CHAPTER 83: VERDANT GROUP

"To be honest, the price of a mature marshwort is only 120 merits, but since it’s rare, I’m willing to pay 130," Aspen said, stating the most he could afford.

If Nash still counter-offers, he’ll just commission another squad in the Black Willow Shelter to collect it for him.

"Then I’ll sell it to you for 130 merits," Nash relented, seeing Aspen had finally reached his limit.

"Good. How much do you have? I’ll buy it all," Aspen said with a smile, relieved that Nash had stopped raising the price.

"I still have twelve bundles of marshwort. Do you want them all?" Nash pulled out the herbs from his bag and counted them.

With his crimson eye and the [Sensing Module System], it was easy for him to find herbs.

Unfortunately, due to limited storage capacity, he could only collect herbs with a high saturation rate.

Since mature marshwort had the highest saturation rate of 30%, Nash picked up every one he found.

As for other herbs, while more numerous, they had a low saturation rate.

Unless an herb had at least a 25% saturation rate, he didn’t bother with it.

"I said I’ll take everything!" Aspen paid immediately, barely containing his excitement.

Even though mature marshwort seemed common, he was lucky to find even one every other day. Buying over a dozen at once was a jackpot.

Aspen didn’t know how this black-hearted merchant had pulled it off, collecting such a large amount of mature marshwort.

It was well known that this herb only grew in areas where carrion beetles roamed, making it hard to collect even for those with special herb-finding abilities.

[Aspen Bloodborne sent you 1,560 merits]

[Do you accept?]

"Confirm."

Seeing another thousand-plus merits transferred into his account, Nash couldn’t help but smile.

"How much do you want to sell the rest of these herbs for?" Aspen, in a good mood, couldn’t help but ask.

"The question is, how much are you willing to pay?" Nash narrowed his eyes, sensing Aspen wasn’t done buying.

"You..."

Hearing the usual routine, he knew if he didn’t name a fair price upfront, he’d fall into another one of Nash’s traps.

At this moment, a small crowd was starting to gather around Nash’s stall. If he didn’t act fast, these rare herbs might slip through his hands.

"This skunk vine is ten merits each. Bone root is thirty. Cattail fruit, twenty-five..." Aspen listed the prices one by one.

Hearing the prices he offered, the onlookers couldn’t help but complain.

"Aspen, are you trying to break the market? How can you call those prices fair?"

"Yeah! A Skunk vine for ten merits? Isn’t it usually seven?"

"And the bone root, the cattail fruit... You basically quoted prices 30% higher than market value."

"Are you in cahoots with this kid? If you keep pushing prices that high, no one will dare buy from you."

Unlike Aspen, who just happened to be passing by the market, most of the crowd were procurement officers from various organizations.

It was an unspoken rule that the direct market sold cheaper than official channels. Otherwise, there’d be no profit.

So when Aspen quoted prices higher than what they sold in their official stores, it was no surprise that the crowd started complaining.

"I’m the one buying, not you. Furthermore, Boss Noir’s products are top-notch and in perfect condition. Offering a higher price shows my sincerity," Aspen refuted.

What did these buyers know? If he dared to offer a lower price, with this black-hearted merchant’s sharp eyes and vicious mind, he might end up paying even more.

Meanwhile, hearing Aspen’s reasoning, the crowd began to notice that the herbs Nash was selling were indeed different.

Not only were they mature, containing the maximum void energy they could hold, but they were also in perfect condition, like they’d been picked by a professional herbalist, not a brute warrior who only knew how to fight.

Realizing they could be used to make higher-quality potions, the buyers gritted their teeth and began asking Nash for discounts.

"Boss, don’t listen to Aspen. Can you sell to us a little cheaper?"

"That’s right! If you give me a 10% discount, I’ll buy everything on your stall!"

"Are you kidding me? If Boss gives just 5% off, all these herbs will be gone in minutes!"

"Tsk, tsk. What a bunch of cheapskates," Aspen muttered, watching the scene unfold.

Turning toward Nash, he blinked, proudly showing off his achievement.

He actually didn’t want the rest of the herbs, but to win Nash’s favor, he intentionally stirred up the crowd.

Understanding Aspen’s intention, Nash gave him a small nod of thanks.

"Everyone, my stall doesn’t do discounts. If you want to buy, make me an offer," Nash said flatly.

Hearing this, the crowd froze. Still, looking at those precious herbs, they clenched their teeth and started shouting bids.

"I’ll buy all the skunk vine for 11 merits. Is that okay?"

"Anyone else?" Nash smiled, scanning the crowd for a higher offer.

"Boss, I’m willing to pay 12 merits!"

"13 merits! I’ll pay 13!"

Seeing the crowd get swept up in the frenzy, Nash’s smile stretched wider.

Fortunately, he wore a mask—otherwise, someone might’ve rushed up to punch him in the face.

"13 merits. Anyone else?"

Hearing the price, the crowd was already in silence.

Thirteen merits were already a premium price, well above market value. Any higher, and they’d be losing money.

"Boss Noir, right? The Verdant Group is willing to pay 50% above market price. Is that enough?"

A sudden voice cut through the noise like a blade, shattering the silence.

"Verdant Group? Why are they here?"

"How could the shallow waters of Black Willow Shelter attract such a colossus?"

"Did something happen here?"

Instead of complaining about the high price, the crowd was stunned, speculating why the Verdant Group had shown up at Black Willow Shelter.

This group was a giant in the pharmaceutical world, spanning across the Nova Sector.

From herbs, potions, medicine, and biotechnology, to liquid solutions and gene fluids, the Verdant Group was practically the industry leader.

"So, Boss Noir... do you agree?"