The inside of the Velvet Lounge was filled with expensive items. It was tailor-made for showing poor people how poor they are.
The air was full of high-quality cologne. Mana lamps were floating throughout the hall to make the glow distinct and more accurate to the party setup.
Even the DJ was a hunter, probably using a skill like Sound Enhancement to spread the music throughout the hall, making everyone's heart thump with the songs.
Julien felt like a pig that had entered the cleanest place ever.
Maya, on the other hand, looked like she owned the place and was considering smashing it for fun.
She walked through the crowd of high-ranking hunters and heiresses, the crowd parting for her like the ones you would read about in fiction.
"So," Maya said, her voice cutting through the music without her needing to shout.
She led him to a high-top table in the corner, giving them a good vantage point over the VIP seats.
"We are in. You have three hours to make... what was it? Five hundred credits or something?"
"Five hundred and forty," Julien corrected, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Plus interest accrued."
"A pity," Maya said, leaning back against the velvet chair. She looked at him with silver eyes that gleamed with dangerous amusement. "I spend that much on wine. So, what is the plan, little merchant? Are you going to stand on a table and shout like a preacher? 'Fresh potions! Get your fresh potions here!"
"Who do you think I am?" Julien asked, horrified. "That's low-tier behaviour. Rich people don't buy things just because you shout at them or advertise. They buy things because they think they can't have them in their grasp."
He gestured to the dance floor with his good hand.
"Look at them. Tell me what you see."
Maya glanced at the crowd. "Weak people dancing like idiots. A few decent B-Ranks, but mostly people whose mana density is embarrassing as fuck."
'Whoa, easy there.'
"But I see through their insecurity," Julien whispered, his [Streetwise] skill scanning the room for data points.
He pointed to a woman in a pricey gold dress, holding a martini glass that was undoubtedly worth more than Julien's kidney.
[Target: Lady Celestia (Civilian / Merchant Guild Heir).] [Net Worth: 50,000,000 Credits.] [Insecurity: Anxiety about ageing. Obsessed with 'Mana-Skin' treatments. Incredibly jealous of younger rivals.]
"See that woman in gold?" Julien murmured. "Lady Celestia. She's fifty, but looks thirty, and she wants to look twenty. She's already spent a fortune on mages who promised eternal youth but delivered nothing but glowing face cream."
"And?" Maya asked, raising an eyebrow.
"And you," Julien turned to Maya, "are the bait."
Maya's eyes narrowed. The temperature around the table dropped ten degrees. "Choose your words carefully, Julien, if you have the will to live."
"Don't kill me yet!" Julien put his hands up. "Listen first. You are... flawless. Physically, at least. I mean. Your skin is glowing right now. You have that terrifyingly picture-perfect aura. You are the walking proof that 'perfection' exists."
Maya's face showed a slight hint of pride, the murderous intent lowering from 'Immediate' to 'Pending'.
"Go on."
"I'm not going to sell the potion," Julien explained, his eyes darting around the room as he formulated the play. "I'm going to refuse to sell it. I'm going to tell them that you use it, and that there's only one bottle left, and it's already reserved for someone else."
Maya stared at him for a moment, then a slow, sharp grin spread across her face.
"Creating a need," she murmured. "Manipulating their wants by using my superiority. It is... scary."
"It's business," Julien grinned nervously. "Are you in?"
Maya swirled a finger in the air, creating a tiny spiral of mana.
"I am bored, Julien. So at least entertain me. If you fail, I will toss you to the bouncer and won't turn back. But, if you succeed... well, we shall see."
"Deal."
Julien took a deep breath, finally succeeding in calming down.
He checked his inventory and pulled out three [Potion of Beauty (Minor)] bottles. Cost: 50 Credits each.
[Current Debt: 692.4 Credits] (The cost of the potions added to the total).
He needed to sell them for at least 250 credits each to clear everything. A 400% profit.
"Let's go sell," Julien whispered.
They approached the bar where Lady Celestia was holding court with a group of yes-women.
Julien didn't walk up to her. Instead, he walked past her and positioned himself in front of Maya, but also where Celestia could hear him.
"I'm telling you, Maya," Julien said, his voice pitched perfectly to carry over the music. "I can't give you another box yet. The Great Alchemist only brews one batch a year. This last bottle is already promised to the Duchess of Sector 4."
Maya played her part perfectly, acting as an entitled brat.
"The Duchess?" Maya scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "That old hag? She doesn't have the body structure for it. I want it, Julien. Name your price, no matter what it is."
Julien held up the crystal vial. The lighting in the club caught the pearl-pink liquid, making it swirl hypnotically.
The scent of strawberries and pure mana drifted toward Lady Celestia like a fishhook.
"It's not about money," Julien sighed, clutching the bottle like it was a holy relic. "It's about exclusivity. This removes scars instantly. It grants a permanent Charisma aura to the owner. It's strictly for the... elite."
He saw Lady Celestia stiffen, slowly turning towards them.
[Streetwise Alert: Target Hooked. Envy levels rising from the surroundings.]
'Gotcha.'
"Excuse me," Lady Celestia's voice was sharp, cutting through her group of friends.
She stepped toward them, her eyes locked on the bottle. "Did you say... permanent Charisma and aura?"
Julien turned, acting surprised. "Oh, Lady Celestia. Why didn't I notice you before? It's nothing that requires your concern. Just discussing private matters."
He tried to hide the potion in his pocket.
"Don't hide it," Lady Celestia ordered, her steps coming closer. She looked at Maya, then at her soft skin, the silver eyes, the beauty every woman craves.
Then she glanced back at Julien. "Is she a client?"
"She's a... brand ambassador," Julien lied. "She's been using our brand for a month."
Maya looked down at Lady Celestia with a look of supremacy. "It works wonders on tired skin," Maya said, her voice smooth as silk.
"Though, for some, it might take a double dose."
It was an insult wrapped in a compliment. Lady Celestia flinched, her hand going to her neck.