Chapter 4: The First Customer

Words : 1917 Updated : May 15th, 2025

Keanu didn't even get to say that his almost first-level Clarity Talisman cost twenty thousand before someone called him crazy. Still, he wasn't too discouraged. After all, his talismans were meant for those who truly appreciated them, since only people who really knew their stuff could spot the faint spiritual energy running through his talismans. However, what disappointed Keanu was that his stall had been out there for five days in a row, and even though plenty of people stopped by to ask, he hadn't sold a single talisman. His stall had even become kind of famous at Hallbergs Antique Market, because he was selling a single yellow talisman for ten thousand. Most people didn't come to buy; they just wanted to see what a ten-thousand-talisman looked like. Keanu's stall had become the butt of jokes-everyone else's talismans were half the size of an A4 paper, but his were barely the size of a palm, with some even half that. And with high prices and no haggling allowed, it was no wonder people talked about him. By the ninth day, Keanu was feeling pretty down. He realized that no one here could recognize the value of his items. Only he knew that his talismans weren't expensive at all—even selling them for a hundred thousand wouldn't be too much. But without someone who could appreciate them, they were as good as useless. Keanu decided today would be his last shot. If no one was interested, he'd just head to the labor market and find work. Otherwise, he wouldn't even have money for food. The curiosity about his pricey talismans lasted only a few days. Now, even the gawkers had mostly stopped coming. Keanu was bored and about to pack up when he overheard a man and two women talking as they walked over. Even though they were pretty far off, Keanu's sharp hearing let him catch every word. "Lia, everyone here's just peddling fake cures- only people who believe in superstitions come to places like this. You've already bought enough charms. I've reached out to a well-known neurology hospital in Franz. Why not transfer your mom there?" The guy talking was a tall and good-looking heartthrob. The woman he was talking to was also tall, had a cold expression, carried herself with class, and had pale skin. She was stunning. Even Bailey, considered pretty back in school, was nothing compared to her. Keanu couldn't figure out why the previous Keanu was so lame that he actually liked someone like Bailey. But this gorgeous woman looked cold, and her eyes showed a hint of sadness. After hearing the man's words, Lia's frown deepened. It wasn't that she didn't want her mom to go to the hospital. For the past three years, she'd dragged her mom to six different countries with the best hospitals, tried over a dozen clinics, but nothing helped. "Ashton, I never asked you to come with me. You're the one who insisted. Haven't you already recommended five or six hospitals? My mom's still in a coma. If you're sick of this, then just leave," She sounded icy. Clearly, she didn't care much for this guy. The other woman looked tough and followed right behind Lia, saying nothing- probably her bodyguard. Keanu found it funny. If you'd taken someone's advice seven or eight times and it never worked, you wouldn't like them much either. Ashton was indeed a piece of work, giving so many useless suggestions. Her mom had been in a coma for three years- pretty much a vegetable at this point. If that was the case, his almost first-level Clarity Talisman might actually wake her up. Thinking of that, he started yelling, "Talismans for sale! Got someone possessed, in a coma, or just feeling sick? One talisman works right away, two and you're totally cured." Keanu was shouting on purpose, hoping to catch the beautiful woman's attention and maybe make a sale. She clearly had money to burn if she could travel worldwide, so dropping twenty or thirty grand probably wouldn't faze her. Lia, deep in her thoughts, perked up the second she heard someone selling talismans that could treat coma patients. Without even thinking, she hurried straight over to Keanu's stall. "Excuse me, can your talisman really help someone in a coma?" Lia's voice was shaky, like she was grabbing her last hope. Keanu just smiled. If his first-level talisman couldn't even wake a regular person from a coma, he might as well quit. He answered right away, "Of course! My talisman can wake anyone; as long as they're still breathing, it'll work. It's a family secret…" Before he could keep bragging, the woman cut him off, asking anxiously, "My mom's in a coma. What talisman do I need to wake her up?" Keanu nodded, pretending to think hard. "That's easy. All you need is a Clarity Talisman. I've got two, one top quality for twenty thousand, and a regular one for ten thousand. No bargaining." "Are you kidding me? You are a scam artist trying to rip people off in broad daylight. I'm calling the cops!" Ashton blew up as soon as he heard the price. Keanu kicked Ashton's hand away, quietly using some internal force so Ashton wouldn't be able to use that hand for strength anymore, though no one could tell for now. His move was quick and smooth, and while nobody else noticed, the tough woman behind Lia caught it. Her eyes flashed in surprise, but she quickly went back to normal. After kicking Ashton's hand aside, Keanu said coldly, "I never asked you to buy anything. What a joke. Get lost. I'm trying to do business here. Don't get in my way." "You've got some nerve..." Ashton started, but Lia cut him off coldly. "Ashton, move. I don't need you tagging along," Lia said, her voice icy. She turned to Keanu, looking apologetic. "Sorry, sir. He's just walking with me. He doesn't speak for me." "Lia, this guy's clearly hiding his face and wants a fortune for a piece of yellow paper. He's obviously a conman. The money doesn't matter, but what if something happens to your mom…" Ashton kept trying, but Lia's face just got colder- she was obviously running out of patience.

Chapter 4: The First Customer

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