Ch 23: Shopping

Lively stalls from left and right can be seen all over the place. Vigilant to his surrounding, Zane found out that even just walking aimlessly can be dangerous. Twice in a row, pickpockets tried to steal his money. However, unfortunately for them, his perception and agility are much higher than theirs and both attempts were futile.

After that, more than five times he was asked if he was looking for comfort for the price of 1-2 points. Remembering the time when they asked, his hair stood, and an urge to vomit occurred.

Some of the women stink so badly that he couldn't bear the thought of them coming closer further. Some were a bit disfigured and had a few missing teeth.

Thinking about it, 'How are these women even qualified for this?'

Turning to his right, Zane saw a peculiar stall, he saw that the vendor is selling a few interesting beast materials.

'Identify'

Bullfrog Blue Toad's Sac

Alchemy Material: Can be used as a catalyst to increase the duration of potions...

Usage: Once ingested can cause severe hallucination and extreme dizziness.

Two Tail Water Snake's Skins

Alchemy Material: Combined with metals causes the metals to harden much faster.

Usage: One applied to wounds can help alleviate severe burns and help regenerate lost cells.

Stripped War Monkey's tails

Short Wing Blue River Raven's beak

Seeing that Zane was looking intently at the beast materials, the middle-aged vendor couldn't help be excited.

"Hello young man, if you are interested in any of the materials, just let me know. I assure you that they are all quality materials and still fresh. "

"Yes, I am highly interested. I want this..." Zane started pointing to one material after another. The vendor couldn't help but be happy. Although he is not sure why the young man is buying all kinds of materials, little does he care since there are times not knowing is better than knowing.

Suddenly, Zane found an interesting material at the upper right of the stall. It is a big snail that looks like a starfish with a shell.

Star Poison Malformed Grey Snail

Alchemy Material: Used as strong as adhesive

Usage: Has a poison effect that causes extreme abdominal pain when consumed directly. However, can be consumed and increase constitution to .5 to 0.8 if thoroughly cooked with anti-venom and boiling water. Must be dried for 12hours before consumption.

When the vendor saw Zane staring at one material, he explained, "that material is a Star Grey Snail, they are used as adhesive. Oddly, they are very malformed, but I assure you that they still work. We recently found them at the Western Forrest."

"Do you have more of these malformed snails?" Zane asked hiding his joy. Stats boosting materials are the ones that he needs the most.

"Yes, we have three more at the back"

"Great, add those as and pack them together."

The transaction caused Zane about 32 points, leaving the Vendor very happy with the deal and asking him to come back again.

One after another, Zane checked other vendors if they have materials that boost stats, unfortunately, he only found a few but most of them increase the stats from 0.3 to 0.5.

'I got the potion and some materials that can increase my stats, now there are a few things that interest me now. The first is proof of bought weapon that I can bring to the stage, otherwise, I have to scramble again to find weapons on the floor. Even if I find one, they won't let me keep it since it will be the property of the arena.'

'Second is information. How can I get the hell out of this place? As much lively the place is, I am not staying here longer than supposed to. Another is about Awakening. If I have the strength then breaking out of this place will be a breeze.'

'I'll think about the latter after the next arena battle. I might not need the information if I am already dead.'

...

After walking for a while, he found the smithy store. Interestingly enough, there are two high-level guards guarding the place. Entering the place, he saw all kinds of weapons. His first thought is to buy a bow, a sword, and armor.

Zane went directly to the area with all kinds of bows, 'Identify.'

Most of the bows are very average, most items are 'White' items, meaning they are common and there is nothing rare about them. He found the heaviest bow with the grade of 'High'. Zane started to search for a 'Perfect' grade but sadly there is none.

Next to a sword area, there is quite a variety but sadly everything is but average. He bought a one-hand cross sword, the material is light but very durable.

Steel Long Sword

Grade: White (High Grade)

Durability: 15

Damage: +3.5

The sword has the highest durability and damage, with most weapons only adds +1 to 2. Zane can say that this weapon can easily cut a regular person in half.

"You got good eyes young man, they are the best weapons in our shop. I assume your house will be heading for the arena battle in two days for now. It is all over the news." The vendor seems excited when it comes to mentioning the arena.

"Yes, it will be the House of Umbra"

"Greatness to your house! Are you looking for something specific, I assure you that we can provide for your special needs?" with the vendor saying it with his head high.

"Great. Do you have anything not too bulky? Do you have a very strong defensive armor that can be worn inside an armor that can defend against any sword attacks, arrows, and claw attacks?"

"YES! We have was a corslet made of rings of mithril - a rare precious metal sometimes called true silver that was beautiful yet harder than steel. It was created by Dwarves and enchanted by the elves.."

Zane was excited, "What really? Where is it!? I want that!"

The vendor did not answer. Instead, he just looked at him scornfully for a minute, then left.

'Wait a minute...' Then it hit him, he was being ridiculed. This was the slave city.

"Geez, you could have said 'NO'" he hollered.

In the end, Zane did not get any heavy armor thinking it would hinder his agility... and his running skills. He settled for the best mediocre leather armor set instead.

Buying all the items, he was left with more or less than 20 cash. Before coming back, he went to a good restaurant and paid for a good dinner.

...

The next day, the training area was quite busy with everyone quite fired up for tomorrow. Many stayed to condition their body even after hours. Meanwhile, Zane went to his side job. He found the crazy doctor Horus doing his treatment, no, torture to his patients as usual.

When Horus saw Zane, he casually greeted him and praised his work the other day. Then gave him the task of keeping the patients 'alive'. Without further ado, Zane is now more confident and familiar with his work. Most of the patients are wounds, not diseases, so pretty much he just cooked a lot of anti-coagulants, healing potions, and antidotes. He finished most of his work within 1-2 hours.

Going to the medical warehouse.

He started experimenting with his alchemy. He can only combine two plants or materials but still gave him quite a lot of options. He was able to make a very reactive poison that can kill a lion with one dose.

Another thing he found very interesting is the combination of two grass, a Long Leg Spider Flower and Monkey Laughing Grass. Both materials are not that common but not that rare. The result?

Euphoric Powder:

Usage: Reduces pain, lessens inflammation, and helps alleviates basic colds. Adds euphoric sensation for a moment.

Side effect: Long-term usage can cause extreme addiction.

'Amazing! This is basically a Cannabis alternative. Just need to roll it up.'

'System, change the name to Cannabis Powder'

Afterward, Zane produced a few more options. With so many patients lining up as 'test subjects', he was able to see the final results.

After a few hours of dabbling with medical plants. He prepared all the materials he got from the market. He brought out all that can increase his statistics. Some of them he cooked, some he dried, and some odd things following the system.

'Status'

Strength: 5.8 to 8

Agility: 9.7

Perception: 8 to 9.2

Constitution: 4.9 to 9.1

Seeing that most of his stats are up to 9, he was very pleased with his shopping yesterday. The greatest harvest was the constitution doubling it to 9.1, while the rest were also increased by 1 to 2 points.

With all of his harvest today, with full smiles, he went back home and rested not caring for the world.

...