Chapter 258

Chapter 258: Contract Scroll

Ding-a-ling…

As the door swung open, the bell attached to its frame jingled with crystalline clarity.

"Welcome…"

Behind the counter lounged an elderly woman in a reclining chair, languidly drawing from a long-stemmed pipe. This was Sandra – proprietor and master engraver of the Engraving Shop.

At the bell’s signal, Sandra cast her customary half-interested glance toward the newcomer. The customer wore a cloak that concealed her figure and a mask obscuring most of her face. Such anonymously dressed patrons were commonplace here, warranting no special attention.

"Find what you need yourself," she dismissed, turning her head aside to exhale a silvery plume of smoke.

A thin haze hung perpetually in the air, heavy with the pungent aroma of burnt herbs. Magic Rainbow’s nose wrinkled in distaste. Her hand lifted in a subtle gesture. Ambient magic essence coalesced about her with sudden intensity. With a fluid sweep of her arm—

Whooosh—

A vortex of air erupted from Magic Rainbow’s position, tearing through stagnant smoke clouds. Shutters burst open as the whirlwind carried the foul atmosphere spiraling into the street. When the gale subsided, the shop’s atmosphere had cleared considerably.

The formerly indolent matriarch now sat fully upright, sharp eyes focused. "A mage." Her fingers tightened on the pipe. "And not just…"

Sandra’s Magic Essence Perception flared to life. Her jaw went slack. "Class B… A Class B mage?" The pipe trembled in her hand. "Since when does this town harbor another Class B besides Philid?" Her throat tightened. "By the essence readings… you surpass even him. From beyond our borders?"

"I require Transfer Crystals and Contract Scrolls."

"Transfer Crystals are depleted, but regarding Contract Scrolls…" Sandra rose with unexpected agility, gesturing toward the rear. "This way, honored guest."

The shopkeeper’s formerly casual tone now carried distinct deference. A Class B practitioner demanded proper etiquette. She guided Magic Rainbow to an ornate shelf along the western wall, its sparse contents including several carefully arranged scrolls.

"These are the Contract Scrolls."

Sandra indicated a small stack of scrolls.

"Hmm."

Magic Rainbow nodded while reaching toward the parchments, her eyes catching the price notation beneath the pile—five gold coins.

That’s steep…

Five gold coins would require an adventurer to complete multiple B-class commissions for equivalent compensation.

But money isn’t the issue here; it’s just… the quantity seems pitifully small, this meager stack containing only twelve scrolls.

"I’ll take all the Contract Scrolls."

"Every… single one?"

The elderly shopkeeper blinked, asking again for confirmation.

"Every last one. Though I should mention—I’ve no coin."

"No… money? Then how—"

"But I offer this instead."

Magic Rainbow extended her hand, causing the old woman to recoil several steps as if anticipating violence—until a pristine pelt materialized in the cloaked woman’s palm.

"By the gods!"

Sandra gasped.

"Feel free to inspect it. No harm will come to you."

"Well…"

The shopkeeper gulped, curiosity eventually overcoming caution. After determining the hooded figure posed no threat, she accepted the pelt with trembling hands. Her weathered eyes widened instantly upon examination.

"Class B Monster fur… remarkably fresh and undamaged."

"Will this suffice for the scrolls?"

Magic Rainbow interjected before further admiration could continue.

Scroll-type magical implements primarily require monster pelts and bone powder—using powdered bone to inscribe contract arrays on treated hides, with successful enchantments becoming Contract Scrolls.

Superior materials yield more potent artifacts.

Higher-class entities generally demand more advanced scrolls for binding contracts.

Among Sandra’s dozen Contract Scrolls, only one possessed Class B compatibility.

Yet—

"While impressive material," the shopkeeper wavered, fingers lingering on the luxurious fur, "this still falls short of equivalent value for all twelve scrolls…"

In truth, the difference was still significant.

Crafting magic formations proved far more challenging than concocting potions. While this Class B Monster pelt might suffice for four or five high-grade Contract Scrolls, two critical factors remained: the inherent difficulty in scroll creation and the requirement for supplementary materials beyond mere monster pelts.

Though facing a Class B expert, Sandra remained the sole inscription master in town. Should this woman dare assault her, she trusted the town’s authorities would intervene. Moreover… decades of instinct whispered that the cloaked figure harbored no ill intent.

"What if we add these?"

Anticipating this response, Magic Rainbow produced another stack of Class B Monster pelts from her Magic Backpack, arranging them neatly on the nearby table. Before Sandra could process this, a dozen glass jars containing pre-ground monster bone powder followed from the dimensional storage.

"This quantity… all Class B materials! And processed bone powder?"

Sandra activated her Magic Essence Perception, verifying the bone powder’s origin matched the pelts’ tier. Few Class B warriors could harvest so many high-tier monsters. What purpose required such numerous Contract Scrolls? The elderly artisan’s wariness toward the mysterious visitor deepened.

"You may claim materials equivalent to twelve Contract Scrolls’ value from this," Magic Rainbow remarked with an amused tilt of her head. "I understand common townsfolk lack purchasing rights for Magic Recovery Potions, while adventurers face purchase quotas."

"Your establishment, I presume, operates under different regulations?"

"I…"

Whatever schemes involved these scrolls mattered not. After a measured pause, Sandra shook her silver-streaked head. "No restrictions. My shop follows my rules." Selecting three pelts and two bone powder jars, she declared, "This suffices."

"Understood. Shall I reclaim the remainder?"

"Not yet. Additional purchases interest me."

"Such as?"

Magic Rainbow’s gaze swept across the cluttered shelves. "Beyond Contract Scrolls—do you stock Termination Scrolls?"

Contracts permitted two dissolution methods: the Dispel skill to erase magical bonds, or Termination Scrolls to sever agreements. Both offered single attempts—failure meant breaching magical accords and suffering consequent backlash.