Goblins Want to Make Big Money

Gebu stood with his hands behind his back, picking and choosing herbs at the stalls like an old man.

"Your mistletoe is no good, it's all wilted."

"Tsk tsk tsk, this marjoram hasn't even fully grown yet, and you've already picked it. Look, the color hasn't even come out yet... It won't be effective as a medicine."

"And this starlight grass of yours, did you grow it yourself? It's not prickly at all..."

The old man selling herbs grew increasingly pale, and finally, unable to contain himself any longer, he snatched the herbs from the goblin's hands, cursing:

"Buy it or not? If not, get lost! Stop being so picky, you little goblin brat!"

"Alright, alright, getting impatient," Gebu said to Tongtong. "Your attitude is worse than your goods. No wonder you can't sell anything. Let's go, Tongtong, let's try another stall. This one's no good."

"Your stock is no good! Mine are top-quality herbs! Even the Seven Seas Pharmacy gets its supplies from me!"

Gebu ignored him, whistling as he walked toward the next stall. Tongtong followed him, not forgetting to give the old man the middle finger before leaving.

"Damn little beast!" the old man cursed from behind.

-----------------

After an hour of investigation, Gebu had a general idea of ​​the market conditions for herbs in the vagrant market.

In terms of raw materials, the quality varies greatly, and the average quality is far worse than that of those harvested from the forest. The price is also extremely high; a single Star Grass of average quality can sell for 1 silver coin, while a better one can cost more than 2 silver coins.

1 gold = 10 silver = 100 copper coins.

He could make a small profit just by selling raw materials—but Gebu's ambitions went beyond simply being a herb dealer.

The real money-making products are finished pharmaceutical products.

Gebu noticed this immediately. The herb sellers were all setting up stalls, while the sellers of finished potions were all high-end, classy shops with storefronts, heavily guarded, with members of the Gray Raven Society standing guard at the entrance at all times.

It seemed the Grey Ravens would monopolize the high-end market here. Geb thought to himself. He found the largest and most impressive apothecary in the entire market and looked up at its sign.

Seven Seas Miracle Pharmacy - Underground Branch

The goblin took a step to go inside, but was stopped by the guards at the entrance.

"I'll go in and take a look."

"Want to see?" The guard glanced at the goblin. "You won't get to see."

He pointed to a wooden sign to the side, which read in Common Language:

Humanoids and pets are not allowed.

"I..." Geb was about to explain when the guard nudged the goblin with the handle of his halberd and shoved him away.

Suddenly, Tongtong, who was behind Gebu, panicked and pulled out two daggers, baring his teeth at the guards.

"What do you want to do?" The guard poked at the guard with the tip of his halberd, showing no fear.

"Cough... It's okay, it's okay, Tongtong, let's go." Gebu rubbed his stomach, which was sore from being poked, and called out to Tongtong.

Damn it, they look down on people. It's not like I'll lose a piece of my flesh just by looking at them.

Gebu didn't give up. He found a spot nearby and observed the people coming in and out of the shop.

The customers of the apothecary were mostly mercenaries, but there were also some dressed in fine clothes. They bought the bottles one by one, with the largest single order being no more than three or four bottles.

It seems to be quite expensive. Even wealthy people don't dare to buy too many.

After a while, he saw a tall human woman who looked like a mercenary walk out of the apothecary.

The woman came out empty-handed, frowning, and walking with a heavy heart.

Hey, there's hope. They thought it was too expensive and didn't buy it.

When two poor people meet, they can try to get some information out of each other.

The goblin ran up in two steps and stopped the female mercenary.

"Hello, dear lady."

"Obak above! Goblin!"

The woman was startled by the sudden appearance of the goblin and instinctively reached for the half-sword at her waist.

"Don't be nervous! Let's talk this out! I'm a good goblin, and look, I'm an apothecary."

Gebu quickly took out two bottles of potion and waved them in front of the woman. He looked completely innocent.

The mercenary paused, still wary, and asked in a hoarse voice:

"A goblin apothecary?"

