblins

"Boss, can you make this?" Little John handed over a drawing.

"This," the blacksmith said, examining the blueprints carefully, "can be made; the dimensions are clearly marked."

"I'll charge you 1 gold coin for the labor and materials," the shopkeeper said, putting down the blueprints.

"One gold coin? That's so expensive?" Little John was taken aback.

"We're a small business too. We used to make knives and spears. Nobody has ever made this before. We specialize in researching it and even make scrap. All of that is the cost. One gold coin is already pretty good," the boss said to Little John.

"That's true," John muttered, "I don't know if Boss Charles gave enough. If we make 10, I estimate we'll have to pay out of pocket."

"Well, there's still some time before winter. Judging from the current situation, we'll definitely be able to save enough. Let's just stick with what we have."

John pushed the blueprints over and said, "Boss, make 10."

"Okay, please wait a moment." The blacksmith turned around and rummaged through the counter. After a while, he came back with a piece of paper. "Let's sign a contract. When do you want it?"

"Will it be okay tomorrow?" John asked.

"Tomorrow? Then there will be an extra 1 gold coin for express delivery," the shopkeeper said with a smile.

"Another express fee?" John frowned.

"We also have other customers' orders to fulfill, so there'll be a queue," the boss said with a bright smile. "If you're really in a hurry, you can try asking other companies."

"Fine, if it's urgent, then it's urgent." Little John sighed in annoyance. "I've already paid 10 gold coins, so what's one more? There are only a few blacksmith shops in Girth Town, and they're not much better."

"Please wait a moment, I'll draft a contract." After saying that, the boss began to write down many points of attention on the paper.

In less than a minute, the boss had finished writing the contract. "Take a look."

John took the contract and looked at its contents.

This is the lowest-level contract issued by the tax authorities. The paper is of poor quality and the printing is unsatisfactory. Little John even thought it was a twin of toilet paper.

"Make according to the picture, cost 10 gold coins, 1 gold coin for rush..." Little John checked each item one by one, "Deposit 8 gold coins, is such a large deposit required?"

"As you know, no one has ever made this design before. If you don't come and pick it up, we'll just be wasting our materials." The boss shrugged.

"Fine," John said helplessly, signing his name at the bottom of the contract.

"So how will you pay?" the boss asked.

"Sell these first, then pay." Little John picked up a package from the ground and placed it on the counter.

"A leather armor, so badly worn, it's not worth much." The shopkeeper began taking items out of the package.

"A pair of gloves, leg armor."

"A few belts, and some iron armor." The shopkeeper looked at Little John. "These things are all damaged. I can only offer 5 gold coins."

"Five gold coins?" Little John exclaimed. That wouldn't even cover his own earnings. "These items can still be used after some repairs. How about ten gold coins?"

"No, look at these pieces, they're all deformed. There must be hidden damage inside. They'll probably have to be completely melted down during repairs, which is like starting over." The shopkeeper picked up Little John's goods and pointed them around.

"This price..." Little John hesitated, not expecting to spend so much this time. He pondered what to do when, with a "clang," he stepped on something on the ground.

"Oh right, and these two greatswords too." He picked them up from the side and placed them a little far away.

"Plus these two swords," he said, placing them on the counter.

"Oh, these two swords..." The shopkeeper smiled and picked up the greatsword, wondering what words to use to lower the price.

"This sword..." He looked down and examined it carefully for a long time, then looked up and stared at Little John for a few seconds. Suddenly, as if he remembered something, he paused and took a step back.

"This sword is a fine sword, very valuable," the shopkeeper said loudly.

"This is similar to the previous shipment," Little John wondered, feeling that the scenario was somewhat familiar.

"I misjudged it just now; the goods in front are also quite good," the shopkeeper said with a forced smile.

"Boss, speak." Little John exhaled and began to draw his longsword.

"Don't pull it out, don't pull it out." The boss reached out and pressed down on Little John. "I didn't recognize you just now."

"And now?" Little John sheathed his sword.

"Seeing these two greatswords instantly sobered me up." The shopkeeper said with a mournful face, "This is Gaunt's greatsword, and this is Grant's greatsword. I've never seen a novice adventurer as wicked as you before."

"Really?" Little John picked up the greatsword and examined it. One of them was indeed very similar to the one Gunter used, while the other had many exotic features on its hilt.

"They are all harvesters who frequent my shop, and this is the first time I've seen someone sell the same harvester's items twice in a row." The shopkeeper's face fell. "I've never seen an adventurer as ruthless as you before."

"That boss, they were actually all..."

"Goblin, I know the rules." The boss nodded, immediately ran to the counter, pulled out another piece of paper, and quickly wrote down the rules.

"Take a look, this is the newly drafted contract." He handed over the document with both hands.

John didn't want to emphasize it anymore. He calmly took the contract. The paper was clearly better than the previous "toilet paper." It was smooth, white, and soft to the touch.

"Free production? No rush fee?" John raised an eyebrow and looked at the boss.

"Yes, yes, it's just a small item, not much work at all," the shopkeeper nodded and smiled, clasping his hands. "And for these things, I'll charge you 15 gold coins, is that alright?"

"Isn't there an underlying injury?" John asked.

"A few minor scratches are nothing. With a little repair and concealment, those clueless newbies won't notice," the shopkeeper said, bowing and scraping. "Why aren't you wearing the leather armor I rented to you? I didn't even recognize you at first glance."

"Oh, it's in my bag." Little John calmly prepared to sign the contract.

"Let me go." A commotion came into the store. John turned his head and saw several people dressed as security guards escorting someone across the street.

"Those are illegally sold animal cores," the shopkeeper said.

"A beast core?" Little John asked.

"Yes, they just came to my shop to ask if I buy low-level beast cores. I guess their team killed a low-level magical beast and got the core. These things can only be sold to the Adventurers' Guild. They're strictly controlled by the kingdom. They probably thought the price was too low and didn't know how to sell them on the black market, so they came to ask around. Now they've been found out."

"What's the use of that thing? And why is it regulated?" Little John only knew that animal cores were expensive, but he didn't know how they were used.

"I don't know either, but if you do it privately, you'll be forced to work as a miner." The boss put away the contract that Little John had signed. "Then we'll be waiting for you to pick up the goods tomorrow."

John nodded, took the money and his belongings, and turned to leave the store.

"Sister, look at this greatsword." Two female adventurers walked into the shop.

"Whatever weapons or equipment you two need, our shop has it all." The shopkeeper immediately put on a smiling face.

"This sword isn't..." Luna picked up the greatsword on the table.

"This sword is very good, made of superior materials and with exquisite craftsmanship," the shopkeeper said with a smile.

"Three gold coins, right?" Luna put down her greatsword and slowly drew her short sword from her waist.

"Yes, yes, this price, hmm?" The boss was about to say that the price was good, but suddenly a bad memory came flooding back to him.

This plot seems familiar.