Chapter 181. Elephant Merchant
Monsters tamed using the “Assisted One” trait would never betray the Explorer.
This was a guarantee explicitly stated in the trait description, certified by the Ancient Labyrinth.
As I tamed and lived with many monsters, I gradually came to trust this explanation, though I never developed complete faith in it.
Outwardly, I never showed any doubt.
However, a small unease lingered deep inside me—an anxiety that even tamed monsters might betray me someday.
Of course.
It was just a small distrust buried deep in my heart.
And I tried hard to suppress such thoughts.
For my safety, I had to always anticipate the worst-case scenarios, but…
Even a tiny seed of doubt could pile up over time and worsen relationships.
Anyway.
Just because I harbored such thoughts didn’t mean I believed what the Elephant Merchant had just said.
Both the Ancient Labyrinth and the Elephant Merchant were equally unreliable to me.
If I had to choose the slightly more trustworthy side, the Ancient Labyrinth was far more reliable than the Elephant Merchant.
After all, the Elephant Merchant wasn’t even a real Wandering Merchant but an impostor.
The scene he showed me could have been fabricated.
And unless the Ancient Labyrinth intended harm to Explorers, there was no real reason for it to spread false information.
As my face showed my doubts, the Elephant Merchant added to his statements.
［Generally speaking, it’s true that tamed companions rarely betray the Explorer. But as the relationship deteriorates over time, betrayal can happen. In short, the information provided by the Ancient Labyrinth is both false and misleading.］
What he meant was:
The term “never betray” was a lie.
【Pururu】─And how would you know that? You’re just a monster, so stop lying.
【Mysticism】─🤥 He sounds like a liar.
【Yumi】─Geon, don’t be too quick to trust that elephant’s words. The scene he showed you might be fabricated.
【Hwang Mir】─Exactly. If he’s an SSS-rank monster, forging such a scene would be nothing for him.
【Rizenova】─I agree. That scene isn’t convincing evidence to support the Elephant Merchant’s claims.
【Luna-chan】─He even looks like a liar. So suspicious. o_O
【Bubble Bubble】─He does have an untrustworthy face.
The Assistants were also skeptical of the Elephant Merchant.
It was the natural response.
Who would trust the words of a mysterious monster that suddenly appeared out of nowhere?
“Sorry, but it’s hard to trust you. The scene you showed me is missing context and could easily have been manipulated.”
［I understand. It’s not easy to believe my words based on just this evidence. While I assure you that what I say is the truth, it’s entirely your choice whether to believe me or not. Still, I hope you’ll consider it—it would benefit both of us.］
“If you want to earn my trust, explain why the Ancient Labyrinth would spread false information to Explorers.”
［That would be for verification purposes… Ah, never mind. That’s very sensitive information, and I can’t share it without compensation.］
The Elephant Merchant scratched his head.
He observed me carefully before continuing.
［In any case, the Ancient Labyrinth doesn’t always provide truthful information. I just wanted you to be aware of that. If you don’t trust me, I’ll quietly withdraw from here.］
This was unexpected.
I hadn’t thought he’d say he’d leave so meekly.
It seemed the Elephant Merchant had no intention of fighting us.
Fortunately.
A battle with him wasn’t likely to happen.
［If you want me to disappear, I won’t show myself before you again after today.］
There was no harm in continuing the conversation.
So I decided to hold him for a little longer and talk some more.
“Wait. So you’re saying I shouldn’t blindly trust the information from the Ancient Labyrinth and should also consider the possibility that the claim about Wandering Merchants being only crocodiles might be false?”
［Precisely. While the Ancient Labyrinth doesn’t tell outright lies, saying Wandering Merchants are only crocodiles isn’t entirely wrong, either.］
“What do you mean by ‘not entirely wrong’?”
［The Wandering Merchants officially recognized by the Ancient Labyrinth are indeed all crocodiles. To put it in simpler terms…］
The Elephant Merchant began to explain.
To summarize:
The Crocodile Merchant.
In other words, the crocodile-shaped one is the official Wandering Merchant.
