Varun woke with the first rays of dawn, a sense of purpose filling him.
He knew that this day would be crucial in his quest to rebuild his 3D printer and shape his future in this new world.
He quickly freshened up and made his way to the Ganges, the cool water washing away the sleep from his eyes and invigorating his senses.
As he immersed himself in the river, he felt a sense of tranquility wash over him, preparing him for the challenges that lay ahead.
Later that morning, Varun joined the caravan as they made their way to the designated meeting spot.
The merchant, his face a mask of forced cheerfulness, greeted Varun with a nervous smile.
"Welcome, sir," he said, his voice slightly trembling. "I trust your journey was uneventful?"
Varun nodded, his gaze unwavering. "It was," he replied.
The merchant then introduced him to a man with a weathered face and calloused hands – the material seller.
"This is Mr. Das," the merchant said, "He can provide you with any metal you require, from iron to copper."
Mr. Das bowed his head respectfully. "Welcome, sir," he said, his voice rough and gravelly. "I have heard tales of your… abilities. It is an honor to meet you."
Varun smiled faintly, acknowledging the unspoken fear in the man's eyes.
He knew that his reputation had preceded him, that his actions, both in the village and at the gambling den, had not gone unnoticed.
But he also knew that fear could be a powerful motivator.
Varun, began to list the metals he required. 'I need iron, copper, and some brass,'
he stated, his voice clear and concise. 'But I also require metals of a higher purity, alloys that are not commonly found in this region.
Specifically, I need tungsten, titanium, and a small quantity of neodymium.'
Mr. Das's eyebrows furrowed, his gaze shifting between Varun and the merchant, a flicker of confusion and apprehension in his eyes.
'Tungsten? Titanium? Neodymium?' he repeated, his voice laced with uncertainty.
'These… these are not metals we typically trade in. We have iron, copper, brass, of course, but these others…' He shook his head. 'I have never heard of them.'
The merchant, his forced smile faltering, cleared his throat. 'Perhaps, sir, you are mistaken? These metals, they are not…'
Varun interrupted him, his gaze steady. 'I am not mistaken. These metals exist, and they are essential for my work.
I understand they are not readily available here. For that,' he continued, turning back to Mr. Das, 'we would need to travel to Bombay.
There is a large metal processing industry there, a place where they refine and work with more… exotic materials.'
Mr. Das's eyes widened. 'Bombay? That is a long journey, sir. And those industries… they are not easily accessible.
They are controlled by powerful men, men who do not take kindly to strangers.'
Varun nodded, his expression grim. 'I understand the risks. But these materials are vital. I am willing to pay handsomely for them, and for your assistance in acquiring them.'
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two men. 'Think of it as an investment, a chance to acquire knowledge and resources that are beyond the reach of most.'
The merchant and Mr. Das exchanged a nervous glance. The prospect of traveling to Bombay, of dealing with powerful industrialists, was daunting.
But the promise of wealth, and the unspoken threat that hung in the air, swayed their decision.
'We will consider your offer, sir,' Mr. Das said, his voice hesitant. 'We will need to discuss the details, the logistics, the… compensation.'"
Iron: ₹50 per ton. Copper: ₹300 per ton. Bronze: ₹400 per ton.
The tungsten, titanium, and neodymium prices were to be determined in Bombay"
After a swift negotiation, the three men settled on a price for the metals, a sum that reflected the rarity of Varun's requests and the inherent risks of the journey to Bombay.
Varun, ever the pragmatist, proposed a payment plan that would ease the financial burden on the merchant and Mr. Das.
'I will pay twenty percent of the total cost today,' he stated, his voice firm and decisive.
'The remaining eighty percent will be paid upon the successful acquisition and delivery of the metals.'
The merchant and Mr. Das exchanged a relieved glance.
The upfront payment would provide them with the necessary capital to begin their journey,
while the promise of the remaining sum served as a powerful incentive to ensure the metals were delivered safely and promptly.
'That is… acceptable,' Mr. Das said, his voice laced with a newfound confidence.
'We will begin preparations immediately. We will need to acquire the necessary permits, arrange for transportation, and secure the services of reliable guides.'
The merchant, his initial apprehension replaced with a cautious optimism, nodded in agreement.
'We will ensure that the metals are delivered to you as quickly as possible, sir. We understand the importance of your work.'
After paying the merchants the agreed-upon 20% upfront, Varun returned to the inn, his mind already racing with the next phase of his plan.
He wasn't concerned about the merchants absconding with the money. He knew that even if they possessed a hundred times their current courage, they wouldn't dare to cross him.
He had made his power and resolve clear.
Back in the relative quiet of his inn room, he sat down, his brow furrowed in thought.
'Daivik,' he began, his mental voice laced with concern, 'the metals we need for the metal pulverizer are rare enough.
But pure silicon, the kind we need for the refinery—that's practically nonexistent in this timeline. How do we proceed?'
Daivik's response was measured, as always, but carried a hint of the challenge ahead.
'My database contains advanced extraction methods for refining silicon to the required purity.
However, these methods are resource-intensive and time-consuming.
We would need to construct a specialized refinery, a process that would require significant materials and energy.'
Varun sighed. 'So, another complex project. It would take a long time to process this. sigh....