Chapter 20: Quest [2]
The system timer was on the verge of reaching a finish and this increased the heartbeat of Adrian.
So vile, So very first operation? he muttered under his breath. I guess that is why all my blows were fatal in the past life.
He went to his bag pack and without a second thought, he drew out a bottle of plum wine that he had pre-prepared.
The battered elderly man on the corner raised his eyes with a widened expression. Obviously, he had not anticipated that Adrian would accomplish the task so fast.
"You… you actually brought it…" His hands were shaking and he uncorked the bottle. Pop! The smell of fermented fruit was in the air. He lifted the bottle and swallowed the green wine in immense gulps without stopping.
Ding!
Congratulations on passing the redemption of the mission 1 of The Godsmith.
Rewards Experience +10,000, Silver +10, Critical Hit Rate +5 percent, 1 Premium Equipment chest, Goldsmiths Trust +2. Current Trust: 2.]
Adrian's lips curled upward.
"This reward… it's insane."
The murder of a golden boss had only earned him twenty thousand experience points. But such a fetch quest had earned half that, and silver, and crit rate, and trust.
His experience bar surged to 50%. Another assignment and I will reach level 11.
However, what impressed him most was the new Trust stat.
Adrian had a decade of gaming experience, and nothing was as he knew it: when the favorability or trust was present in the undercover missions, the reward after it was invariably something extraordinary.
"This is going to snowball."
He opened the treasure chest, which he had just acquired, at once.
Premium Equipment Chest [Premium Equipment Chest (Unidentified)].
[Quality: Fine]
[Item Analysis: It is quite possible to receive good equipment of the desired quality.
[Wouldst thou have appraised and opened the treasure chest?
"Yes."
You lack the Appraisal skill, and thus, the probability of success is 50.
[Appraising…]
[Appraisal successful]
Ding!
You have won: Armor-Piercing Gun (Exquisite).
[Required Level: 10]
[Damage: +200]
[Strength: +10]
[Special Effect Armor penetration +5%].
"Not bad at all." Adrian was spinning the arms in his hands with contentment.
He laid aside the spear he had been carrying, and fitted the new gun by his side, and then turned round to the old man.
Old man, what do I know yet can I help you?
The foggy eyes of the old man were kindened. "You're a good person. Forgive me, please, sir, recover to me the 2,000 copper coins that the owner of the trading house robbed me of.
Ding!
[Mission 2: Within one hour, steal 2,000 copper coins belonging to the proprietress of the trading house using illegal methods and take them to Master Craftsman Vanric Louis Von.
[Rewards: Experience +20,000, Silver +20, Critical hits rate +5, 2 Premium equipment boxes.
Adrian's grin widened. "Recover 2,000 coins, huh? Sounds fun."
He swiveled round and walked into the trading floor.
All the commerce in Novice Town was centred in the Trading House. The loot was sold to the NPC owner at this location, who further sold it to other players at a high price.
Adrian chuckled. This is because The game is only a little released, therefore the initial batch of white gear will be of good price. I question what the value of the blueprint is... And I shall require a big backpack as well.
At the Trading House
The edifice was full of light. Before the broad doors was a plump woman, dressed in old fashioned attire, and her robe was tightened over her hips to emphasize her figure. She caught sight of Adrian and her eyes glazed.
Hello, young man, here I am, coosie, coosie, coosie, wagg. Need to purchase some equipment? Or maybe sell? It is a special discount on the first customers to-day only.
Adrian smiled his most innocent smiles. "Actually, I'd like to sell. What's today's discount?"
"Oh?" The mistress bowed her head in an attitude of amazement. Items level 8 or above are only accepted. You surely do not have anything like that?
There is nothing to worry about, said Adrian. I have more than what is above level 8.
The woman's smile widened. So you are quite lucky, little brother. To-day every piece of equipment that is valued above 5,000 copper coins will get you a special red envelope of another 5,000 copper coins.
Her voice was honey dripping.
Adrian opened his eyes in artificial pleasure. "Really? That's incredible!"
The mistress was smiling to herself. She had witnessed a thousand times that expression. Hook, line, and sinker.
"Come, show me what you've got."
Adrian had placed nine whites on the counter.
"All levels 8–10. What do you think?"
The woman gave an exaggerated gasp. "Nine? Did you burglarize a boss, little brother?
Like that, I would say, Adrian responded with a smile. "So, how much?"
The woman who owned swore at her chin.
"An item of level 8 is usually worth 500 copper and an item of level 10 is worth 800 copper. Four level 8s and five level 10s, that's fine, but as you are my first big seller I will pay you 1,000 each. Total: 9,000. Add your red envelope of bonus, 14,000. Not bad, eh?"
She leaned nearer as she said it, and pressed her chest against him, making it a point to touch him.
Adrian didn't flinch.
He knew the truth. The so-called "bonus" was a scam. NPCs levied exorbitant transaction fees, which are usually 60 percent or higher and redirected most of them to their pockets.
During his former existence, complaints had been heard in forums regarding the state of the Novice Town economy being dark. But this time…
Adrian was tax-free.
He smiled coolly. "How about 10,000 for all nine. And should I have better stuff later, I would bring it unto thee first."
The mistress snorted, with her hands on her hips. "You rascal… fine! And you can pay the transaction tax yourself.
She swabbed the equipment over to her catalogue, and gleamed as she was greedy. She had already raised the rate of tax to 60%. After this deduction there would only remain with Adrian 6,000 copperins.
but when the buying and selling was accomplished--
Ding!
[Transaction complete. Target is not a player. No income tax required.]
"What?!" The eyes of the proprietress were opened.
Adrian's brows rose. A new system prompt appeared.
[Congratulations upon having taken advantage of the trading house owner. Passive talent fired: +10 Silver Coins.]
(1 Gold = 1,000 Silver. 1 Silver = 1,000 Copper.)
Adrian froze. then a smile gradually crept upon his face.
"…Wait. Is it possible to make NPCs profitable? Can I… pluck wool endlessly?"
The mistress gazed at him like he was an animal. This, this can be nothing but a system glitch!
The eyes of Adrian smiled mischievously. He moved aside, to a piece of weeds by the road.
He squatted and gave a blade of grass a slap. Snap!
Ding!
[Congratulations! you are a conquest over Weeds. Passive talent awakened: +1 Stamina.]
"…"
His grin widened. He smacked another.
Ding!
[Good news of your overcoming of Weeds. ][Passive talent awakened: +1 Stamina.]
Adrian burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Who needs leveling? I will be unvanquished simply tearing rags of weeds!
The proprietress gawked. "He's insane…"
Adrian dragged along a bunch of grass.
Ding!
[Congratulations upon your defeat of Weeds.][Passive talent awakened: +1 Stamina.]
However, this time there was only one notification.
Adrian blinked. "Huh?"
Another system tip followed:
[Note]: When stealing talents of non-player, non-monster targets, only three times can the same kind of passive talent be initiated.
"Ah… so three times per type, huh? That's fine."
He wheeled around, where he could see a small flower growing. His eyes lit up.
"Little Flower over there… Come and play with your elder brother.
(To be Continue)