The Morality System

Bobbin stared at the open chest full of crystals for longer than I expected him to. Finally, he said, "This is a dungeon reward chest. How did you get this?"

"We completed the dungeon, Bobbin. How else would we get it?" Henry said.

"Robbery is a possible option," he said.

"If someone was strong enough to complete a dungeon, and we weren't, how would we be strong enough to rob them?" I said.

"I suppose that makes sense," Bobbin said. "Well, however you got it, I want it. I want it all."

"How much will you give us for it?" Henry said. He looked at me and whispered, "Let me do the talking."

"Sure," I said, fully intending to interrupt if I felt we were being shorted. How would I know if we were being shorted? Time to ask the system.

'System, do you know the value of the crystals in the chest? Including the extra ones we added to it?'

[Yes. I was keeping track. The total value of the crystals you left in the chest, without including the crystals you kept, is 2,047 gold. This is the current wholesale market value. Selling each crystal individually would yield far greater profits. Bobbin should offer you at least 1,638 gold for the chest, which is 80% of its wholesale value. Anything less would be exploitative]

Bobbin rubbed his chin thoughtfully, which to me meant he was calculating the most advantageous price for himself, that he thought we would accept.

"I'll give you 1,228 gold for the whole thing, including the chest," Bobbin said. He was as cool as could be. No nervousness about lowballing us. Like a true professional businessman. I hated it.

He was offering us 60% of the true wholesale value of the chest. I waited for Henry to turn down the offer and argue for more.

"Sounds good to me," Henry said. "That's a lot of money. Right?" He looked at me trying to get me to agree.

"No! You're lowballing us! You and I both know those crystals are worth 2,047 gold without the chest. The chest could sell for 200 gold by itself. 2,047 gold and I'll throw the chest in for free," I said.

I was acting upset, which I was, but it was for show. I was more than willing to go lower than 2,047 gold. This was all part of the negotiation process, but I couldn't let him know I knew that. He might try to leverage it against me.

"1,433," he said. He upped it to exactly 70%. So this is how it was going to go. Well, two could play that game.

"1,945," I said. I lowered it 95% to counter his 10% raise. I was showing him I meant business and put him at a disadvantage for having offered a 10% raise.

Now I could continue to offer 5% lower every time, but he couldn't do the same. The lowest he could offer me now was a 7% raise. Or so I thought. I was just going off of everything I'd learned from TV, movies, books, and games.

I had never been in a real negotiation before. I liked it. It felt like my blood was on fire but in a good way.

"1,586. No higher," he said, with his arms crossed.

It didn't show on his face but he was sweating. I don't mean that as a figure of speech. Sweat was dripping down his face, and it wasn't that hot out.

A 7.5% raise. I'd counter with a 4% lowering. "1,863. No lower." I said. I was a little nervous, but I was also excited. This was the most fun I'd had in my previous life.

"Ok. You've proven to be a shrewd negotiator. How about we meet in the middle, eh? 1,725," he said, with a fake smile on his face.

He knew that the longer this negotiation went on, the worse it would get for him. This was an attempt to cut his losses.

"Why don't we make it easier? 1,800 even. That's a nice round number, don't you think?" I said.

That was 87.9%, but I wasn't doing it because of the exact percentage. I was doing it to socially engineer a little extra money out of him. I was doing all this math in my head.

In my past life, I was a boring old accountant. The work was alright, but I craved more excitement. This was certainly more exciting.

"1,750 and I'll let you pick one item you see displayed here for free," he said, narrowing his eyes at me.

"As long as we get a real item and not a fake display one, I'm willing to call that a deal," I said, letting a little bit of a smile make its way onto my face.

I put my hand out to shake his hand to seal the deal. He took it and shook it. The deal was done. 1,750 gold and a free item it was. 85.5% and an item wasn't a bad deal. It was more than I set out to make. I expected and was willing to accept 80% of the crystals only, and nothing more.

Henry was staring at me like he didn't know who I was. Which in all honesty, he didn't.

Henry leaned in and said, "I don't know how you did that kid, but that was amazing. I've never seen anyone beat Bobbin at his own game. I usually just take whatever he gives me and run. Not worth the arguing, but boy am I glad you stepped in."

"Think nothing of it," I said.

'System, what item should I pick?'

[What you pick is up to you, but I will point out there are a couple of expensive potentially useful items like a compass and a sundial watch]

'Hmm. Yeah, but can't I just use you to tell where I'm going and the time?'

[Yes. I hadn't considered that]

'Yeah. I think I'll go with a health potion. Seems the most useful to me right now.'

[Very well]

"I'll take a health potion as my item," I said.

Bobbin wiped his brow like he was glad I didn't pick the compass or the watch. "One health potion. Here you go," he said. He put a red potion on the counter. I grabbed it and put it in my pack.

'System, is the health potion real?'

[Yes]

'Thanks.'

"Thank you. Now we'll take our 1,750 gold and be on our way," I said.

"I'll get that ready for you," Bobbin said. He prepared several coin purses to carry the gold with. It came out to 10 equally sized and weighted purses. I stuffed them all in my pack.

'System?'

[Yes, it's the right amount of gold]

'Thanks.'

"Pleasure doing business with you, Bobbin. Hope to see you again soon," I said, with a smile.

"Not too soon I hope," Bobbin said, with a forced smile.

We walked off out of the marketplace. "Henry, please lead us the Lloyd's house. I don't feel safe dividing up the gold until we're in a secure location," I said, looking around.

I had no idea how dangerous it was in this world, but it was definitely going to be more dangerous than where I lived before, and that place killed me.