Chapter 9: Alchemist's Appraisal

The alchemist eyed Jon several times.

"Judging by the looks of his clothes, he is a poor man's child," the alchemist thought to himself as he pondered about the amount he should quote to Jon. "A bag of coins should be more than sufficient for him."

"1 000 coins," the alchemist finally said tranquilly.

"1 000 coins?" Jon forlornly thought to himself. "That is less than half the price I was expecting."

Jon's society held alchemists in high regard. He knew he was in a disadvantageous position but he needed to try to strike a better bargain.

He kept a calm mien, "This pill is freshly made using precious ingredients. Please reconsider your offer."

"1 000 coins—take it or leave it," the alchemist firmly replied.

Jon knew that his family was in a dire situation and depended on selling the pill for survival. He refused to easily accept the initial price, especially when it was so low.

He changed his tactic, "Could you offer me a bundle of ingredients and 1 000 coins in exchange for this pill?"

Upon hearing Jon's bargain, the alchemist flared up, "Did you not hear what I said? Take it or leave it!"

Jon was unwilling to be taken advantage of by the alchemist so he continued negotiating, "I desperately need the money for medicine to treat my parents' illness. Could you…"

"Enough!" the alchemist interrupted Jon as he slammed his hand on the counter. "Sell me the pill or get lost!"

Still reluctant to close the deal, Jon shook his head and reached his hand out to take back the pill.

"This boy is as stubborn as a mule and an absolute nuisance!" the alchemist raged internally.

However, he knew that the pill was precious and could fetch a high price after it was resold. He grabbed Jon's collar.

"Know your place child," the alchemist threatened. "Do not make a scene in my shop."

He released Jon and gave him a sack of coins, "Leave immediately."

Jon felt indignant and helpless. He raised his voice and argued, "I did not agree to make the deal. Give the pill back to me!"

The alchemist smiled and revealed two golden fangs, "I call the shots in this shop boy."

He then turned to go back to his storeroom.

At his wit's end, Jon decided to attack the greedy alchemist.

Wham…

Jon punched the alchemist's face while attempting to grab the transparent box from his hand.

"Insolent fool!" the alchemist cried while he staggered backward due to the force of Jon's attack.

After regaining his balance, he shot a big red energy ball at Jon who ducked just in time.

The ball hit a rack containing precious ingredients. However, an invisible forcefield was immediately activated, protecting the treasures.

Jon launched himself at the alchemist. Alas, the alchemist abruptly disappeared just as Jon was about to land on him.

"Protect me guards!" the alchemist yelled as he appeared in front of the store's entrance.

Since alchemists were in a position of power and sold precious goods, a few guards were usually hired to protect these stores.

The guards outside of the store immediately rushed in and surrounded the alchemist, forming a human barrier.

In an instant, Jon was heavily outnumbered but he was too furious to care. He generated multiple energy balls and shot them at the guards.

However, the guards deflected them using their shields and were completely unharmed. The energy balls floated in the air and dissipated soon after.

Jon jumped and landed in front of the guards. He then attempted close combat with them.

Despite using his most forceful attacks, Jon looked like he was attacking wooden dummies. The guards did not move an inch.

Seeing that the alchemist was quickly retreating to the storeroom while he was preoccupied with the guards, Jon ran after him. However, the guards blocked his path.

Although it was not his intention to hurt anyone, Jon was hard-pressed and driven to the wall so he resorted to using weapons.

He took out his dagger and threw it at the alchemist before he entered the storeroom. It missed the alchemist's body by an inch and lodged on the storeroom's door.

Then, the alchemist turned and scoffed at Jon, "Give up boy! There is no way you can win."

The alchemist took the dagger and threw it back at him. Jon dodged the returning weapon and caught it.

By then, the alchemist had disappeared into the safety of the storeroom. The guards grabbed Jon and placed his hands behind him.

He wriggled in a bid to set himself free from their grasp. However, they had a firm grip on him as they resolutely shoved him toward the store's entrance.

Boom…

A ring of green energy radiated one meter from Jon. The guards surrounding him were thrust backward due to the force.

In desperation, Jon rushed to the alchemist's counter to retrieve the sack of coins. He then reached to grab a handful of the ingredients on the counter but a guard pounced on him before he could do that.

Bam, bam, bam…

The guard's high knees pounded hard on Jon's stomach.

Right now, Jon was extremely weak since he had little food and was drained from a long day with little rest.

Pfft…

Jon spat some blood on the counter. His head spun and he felt as though he was on the brink of collapsing.

He was left with no choice but to accept the poor offer and leave the store.

However, just as he was about to be thrust out of the store's entrance, he regained his bearings.

"Leave me alone!" Jon shouted at the top of his lungs. "Give me back my pill!"

Jon violently struggled to set himself free.