[Adventurer's Manual] (River Valley Town Special Edition)
Preface...1-2
Choice and Use of Weapons...3-9
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How to Handle Your Loot...31-38
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9. [About Those Shiny and Beautiful Stones]
Kukunur's Grocery Store at 62 Mist Street offers the fairest prices in River Valley Town. However, it's undeniable that young Kukunur sometimes makes mistakes (a 3 silver coin variance, with a risk of 100 gold coins!).
In contrast, the neighboring "Fairy Wind," though stingy with their offers, has a shop owner, Farrello, who is professionally trained in gemstones and once apprenticed at the most famous pawnshop in Neum, possessing the finest eye for detail in all of River Valley Town (high-quality goods should go to him!).
"Snap."
Three small opaque green stones with faint stripes are neatly arranged on the counter by Xia Nan.
With a hint of expectation in his eyes, he harbors the fantasy of "getting rich overnight," looking at the sternly dressed, gold-rimmed glasses-wearing middle-aged man in front of him.
The man named "Farrello" does not speak carelessly, even though he recognizes the type of gemstones at a glance.
Instead, he picks each one up, turning them over and examining closely for a while, before sitting back behind the counter, uninterested.
"Malachite, ordinary quality, 10 gold each."
...
16. [Where to Toss the Junk Metal?]
First of all, stop your incessant chatter!
You must know that those second-hand goods you've pulled off some unfortunate soul can only be sold at half price, it's common sense!
Of course, magical items are an exception (if you actually have any).
Secondly, if you really want to find a place to unload those heavy burdens you've been carrying, I recommend the "Pecan Furnace" at 25 Mist Street.
The owner there was also an adventurer before, he knows how tough it is to haul this junk back, so he always offers a decent price (provided you don't mind the dozens of his "glorious deeds" he extends while appraising it for you).
Additionally, for purchasing weapons and armor, "Rock Hammer" comes recommended. It's said the owner has a sixty-fourth of dwarf blood in him. Apart from a love for braided beards, he bears no similarity, but his craftsmanship is quite impressive (equipment customization is also available).
"Oh, a moldy small round shield and some blood-stained leather armors, you're lucky it's me. At other shops, they'd probably dislike even a free giveaway, 10 gold."
In front of him, a burly man with a face full of brown stubble said gruffly,
"But I don't really blame you. When I was young, I also used to drag this stuff back, I remember once..."
Xia Nan, remembering the manual's advice, kept his mouth shut and didn't respond, giving no opportunity for the man to continue.
"These arrows are well maintained, but the poison applied has long been out of effect, and you haven't cleaned it? Adding in this Dual Handed Axe... 30 gold."
"Tsk, a Nail Head Hammer? From a Bear Goblin? Those brutes don't maintain their weapons, 6 gold."
"Still, for someone your age, managing to hunt a Bear Goblin is commendable, even I back in the day..."
Twenty minutes later.
Bang.
The door of the "Pecan Furnace" was gently closed.
Breathing in the fresh air outside, Xia Nan rubbed his stiff face and exhaled deeply.
Compared to his appearance just out of the Mist Forest, he now felt much lighter.
In the time of one morning.
Aside from the ring "Dead Line" and two daggers from Elki still strapped to his waist—for emergencies—they were not sold.
All other loot had been dealt with.
Counting the small bag of coins gathered from the goblin nest.
Xia Nan's total assets now reached a "staggering" 131 gold, 5 silver, 9 copper.
Undoubtedly, for the former self of a farmer boy growing up in the fields, this was a fortune he had never seen.
Looking just at the numbers, one might not understand the meaning of this money.
In terms of tangible goods, it equates to an entire warehouse full of flour, over a hundred sheep, or more than ten cows.
In Xia Nan's previous village, this was already more than most villagers' entire family assets.
And this was only the reward from a single quest.
Only now, feeling the weight of over a hundred gold coins in his backpack,
Xia Nan truly understood why, knowing this profession is extremely dangerous, nearly a life-or-death gamble, countless people still recklessly plunge into this mire each year.
Of course, these gold coins might have tremendous purchasing power for ordinary items.
But when it comes to things related to adventurers, it seems to become a different form of currency.
Honestly speaking, excluding the "Dead Line," all his possessions could only purchase two Healing Potions.
Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Xia Nan forcibly suppressed the sense of unreality and disparity welling up inside him.
And reopened the [Adventurer's Manual].
After bustling all morning, perhaps he should find a place to rest and get something to eat.
...
[White Sparrow Tavern]
The low-priced food and drink, along with its convenient location next to the adventurer association, make it the top choice for low-level adventurers in River Valley Town.
Xia Nan had visited once, invited by Magi.
He recalled ordering "grey squirrel meat fried rice" with a glass of water.
At that time though, his mind was not on the food; he merely wolfed it down to fill his stomach.
As a result, current Xia Nan has no clear recollection of the tavern's culinary standards.
"But since it's recommended in the manual, it should be decent."
He mumbled to himself, pushing open the tavern door in front of him.
Squeak——
The strong aroma of alcohol and the noisy atmosphere seemed to envelop Xia Nan as he stepped inside.
Bright streets outside, a warm tavern inside.
Separated by a single door, it was like entering another world.
Young adventurers with flushed faces stood on wooden tables, waving their unsheathed swords, loudly discussing something; while middle-aged men, with disheveled beards and weathered faces, silently drank in the corners.
Colorful tapestries and flags, swirling smoke and brass oil lamps, long wooden tables and rough benches; maps, dice, goblets, leather armor, robes, and fingers plucking strings...
"This feels right."
Finally, Xia Nan felt a sense of reality in this Otherworld.
The tavern's warm, soft light and the aroma of food in the air almost instantly relieved the fatigue that had accumulated in his body over recent days.
Lifting his gaze across the hall, he found the tavern owner and moved towards him.