After scrolling through it once, he understood why he didn't see the items before.
The highest priced item in the shop is worth 240 coins. Exactly the amount he has at hand. There are multiple items in that range. Weapons, defensive items like arm guards, boots, there are even shirts.
Ayaan scrolled through each weapon, but they are all subpar.
==============================
ITEM DETAILS
==============================
**Name:** Rusted Iron Dagger
**Grade:** Common
**Type:** Weapon (Dagger)
**Durability:** 40/60
**Level Requirement:** None
**Description:**
A simple dagger showing signs of wear and tear. Its edge is slightly dulled, but it can still serve in a pinch. Suitable for beginners or as a backup weapon.
Price: 240 Coins
==============================
That rusted dagger is among the highest priced items and it is not even in its best shape. The other weapons like sword, and bow are also the same.
They are not satisfactory at all. He then opened the crafting section. His frown deepened, because only two things are displayed there.
His sword and the leathers. The serpent king leather is not displayed. Applying the same logic as before, that means, he didn't have enough coins to craft the king's leather.
He selected on the leather piece.
The screen changed and displayed various products that he could craft with the leather and its respective prices.
Craftable Items with Water Serpent Leather
Water Serpent Leather Arm Guard
Price: 150 System Coins+ Water Serpent Leather*2
Description: Flexible and durable arm guards made from Water Serpent Leather. Offers excellent protection without restricting movement.
Effect: Increases defense against physical attacks by 5%.Enhances grip for weapons.
Water Serpent Leather Boots
Price: 200 System Coins + Water Serpent Leather*2
Description: Lightweight and resilient boots crafted from Water Serpent Leather. Designed for maximum mobility in wet and unstable terrains.
Effect: Allows smooth movement in semi-aquatic environments like marshes and shallow waters.Reduces stamina consumption when traversing such terrains.Won't be effected by water damage
Water Serpent Leather Sheath
Price: 120 System Coins+ Water Serpent Leather*2
Description: A sheath made from Water Serpent Leather, resistant to water damage and wear. Ideal for aquatic or humid environments.
Effect: Protects weapons from corrosion or water-related damage.Slightly reduces weapon draw time.
Water Serpent Leather Pauldron
Price: 180 System Coins+ Water Serpent Leather*2
Description: Shoulder armor crafted with reinforced Water Serpent Leather, offering balanced protection and flexibility.
Effect: Reduces damage from overhead or glancing strikes by 8%.Slightly increases agility when equipped.
Water Serpent Leather Belt
Price: 100 System Coins+ Water Serpent Leather*2
Description: A sturdy belt designed to hold various tools and weapons securely, even in waterlogged conditions.
Effect: Adds an extra slot for carrying small consumables or daggers.Increases underwater item retrieval speed by 10%.
There are only five items that he could craft. His eyes landed on the boots. The other items, albeit useful, the boots are most urgent for him. Because in both tutorial quest and the first guardian quest, apart from his body, the boots are the most damaged.
The boots are what he needs right now.
He chose to craft it.
==============================
ITEM DETAILS
==============================
**Name:** Water Serpent Leather Boots
**Grade:** Uncommon
**Type:** Armor (Boots)
**Durability:** 100/100
**Description:**
Crafted from the supple and resilient leather of water serpents, these boots are designed for adventurers who traverse challenging wet and unstable terrains. Lightweight yet durable, they provide unmatched versatility in semi-aquatic environments.
**Effects:**
**Aquatic Mobility:** Allows smooth movement in semi-aquatic environments such as marshes, shallow waters, and muddy terrain. **Stamina Efficiency:** Reduces stamina consumption by 15% when traversing aquatic or marshy environments.
**Level Requirement:** None
==============================
The boots appeared in his hand and the coins disappeared. He only has 40 coins left.
They looked like any other combat boots in terms of shape. But the design… it has the black scaly pattern all over. The insoles seemed to have been made from the underbelly part of the leather. The craftsmanship is the best Ayaan has ever seen.
He wore the boots and felt like they are not even there. They are a perfect fit.
He now thought about what to do with the other items. The system shop or crafting system didn't show any items. There is nothing to buy with forty coins.
He went back to the exchange system and made a decision. First he would keep the water serpent king's leather. Then he sold the remaining seventy normal serpent leathers.
System coins +700. He now has 740 coins in total.
He opened the shop again. This time, there are a lot more items that before. There is a lot more variety as well.
After scrolling through, he found something that could help him out.
==============================
ITEM DETAILS
==============================
**Name:** Black Iron Combat Knife
**Grade:** Uncommon
**Type:** Weapon (Knife)
**Durability:** 100/100
**Price:** 640 System Coins
**Description:**
A finely crafted combat knife forged from black iron. Its sharp edge and balanced weight make it a reliable weapon for close-quarters combat. The black iron composition adds extra durability and a sleek finish.
**Effects:**
**Enhanced Durability:** Retains sharpness longer compared to common-grade weapons. **Minor Armor Penetration:** Deals slightly increased damage to armored enemies.
**Level Requirement:** None
==============================
This is what he needed. But before he made the purchase, he opened the crafting system. There is nothing there. He went back to the shop and bought the Combat knife.
He checked the inventory.
