Ragnar gazed wearily at the ceiling, closing his eyes to ease the strain. With a deep breath, he returned his gaze to the book, feeling the weight of each word as he flipped the page.
"It's exhausting to focus so intently," he exclaimed before delving back into his reading.
"Onyx Gemstone Nerfs:
- The user may gradually desensitize to pain or discomfort, diminishing their awareness of physical damage.
- Over time, the user may experience a loss of flexibility and mobility, potentially impacting their physical capabilities.
Pearl Gemstone: Enhances the user's accuracy and precision to an extraordinary degree, allowing them to execute actions with unparalleled finesse and exactness, whether it be in aiming, performing intricate tasks, or navigating complex environments.
Pearl Gemstone Buffs:
- The user gains remarkable precision and accuracy, as if guided by pure instinct, allowing them to execute actions with exceptional exactness.
- They can perform precise and accurate actions, such as aiming, shooting, navigating obstacles, and executing complex tasks, with unparalleled finesse.
- The user experiences heightened coordination and balance, facilitating the seamless execution of intricate tasks.
Pearl Gemstone Nerfs:
- The user's intense focus on accuracy and precision may lead to a loss of awareness of their surroundings, potentially causing them to overlook broader perspectives or other important elements.
- Due to the strain from precision and accuracy, the user's hands and arms may tire more quickly, necessitating additional rest to alleviate the added strain on muscles and tendons.
The Sea Gem Stones represent a rare and powerful resource intricately linked to the formidable strength and essence of the Titanus Leviathans. Their acquisition requires the daunting task of defeating a Titanus Leviathan, and their utilization demands careful consideration due to the potential severe consequences of excessive use. Each gemstone type, from Velvet to Pearl, bestows unique buffs and enhancements while also posing specific risks and limitations that must be carefully weighed by those who seek to harness their power."
Ragnar's deep breath preceded the continuation of his reading:
"Mystical Aether:
These ethereal manifestations are humanity's crafted gifts, wielded as weapons from the Ages of Forsaken Realm to the current Terrest Paradise. Throughout history, humans have relied on Mystical Aethers to combat Grimiores, Ghouls, and other divine and demonic entities. The Ardent and above Priests, who bestowed their blessings upon the cores of these Aethers, are revered as the guiding lights of our race. From Kings and Queens to Rulers and Emperors, Leaders and Gods—each has bestowed their royal blood to bless us. The power of the Blessed Golden Cores fueled the—"
"Ragnar, be careful and bring these to Lady Ana," Merlin said as he struggled to lift a huge item covered with a brown cloth.
Struggling with the weight and size of the item, Merlin nearly slipped and fell as he placed it on the table, while Ragnar watched with eager anticipation.
"Quickly! Put those other things aside!" Merlin screamed in distress.
Ragnar promptly cleared the table of books, papers, and the Velvet Sea Gemstone.
As Merlin placed the giant item on the table, his hands shook, but he managed to do so safely. He wiped his damp, sweat-covered forehead with a towel and took a deep breath to relax.
"Ragnar, hold this quickly," Merlin said, pulling out a small skull of a Peryton and handing it to Ragnar with care.
"I'll be getting the injections," Merlin said, heading to the back again.
Ragnar carefully placed the skull on the table and then realized he was still holding the book he had been reading earlier. With a sly smile and excitement, he gazed at the book before placing the skull down.
In a matter of minutes, Merlin returned with a bag of injections in his right hand, casting a glance at Ragnar before placing the bag near the giant item on the table. He then pulled out a small metal box.
Deliberately, he opened the metal box and instructed Ragnar, "Place that necklace in here."
Ragnar placed the book on the table as he retrieved the skull from the table and approached Merlin, carefully depositing the necklace inside the metal box.
With swift movements, he set the steel box on the table and deftly removed the brown cloth, unveiling the concealed item.
It was the holder for the Acherontian Crusher, a golden sledgehammer crafted by Arawn himself. The holder, adorned with gems, gleamed and dazzled Ragnar.
Merlin pulled the wooden chair behind him and sank into it, taking a deep breath. In a weary tone, he said, "We are finally done."
"Now pay me 5 gold coins," he continued wearily.
Ragnar gazed at Merlin and then retrieved five gold coins from his pocket. Slowly, he approached Merlin, counting the coins as he went.
Extending his left hand, he placed the five gold coins into Merlin's hand, who remained seated wearily.
"Woohoo! Now can you lift those on your own? I mean, you're a gigantic person, but are you sure it's alright?" Merlin asked with nearly closed eyes.
After surveying the bags and mentally tallying their weight, he realized the challenge of carrying them all, especially considering he still needed to purchase potatoes and apples from another store.
"I don't think I can manage. It'll be quite a struggle to carry all these items, and I still have more shopping to do," Ragnar admitted, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"We can belt the Acherontian Crusher on your back so it doesn't fall. Give it to me; I'm certain it already has two belts there," Merlin suggested wearily, pointing at the Acherontian Crusher.
Ragnar effortlessly lifted the Acherontian Crusher with both hands, feeling the weight of the heavy object as he approached Merlin. He stopped in front of Merlin, carefully holding the sledgehammer with both hands.