"I just wanted to ask how many gold coins a bottle of ordinary calming potion costs at that shop?" Gebu asked politely. "I'm thinking of setting up a stall around here... If you come to patronize this shop, I can give you a discount."

"I would never buy anything made by goblins, let alone potions."

The mercenary glared at Geb. At first, there was a hint of surprise in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by disgust.

"Ugh, why does everyone look down on goblins? This is so hard!" Gob thought to himself.

Seeing that the mercenary had lost interest and was about to leave, Gebu quickly stepped forward.

"Get out of my way," the female mercenary said irritably.

Gebu forced a smile and said shamelessly:

"To be honest, to be honest, I didn't make this potion... I found it... I found it in a human's truck. I'll sell it to you cheap."

"Found it?" The female mercenary looked at Gebu suspiciously. "Stolen it, didn't you, you little brat?"

"Hehe." Gebu scratched his head, pretending to be stupid.

"In human towns, stealing is illegal."

"In human towns, my face is illegal," Geb retorted. "Take a look, even if you resell it. Tranquilizing potions, two bottles for... ten gold coins."

"Two bottles for only ten gold coins? How could this be genuine? A normal bottle costs twenty-five gold coins. Do you think I'm stupid?" the woman blurted out.

Twenty-five! That's so expensive?!

Gebu was overjoyed. If a basic calming potion like this was so valuable, imagine how expensive a high-level potion would be!

He tucked the medicine into his pocket and smiled at the woman.

"Sorry, we're not selling it anymore."

"Damn it, he's sick."

The female mercenary rolled her eyes at Geb and walked away.

She walked a few steps, then stopped, turned her head, and glanced at the goblin.

Beneath her loose black hair, the woman's grey-blue irises revealed a hint of curiosity.

"Hmph, this goblin is quite interesting," she muttered.

-----------------

After getting information out of the woman, Gebu quickly began to make plans in his mind.

This time, the whole group brought two large bags of herbs to the market—if they were all made into medicine, they could probably make 5 bottles of calming potion and 5 bottles of strong laxative.

However, the customers here are more likely to need mid-level potions, such as healing potions.

If basic potions can sell for 25 gold coins, intermediate ones will at least double that, starting at 50 gold coins, or even more.

The production time for all potions is about the same, but in terms of earning efficiency, it's clearly better to make intermediate potions.

"It's really expensive," Gebu exclaimed, "but the healing potion can save lives in a critical moment—no amount of money can buy a life."

To make a Basic Healing Potion, you need Deervine Shoots and Morning Dew from Clover.

You can't buy morning dew outside—it's just water, and who knows if it's real or fake. I need to mobilize my goblins to collect a large quantity at dawn.

Clover is everywhere, and Gebu's team doesn't need to go far; they can get it near their campsite.

Young branches of the deer vine are a bit more troublesome. This thing only grows on cliffs, and it's not easy to collect even in the forest... You have to buy it at the market.

At the stall just now, a decent quality deer vine cost 8 silver coins per plant. A bottle of potion requires at least five plants, which is 4 gold coins in cost.

If I don't rest during the day, I can make about one bottle per hour. I make eight bottles a day, sleep for eight hours, and spend the remaining eight hours setting up my stall.

Gebu gritted his teeth and decided to sleep less! He'd make ten bottles a day!

So the cost for one day is 40 gold coins, and if all of them are sold, you can get... 500 gold coins!

Gebu was excited, but then he thought back and realized that he probably couldn't sell it for the full price. So he sold it for 30 gold coins, which would still be 300 gold coins. After deducting the cost, he would get 260 gold coins.

It will take 4 days to collect 1000 gold coins, if everything goes smoothly.

Gebu didn't want to drag things out for too long. The longer he was gone, the higher the chance the old shaman would realize something was wrong, and the longer he would have to prepare.

Four days, plus six days for the round trip, making a total of ten days.

This is the limit.

There can be no mistakes. Gebu thought for a moment, then clenched his fist.

Sleep a little less! Make twelve bottles a day!!!

Fuck him!