==============================
INVENTORY
==============================
Slots: 3/10
- Standard Mutant Soldier Sword*1
- Water Serpent King leather*1
- Black Iron Combat Knife*1
==============================
He has three items left. The short weapon that he wanted is with him now. At that moment…
"Good Morning, Sir." Raj arrived.
He greeted with a plain face. With the previous day's blunder, he had a hard time smiling. He then passed over a bag to Ayaan.
Ayaan took out a couple of guns and magazines from it.
Even though gun control is strict in Bhavara, a man like Ayaan and his subordinates like Raj, have ways and means to get their guns.
"Yesterday, IGP of the east zone paid a visit." Ayaan said while he checked the guns.
"What?"
"The stunt I pulled at the DSP's office. That made the IGP himself to pay a visit to me."
"But an IGP? Why would he directly involved himself with a DSP's affairs? Their ranks are way too far apart." Raj wondered out loud. Ayaan nodded in agreement.
"That's what's interesting. If even an IGP got involved, then whatever happened, it happened on such a high level. Maybe the inspector that died, didn't even know many details."
"I guess that's true. But since they decisively killed him, despite that… they might be afraid of even a small detail leaking out. The people involved might have that much to loose."
Ayaan opened his phone and forwarded an email to Raj.
"Check that email. Those are the documents sent by the police department. You can find the list of all the people involved. First carefully check their financial activity and see any abnormalities."
"Then? What do you want me to do, sir?"
"I am surprised by the decisive bite they laid on the inspector. Now, I am curious. I want to see how harsh their bite could be.
So, based on the financial activity, find any links to other people around them. Expand the search and link it to everyone that is involved, no matter how high up they are on the ladder.
Then I will tell you what to do."
"Okay sir. Do you need anything else?
"Nothing as of now"
"Okay sir."
"That will be all. I will take my leave. Keep me updated and be careful." Ayaan walked away.
Raj saluted again as Ayaan left.
The motorcycle drove off to the north.
.
.
.
January 4th 9:30 AM
Ayaan arrived at Jalpathar. This one is not a coastal village like Nalvahaan. It is on the bank of a river Vetranis.
The primary revenue source of this village is agriculture and tourism is close second. River cruises, farm staycations, etc are this place's specialties.
Ayaan is greeted by the cool river breeze and the pollution-free air. It is refreshing, particularly compared to a place like Vashora. Ayaan checked into a local inn and immediately went to roam the village.
He only had one day to scout, so he decided to be as thorough as possible. The village is vast, a lot bigger than Nalvahan, but is not as complicated.
Most of the village is full of farms and fields. The is only one densely populated area. So, he didn't have much to scout for. There are no high vantage points or strategic locations that he could take advantage of.
There is not a single structure that could give him a clear view of the whole village. Still, he tried to find every nook and cranny of the village that could give him any possible advantage. After he finished with the recon, he went back to the inn and rested.
He opened his system interface to check things out.
==============================
SYSTEM INTERFACE
==============================
Name: Ayaan Rakshit
Level: 2
Class: None
Title: None
==============================
STATS
==============================
Strength (STR): 24
Agility (AGI): 26
Endurance (END): 26.5
Intelligence (INT): 40
Perception (SEN): 55
Available Stat Points: 0
==============================
HEALTH & MANA
==============================
HP (Health Points): 140/140
MP (Mana Points): 70/100
==============================
EXP PROGRESS
==============================
EXP: 1722.7/ 10000
[■□□□□□□□□□□□] 17.2%
==============================
PHYSICAL STATUS
==============================
Fatigue: 12
==============================
SKILLS
==============================
Active Skills: Enhanced Aqua Respite Lv 1 | Water Bullet Lv 1
Passive Skills: None
==============================
SPIRITS
==============================
Water Serpent King Lv 1
==============================
UPCOMING QUEST
==============================
Quest 2: Raiders of the Marsh (Four hours to go)
==============================
INVENTORY
==============================
Slots: 7/10
- Standard Mutant Soldier Sword*1
- Water Serpent King leather*1
- Black Iron Combat Knife*1
- Hand gun (Loaded)*1
- Hand gun (Loaded)*1
- Magazine *1
- Magazine *1
==============================
Everything is same as before. Only the spirit section has been added.
Ayaan checked everything, took a nap and woke up just ten minutes before the quest time. He walked to the rooftop and waited there. Exactly a minute before midnight, the quest screen appeared.
==============================
QUEST
==============================
Quest Name: **The Raiders of the Marsh**
Objective:
Eliminate the Frogmen threat and prevent the summoning of a terrible monster.
Clear Conditions:
Destroy all five special items required for summoning.Kill at least 5 Frogmen Captains.Defeat the Frogmen General.
Reward:
All Stats +3Passive Skill: Marsh Strider: Increases movement speed by 20% in marshy or swamp-like terrains. Reduces stamina consumption by 15% in such environments.
Penalty for Failure:
- All Stats -50%
- 30% Possibility of summoning a Boss monster early
Additional Condition:
Player can sense the general direction of the special items.
==============================
'A marsh'
Ayaan muttered as he waited for the quest to start.
00: 00: 05
00: 00: 04
00: 00: 03
00: 00: 02
00: 00: 01
00: 00: 00
The familiar grey light enveloped his vision.