My New Eyes Can See Through Clothes

Jack's heart raced as he leaned in slightly, trying to conceal his excitement. "How much are you asking for the vase?" he asked, careful to keep his tone neutral.

The middle-aged man smiled, his face lighting up with greed. "I'll let it go for 1,200."

Jack's pulse quickened. The Celestial Eye had shown him that this vase could easily fetch at least 100,000, but outwardly, it was just another worn artifact. Buying it for 1,200 would be an incredible steal. He felt the weight of the moment, knowing that if he played this wrong, the man might start suspecting something.

"1,200?" Jack repeated thoughtfully, glancing over at Leo, who stood beside him, arms crossed.

Leo's skeptical gaze rested on the vase. He had seen many similar pieces in his time at Noble Collection, and more often than not, items like this ended up being worthless. "Jack, be careful," Leo warned, his voice low. "You know as well as I do that appearance can be deceiving. You don't want to throw away your money on something that might not pan out."

Jack nodded slightly. He appreciated Leo's caution, but this time was different. The Celestial Eye had never let him down before, and he could feel that this vase was the real deal. "Uncle Leo, I hear you," Jack replied, his voice calm but firm. "But trust me on this one. I've got a good feeling about it."

Leo raised an eyebrow but didn't argue.

Jack turned back to the man, forcing a smile. "Alright, we have a deal. I'll take it for 1,200."

Just as Jack reached into the drawer to pull out the cash, the man hesitated, his eyes narrowing as if he'd suddenly caught onto something. He pulled the box closer to him, his grin fading into something more calculating.

"You know what? I think I can get more for this," he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe 2,000 would be a fairer price."

Jack's stomach sank. The man had overheard their conversation, and now greed was getting the better of him. Jack forced a calm expression, though irritation bubbled beneath the surface. "We had a deal for 1,200. You can't just raise the price because you feel like it."

The man chuckled, shaking his head. "A deal? Prices change, young man. I think you understand the value here better than you're letting on. 2,000 or nothing."

Leo, who had been observing the situation quietly, stepped forward. "Jack, you can't let him push you around. Walk away from this one. There's plenty more where this came from."

Jack knew Leo was right. Getting wrapped up in a game like this would only make him look like a fool, but he hated the idea of letting the vase slip through his fingers. The Celestial Eye had shown him the potential fortune it held, yet Jack also knew he couldn't let the man sense his desperation.

He exhaled slowly, then shrugged, putting on an air of indifference. "Alright then, I'm out. We don't need this vase, anyway. If 1,200 isn't good enough for you, I'm sure you'll find another buyer."

Jack turned on his heel, walking toward the back of the shop, Leo following behind him. His pulse pounded in his ears, but he kept his pace steady. If he could just keep his cool, maybe the man would change his mind.

But when Jack reached the back, he heard the door shut with a definitive click. The middle-aged man had left, taking the vase with him.

Leo clapped Jack on the shoulder. "Good call, kid. You can't let people like that take you for a ride. If you're too eager, they'll always find a way to milk more out of you."

Jack nodded, though disappointment gnawed at him. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he muttered, though his mind was already racing. He hadn't expected the man to walk away so easily, but there was still a chance. Celestial Eye had given him a valuable piece of information: the man's name and whereabouts. John Mori, live in Maplewood Town.

Jack's eyes narrowed as he considered his next move. He couldn't just approach John directly—if the man recognized him, the negotiation would likely go the same way or worse. He needed someone else, someone neutral to act as a middleman.

A thought struck him: his new roommates. He didn't know them well yet, but maybe one of them could help.

As Jack packed up for the day, he made a mental note to talk to them as soon as he got home. This vase wasn't lost yet—he just had to play his cards right.