Become A Profiteer In Isekai

Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Profession: Crafty Merchant

”Boy, let me tell you a story.”

”About a year ago, right before the Harvest Festival, I went to Kalin Port for a supply run. On the way, I suddenly got really hungry.”

”But I’d already finished all the bread I’d brought with me. Luckily, I happened to run into an Adventurer Squad getting ready to head into the Lizard Marsh.”

”They were well-supplied, so I offered to buy some food from them.”

”The squad leader, a respectable Knight, gave me two pieces of rye bread and a jug of mare’s milk.”

”Then I paid the Knight three Copper Coins and filled my belly with the bread and milk...”

Heitai Town, Daffodil Lane.

The morning mist had yet to scatter as the first rays of sunlight fell upon white brick walls crawling with moss.

As the town closest to the Gelan Forest, it was also known as ”The Place Where Dreams Begin,” welcoming a stream of new, hopeful faces each day—

They would sling the cheapest Short Swords over their shoulders, don ill-fitting Leather Armor, and carry maps that cost a single copper plate. At dawn, they would leave their inns, taking the first, high-spirited step toward becoming a Hero.

And this, in turn, brought Heitai Town a great deal of business for its undertakers, along with a booming trade.

”And then?”

Lu Wei stood before the half-man-high oak counter, his expression serious as he awaited the rest of the story.

After all, in the customs of this Otherworld, stories told by one’s elders often held a deeper meaning.

But who could have known the old man behind the counter—who looked every bit the Crafty Merchant—would simply say—

”I’m already done.”

”Done?”

Lu Wei looked utterly baffled. ”Mr. Yor, I don’t quite understand. Does this mean you agree to give me some goods on credit?”

”I mean, if you’re hungry, you eat. If you’ve got no money, you get lost.”

Old Yor shot him a glance, cutting him off impatiently. ”I’m very sorry about your father, but a shrewd merchant never extends credit.”

”...Alright then. My apologies for bothering you.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Wei decided not to press the issue. He gave a resigned nod and turned to leave.

But he had only taken a few steps before Old Yor’s voice called out from behind him.

”Wait! Help me take this junk nobody wants and throw it out on the street corner!”

...

...

[Hemostatic Bandage]

[Species: Sundries]

[Level: Ordinary]

[Value: 2 Copper Coins]

[Introduction: A cotton bandage. It can be used to treat simple wounds or as a rope.]

—

[Sleep Powder]

[Species: Potion]

[Level: Ordinary]

[Value: 4 Copper Coins]

[Introduction: Just pollen from Mist Grass. It will help you get a good night’s sleep.]

[Note: Double the dose for Beastmen, half the dose for Dwarves and Elves. Please do not use for other purposes.]

—

[Monocular Telescope]

[Species: Sundries]

[Level: Ordinary (Slightly Worn)]

[Value: 55 Copper Coins]

[Introduction: Although it’s second-hand, it can still let you see a goblin hiding in the bushes from half a mile away.]

[...]

’What a good person.’

Outside the general store, Lu Wei glanced back at Old Yor, who was busy pitching Dragon’s Breath Chili Sauce to a Half-Beastman, and felt a wave of emotion.

It had been five days since the accident that made him a Transmigrator in a new world. From what he’d seen so far, this fantastical new world still had a human touch.

At least people had enough sympathy for an orphan like him—his mother long gone, his father just recently passed.

But as an able-bodied and promising young man, Lu Wei couldn’t keep living off the charity of his neighbors.

So, the day after his predecessor’s father’s funeral—yesterday, in fact—he had gone to the town magistrate to handle the inheritance paperwork. He was now a legitimate free merchant, following in his father’s footsteps.

’Basically, a wandering peddler.’

’No matter. At least I have some goods now.’

’Next, I just need to sell this stuff, use the money to get more stock, sell that, and grow the business step by step.’

Muttering to himself, he carefully packed the ”junk nobody wants” into his beast-hide backpack. Lu Wei looked up at the sun, which had just crested the horizon, then opened the profession panel in his mind as he walked out of the alley.

Like every other Transmigrator, he naturally had a cheat ability—

a ”Profession,” the very thing all Adventurers coveted yet found nearly impossible to obtain.

It was just that, unlike the usual [Warrior], [Ranger], or [Priest], his Profession was... a little different, likely due to his transmigration.

