The earth dragon fang definitely seemed to be a fancy items, something that people of this world would give a fortune for, but if someone were to ask Arthur about it, he would only say that it was a middle grade item.
Why such a low opinion about it ? Because that was actually the case.
While some blank characters would need one to reach the climax of their obtainable power, a five star would need at least 10 of them just to wish to surpass the cap of the 50 levels, and as if to prove that Mariane was such a grand character, she would actually need 15 of them later.
By the way, the earth dragon itself was a pretty weak being relatively speaking, as it was a ' dragon ' without wings or the ability to spit fire, it was just absurdly sturdy, and the fang definitely represented it as it wouldn't be easily scratched even by a sword.
' It'll make a good improvised weapon for self defense I guess.. '
Staying ready at any time, with his Inventory window open, such a sight actually caught the eyes of spectators around, but since apparently they couldn't see what was contained inside, he didn't thought too much about it.
Hearing things like " What kind of magic is that ? " , or " As expected of someone who possess a grimoire ! " , apparently trying to speak in his favor or something, he could only feel tired.
' I wonder when they'll be here.. '
And surely, his thoughts that he kept for himself at all time, apparently were heard by some sort of powerful being as small and disgusting living thing stormed out of the forest not far from the road they were using.
Wearing makeshift clothes, barely covering their private parts, even their weapons were primals, with some that didn't even have a stone at the end of it but were just sticks.
Their ugly faces, being a mix of humans, dogs and rats, spreaded strangely to their bodies covered in brown fur, making a ugly but strangely natural mix.
' I guess the reason they look like that wasn't because of the game alone but this world from the start. '
Remembering what the creator told him about the fact that the game originated from this world, he didn't knew the exact link between the two of them, but he was sure from the start that such ressemblances would happen.
- Marcus' POV -
" According to the will of my master, I came to tell you about the incoming monsters. "
Staring at the beastfolk maid with silver hair, Marcus, the one who was supposed to bring the merchandise without any trouble, let out a weary sigh once he heard what she had to say after he allowed her inside his carriage.
Of course, he knew that a beastfolk like her would have amazing senses, to the point of being able to hear, see, taste or smell what humans couldn't, so his sigh wasn't towards the absurdity of her report, but from the fact that there was already a problem on the second day.
" I get it, is there anything else we need to know ? "
" There are around twenty kobolds, and they will catch up to us in a few minutes as well. "
" Alright, I'll inform my men and the mercenaries then, can we ask of you to support us ? "
" That goes without saying. "
Receiving such a cold answer that seemed almost natural, the conversation quickly reached a stalemate where he didn't knew what to tell her, but at the same time, couldn't just tell her to get out, knowing the position of the said 'master' in her mouth.
" Then, I will take my leave. "
" Mhm.. "
Before he could nod or react to her words, she already opened the door and left as if in a hurry.
' Well, I just have to give orders, nothing else. '
Thinking so, he started to order around for everyone to stop, and informed them about the monsters that would soon reach their positions.
Of course, monster attacking a transport wasn't so rare, but it wasn't casual either, with everyone quickly getting ready to fight, since they at least got the information before they actually appeared, it would easily stop a few losses.
And with everyone getting out of the carriages under his orders, be it old friends or new acquaintance, he slowly made his way to them, where he could see various shocked expressions.
Following their stares, Marcus thought that he would see the monsters appearance of such, but with such an eerie silence, could there really be monsters here ?
' What.. is that ? '
Though maybe he would have wished to see monsters instead.
The maid he just talked to a moment ago, was now wearing a new dress, no, a full set of armor and weapons that were apparently designed for her, but such things that came out of nowhere..
' Artefacts ?! '
Property of the dungeon, such items were rare to come by in the first place, and while it was true that they came in all sorts of forms, the most common ones were armors and weapons, followed by magical items.
Of course, if it was just normal gear and such, it would be called casually as well, even if they are really good and obtained in the dungeon too.
But the differences with them and artefacts lies solely between three facts.
One, an artefact can't be crafted by humans hands, or any other races in fact, it is the result of a dungeon loots inside of a chest or by killing a rare monster.
Secondly, artefacts, unlike common gear, never wear off, something like rust, magic deterioration, age, nothing like that affect them.
Lastly, third fact, an artefact choose it's owner and can be summoned or hidden at will.
Such are the differences between the normal objects and artefacts, yet, the fact that a simple maid was able to wear at least two of them.. What was the true identity of the young man being her master ? Was is something more terrifying than what he first thought ?
At first, he thought it was just an adventurer with a silver rank presented by the guild, but that damn guild master didn't told him that he possessed a grimoire, another kind of artefact.
And while it was true that he had a maid at his side, money was able to buy a lot of things, even maids, as most merchants had some, and having one able to fight and reach iron rank at the guild wasn't much.
Even him had one waiting for him at his simple house inside Litheria, though she couldn't compare in any points to the beastfolk in front of him, he just thought that he was richer than him.
Yet, he kept being surprised one way or another, though gradually, his heart couldn't keep it together.
By the way she called him ' Master ' and not ' Sir ' , it indicated his status as a noble, and not a merchant, though the possibility of her being a slave was here, it was just so low before, and now inexistent as she pulled out two artefacts as if it was nothing.
' I'm going crazy over here.. '
Sensing the headache coming his way after such a realization, who told him that it was over ?
The young man, which he couldn't address carelessly before, had his status elevated to the point where it should be an honor for him to have an equal to equal discussion, even if he was the commissioner of the mission, and seeing him standing still with the wooden box they kept all the way till here on the ground, his next action surprised everyone.
Using magic that was never seen before, he didn't even summoned his grimoire, as if showing that he wouldn't need to partake in such a small scale battle, yet, he used such intricate magic.
' Did he create his own magic ? Or is he a special talent holder ?.. Ah damn it, I don't care anymore ! '
Remembering his first time talking to him and how carelessly he was when he asked for them to also take a role as night guards, he felt his heart turning, jumping and twisting around while his stomach was filled with such a sour feeling.
' Who told me to run my mouth like that ! '
With creeping anxiety to his future as a merchant in case the young man would speak a few bad words about him, he was already prepared to dig his own grave if things were to go south.
But unlike his expectations, the young man never had such thoughts, and without talking about using magic, the battle that could be called tough was resolved quickly and mostly by his maid.