The next morning, I woke up early—well, earlier than usual—for my daily training. My body was in the best condition possible, and pushing it even further would only improve my efficiency.
Exerting my newly stable, balanced body felt like a natural next step. So, I spent the next few days doing sword practice.
After practicing, I just wandered from one antique shop to another ,hoping to stumble upon a hidden treasure with the help of my Inspect skill.
I guess luck was not with me because I found nothing. But, it wasn't all for nothing. My Sword Mastery and Inspect skills both leveled up to 2.
***
[Sword Mastery] (Level 2)
Description: Basic understanding and technique with a sword. Increases proficiency with sword-related tasks, allowing for greater precision and effectiveness. As the skill level increases, the user's insight into sword techniques improves.
[Inspect] (Level 2)
Description: The ability to carefully examine objects, places, and people to discern hidden details, uncover secrets, or identify points of interest. Now, it can also tell the emotional state of the person you're inspecting.
***
So, not much had changed except that I now had a bit more insight into sword techniques and could vaguely tell how people were feeling.
In those typical RPGs, skills max out at level 10, and I figured it was the same here. It would mean I could make the abilities I had in my old game work in real life. And, with the Rune of Balance on top of that? Its a game changer.
Getting stronger every day, becoming a better version of myself... that's the dream, right? Back in my past life, I was just a loner. I wasn't even an NPC; I was just extra. People barely knew my name—if they knew anything at all. They just called me The Novel Guy or THE ONE WHO READS ALL DAY. Yeah, I was that guy.
Why did I read so much? People always asked. I'd shrug and say, "It's fun." But, let's be real: I was trying to escape reality. The same reality I'm still trying to escape, and you—yeah, you reading this right now—are probably trying to escape it, too.
Anyway, novels became my friends. They were my comrades in arms on the endless journey of life. They gave me something to hold onto.
Fast forward to today: it was my fifth day after getting the Rune of Stability. After a quick breakfast, I headed out, determined to find a new antique shop.
As I roamed the streets, admiring the culture and the people of this world, I noticed a shop that looked... well, a bit shoddy.
It was run-down, the kind of place that could collapse any moment, and it screamed, "Come here, you're about to find something amazing."
In novels, these types of places are always hiding treasures, right? I mean, how could I resist? I approached the door, and the name of the shop caught my eye: "Antique Avenue." A bit too fancy of a name for such a shabby establishment, but I was intrigued. I pushed the door open, and the tinkling of a bell echoed above me.
Inside, there was no one around. I shrugged and started inspecting the items. There were all kinds of things, some useful, some... not so much. But after searching through a pile of garbage—I mean, rings—I finally found what I was looking for. My Otaku sense were right.
I started laughing like a maniac.
"HAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" I couldn't help myself. If you found a magic item of that calibre in a pile of junk, you'd probably do the same.
***
Arcane Vault Ring
Item Type: Accessory (Ring)
Stats: +10 in all Stats
Special Effect: Stores any spells up to Rank S
Required Level: 50
(Currently sealed; only someone with the ability to use the ring can unseal it.)
***
I was genuinely happy. Not because it was some ancient relic, but because it was rare, and it would fetch a high price. No more worrying about money for a while!
Lost in my fantasies of becoming a wealthy mage, I was snapped out of my thoughts when a middle-aged man came out from a back room. I must've startled him with my maniacal laughter, because his expression was... let's just say, unimpressed.
I quickly realized I had to get control over my random outbursts.
The man was dressed in plain clothes, with brown hair, brown eyes, a brown beard, and—yep, you guessed it—brown skin. If it weren't for his clothes, I might've just walked right past him. I used my Inspect skill on him, just to see what was up. Turns out, I could only glean a bit of info with my current skill level.
---
Name: Jorin Ironweld
Age: 32
Rank:E
Class: Rogue
State: Irritated (looks like someone woke him up from his nap)
***
Rogues are usually scoundrels—mercenaries, backstabbers, or adventurers who can't be trusted. This guy seemed irritated, probably because I was disturbing his nap. But, hey, at least I didn't have to deal with too much attitude... yet.
He asked, grumpily, "Who are you, kid?"
I couldn't help but smirk. "Why, can't a customer come in?" I said, playing it cool.
"It's not a toy store, kid," he shot back, trying to get under my skin.
I wasn't in the mood for a fight, so I asked about the price of a sword hanging on the wall.
"10 gold coins," he grunted.
I raised an eyebrow. "If it was really 10 gold coins, you wouldn't have a run-down shop like this."
Maybe my remark was a little too blunt, because his face started turning a shade of red that was nearly matching his hair.
I quickly changed the subject and asked about a ring nearby.
"It's 1 silver, kid, give or take," he said, trying to brush me off.
I pretended to think deeply, like I was weighing the most important decision of my life. After some dramatic pause, I pointed at the Arcane Vault Ring and said, "I'll take this one for 10 copper coins."
His mouth twitched, but I ignored it, continuing my poker face
.
"70 coppers," he spat.
"15 copper," I countered.
"50 coppers," he sighed.
"Deal," I said, dropping the agreed amount of coins on the counter, grabbing the ring, and making my quick exit.
After he left , Jorin thought did the kid just defeated me in bargaining, Not able to find the answer he goes back to sleep.
***
I wasn't done yet, though. I headed straight for the auction house. Inside, the place was bustling with energy. I found a free receptionist and went straight up to her.
"How can I help you, sir?" she asked politely.
"I need to sell an item," I said, keeping it formal. "But it's not your average trinket. Could you call over an appraiser?"
"Of course, please wait here," she said, nodding.
A few moments later, an old man came out from the back, probably the appraiser. He looked me over and said, "Show me what you have, kid."
I handed over the Arcane Vault Ring, and as soon as he examined it, his expression shifted. I could see the shock in his eyes. He turned back to me, his voice a little more respectful.
"How much are you expecting for this?" he asked.
I knew the value. This thing could easily fetch around 100,000 gold coins at an auction, but I didn't have the time to wait around for that. He also must be asking to see if I knew the real value of the item
"50,000 gold coins with a space ring," I said casually.
He stared at me for a long moment before nodding. "You've got a good eye...for a kid your age. 50,000 gold coins it is."
With that, I walked away with the storage artifact in hand. As I left, I could feel the old man's gaze on my back. I had a feeling he was thinking something... but I didn't care. I had money now, and that's all that mattered.
As he left the hall The old man muttered , "His body was perfect as if blessed by heaven itself he must be a prodigy who left his home for life experiences."
What Ash doesn't know that he literally fooled someone without trying it and even if he knew he wont do anything .
***
Author notes: As an appraiser The old man can also appraise humans that's why he knew how Ash body was too good to be of a normal person.