[Name: Lu Wei]

[Profession: Crafty Merchant (Unique Special)]

[Power: 7]

[Agility: 9]

[Physique: 8]

[Intelligence: 11]

[Perception: 15]

[Charm: 14]

[Skills: None]

[Professional Talent: Precise Identification (Gold), A Little of Everything (Gold)]

[Precise Identification: By simply touching an item with your hand, you can see its detailed information!]

[A Little of Everything: You can learn the Skills of all Professions (Limited to Ring One and Tricks)!]

[Professional Promotion Conditions:]

[1. Earn one hundred Gold Coins through a real transaction acknowledged by both parties (regardless of legality). (0/100)]

[2. Master at least three Skills from other Professions. (0/3)]

[3. ??? (Unlocks after completing conditions 1 & 2)]

His Strength, Agility, and Constitution were barely adequate.

His Intelligent Charm was far beyond an ordinary person’s.

’Wait, these Attributes are more suited for a Mage, aren’t they?’

’Maybe I can learn a Basic Arcane Magic or two, join the Arcane Mage Association, and ”Reincarnate” into one of those noble Mages that every Adventurer Squad is dying to recruit.’

’After all, ”Crafty Merchant” is such an awful-sounding name.’

”Mr. Lu Wei, welcome to the Professional Association. We will now use a True Sight Potion to verify that you are, in fact, a Professional.”

”Er, do we have to?”

”I’m sorry, it’s standard procedure.”

”Alright then...”

”Alright... that’s done. So, you’re a Crafty Merchant, is that correct?”

”...”

’The cringe would be unbearable!’

Lu Wei’s skin crawled just thinking about that potential future scene.

But now was clearly not the time to worry about such things.

He could barely even afford his next meal.

’Whatever. If I’m a Crafty Merchant, I’m a Crafty Merchant.’

’At least these two Talents are pretty powerful.’

”Lady Bosa, good morning.”

Shaking his head to clear it of these chaotic thoughts, Lu Wei ducked into a small bakery by the roadside.

”Ah, little Lu Wei. It’s been too long.”

The old woman, busy by the oven, turned around. With a look of sympathy, she offered her condolences. ”I heard about your father. May the Goddess bless him always, whether here on earth or in the heavens.”

”Thank you for your blessing.”

Lu Wei nodded and stated his purpose. ”I’d like one black bread.”

”Of course. Here you are.”

Lady Bosa wrapped a loaf of black bread in newspaper and handed it to him, asking with concern, ”What are your plans now?”

Lu Wei took the bread and answered honestly, ”I just got some goods on credit from Uncle Jor. I’m planning to sell them today.”

”Is that right? So you’re a free merchant now, too.”

Lady Bosa’s smile was kind as she gently advised, ”Then you must be sure to be honest and fair. That’s the only way to become a respected merchant.”

”Thank you. I’ll be sure to remember that.”

His own Profession came to mind again, making Lu Wei feel a bit awkward. He set down a Copper Coin, and with the old woman’s ”Good luck!” echoing behind him, he left the bakery.

The breeze was cool and pleasant, and the golden sunlight blessed the entire town with the hope and Life Force of a new day.

In short, everything at that moment gave Lu Wei the distinct illusion that ”the world was a wonderful place.”

Until he happened to glance at the detailed information for the black bread in his hand...

[Black Bread Stick]

[Species: Food]

[Level: Inferior]

[Value: 0.2 Copper Coins]

[Introduction: A typical inferior bread, mixed with a large amount of bran and tree bark. It is only called food because it is edible.]

”...”

’Inferior?’

Lu Wei’s eyes widened in surprise.

The whole town knew Lady Bosa was a pious Believer of the Goddess of Fairness.

Yet this kind, amiable old woman was cutting costs by mixing bran and tree bark into her bread?

The same woman who had just lectured him about being honest and fair in business?

’How completely unexpected...’

He looked down at the black stick in his hand, then back at Lady Bosa bustling by her oven. Once the shock passed, Lu Wei lowered his head, a thoughtful expression on his face.

He wasn’t angry. On the contrary, he was a little grateful.

After all, this was a precious lesson from a master—

*How to Be a Proper Crafty Merchant*

1. No matter how black your heart is, you must always look like a good person!