"Secure the Acherontian Crusher on your back," Merlin commanded.
Ragnar carefully lifted the sledgehammer's holder onto his back. "Yes, like that," Merlin said, gazing at Ragnar.
With deliberate movements, Merlin extended his tired arms, grasping the belt on both sides. He meticulously inserted the other end of the belt into the other, tightening it securely.
"Can you kneel, Ragnar?" Merlin asked wearily.
Ragnar slowly kneeled, maintaining his grip on the sledgehammer's holder on his back.
"Not that low," Merlin said, his frustration evident in his tone.
Ragnar rose slowly. "Stop! Yes, like that," Merlin commanded as he tightened the other belt.
As Ragnar stood up, releasing his grip on the sledgehammer's holder, he felt the weight but managed to rise effortlessly. A smile spread across his face as he observed the tightened belts on his chest and waist.
"Is that alright now?" Merlin asked kindly, to which Ragnar nodded in affirmation.
"Then you can now leave and buy those apples and potatoes. It's already almost time for dinner, so you should head back home now," Merlin said, his weary eyes closing.
As Ragnar lifted the bag he bought from Yeoman's Yard, the magnificent rays of light from the Velvet Sea Gemstone shone into his eyes once again, stirring a sense of wonder within him.
"Can I get the Velvet Sea Gemstone, old man?" Ragnar unexpectedly asked Merlin, his voice carrying a hint of longing and curiosity.
Merlin's eyes opened widely, his expression one of shock. With a tired voice, he said, "I don't give it to strangers; also, you should head home now."
Ragnar didn't respond but continued with his own actions. He held the steel box, carefully placing it in the bag from Yeoman's Yard. Lifting both bags with his left hand, he swiftly exited the store.
As Ragnar slowly closed the wooden door, the weight of disappointment hung in the air. With each step on the stone pathway, he pondered the encounter and its implications.
'It was also a rare item; why did I even ask such a foolish question? ' he wondered to himself with disappointment.
Ragnar noticed another stairway leading upward and swiftly ascended. Each step brought him closer to the top, and he gazed at the twilight atmosphere, feeling a sense of tranquility wash over him.
As he reached the summit, he was captivated by the sight that greeted him. The stars seemed to have multiplied since his last night under the open sky, and the moon radiated a mesmerizing shade of blue, casting an enchanting glow over the landscape.
Ragnar's gaze shifted to the Lowfire District, where only a few lights flickered in the distance, creating a stark contrast to the bustling activity and vibrant hues emanating from the higher districts.
Upon reaching the summit, Ragnar found the surroundings to be a mirror image of those below, with stone pathways flanked by aligned stores.
Surveying the area, his attention was drawn to a lone open store bearing the name "Garden's Gift." As he contemplated the significance of the name, which seemed to allude to vegetables and fruits, a glimmer of hope sparked within him.
'This might be the real deal,' Ragnar mused to himself.
Ragnar swiftly made his way into the store, pushing open the creaking wooden door. Inside, he was met with an array of assorted vegetables and an old lady engrossed in the day's newspaper, peering through her weathered glasses.
Startled by the unexpected visitor, the old lady appeared both surprised and disappointed. "Who may this be? Sir, you are welcome to enter my shop. You may pick what you want," she greeted him, rising from her chair.
"Are you by chance close to Lady Ana?" Ragnar asked eagerly.
With his unexpected reply, the old lady's mouth fell agape as excitement lit up her eyes. "Yes, did Lady Ana ask you to buy her some potatoes and apples?"
"Yes!" Ragnar exclaimed with relief. "So this is the place. Well, she didn't tell me the place to buy apples and potatoes. I apologize for taking so long."
"I have been waiting for you for hours now. But that's alright, as long as I manage to obey her orders," the lady said as she settled back into her seat.
"Now, what did she order you to buy?" the old lady asked, her arms crossed.
With Ragnar repeating and reading the note, he managed to remember it. "It was... 12 brown potatoes and 10 apples."
The old lady quickly stood up, grabbed a plastic bag, and retrieved ten apples and twelve brown potatoes.
After a few minutes, the old lady carefully weighed the bag of apples and potatoes. "That will be 40 silver coins," she announced, her gaze fixed on the scale.
Ragnar promptly retrieved a total of forty coins from his pocket. As he handed them over, the old lady handed the bag in front of him.
"Here it is," she said wearily, a hint of exhaustion in her voice, as she handed over the bag.
Ragnar accepted the bag and carefully placed it inside the one from Yeoman's Yard, offering a warm smile to the old lady.
"You may visit sometime, but you must be early!" the old lady exclaimed in frustration.
"I will, and I will also be early," Ragnar responded, feeling a tinge of embarrassment as he made his promise.
The old woman slyly smiled back at Ragnar, her arms crossed, as he departed from the store.
As Ragnar's gaze met the familiar sight of the darkened moon, he found himself pondering the time. Retrieving his pocket watch, he mused, "It's already 5:47 HU now. I should make my way back to Lady Ana," a note of concern creeping into his voice.