Kyoma tallied his current funds to be "8 silver coins and 150 bronze coins." Compared to the average townsfolk in Greenridge, he considered himself to be of average wealth. Typically, a commoner earns around 2 silver coins per month. However, this amount was not enough to purchase property in Greenridge. Therefore, Kyoma set his sights on renting an apartment at a convenient inn. He scoured the town and found five potential inns where he could stay.
The Green Meadow Inn
The Rolling Hills Lodge
The Rustling Leaves Bed & Breakfast
The Emerald Rest Inn
The Quiet Wood Inn & Tavern
He surveyed five inns in the area and found that all of them had relatively cheap rental fees of around 50 bronze coins per night and provided basic amenities such as a bed, shower, and food. After considering his options, he decided to stay at The Green Meadow Inn due to its proximity to the southern gate and its relatively low cost of 40 bronze coins per night. Additionally, the inn provided a quieter stay away from the noisy main street and plaza. Kyoma paid for his one-night stay and stored his belongings, which included the windcutter rabbit corpse he created from assimilating 10 field rabbits. With hunger pangs gnawing at his stomach, Kyoma left the inn in search of food.
As Kyoma strolled down the bustling food street, the aroma of sizzling grilled boar skewers filled his nostrils as a nearby vendor enthusiastically shouted to attract customers. Other vendors joined in, advertising their own specialities: crispy fried fish cakes, savoury vegetable stir-fry with rice, meat pies, spicy beef noodles, baked sweet potatoes, and honey-glazed roasted chicken. The tempting array of dishes tantalised Kyoma's taste buds, causing his mouth to water uncontrollably. Even the windcutter rabbit and the three goblins travelling with him seemed to salivate at the sight of the delicious food.
Kyoma was immediately drawn to the scent of grilled boar skewers and decided to spend 15 bronze coins on them. With the first bite, he experienced a delightful crunch as he savoured the charred outer layer. The meat inside was incredibly tender and juicy, with an explosion of flavours from the carefully selected herbs and spices used to marinate it. The smokiness of the grill added an extra dimension to the overall taste, making it a complex and delicious dish. As he continued to chew, Kyoma felt a sense of comfort and satisfaction, as if he was indulging in a hearty and fulfilling meal. "Squeak squeak!!" The windcutter rabbit and goblins approved with contentment, their hunger finally satiated as they ate alongside Kyoma.
Kyoma purchased four drumsticks of honey-glazed roasted chicken for 28 bronze coins. He shared one drumstick with his rabbit and gave the other three to his goblins. Upon taking a bite, Kyoma was greeted with a delectable combination of savoury and sweet flavours, perfectly balanced. The chicken's skin was crispy while the meat was tender and juicy, releasing a burst of flavours in his mouth. The honey glaze imparted a sticky texture to the chicken, which coated his lips and tongue with an irresistible richness. As he continued to eat, the flavours deepened and the aroma filled his nose, leaving him feeling completely satisfied. "Squeak!" The rabbit approved.
Kyoma completed his satisfying meal by purchasing a cup of lemonade for 1 bronze coin each. The first sip of the lemonade provided a refreshing and thirst-quenching sensation that Kyoma desperately needed after a long day of adventure. The sweet and tangy taste of the lemonade was perfectly balanced with the sourness of the lemon, creating a deliciously refreshing drink. The coolness of the drink and the subtle fizz from the carbonation gave a satisfying feeling in Kyoma's mouth. The ice in the drink appeared to have been produced using ice magic, adding a touch of magic to his meal. The three goblins let out a hearty burp after filling their stomachs for the first time in their lives. Following their new master was undoubtedly the best decision they had ever made - not like they had any other choice.
After satisfying his hunger, Kyoma strolled around Greenridge town like a curious traveller. As the sun began to set, he made a plan to visit a weapon and armour store, a supermarket for outdoor cooking tools and spices, and a library to broaden his knowledge of the world. He first went to the supermarket, where he found an array of spices and herbs, but salt and pepper were priced extravagantly at 5 silver coins per 100g. Kyoma chose to skip these and bought cheaper spices like cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, oregano, and thyme. Additionally, he picked up some survival gear such as a sleeping bag, flint and steel, cast iron pot, skewers, water bag, a knife, and dried and preserved food for his upcoming goblin expedition. In total, Kyoma spent 2 silver coins and 50 bronze coins on all the necessary items he needed.
