I made my way back to the market with a smile on my face.
The guild took the 7 mana from those other monsters, so I think it's fair that I get to keep the big mana from the boss. It ended up being a pretty even split. The Minotaur Horn, on the other hand... I'll just take it as compensation for dealing the final blow to the boss. They didn't even see place it in my item storage, so it's fair ga in my mind.
About 15 minutes later I walked into the square and waved to the old rchant.
"Hey kid! How's it going? What do ya have for today?"
I dumped my mana out onto the silver scale. It read out 3104.53MU.
"I have one more thing for you as well."
I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one was looking and reached into my item storage to pull out the large Minotaur Horn.
*THUDDD*
I set the huge item on the table and looked at the rchant with a satisfied smile on my face.
"What can you give for this? I need to buy a new sword today too, so give your best price."
The rchant raised an eyebrow and his eyes went wide as he examined the horn. I watched him scratch his head and feel every inch of it for a solid 30 seconds straight. He finally looked up.
"This is so rare C Grade material we're working with here. I'm sure people would pay 5 gold.. No, even 10 gold if you found the right buyer for this."
I smirked.
"What is it even used for?"
"Well, if you can find a good blacksmith, horns like these can be turned into incredible blades. I personally have never seen one of this size, you could make an incredible sword out of it."
I grinned while thinking back to my battle with the Minotaur. It shattered 6 axes and my main sword like they were made of glass.
"Where can I find a blacksmith?"
"If you go to the main shopping center, there's a pretty good sword shop on the 8th floor. It's called Apollo's Sword shop I can give you an addre-"
"Oh! I've been there before. They do custom work?"
The rchant nodded.
"That's great. Yeah, bring that horn in. I'm sure they'll have a blacksmith available."
"Thanks! Oh, and for the mana. How about 30 silver?"
The old man nodded once.
"Works for . As always, pleasure doing business."
I shook the rchant's hand and placed the silver coins along with the Minotaur's horn into my item box.
"You too. Thanks again, old man!"
With a wave goodbye, I turned and headed off to the shopping center.
When I arrived I walked into the building to look up and see the sky. This building has so beautiful architecture. The glass walls and open-view ceiling still amaze . I ca here with Rei and Maria not too long ago to buy weapons and test out the sim training rooms.
The sun is starting to set, the orange light is shining through the building's open roof as I started to go upstairs. Monts later, I made it to the 8th floor and walked over to the familiar shop.
A woman wearing a suit greeted with a small bow.
"Welco to Apollo's Sword Shop. Will it just be you today?"
"Yes, just ."
"Are you buying, selling, or crafting? Please show your Hunter's License."
I handed her my ID.
"I-uh I guess I'll be crafting. I'd like to see a blacksmith if that's possible."
She nodded and gave back my ID.
"Alright, follow ."
She motioned for to follow her inside. Once we entered the store she spoke to a man wearing an identical suit to her own.
"I need a blacksmith for a D Class Hunter."
The man nodded and looked in the eyes.
"Please co with , sir."
I followed him to the back of the room and we went through a red curtain on the wall with a sign above it reading "VIP" in black letters and a gold fra.
"Please enter the third room on your left. Your blacksmith is ready for you."
I opened the door after walking down the empty hallway.
A short bald man sat at the end of a long brown table in a well-lit room with black walls.
"Welco, welco! The na's Frederik. What can I do for you today?"
"Nice to et you. I'm Jay. I'd like to have a sword made."
I took the Minotaur horn out of my item box and set it down on the table. The bald man's eyes lit up and he started examining the item.
"This is no ordinary item. You're looking to make yourself a one-of-a-kind C Class weapon today aren't you?"
"Well, yes. I was hoping you could craft sothing worth my while."
He continued examining the item and began writing a few things down on a notepad, then looked up at .
"You know, we may get so C-grade elent stones after this surge is over. It would be a sha to craft such a fine piece of material without bringing out its full potential."
I looked at him in confusion.
"Elent stones? What are those?"
"Sotis rare drops trickle down into the public market from higher-ranking dungeons. The only dungeon I know of that produces elent stones in the Vice region is the C Class Advanced Ogre dungeon. The only other possible place would be the Labyrinth, and no one is crazy enough to go in there these days."
I nodded and let him babble on. This is the type of guy that just loves the sound of his own voice. He's a talker.
"Every once in a while we get a shipnt of elent stones sent in from the Hunters Association on special order. I've seen a few dozen of them co through here in the last couple of years. They are definitely becoming a bit less rare with the recent surges, but still pretty hard to get your hands on."
