As Daisuke browsed through the prices for magic bags in the General Store, his mental depiction of Wallet-kun shifted drastically. Now, she appeared as a frail, withered old woman on the verge of fading away into oblivion.
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[Agate Magic Bag] - $50,000 Gold | Owned: 0
[Utilizing the rudimentary principles of alchemy and runesmithing, a small pocket of space-time has been intricately woven into this satchel.
Items can be stowed or retrieved through a mere exertion of will, and the satchel can be encrypted or locked by infusing it with mana. However, this security measure can be easily unraveled by someone with greater mana than the designated owner.]
Available Slots: 10
Weight Capacity: 4,000lbs/1,814kg
Special Effects: None]
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[Jasper Magic Bag] - $200,000 Gold | Owned: 0
[Utilizing the rudimentary principles of alchemy and runesmithing, a small pocket of space-time has been intricately woven into this satchel.
Items can be stowed or retrieved through a mere exertion of will, and the satchel can be encrypted or locked by infusing it with mana. However, this security measure can be easily unraveled by someone with greater mana than the designated owner.]
Available Slots: 40
Weight Capacity: 6,000lbs/2,722kg
Special Effects: Slows internal time by 9.09%]
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[Citrine Magic Bag] - $400,000 Gold | Owned: 0
[…]
Available Slots: 70
Weight Capacity: 9,000lbs/4,082kg
Special Effects: Slows internal time by 18.18%]
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[Amethyst Magic Bag] - $800,000 Gold | Owned: 0
[…]
Available Slots: 100
Weight Capacity: 13,500lbs/6,124kg
Special Effects: Slows internal time by 27.27%]
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[Garnet Magic Bag] - $1,600,000 Gold | Owned: 0
[…]
Available Slots: 130
Weight Capacity: 20,250lbs/9,185kg
Special Effects: Slows internal time by 36.36%]
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Daisuke's soul was just about ready to depart from his mouth by the time he reached the bottom of the list. This can't be real, he thought incredulously. Are you seriously telling me that the starting price for a magic bag is 50k gold? Oh, hell no! I can't afford that! He exclaimed before taking a deep, calming breath.
It's fine, he reassured himself. I have all the space I could possibly need inside my inventory. It's just a shame I won't be able to test if it's possible to store more monsters if they're inside of a magic bag. Oh well.
Shifting his focus, Daisuke navigated to a different category of items and sifted through the listings until his gaze settled on a robust tent with enough room to comfortably accommodate three people. With a decisive nod, he added it to his cart before proceeding to replace all the cooking equipment and ingredients he had generously gifted to the Beastfolk at Elmridge.
After selecting a small makeshift table, several pots, utensils, an array of seasonings, and parting with 145 gold, Daisuke emerged from the store with his purchases in tow. Then, with purposeful strides, he set off towards his next destination.
***
A weathered wooden sign hung proudly above the entrance of the blacksmith's store, depicting an intricately forged hammer and anvil against a backdrop of swirling flames. The sign bore the unmistakable marks of countless years, its once-vibrant colors faded to a rustic patina by the passage of time.
"It took only two months, but I'm finally here," muttered Daisuke.
Upon stepping inside, the atmosphere shifted from the bustling streets of a large town to an enchanting realm of craftsmanship and industry. The interior of the shop was dimly lit, illuminated primarily by the flickering glow of the forge at the back. The air was heavy with the scent of burning coal and heated metal, mingling with the sharp tang of oil and sweat.
Rows of gleaming weapons and armor adorned the walls, each piece a testament to the skill and dedication of the blacksmith. Swords, axes, and shields stood proudly on display, their polished surfaces reflecting the dancing flames of the forge. The rhythmic clang of metal on metal echoed throughout the shore, punctuated by the occasional hiss of steam as a freshly forged weapon was plunged into a quenching trough.
At the center of the workshop stood the blacksmith's anvil, its surface scarred and pitted from years of use. Behind it, a burly figure clad in a leather apron and soot-stained attire worked tirelessly, hammer in hand, shaping molten metal into works of artistry and utility.