Those not in crocodile form.
Like the Elephant Merchant, they are Wandering Merchants not recognized by the Ancient Labyrinth.
Essentially black-market traders.
That was the gist of it.
［The only difference between the crocodiles and me is whether or not we’re recognized by the Ancient Labyrinth. While I’m not officially recognized, I can sell items to Explorers and collect coins, just like the crocodiles.］
“That’s the only difference? Isn’t there one more?”
［One more, you say?］
The Elephant Merchant tilted his head.
It was hard to tell if he genuinely didn’t know or was pretending.
“The Crocodile Merchant wasn’t weakened near an Explorer, but your power is diminished right now.”
［Ah, so that makes two differences. My apologies, I hadn’t considered that.］
“…So why is your power weakened?”
［Because I don’t have the Ancient Labyrinth’s blessing. The Crocodile Merchant is recognized by the Ancient Labyrinth, so he receives its blessing.］
I nodded slightly.
While I seemed to lower my guard a little, I was still deeply distrustful of him.
Even if the Elephant Merchant was truly harmless to Explorers and merely an unrecognized Wandering Merchant…
A black-market trader was still a black-market trader.
Unlike official Wandering Merchants, it was natural to be wary of them.
［So, does this mean you now trust me?］
“No? I still don’t trust you.”
［Then why do you keep holding me here…?］
The Elephant Merchant looked at me incredulously, sighed, and continued speaking.
［That’s all I can tell you for free. If you want to know more, you’ll have to pay coins. I’m a merchant, not a charity worker.］
Then he turned his back.
［If you still distrust me, I’ll take my leave for now. Since you haven’t told me never to return, I’ll visit again. Please decide whether to trust me by then.］
“Wait. Don’t leave yet—at least show me your goods.”
［Pardon? Didn’t you say you don’t trust me?］
“I just want to see what you’re selling. Trust aside, if I like something, I might buy it.”
It was a lie.
I had no intention of buying anything.
Using items from someone I didn’t trust felt dangerous.
There was always the possibility the items were cursed or harmful to me.
The real reason I asked to see his wares was curiosity about what he dealt in.
I’d just window-shop while pretending to consider purchases.
［…Understood. I’ll show you some of the items I handle.］
Various items poured out from the Elephant Merchant’s trunk.
He picked up each one and explained its function in detail.
While some items were quite tempting.
As I mentioned earlier, I had no intention of buying anything from someone I didn’t trust.
‘Some of these items are strange, but most are fairly normal… Maybe he really is just an unrecognized Wandering Merchant.’
With that thought.
After listening to all the explanations about his items.
“Nothing here really grabs my attention. If there had been something irresistible, I would’ve bought it right away.”
［Ah… I see. I specifically selected items I’m confident in, but that’s unfortunate…］
“Never mind the goods. Do you also sell information about the Ancient Labyrinth?”
［Yes. I sell all the information I know.］
“Then do you sell information about how to become the ruler of the Ancient Labyrinth?”
［Of course.］
“…You sell that? The Crocodile Merchant avoided answering that question.”
［That’s natural. While the Crocodile Merchant sells information, that particular information is outside his authority to sell. If you had asked about something within his rights to sell, he wouldn’t have avoided answering.］
“So there’s another difference between you and the official Wandering Merchant.”
［Now that you mention it, you’re right.］
“……”
［In any case, I can sell any information. Since I’m not officially recognized, I’m not restricted by the Ancient Labyrinth.］
Even that statement wasn’t very trustworthy.
He might take the coins and provide dubious information.
Still, I decided to buy some information from him.
Not because I expected anything useful.
But because I was curious about how the Elephant Merchant would respond to my questions.
And perhaps the information he provided wouldn’t be entirely fake.
While I wouldn’t take his words at face value, I could filter and use any reasonable information as a reference.
If the information turned out to be completely false, I’d just lose some coins.
And if his information seemed suspicious enough, I’d avoid using black-market merchants again.
With that, I began questioning the
Elephant Merchant.