Luke unlocked the zipper of his bag, revealing a bag full of money. Without counting, he tossed the bag into the open space of his inventory backpack.
He picked up his cup and finished the drink, then said to Billy, "Goodbye! I'm afraid you won't have much business tonight. It's better to close early and rest."
"Goodbye, Miss Sunny," Billy replied.
Luke stood up and started walking towards the exit of the Assassin's Tavern. However, as she was leaving, Billy, the lizardman, caught up with her from behind.
"Miss Sunny, my boss asked me to give this to you." Billy handed her a silver dagger with intricate golden patterns, looking exceptionally magnificent.
Luke didn't take the dagger but instead asked Billy, "Can the Silver Blades of the Bladeholders just hand out their weapons so easily?"
Billy explained, "The boss said that your assassination of Giantwood was too spectacular, and many people have been asking him for information about you. If you find it bothersome, you can show them this dagger to make them satisfied. Although the Silver Blades of the Bladeholders are not as influential as before, some people still give them face."
Luke took the dagger and twirled it between his fingers before storing it in his inventory backpack.
"Since it's a gift, I'll accept it. Please thank your boss for me, but I don't promise to do anything for him."
Billy bowed and said, "The boss just wants to be friends with such a powerful elf like you."
"Even if I consider him a friend, goodbye."
Luke jumped onto the rooftop and quickly disappeared into the night.
The Bladeholders was an organization formed by the early aristocracy of the Golden Shield Empire to resist imperial authority. They were once powerful enough to draw swords and argue with the emperor in the palace.
However, with the technological revolution and the rise of industrial and commercial nobles, the old aristocracy, which resisted the new culture, quickly declined.
Later, some extreme members of the Bladeholders initiated persecution and slaughter of modified humans, which attracted the empire's suppression and further accelerated the decline of the old aristocracy.
The Bladeholders no longer had their former glory, but due to most of its members being ancient hereditary nobles, they still held significant influence within the empire.
Luke didn't want to get too involved with the Bladeholders, even though the owner of the Assassin's Tavern belonged to the more open-minded faction of the organization. It was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
But the identity of the Bladeholders did come in handy.
For example, when encountering patrolling law enforcement officers in the central city area, showing the Silver Blades of the Bladeholders would immediately earn respect and passage.
Walking on the streets of the central city area, one could clearly feel that it was like a different world compared to Cape District.
The roads were wide and clean, and every certain distance along the roadside, there was an ever-burning streetlamp. On some main roads, there were even steam-powered bus tracks.
Even the patrolling law enforcement officers didn't exude the same air of menace as those in Cape District.
The sense of security allowed some shops to remain open late into the night.
A thriving and prosperous scene.
As a level 60 Sunny, Luke's electric consumption was minimal. He strolled leisurely to his destination.
The Whisperer's Mysterious Shop.
In the Epoch game, this was the place to purchase items related to mystical arts. Apart from high-level mystical language materials, one could find all sorts of commonly used items here.
Luke pushed open the door and entered.
Under the dim purple light, the shop exuded an air of mystery.
Near the entrance, there was a counter where a young girl, who appeared to be dozing off with her chin propped up, was stationed. The shop's main hall was filled with a wide variety of goods, including bottles, jars, clocks, antique armor, old books... It was like a general store.
The opening of the door caused a rope to swing and jingle a bell above the counter.
The girl immediately woke up.
"Welcome, esteemed... Miss Elf. I'm called Melissa. May I ask what you need? You're really beautiful, I've never seen an elf as beautiful as you."
"Thank you for the compliment." By now, Luke had grown accustomed to the praise and attention that came with Sunny's appearance. "I need some items and materials. Can you help me find them?"
"Of course." Melissa walked out from behind the counter, boasting, "Our Whisperer's Mysterious Shop has the most comprehensive collection of mystical items and materials in the central city area. Many mages and alchemists come here to purchase mystical items. What do you need? I'll help you find them."
Luke referred to the list he had prepared and said, "Four wind lamps filled with burning longbeard whale oil, six sheets of 120cm x 120cm alfalfa paper for painting, three jars of oil paint made from lantern flower honey and stone slide powder, ten arrays drawing brushes, fifty crystals, fifty bloodstones, ten kilograms of sulfur, one kilogram of resonant copper, 300 grams of sear silver, a corpse of a mature male red bat, and fourteen fangs of a moorwolf..."
As Luke slowly listed the mystical items and materials he needed, Melissa hurriedly ran back behind the counter, grabbing paper and a pen.
"I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't expect you to buy so many things. Could you please start from the beginning and speak a bit slower? I'll write them down."
"No problem..."
Luke proceeded to carefully list the mystical items and materials he required, while Melissa diligently recorded them and then went to prepare the inventory.
There were many things to purchase, and it would take some time. Luke began to explore the mysterious shop, looking for any other items he might need.
Soon, a wooden carving caught Luke's interest.
The carving was a cylindrical object about the size of a drinking cup. It was placed on a shelf with other miscellaneous items. Made from blackwood, it had a dark texture, and its surface was carved with a coiling venomous snake using a relief technique.
The snake's eyes and fangs were painted with red dye, making them particularly eye-catching.
Luke held the wooden carving and asked Melissa, "Can this item be sold as well?"
Melissa walked over, examined the wooden carving, and said, "Besides having our regular inventory, our Mysterious Shop also accepts miscellaneous mystical items from individuals. This wooden carving was sold to us by a customer. Judging from the material and carving style, it should be a ceremonial item made by a troll tribe from the Mandel Jungle, worshipping snakes. It possesses strong mystical energy and can be used for spells related to snakes, poison, or curses. Do you need it?"
Luke handed the wooden carving to Melissa and said, "You're absolutely right. It indeed comes from the Mandel Jungle. For me, it's an unexpected gain. Please pack it for me."
"Yes, beautiful Miss Elf."
Melissa happily took the wooden carving and began to wrap it. This elven customer was an unexpected delight tonight, as her purchase of so many mystical items would bring Melissa a generous commission.
Luke continued to wander between the shelves of the mysterious shop, picking out interesting mystical items and having Melissa pack them into boxes.
Soon, the counter of the
mysterious shop was filled with packed boxes.
While Melissa was counting the items and calculating the total cost, a spy from the Imperial Intelligence Agency entered the shop wearing a leather jacket and a round-top hat.