"Welcome," the man grunted, his hammer striking the metal in a precise arch. "What can I getcha?" He asked without shifting his gaze, the heated metal casting a fiery glow across his bearded face.
"I was hoping to buy and sell some equipment," responded Daisuke.
"Take a look around," the man invited, the incandescent metal sizzling upon the anvil with each droplet of sweat from his chin. "I'll join you once I'm finished here."
Before Daisuke could approach the wide array of equipment adorning the walls and mannequins, a vibrant blue holographic menu materialized within his field of vision, capturing his attention.
"Should've expected as much," he murmured, his tone tinged with resignation before he shifted his focus. As he began browsing through the catalog, a frown gradually creased his brow.
[Bronze Sword] - $450 Gold | Owned: 0
[Rank: Normal
Type: Sword
Melee Attack Power: 115~129 | Durability: 79/79 | Attack Speed: +4%
Simple in design, yet functional, the Bronze Sword serves as a faithful companion to those taking their first steps into the realm of adventure. With proper care and skillful wielding, it can prove to be a dependable tool for facing the trials that lie ahead.
Conditions of Use: Lvl 30+ | Strength 35+ | Stamina 20+]
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[Iron Glaive] - $565 Gold | Owned: 0
[Rank: Normal
[…]
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[Steel Knuckles] - $670 Gold | Owned: 0
[Rank: Normal
[…]
________________________________________________
Swords, polearms, hammers, shields, and armor pieces—everything listed carried a staggeringly high price tag, even down to the humble arrows and whetstones.
To add insult to injury, their stats were far from impressive. Yet, this revelation hardly surprised Daisuke. Typically, in the realm of MMOs and RPGs, items peddled by NPCs—weapons, armor, and accessories, often fell short, lacking any special effects or modifiers and commanding exorbitant prices.
It was like purchasing a brand-new car—expensive, with all parts standard-issue. If one sought fancy rims, spoilers, side skirts, or performance upgrades, aftermarket components were a must. In the world of video games, there were several ways to supply those aftermarket components, or items with rare and special attributes.
The most common method entailed hunting monsters. Four out of five times, it's likely that the items dropped by a mob not only had options, but its Base Attack, Defense, Critical Hit Rate, and other primary stats were higher in comparison to the same items sold by NPCs.
The second most popular method was to commission a skilled craftsman, such as a blacksmith, to forge weapons or equipment using special materials. These items are almost always guaranteed to boast special or unique modifiers, which made this option especially enticing to Daisuke.
After selecting all but a few of the two months' worth of irrelevant monster materials, weapons, and equipment he hadn't gotten the opportunity to sell before now, Daisuke took one final appraising look at a particular staff.
[Grimhorn Totemstaff (Bounded Item)]
[Rank: Unique
Type: Staff
Melee Attack Power: 4 | Magical Attack Power: 209~255 | Durability: 34/43 | Accuracy: 69
A relic of goblin legend, the Grimhorn Totemstaff is an ancient artifact that commands the power of transformation. At its peak, a menacing skull adorned with twisted horns gazes out with eyes ablaze, its eye sockets fitted with shimmering gems that pulsate with arcane energy.
▪︎ HP & MP Regen Speed +10%
▪︎ Unlocks the «Intrinsic Transformation» skill.
Conditions of Use: Lvl 20+ | Strength 3+ | Stamina 10+ | Intelligence 50]
[Intrinsic Transformation]
[Enables the wielder to shape-shift into various forms, from an innocent human child to a savage beast. Mastery of this ability requires a deep connection to the primordial forces of nature and the cunning intellect of the Goblin Shaman.]
Without hesitation, Daisuke attempted to add the staff to the list of items designated for sale. However, with each attempt to check the box or command the item to select, the menu window momentarily flickered and shifted from its customary blue hue to an ominous shade of red.
"Sorry, kid, but I won't be able to buy that item off your hands," the blacksmith paused his hammering to inform. "It's bound to its previous owner."