Kyoma made his way to the weapons shop, which was adorned with various weapons and armour. Most of the weapons and armours were crafted from ordinary iron, but a limited set of weapons were noticeably made from a special material, appearing darker and stronger than the rest. As Kyoma inspected the weapons that appeared imbued with unique properties, the shopkeeper complimented him, "You seem to have a good eye for weapons, young man." The shopkeeper, a muscular dwarf slightly shorter than Kyoma's dark goblin companions, wore a fire-resistant apron and thick leather pants and boots, leaving his bare back exposed. "These weapons are my finest works of art," the dwarf boasted of his personally crafted collection. However, Kyoma was taken aback by the exorbitant prices of the weapons: even the smallest dagger was priced at 30 silver coins, while the longswords and full-body shields cost a staggering 3 gold coins each. It would take him at least 150 goblin kills just to afford the cheapest dagger! Chuckling at Kyoma's surprise, the dwarf explained that these weapons were made from dark iron ore, a material that was at least five times stronger and able to conduct mana more efficiently than ordinary ores. "These weapons are only for top-notch adventurers," he said. Kyoma, still amazed at the cost, asked if he could hold the dagger for a moment, and the dwarf happily obliged.
"Appraise," Kyoma murmured to himself.
Item: Shadowstrike Dagger
Rarity: Dark Iron
Durability: 550/550
Requirements: Level 5
+55 Damage
+10 Agility
10% chance to deal Critical Damage at 100% damage
Backstabs and stealth attacks damage increased by 50%
Description: Crafted by Borin Stonehammer, this dagger is made from the rare and highly valued Dark Iron Ore. It has been honed to perfection and is capable of delivering critical blows. Its design is optimised for sneak attacks, dealing even more damage from the shadows.
Kyoma compared his current weapon, the Serpent Fangs Dagger, to the Shadowstrike Dagger and found it to be inferior with its damage of only 35 and durability of 105/150, despite having a poison damage over time effect of 10 Health Per Second. After the dungeon expedition, its durability had decreased to 85. Kyoma knew that acquiring the Shadowstrike Dagger would provide a significant power boost. As Kyoma was admiring the dagger, Borin the dwarf offered to sell it to him through a loan, requiring a down payment of at least 6 silver coins (20% of the total cost), and a monthly fee of 2 silver coins for a year. However, before making a decision, Kyoma assessed the other ordinary items available in the weapon shop.
Appraisal:
Item: Common Sword
Rarity: Iron
Durability: 90/100
Requirements: None
+15 Damage
+5 Strength
Description: This sword is made by Borin Stonehammer using ordinary iron ore. It has a simple design and is suitable for beginners or those on a tight budget. The durability is not high, but it's a good option for those who need a reliable weapon in a pinch.
The weapons and armour on display were much more reasonable in price, costing around 80 bronze coins. Kyoma realized he could outfit his goblins with a new set of gear and repair his Serpent Fangs Dagger for much less than the Shadowstrike Dagger's price. After some consideration, Kyoma decided to purchase a new set of iron chainmail armour, iron gauntlets, and iron boots for himself. He then gave his used leather armour to his melee dark goblin and bought a new set of leather armour for the dark goblin archer. For the hobgoblin, Kyoma opted for a full set of cheap iron armour that covered the hobgoblin from head to toe, though it was an inferior replica of the armour worn by Gladius's tank in their party.
Kyoma also bought a new iron club for his melee dark goblin and a new bow and arrows for the dark goblin archer. Since the hobgoblin's sledgehammer was superior to the ordinary weapons in Borin's shop, Kyoma decided not to replace it. After purchasing all the items, Kyoma spent a total of 6 silver coins and 15 bronze coins, leaving him with only 5 bronze coins remaining.
Skipping the visit to the library, Kyoma returned to his inn feeling like he had transformed into a destitute pauper overnight. After taking a refreshing shower, he retired to his room to finally get some much-needed rest. The three goblins settled onto the floor, looking as if they were accustomed to such conditions, while the rabbit curled up beside Kyoma on the bed. As Kyoma drifted off to sleep, the ring on his finger emitted a brief, shimmering glow that would have gone unnoticed had one blinked. In his dream, Kyoma found himself face-to-face with a mysterious figure cloaked in black.
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End of chapter stats
Name: Kyoma
Class: Necromancer
Level: 5
Experience points: 705/1600
Hp: 770/770
Mp: 132/132
Strength: 44
Agility: 50
Intelligence: 118
Physical resistance: 28 (+15 from chain vest armour, iron gauntlet and iron boots)
Passive skills: Reincarnation's Blessing (Level 1), Necromancy Mastery (Level 4)
Active skills: Summon Undead (Level 2), Appraisal (Level 2), Assimilate (Level 1), Terpsichorean Art (Level 1)
Titles: Necromancer, Killer of Lesser Field Rabbit, Killer of Goblins, Conqueror of Dungeon
Items: Serpent Fangs Dagger, Loran's Ring, Ice Magic Scroll, Iron Chainmail Armour, Iron Gauntlets, Iron boots, x17 Lesser Goblin Horn, x1 Mutated Hobgoblin Horn, 5 Bronze Coins
Pets: Undead Windcutter Field Rabbit (Level 5), Undead Dark Goblin (Level 5), Undead Dark Goblin Archer (Level 5), Undead Mutated Hobgoblin (Level 10)