The Hunter's Guide to Monsters

Krow didn't have much hope, but still asked. "How much will you trade for monster Bones?"

"What kind of Bones?" Dark copper eyes narrowed consideringly.

"Uncommons."

"Ten drax each under B grade. Twelve for the higher quality."

Was this child trying to make him laugh, or cry? "Nevermind. I'll see your Rares."

He'll just use the Bones in enchanting.

The child took out a chest and opened it to show multiple levels.. He sent a practiced grin at Krow. "Finest ghost-stones in these parts! No better place than here to get them!"

Krow picked up one of the stones, only as large as a thumb. They were pale, polished bone carved in reliefs.

The one he took was banded in copper.

Touching his power to it, a roaring vinebear appeared.

Its roar was soundless, but the unnatural chill felt in its vicinity would give onlookers enough of a shiver to compensate.

"Oh!" The shop proprietor stood, fascinated, tiny and dark beside the pale semi-opaque spirit-bear. "Most people don't get them so clear!"

Krow's magic Aptitude was 11. If the shape wasn't distinct, he'd be surprised.

He eyed the vinebear, then the ghost-stone in his hand.

[Marfall Vinebear Ghost-stone][Rare]

Trailing Vine Bones, like the one he had, were Uncommon. Enchanting it to get a Rare ghost-stone required higher quality catalysts to compensate.

That was odd, actually.

Usually, the result of the enchantment gained the quality grade of the main ingredient, in this case the Bone.

How highly graded were the other catalysts that an Uncommon main ingredient turned out a Rare result?

Unique? Epic? Multiple Rares?

Basically, it was a waste.

"Are you buying it, sir customer?"

"Let me test the others."

There were three flying ghosts, seven assorted land-based ghosts, and four water-based.

All the ones he recognized, they were Uncommon creatures.

Truly very odd.

What type of carelessly wealthy enchanter squandered high-level materials on an unpopular item like a ghost-stone?

Could they toss Krow a couple of Uniques, since he still had a few items to spirit-bind?

He'd been planning to use the condorowl down feathers he still had, but they were only E+ Rare.

Krow snorted at his fanciful thoughts, turned his attention back on the more tangible problem before him.

He picked out [Hallagon Sparrowhawk Ghost-stone][Rare], [Tree-gliding Snake Ghost-stone][Rare], and [Rockeater Worm Ghost-stone][Rare].

Ghostly echoes followed the behaviors of their living counterparts, so Krow thought he covered a wide range for his scouting endeavors.

"Nine hundred drax," the child extended his hand.

Krow narrowed his eyes. "Five hundred."

Minutes later, he lamented his lot. He really should've gone to the Shrine of Knowledge first. The Haggle skill would really come in handy.

As it was, utilizing the tricks he'd seen in his combined 35 years, he only managed to wring a 50 drax reduction per item.

It was a large concession, but could he really feel proud when the opponent, though so fierce, was a kid? What's more, despite the sullen capitulation, the look in the other's eyes was only slightly pained.

That meant his reduced price was still within acceptable calculations for the temple shop.

In other words, his combined 35 years of compulsory education plus business and trade experience had been stalled by a child.

He laughed at himself, and gave in.

See, master accountant? He was being very accommodating right now. An eight year old was more bull-headed than he was!

"Do you have something I can use to string them together?"

"Ten drax."

"Don't push it."

The child smiled sheepishly. "Three drax."

He brought out a piece of string, and with deft hands, wove pretty patterns around the ghost-stones, creating a necklace on the spot.

Krow didn't even care that three drax was still too high. The weaving ability of the kid was amazing.

He rubbed his thumb on a strand of the woven necklace, marveling.

On Earth, these types of handicrafts were rare already, fetching high prices from recognized ateliers. Even then, said ateliers had the resources to operate only due to government support of traditional culture.

Most 'artisan craftwork' sold on the streets was machine-made. Most things used by ordinary people on Earth were machine-made – perfectly measured and carved and woven.

The necklace wasn't perfect, but he'd seen it made with a dexterity and confidence he only saw on old craft documentaries.

He opened his equipment panel, curiously tried to install the necklace.

"Eh. It worked."

[Ghost-stone Necklace][Common]

[An accessory to contain ghost-stones. Contains 3/3 ghost-stones.]

He tried activating the ghost-stones. 

Three pale spirits burst into existence: the sparrowhawk shot toward the clouds, the snake slithered down the pillar, and the worm disappeared into the stony ground.

Haha!

He could trigger the ghost-stones with a thought, instead of bringing out Bones from his Inventory.

He decided to keep just the sparrowhawk out. Each spirit took 20MP of power a minute – that was the most that his meager current MP recovery rate covered.

With his MP recovery, he could keep one spirit activated indefinitely.

Using Uncommon Bones, his MP usage was 15MP a minute per spirit. But he should hope the scouting done with Rare ghost-stones was more detailed than using Bones.

Krow paid with only a slight wince; 750 drax placed his ready gold at well under a thousand again.

He watched the child put the money away. "Kid, is there a master ghost-caller around I could speak to?"

"There is a master in the Temple," was the answer. "Is there a lost item you want to find?"

What?

Did that mean people came here, to this dread Temple belonging to Bothadin, Deity of Sacrifice and Death, to ask the master ghost-callers that laired here where they misplaced their various bric-a-brac?

No way.

Krow wanted to laugh.

He cleared his throat. "No. I wanted to ask a few questions."

"Master Vathan just went in. He might be at the altar."

"Thanks, kid."

"Thank you too! If you ever need more stones, just look for Dayirras!"

"Sure." He'd be certain to master Haggle first.

There was only one person in the temple when he entered. The person was standing straight, staring at the hanging Bothadin above the altar.

He didn't seem to be too busy.

Krow neared. "Are you Master Vathan, the ghost-caller?"

The man turned. Human, tall and thin, with skin darkened by the sun, and temples brushed with silver. He would've been a distinguished looking man, if not for the curl of mischief at the corners of his eyes and the lips stained blue.

Looking closer, there was a ring of sapphire blue around his irises. A slightly manic appearance to his gaze.

Blueshade root addiction.

The raw roots of blueshade roundgrass were chewed as a mild stimulant, usually with pepperleaf or other spices to enchance the taste.

"…you are Vathan, the ghost-caller."

"I am," the man nodded. "And you are?"

"Krow."

"And for what reason do you seek Vathan, the ghost-caller?"

"I am told that master ghost-callers can sell basic skills. As someone with the ability to call ghosts, I want to learn these skills. Can the master indulge this request from a new ghost-caller?"

"Krow, the new ghost-caller. The new butcher, the new soldier, the new leatherworker, the new accountant, the new…ghost-caller."

Krow didn't quite know what to say to that half-distant recounting. Whoa, the gossipers were working extra-fast today?