"Previous owner?" Daisuke murmured in surprise, his brow furrowing as he skimmed through the weapon's description. There, he took note of two annoying bits of information: [Grimhorn Totemstaff (Bound Item)] and [Mastery of this ability requires a deep connection to the primordial forces of nature and the cunning intellect of the Goblin Shaman.]
Are you freakin' kidding me right now?! Daisuke fumed inwardly. Even in death this damn goblin continues to be a headache!
His teeth ground together with a murderous frown, but as he confirmed the sale of all the other items and took note of the amount of gold he made, his expression transformed. Suddenly, he seemed to radiate an angelic glow.
3,874 gold! He beamed, the words ringing out like wind chimes in his mind. When I add that to my current funds, that's a whopping total of 4,279 gold! Holy Moly! Is this for real?!
"Ohh~" exclaimed the blacksmith, finally stepping away from the anvil as he assessed the edge of a pair of throwing axes Daisuke had just sold. "This is an impressive assortment of items. It looks like you've had your fair share of adventures."
"Some of which I'd much rather forget," admitted Daisuke with a hint of weariness.
The burly man nodded sympathetically, raking his large, calloused fingers through his thick beard. "I can understand that—once upon a time, I used to be an adventurer myself. Now, you mentioned that you were interested in buying something?"
"On second thought," Daisuke began, his tone thoughtful, "would it be possible for you to forge a custom item for me instead?"
Daisuke's expression hardened as memories flooded back of the arduous battles against Volturax and the stone golems. It was incredibly frustrating, and yet it was but a matter of time before he once again encountered such monsters. Before that moment arrived, he needed a more efficient way to defeat them.
"Of course!" the blacksmith agreed, his chest swelling with confidence. "What sort of item did you have in mind?"
Daisuke rubbed his chin contemplatively. "A weapon, preferably a pair of daggers. Would that be possible?"
"Consider it done!" the man boomed with laughter, giving Daisuke a hearty slap on the back that sent him flying. "Where do you think you are? This is the finest blacksmith in all of Wonderelle! My hammer and anvil will craft the perfect pair of daggers for you! Just you wait!"
Daisuke scratched his cheek with an awkward smile. "I'm glad to hear it. I'll leave everything in your capable hands then."
"If you're requesting a custom weapon, I'm guessing you've also brought the materials you want me to use?"
"Oh, right," Daisuke muttered, retrieving Volturax's fangs and tail, which he placed atop a nearby worktable.
It took but a single glance before the blacksmith pursed his lips and began breaking into a sweat, his once ruddy complexion turning white. His head slowly pivoted around like an old, creaking door. "I can't do it."
Daisuke's expression settled into a poker face, a cold draft drifting through the once hot workshop. Where did all that confidence go? "What do you mean you can't do it?"
"…I can tell that these are very high-quality materials," the blacksmith explained with a touch of regret in his voice. "And while it pains me to admit, I gotta say a blacksmith of my caliber wouldn't be able to do these materials any justice."
"Then—"
The man regarded the materials once more, his fingers tracing thoughtfully through his beard. "My recommendation is to visit the capital," he suggested. "There, you'll find blacksmiths with the expertise to handle materials of this caliber."
Daisuke crossed his arms and tiled his head in contemplation. Damn, this is pretty disappointing, but I guess it can't be helped. I was even thinking about upgrading my armor, but if the best blacksmith in town can't craft the weapons I need, then it's unlikely I'll find top-notch armor either.
He sighed inwardly, weighing his options. Considering all the equipment stores likely source from local blacksmiths, I doubt I'll find anything better elsewhere. It's frustrating to think everything will be just as expensive and subpar as the weapons being sold here.
You know what, this is fine, Daisuke reflected. I managed to snag the Swift Leather Boots as a monster drop in the dungeon. There were plenty of other drops later on, too, but since I was playing support and Gavric and the others were doing all the hunting, I let them keep the equipment they received.
Unfortunately, none of the gear I got was compatible with my build. But now that I'll be hunting solo, I should have a better chance of finding equipment that suits me. Plus, with winter approaching, it's probably a good idea to start saving as much gold as possible.