PHOENIX RISING (Book One In The Phoenix Hunter Series)

★CHAPTER 22★

    
     The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the bustling marketplace. I hurried towards the jeweler's shop, my steps quick and determined. The Spatial Box, hidden beneath my Dragonhide Armor, felt reassuringly heavy against my chest. It held the key to my newfound fortune, a treasure trove of gemstones and mana crystals that promised to make me a wealthy man.

The jeweler, his face weathered but his eyes twinkling with an avid curiosity, greeted me with a warm smile.  “Welcome, welcome,” he said, his voice deep and rich, like the finest aged wine.  “It's a pleasure to see you again, friend.”

He gestured towards a plush velvet seat and I settled in gratefully.  The aroma of spiced tea, brewed from the finest leaves, filled the air, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.  We chatted for a while, catching up on recent events,  the jeweler's keen eye taking in my new armor and the way I carried myself with renewed confidence.

Finally, he asked, “What brings you back to my humble stall today, my friend?  Do you have more treasures to trade?”

“More treasures?” I chuckled, feeling a thrill run down my spine.  “You wouldn't believe it, but this time, it's way more than yesterday.  Way more.”

He leaned forward, his eyebrows raised in anticipation. “How much more?  Tell me, how much more are you offering?”

I reached into my Spatial Box, and with a flourish, brought forth a mountain of gemstones.  They glimmered in the sunlight, a dazzling array of gems.
“One hundred and thirty-one thousand gems,” I said, my voice steady, my heart pounding with excitement.  “And one hundred and thirty-one thousand mana crystals."L”

The jeweler's jaw dropped.  He stared at the mountains of gems and mana crystals, his eyes wide with disbelief. “This...  This is the highest haul I've ever had to deal with at once in a while.”

He took a deep breath,  his eyes gleaming with a mixture of awe and excitement.  He then activated his skill, the gems all glowed brightly, and with a flourish, he announced, “The price remains the same for each gemstone,  as it was during our last transaction. One thousand three hundred and ten white gemstones at twelve thousand gold coins each,” the jeweler said, his voice low and measured, “will be a total of fifteen million seven hundred and twenty thousand gold coins, which converts to one thousand five hundred and seventy-two gold bars.”

He continued, “Six thousand five hundred and fifty gold gemstones at ten thousand gold coins each equals sixty-five million five hundred thousand gold coins.  That will be six thousand five hundred and fifty gold bars.”

“Forty thousand eight hundred blue gemstones at five hundred silver each, is equal to twenty million four hundred thousand silver,  which converts to two hundred and four gold bars.  And twenty-four thousand six hundred and twenty-eight orange gemstones at five hundred silver each, comes out to twelve million three hundred and fourteen thousand silver, or one hundred and twenty-three gold bars.”

He paused, letting the numbers sink in. “Then,  twenty-two thousand and twelve red gemstones at seven hundred silver each, equals fifteen million four hundred and eighty-four thousand silver,  or one hundred and fifty-four gold bars, eighty four silver coins.  Twenty thousand two hundred green gemstones at one thousand silver each, is twenty million two hundred thousand silver,  which makes two hundred and two gold bars.  Lastly,  fifteen thousand five hundred purple gemstones at fifteen hundred silver each, is equal to twenty-three million two hundred and fifty thousand silver, or two hundred and thirty-two gold bars.”

He looked at me, a gleam in his eye. “you will be receiving a total of Nine thousand, thirty seven gold bars from the gemstones. Lastly from the mana crystals, sixty five thousand, five hundred gold bars.” he runs his palms together and continued “Adding all of that together, a total of seventy four thousand, five hundred and thirty seven gold bars. A handsome sum indeed.”

I gasped at the amount and jumped up and down in joy.

'I was gonna be fucking rich!!!!'

The jeweler just watched me and as I sat back down, he speaks up

“due to the larger quantity, it will take a bit longer to process.  But I assure you, you will be get it all.”

“No problem,” I replied, feeling a wave of confidence.  “I'll be back soon.”

I turned and walked out of the shop,  a grin splitting my face. The Spatial Box, a gift from a clever craftsman, had proven itself invaluable.  I had a feeling this was only the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

I headed back to the food section of the market, stuffing items into my Spatial Box,  my heart brimming with anticipation.  I was amongst the first to own one of these revolutionary boxes, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

After buying a few things, I walked away from the marketplace and went to search for a restaurant. I found one, Lillie's Food Joint, a charming little place with a warm atmosphere. I sat down, ordered a meal, and relished the taste of fresh, home-cooked food.

The rest of the afternoon was spent sightseeing. I wandered through the bustling streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. I bought a few things I couldn't afford before, like seven pairs of fine clothes from a skilled seamstress,  each one crafted with meticulous attention to detail and exquisite taste.  I paid her handsomely, feeling a sense of satisfaction at my newfound wealth.

Hunters passed by, their gear shining brightly in the sunlight.  Children ran about, playing games and laughing, oblivious to the worries of the world. I stood at a fountain in the city, looking at it with a smile on my lips, enjoying the solitude.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city.  It had been four hours since I left the jeweler's shop.  A wave of anticipation washed over me.  I had spent the day savoring my newfound fortune, but now it was time to return and claim my wealth.

With a spring in my step and a heart full of expectation,  I headed back to the jeweler's store.

I arrived back at the jeweler's shop, my heart pounding with anticipation. Four hours had passed, a lifetime in the face of such a potential windfall.  I imagined the mountains of gold bars that awaited me, the weight of my newfound fortune.

The jeweler was waiting for me, a knowing smile on his face.  “Welcome back,” he said,  “My friend.  I trust you have enjoyed your afternoon.”

I nodded, unable to contain my excitement.  “It has been a productive day,” I said.   “I'm eager to see the fruits of our deal.”

He chuckled, the now almost familiar deep rumble that seemed to shake the entire stall. 

He gestured towards a similar chest, just like the one in my spatial box, only this time it was more bigger than it by being twice it's size. “Behold,  your money.”

He opened the chest, and my breath caught in my throat.  It was filled to the brim with gleaming gold bars,  their edges sharp and their surfaces smooth and polished.

I stared at the mountains of gold bars, speechless. The weight of my fortune, both literal and metaphorical, was overwhelming. 

I never thought that hunting would turn out to be this great!!!

After leaving his shop, I went to Old Fradd's shop and exchanged the bunny horns which gave me extra one thousand three hundred and ten gold bars.

Altogether my gold bars in my possession was now seventy five thousand, nine hundred and twelve.
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