The Value of Information

Looks like there's no info on your father. This looking for people thing is much harder than it looks.

Heheh. Well, I never thought this would be easy.

But we don't have any leads...

......

What is it, Lingli?

That's the ringmaster. He helped me out when I first came to Unigan.

Ringmaster! Long time no see! How are you?

Huh? Oh! Lingli! It has been a while, hasn't it? Are you well?

I'm perfectly well, thank you! And you seem to be in fine health, sir!

I suppose I am. Though we've had trouble getting people to come see the show since you left. Ever think of coming back?

Sorry, Ringmaster. There's something I still need to do.

Are you still looking for your missing father? It doesn't look like you've made a whole lot of progress...

No. Where could he be...

Hmm... Oh, yes, I heard something recently about a new information broker.

Information broker?

He's in Rinde, apparently. But I've heard rumors about him.

Rumors?

If you don't have the money for the info, he'll attach some conditions to it. Conditions that may end up killing you.

I'm always ready for some danger. Ringmaster, do you think I could find him in Rinde?

I suppose... But be careful.

I will! Thank you, Ringmaster. Aldo! Let us go to Rinde!

Are you the Information Broker?

I am! What do you need? I also tell fortunes! How about I look into your future?

Hmm... This isn't what I was expecting.

I'm looking for my father. He came here from overseas, he's a strong martial artist. He has black hair and a long beard. He's very particular about his appearance.

I see, I see. A martial artist from overseas. Well, I may have heard about someone fitting that description...

R-Really?! Please, tell me more! Where is my father?!

Now, let's not be so hasty. How much is this information worth to you, little miss? I don't give information away for free, you know? Everything has a price.

So I've heard. How much do you want?

As a new customer, I'll give you the introductory price. So I'll tell you for...fifty.

Fifty thousand?!

No no, fifty million.

F-Fifty million?! You must be joking!

Information isn't cheap, little lady. Fortunes on the other hand are very affordable. Want one?

Surely no one would pay that? You'd be out of business in no time.

What do you know about information brokering? I put my life on the line gathering this stuff. Fifty million's a steal for the amount of work I put in!

......

Tch! I should have known a little brat like you wouldn't understand the value of information.

I think you're bluffing. I bet you don't have any information for us.

Oh, trying to get a rise out of me? I'm done. Be gone! And don't come back!

Wait! I can't pay you with money, but I can pay for the information with my life.

What?

I'm offering my life for the information.

Lingli?!

You heard me. My life for the information.

What are you talking about?

Will you accept the trade? Or do you really not have any information?

...Alright. If you're that desperate, I'll bite. Let's do this.

Okay, so name your price.

I've heard the Serena Coast has been overrun with monsters lately. They're troubling one of my customers, so they hired some hunters to get rid of them, but none have been successful.

A monster hunt?

Right. If you get rid of the monsters I'll bring the price down to something more affordable. I'll warn you, these monsters are tough. You really might not make it, you know?

I understand. Let's go.

H-Hey! I'm not lying. A lot of experienced hunters have failed already.

I know I said I'd pay with my life, but I don't intend to lose it just yet. I can't die until I've found my father!

......

I guess that's a deal then. Now let's take care of these monsters. So what kind are we dealing with?

...How much is that information worth to you?

......

Seriously? Very well, we'll go in blind. We can handle whatever comes our way!

We've checked out most of the area. Where are these monsters?

Aldo, thank you for coming with me.

What are you saying, all of a sudden? Don't get distracted, these monsters might be as tough as the broker said.

Aldo! There's something close. I definitely sense a presence.

Graaaaaargh!

That's the monster!

Aldo, let's do this!

Phew! Looks like that's it.

It was pretty tough after all.

I couldn't have done that alone. Thank you, Aldo.

Ah! That's right!

Hm? What's that you got?

It's a part of the monster. Proof that we've done it. Now let's get this to the broker and get the information we need!

Here, proof that we were successful. We got rid of the monster.

Wow! I honestly didn't expect you to make it back.

How rude.

...Little miss, my apologies. I obviously underestimated you. Clearly your services are worth a lot more than I had originally anticipated!

Really? Then please, tell me where my father is.

Yes. I have definitely heard of a man coming from overseas. Although this is all just hearsay...

What do you mean? You don't have anything concrete?

No...I'm sorry. But please believe me! I've come to quite like the two of you. I'll help you find your father.

Okay. Thank you.

Leave it with me. And this is on the house.

Good, because I don't have any money.

...So you never intended to pay me?

No, I did.

With this!

Haha... You meant to beat it out of me?

Maybe there's some information you're still holding back on, eh?!

Please, I've told you everything!