Chapter 124: The Missing Merchant
Chapter 124: The Missing Merchant
"This is Silent Blade?"
Inside the cottage, Lin Sai sat in the front hall, holding a piece of grayish cloth in his hand.
If it weren't for the sharp arrowhead marking on it, this rag would be mistaken for a worn-out dishcloth no matter where it was thrown.
Yet, this was the reward for the Advance Strike mission.
[Enchanted Cloth: Silent Blade]
[A cloth imbued with enchanting power. Rubbing it on a weapon grants a one-time enchantment effect that lasts for three hours.
Usage Cooldown: Once every 12 hours.
Enchantment Effect: When the player initiates an attack in combat, the sound of the weapon's first strike is silenced.]
"..."
"This would be absurdly useful for assassinations."
Lin Sai quickly thought of scenarios where this item could be put to good use.
For assassinations or sneak attacks, a silent strike would indeed be highly effective.
Even if one took a step back, using Silent Blade's effect while hunting would prevent prey from hearing the sound of arrow shots.
Especially when combined with Lin Sai's Iron Horn Greatbow.
While this bow was incredibly powerful, each shot produced a thunderous twang from the bowstring, serving as a warning to enemies.
If used before every battle, attacks that would normally create a loud noise would instead become silent and stealthy.
"Undoubtedly a fantastic item."
Lin Sai expressed his admiration and put away the enchanted cloth, then turned to examine the other rewards from the mission.
This monster-clearing mission had yielded a substantial amount of materials.
Not only could the Bat Staff be crafted immediately, but the hunting notes for Frozen Wind Finch, Emerald Tail Snow Owl, and Decayed Leaf Rabbit had also reached the first phase of the kill count achievement.
Both the Frozen Wind Finch and Emerald Tail Snow Owl rewards were a pair of earrings.
Wearing them granted a slight increase in agility.
Lin Sai...
To be honest, he didn't feel comfortable wearing earrings, even in this life. Although he had suffered numerous injuries in battles, the thought of piercing his own ears still felt strange.
Holding the two pairs of earrings in his hand, he examined them.
The Emerald Tail Snow Owl's reward was named [Emerald Ear Earrings.
A single white gem was embedded in a pendant made from a vibrant green feather, resembling a new leaf shimmering in the morning light. The intricate details made the feather seem lifelike, as if one could hear it gently swaying in the breeze.
The Frozen Wind Finch's reward was named Frost Wind Earrings.
Eight soft white crystalline feathers were interconnected, resembling the first snow of winter, evoking a sense of tranquility and purity. The earrings themselves were translucent, like moonlight illuminating the earth on a quiet night. They exuded a fresh and unique charm while also giving off a dreamy and mysterious aura.
"..."
"Wearing a floral crown is enough for me; you should keep these for future gifts."
Lin Sai felt embarrassed and reluctantly put the earrings in his bag.
Lastly, the achievement reward for Decayed Leaf Rabbit was simple and practical; it could be worn as a pendant.
[Oddity: Lucky Rabbit Foot]
[Slightly increases the wearer's luck.]
[An achievement item, a moderately valuable accessory that occasionally boosts luck.]
Lin Sai hung the Lucky Rabbit Foot around his neck.
Almost as soon as he finished this action, a voice called out from outside the cottage, summoning him:
"Lin Sai, are you home?"
"..."
"Somjin?"
Linsai instantly recognized the voice of the person outside.
He swiftly wiped his Silent Blade on the Icy Dagger and sheathed his weapon before opening the cabin door.
"It's quite late. What brings you here at this hour?" Linsai asked, his gaze fixed on Somjin with a hint of wariness.
Just as Andre had come to question this merchant, Linsai also harbored suspicions about Somjin.
Linsai was aware that Somjin's merchant skills had reached the fourth stage, granting him combat abilities that could be used in battle.
However, during the recent purge operations against the Beastfolk, Somjin's presence had been notably absent.
Somjin, unbothered by Linsai's suspicion, chuckled and shook his head without even stepping inside. He reached into his bag and took out five plants, placing them before Linsai.
"Weren't you cultivating cold-resistant crops?"
"I know how crucial this matter is to the town, so I've been thinking about it these past few days and managed to retrieve these for you."
Linsai was momentarily speechless.
He had anticipated Somjin's purpose for the visit, but never in his wildest dreams had he imagined this.
He carefully examined the plants, noticing the fresh traces of their recent excavation. Even with his merchant skills in reconnaissance, he found no signs of tampering.
So, while Andre organized the purge against the Beastfolk to establish authority...
This merchant had ventured into the wilderness alone to find these wild crops for Linsai's cultivation?
"I... You..." Linsai struggled to find the right words.
Linsai, like Andre, had assumed the worst, suspecting Somjin of choosing to betray the town.
However, the sight of these wild crops compelled Linsai to dispel his doubts.
After all, finding these plants in the vast forest was no easy task, and no one understood the challenges better than Linsai himself.
Linsai quickly adjusted his mindset, his tone softer than before. Without immediately accepting the plants, he said, "Mr. Somjin, you once told me that when dealing with merchants, it's best to be clear about prices."
Somjin smiled and shook his head. "This is my self-preservation. No matter what the future holds, a stable food supply is always a top priority."
"If you insist on a reward, then do your best to cultivate these new cold-resistant crops as soon as possible."
Only then did Linsai accept the wild plants.
He had expected Somjin to take the opportunity to say more, but the merchant made no extra moves. He simply turned and bid Linsai farewell.
"He just left like that?" Linsai muttered, watching the merchant's departing figure with a furrowed brow.
He couldn't quite grasp Somjin's true intentions.
With the successful purge of the Beastfolk, public opinion in town had completely shifted in favor of Andre.
In this situation, Somjin had brought Linsai the much-needed wild plants but made no effort to persuade or sway him.
"This doesn't make sense!" Linsai thought to himself, carefully recalling every detail of their interaction.
But over the past three years, he had barely interacted with Somjin.
If he were to ask around town now, with Andre's influence, any answers he received might be biased.
Who in town had the experience and neutrality to clarify Linsai's doubts?
"I'll have to pay Grandma a visit again," Linsai muttered to himself.
(End of Chapter)
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