"So, what you're saying is that… you know the cure for the disease that my sister has?"
"I think so. It's just a theory but I've heard rumors about it."
Just believe it, goddammit.
"I-I see… You want to help us?"
"I believe that's what I said." Cliff straightforwardly answered.
"I don't even know what to give you, why are you helping us? Are you…"
Stop asking so many questions, It'd be better if they'd just agree. Tsk.
"It'll also benefit me. Sounds logical, yes? I don't want to lie to you and say that I'm doing it for the good of my heart. I have intentions, just not bad ones. I believe that helping you would be beneficial to me, that's all." Cliff logically explains, not showing any kind of hostility or a change of behavior. Just plain nonchalant energy.
"That's it?"
"Do you want to make me say it twice? I'm not a broken clock, y'know?"
"A clock…?"
"Nothing! Just let me help you, and you'll sell me what I want to buy. That's all, isn't that a great proposal? You have more to gain and nothing to lose, isn't that ideal?"
Kein puts his fingers on the temple of his head, clearly thinking about the proposal. Cliff silently gulps, patiently waiting for his decision.
No one would decline that kind of deal, right?
"I-I've decided. I'll take you up on your proposal."
Suddenly, a holographic interface popped up in front of his face. At this point, he didn't flinch because of how used to it he is now.
[ "Negotiator" skill has leveled up. Lvl.1 > Lvl.2 ]
'Close.' He thought to himself and the message disappeared. Cliff sighed as he felt relief that he accepted the deal.
"Give me two days, I'll bring you the cure."
I cannot go late on the entrance exam for Aria Academy. I must finish this quickly within two days, otherwise, I'll fail Cliff's goal to learn at Aria Academy.
"I shall take my leave for now. I'll buy the ingredients I need once I bring home the cure. Would that be alright?"
"Y-yes. Just… be careful."
You didn't have to tell me that, I will anyway.
Cliff simply nodded before turning around and walking towards the exit.
"Mister!"
He looked behind, wondering what Kein called him for.
"My name is Kein! What's yours?"
"...Cliff."
"I'll remember your name!"
That sounded like a threat for some reason. Despite his warm smile, the way he said that made him think that he'd remember his name so that he could hunt him down if he failed to deliver his proposal.
"I won't be going anywhere, don't worry. I'll be holding my part of the proposal, so you better damn well do yours!" Cliff giggles.
Cliff leaves the Alchemy Shop and returns to the Inn.
"Yo! Not gonna leave yet?" The Inn Receptionist asked.
"I have work to do tomorrow, I'll be staying for two more days. I'll be in your care~"
Cliff places two gold coins on the counter. Overpaid for his stay, but it's a tip. Making good connections and bonding with important figures in the city is his main goal for now. That way, when he returns to the city in the future, he'll be treated nicely by the residents and shop owners of the city of Eight.
......….
One day later…
Tomorrow has arrived.
After resting, Cliff immediately went to the smithery after eating his breakfast.
"Lad, you're pretty early!" The woman stated while wrapping something in the background.
"Is it not done yet?" Cliff asked, pondering if they'd need more time to complete his gear. If so, he'll have to adjust the schedule. Which he doesn't want to do.
"Nah~ Just a few more seconds. Dad is just adding a few finishing touches~ The hide and claw you gave us was pleasant to work on! Except for the smell, we had to purify it using holy water… ugh." Her whole body shakes, just the fact of remembering that smell made her almost barf.
"Y-yeah…"
Cliff silently agrees by nodding. That Rodent King was tough to kill, the
[ Adrenaline Rush ] skill came through but relying on that skill is too risky, especially for an archer class character.
Which is why I'm going to put my points into my status now. I've confirmed that I can put my points without using my hands or vocally saying it.
'Character Interface, do not include the backstory. Too long.'
←—-------------------------->
[ Character Profile ]
Name: Cliff Carmesi
Level 17
Age: 16 years old
[ Personal Skills ]
[ Intermediate Archery Lvl.4 ],
[ Athleticism ], [ Negotiator ],
[ Adrenaline-Rush Lvl.1 ],
[ Craftsman Lvl.1 ], [ Hunting Lvl.2 ],
[ Intermediate Cooking ], [ Trap-Maker Lvl.1 ], [ Club Mastery Lvl.1 ].
[ Overall Status ]
STR: 15 (E5)
CON: 15 (E5)
AGI: 20 (40) (C0)
INT: 18 (-9) (F9)
WIS: 25 (D5)
CHA: 15 (E5)
LUCK: 28 (D9)
[ Remaining status points: 21 ]
Curse:
Curse of Mana Depletion [ Mana Deficiency ]
←—-------------------------->
'That curse is a problem. It limits my magical capabilities despite having lots of points on it. The Carmesi Family is a mage family, so it makes sense why I have such a high INT status. The only problem is the curse. I'll worry about that later.'
Cliff deeply sighed as he started walking around the smithery, looking at a few weapons and armor made by the people working there. In actuality, he wasn't looking at them at all. He just did that so he wouldn't look weird by just staring into a random space, that's embarrassing as hell.
'Put 5 points each on STR, CON, and WIS.'
[ STR, CON, and WIS upgraded! ]
With 20 on my STR, I'll be able to handle most small weapons such as a dagger, shortswords, shields, etc. It also opens up the subclass skills for [ Hunter ] for the main [ Ranger ] class. Being able to use other weapons with a bow-type weapon.
