After his meal, Eli went to his room, which contained only a bed, a few cabinets, and a window with curtains at the center. A bucket of water sat in the corner, likely for washing. After closing the curtains, he surveyed the room and accessed the system shop, where a blue screen appeared before him.
[Welcome host to the merchant system shop. You can exchange your MSP for items in the system store.]
Eli browsed the weapons and apparel sections and made his purchases.
+TAURUS 44m (Revolver) for 600 MSP
+50 Rounds of .44 Mag Ammo for 40 MSP
+KELTEC CP33 (22 Pistol) for 400 MSP
+100 Rounds of .22 LR Ammo for 10 MSP
+ Leather Belt, Twin pistol holster with bag container and bullet holders for 120 MSP
+ Dark Green Long canvas duster for 100 MSP
+ Black Classic rolled Western Cowboy Hats with Bull Head for 30 MSP
Removing his cloak, he donned the newly acquired gear and clothes. Now, Eli resembled a cowboy with elongated ears. The guns he had bought were encased, each case holding maintenance kits and instruction manuals.
The pistol case included two magazines, each capable of holding 33 rounds. He loaded both magazines and the revolver, stowed them in his holster, and placed all remaining bullets in the container attached to his belt. He also secured his shortsword at the back of the belt.
"All right! There's still some daylight left; I might as well complete the quest I began."
Eli stepped into the dining room, heading outside. The innkeeper and most of the guests stared at him, intrigued by his unusual attire.
"Hon', is that a new style you drow are sporting these days? Can't make heads or tails of you tree folk," the innkeeper inquired in a thick accent.
"There's nothing in life worth doin' if it can't be done from atop a horse."
Eli replied, adopting a cowboy's drawl.
"What!"
was the innkeeper's confused response to Eli's comment.
"Is there a place here where I can buy a horse?"
"Oh, you should have mentioned that. Yes, we have some in the stable. Are you sure you want to buy one? They're quite expensive, 100 and it includes feed for a week."
"Deal!"
Eli handed a large silver coin to the innkeeper, who went to the back, spoke with some stable boys, and returned with five silver coins as change.
At the stables, Eli met a majestic dark brown bronco with a black diamond mark on its forehead. "I've often said there's nothing better for a man's inside than the outside of a horse."
"Hey there, boy. Want to join me on my adventures? If you do, I swear you won't get bored and you'll be fed every day, with both adventures and food."
Surprisingly, the horse seemed intrigued and approached, rubbing its head against Eli's arm.
"Hmm, seems you've accepted me. How do you like 'Rusty' as a new name, partner?"
Rusty responded with a soft purring sound, accepting both the name and the friendship. Eli climbed atop Rusty and rode out, following the location of the lily moon flowers.
'It seems my body is used to riding horses. Ha, you learn something new every day.'
Stopping near the location, he tied Rusty to a tree and began searching the area for the lily moonflowers.
'No wonder Angus told me to purchase the Identify skill. There are so many weeds that resemble the lily moonflower.'
Throughout the grassy fields, he searched, numerous weeds mimicked the lily moonflower. With the Identify skill, he could distinguish them. Almost three out of every four plants he encountered were weeds; it took a while to gather more than ten lily moonflowers. Ultimately, he collected twenty.
After collecting the necessary lily moonflowers, Eli decided to rest. However, Rusty started to huff and dart away, opposite to where he was secured. Sensing danger, Eli drew his .44 Magnum. His skill 'Identify' revealed two indistinct shapes near the forest's edge.
"Identify isn't a bad skill. It doesn't provide specifics about the enemies, but it does reveal their number."
Eli thought.
He aimed his .44 Magnum in the direction of the shapes with one hand.
Soon, a wolf emerged from the forest. Not willing to take any risks, Eli fired his .44 Magnum, striking the wolf in the side, killing it but also fracturing his right wrist from the recoil.
"Ah! Damn, forgot about the kickback, should've used both hands. Time for my backup,"
He muttered.
As he drew his .22, another wolf burst from the forest and lunged at Eli. Reacting swiftly, he used his injured arm to fend off the attack, sustaining a bite. With the wolf clamped onto his arm, Eli closed in and fired six shots with his .22 at close range, targeting the wolf's neck and head, rendering it limp.
[Does the Host wish to exchange wolf carcasses for MSP?] [y/n]
Clicking 'yes,' both wolf corpses disappeared, and his account was credited with 40 MSP. Taking a few moments to calm down, he bandaged his arm and secured a wrap around his waist. Returning to the Guild Hall, he presented 20 lily moonflowers to Bonnie along with the quest sheet.
"I see you've completed your first quest by bringing 20 lily moonflowers. May I see your Guild card to register your quest's completion?"
Eli handed her his guild card. Bonnie, taking the card, was surprised by the information it displayed.
"Oh my! Your card shows that you've slain two wild wolves, and your job title is now at level 1. The guild will pay you 5 coppers for each wolf and one copper for each lily moonflower. Please excuse me while I inspect the flowers to ensure you haven't brought any useless weeds. Just to be certain."
Bonnie spent over five minutes examining the flowers, comparing them with the information in her book.
"It seems you've brought 20 flowers in good condition. How would you like your payment? In copper or 'silver' coins?"
Bonnie stressed the word 'silver' significantly.
"I would prefer silver, please."
She nodded a silent 'thank you' and handed him two silver coins. Eli accepted them with his left hand, prompting Bonnie to notice for the first time that his right arm was injured beneath his jacket.
"Oh my god, Eli, I didn't know you were injured. As your receptionist, I'm responsible for you. You should have told me sooner."
She scolded Eli for not disclosing his injuries and retrieved a small red bottle from beneath the desk, offering it to him.
"Here, drink this. It's a weak potion; it'll heal about 2% of your health and will close older wounds. Don't worry about the cost, every adventurer gets one free every month, and afterward, they're ten gems each."
He downed the weak potion, closing the wounds on his arms and providing some healing. 'This day is terrible. Whoever invented this, I'll make them regret it if I ever meet them,' he thought, struggling not to vomit the potion's contents.
"Hmm, Eli, it looks like your coat is damaged. Take this card. It's from a reliable tailor that the Guild often uses, and he's nearby. Just take your coat to him, and he'll repair any damage to it ASAP."
Ding!
[Host completed herb gathering quest]
[Reward: Bigginers Alchemy book]
Eli accepted the card she handed him.
'It's not far. I can walk there in a few minutes, to Garek's tailor shop.'
Leaving the adventurer's guild, he soon arrived at Garek's tailor shop, which was adorned with various flower gardens and pomegranate trees. The shop's sign read,
"Welcome to Garek's Tailor Shop, the best dresses and outfits in all of Terra."
with flowers decorating the sign's edges.
Upon entering, Eli was greeted by a flamboyant middle-aged man with dark hair, dark brown eyes, and a playful charm.
"Welcome to Garek's Tailor Shop, the best dresses and outfits in all of Terra! How may I assist you, sir?"
"I was told by my receptionist that you're the best tailor around."
He handed over the card Bonnie gave him, along with his coat, to Garek.
"Ah, the Therianthrope bunny, such a delightful girl. Now, sir, let's see what you've brought me today."
RACE: Sun Elf
NAME: Eli Rivers
Job Level: 1
Health Points: 162
Mana Points: 97
Stamina Points: 212
Attunement: 13
Vitality: 13
Endurance: 17
Strength: 14
Dexterity: 19
Perception: 15
Skill: 16
Charisma: 16
Luck: 18
MSP: 3,640
Gems: 100,260