"Okay.. that's nice, but what are they?"
"They're stones that give off the energy of a certain elent. If you defeat a very strong magic user there's a small chance they'll drop a stone that correlates with the type of magic they possessed. It will give off massive amounts of magic energy and slowly dissipate into the air unless stored correctly or fused with another magic item that can contain it. I've seen a few water, fire, and earth stones in my day. Those are the most common in my personal experience."
I raised an eyebrow, If that's what he's describing... I have an elent stone... A fire stone to be exact.
"Uhh say I brought in an elent stone. Could you fuse it with this horn to make a sword?"
The man shook his head.
"Unfortunately no, I can't. We're only permitted to fuse stones authorized by the Association. Secondly, I'm not high enough level to fuse stones of that magnitude."
I used inspect.
[Lv. 134]
My eyes went dull and I sighed a bit. Of course, they paired with this guy. I'm a D Class solo hunter, they wouldn't expect to co in her with C Class materials.
"Do you think there's any place in town that could fuse an elent stone without an authorization?"
He scratched his head and thought for a mont.
"I can't help you there. I'm sure there's a black market for this kind of thing, but I don't recomnd you get involved in that kind of thing. People go missing all the ti in those parts of the city.
I nodded and placed the Minotaur Horn back into my item box.
"Hey, thanks for the help and the information. I think I'm going to wait a little while before crafting this sword. You're right, an elent stone would be a great addition."
He nodded and smiled, the man didn't seem too disappointed that he'd just lost a custor by running his mouth. This must happen often.
"It's okay. Co back in after the surge finishes up. There's a chance we may have what you're looking for in stock!"
I thanked the man again and walked out the door to make my way down to the ground level.
That wasn't a total waste of ti, I did learn so pretty good info.
"Gurrrgllleeee"
My stomach curled up into a ball and threatened to co up my throat. I haven't eaten all day, I need sothing now!
I walked all the way back toward the food market and found a busy local bar. I sat next to an older-looking man and gave him a head nod as I got the bartender's attention.
"Could I get your special, and whatever beer you have on draft."
"Sure thing, coming right up."
I nodded and sat back with a sigh and looked at the sky.
The old man turned to , I took a good look at him. He wore a very sturdy leather jacket, worn-out jeans, and big black heavy boots. His hands were rough and covered in a substance that looks like it's been caked on for decades. A true working man. I wonder what he does here in the city....
"Hey, what do you do for work old man?"
He chuckled.
"Oh, you don't wanna know kid."
Then gulped down the rest of his beer while motioning for the bartender to get him another glass.
I used inspect out of curiosity.
[Lv. 368]
My eyes went wide.
"Are you a hunter?"
He laughed at again. The bartender ca back with my food and two drinks. One for , and one for the old man. He looked at with his tired eyes and raised his glass. I raised mine as well.
*Clink*
We both took a long swig, then he replied.
"I used to be a hunter. The association banned from dungeons long ago though."
I could tell by the tone of his voice that it'd be better if I don't ask too many more questions about his past. At the sa ti, this encounter couldn't have gone any better. Who better to ask for a black market smith?
"Ahhh enough said."
He nodded. I began to eat my food.
After a few minutes, the old man finished his new drink, and I was nearing the end of my own. He waved the bartender over and asked for another.
I interrupted and threw a silver coin on the counter.
"Drinks on tonight old man."
He grinned.
"Now you're speaking my language."
The bartender brought over a few more rounds and we drank as the sun set. Eventually, the old man spoke up.
"All right kid, I've been around the block a few more tis than days you've been alive. I appreciate the drinks, but what is it? What do ya want?"
I raised an eyebrow and gulped down the last of my drink to calm my nerves.
"I'm new to town. I need an introduction to a good blacksmith. Soone off the books."
He smirked and finished his own drink.
"Ahhh that's it? I thought this was going to be a lot more serious. Kids these days crack up."
He took a pen off the bar's register and scribbled sothing down on a napkin.
"Here. Show up early in the morning and ask for Briana. She can make whatever you need, just be ready to pay the price."
I took the paper with a wide grin across my face.
"Thanks a lot! Maybe I'll see you around, drinks on you next ti?"
He laughed.
"Yeah right, kid!"
With a smile and a wave, I left the bar and started walking towards the Inn.
What a successful day! I can't wait to get this sword crafted tomorrow.
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