That may be useful but upgrading my class now would be too risky, especially when it demotes you back to level 1. Sticking to the [ Archer ] class doesn't demote you back to level 1, it keeps all the experience and personal skills you gathered permanently. Fortunately, the current class he has on right now allows weapons other than the bow AS LONG as it is a small melee weapon.
"Yo, Laddie! Here's your gear!" The female returned, carrying his gear covered by cloth.
"That was quick, good work." Cliff smiles softly as he pushes the [ Character Interface ] aside to look at the female worker without the distraction.
"And…" She mimics a drum roll sound effect and also drums with both of her index fingers before removing the cloth from the gear he requested.
"Here ya go! I named your armor 'Rodentia', due to it coming from a rodent, I think it was a suitable name! Right? Pretty cool, huh?"
Was that her attempt at joking? Or is she serious?
"H-huh. Yeah! I think so. Maybe." Cliff gave her an indefinite answer, he just made his reply sound positive so that it wouldn't discourage the woman.
However, the armor does indeed look cool and proper. In Infinite Dungeon, there are armors for each class. For archers and rogues, their armor mustn't specifically hinder their agility while also protecting their vital spots on the body. Leather armor and Chainmail a good examples for archers, lightweight armor that doesn't restrict big movements. Sometimes, it is also good for concealment if the armor has some type of camouflage coloring.
This armor is made out of hide, it has both leather and fur on it, which warms the wearer. Making it perfect for low-temperature exploration, like a dungeon.
"Well, don't keep staring at it! Wear it!" The women grew impatient and annoyed, Cliff nervously chuckled as he went to a fitting room and wore the armor. After he had worn it, he went back and showed the woman how it looked when worn.
"It's comfortable. Doesn't restrict my movements either." Cliff judges as he spins his arm to test its versatility and to see if there are any constrictions around his body. Surprisingly, none. The fact that it comes with a full set is amazing. However, he'll still wear the [ Goblin's Footwear ].
"Though, how'd you know that I'm an archer?" He asks because right now, he is wearing an archery glove that came with the Rodentia Armor Set.
"Your hands, mister! I can see how much your arrows cut the side of your knuckle." She replied while cleaning multiple tiny knives and a dagger before putting them down on the counter table with care.
I see. I even did my best to dress today and I'm still see-through.
"Do all of you have good eyesight or something?"
"What'd you say? I didn't hear it–"
"Nevermind. Are those knives for me?" Cliff places his palm on his face, stressed.
"Well, Since you were an archer… My father thought he'd create two daggers for you, but I told him you look weak so he only made one and the rest of the materials were used for…"
"For-?"
"Throwing knives."
"..."
"..."
The entire shop became silent. This man, who looks like royalty, has been insulted by a girl who runs the blacksmith shop with her father. No filter at all, straight up called him weak. They could get beheaded for this, the Wiki says. However, Cliff didn't mind. Or, Nash didn't.
"That's fine. As long as the throwing knives can handle being thrown multiple times without showing signs of breaking." The lad grabs the knives and dagger before suddenly, two interfaces show up right in front of his face which makes him back up.
'Goddamn, why is it so bright?'
It wasn't just a normal one, but a yellow one. In Infinite Dungeon, Whenever you get items, there are grades to it. For Blue, it is a common-grade item. For Green, it's an uncommon-grade item… For Yellow? It's a rare-grade item.
←—-------------------------->
[ Rodentia Armor Set ]
(Rare)
Details: An armor made out of the Rodent King which has been slain by a hunter. Due to being purified, its effects have been increased. It allows the wearer to not get pierced by piercing attacks from monsters easily, it also provides comfort to the wearer if things ever get cold. The armor also cushions blunt attacks, making it have less damage.
[ Piercing attacks from monsters will deal 50% less damage with this armor worn. ]
[ Blunt Attacks from monsters will deal 35% less damage with this armor worn ]
[ Increased resistance over cold weather, high chance of not getting inflicted with Hypothermia. ]
←—-------------------------->
[ Verminous Dagger Set ]
Details: A set of throwing knives and a single dagger that came from the claw of a Rodent King. It is sharp enough to pierce through wood and low-level metals, and durable enough to withstand being crushed by a slab of rock. Once it pierces an enemy, it gives them a dangerous side-effect that makes enemies rabid and uncontrollable.
[ Minor Madness: A side-effect that lasts for a minute. It makes monsters (except inorganic monsters) become rabid, taking away their logic and intelligence. ]
[ Madness: A side-effect that lasts for 2 minutes. It makes monsters experience madness until they die from it if the monsters are made out of flesh and not inorganic materials. ]
←—-------------------------->
"I take it back. You and your father have done very well!" His eyes shine like diamonds. His smile brightens the entire atmosphere as if his happiness is contagious.
"Awe.. We're just blacksmiths, nothing much." She rubs her nose out of embarrassment, clearly being humble.
"Here's five gold for the excellent service." Cliff places 5 gold coins on the table counter, making it a full payment and an extra tip for their outstanding service. With this, he is now able to set out to do the thing he is supposed to be doing. He exits the shop, with the dagger set strapped on his waist, he is now ready.
"Put 4 points on LUCK and the remaining 2 points on INT."
[ Overall Status ]
STR: 20 (D0)
CON: 20 (D0)
AGI: 20 (40) (C0)
INT: 20 (-10) (E0)
WIS: 30 (D10)
CHA: 15 (E5)
LUCK: 32 (D12)
"Let's get that flower! Woo!"
Hyped and Motivated. That's what good gear gives to a gamer, joy and excitement.