As the young mistress of the Su She Guild, Su Mo sat at a table slightly apart.
No one dared approach her.
But when Xu Ran rose and headed in her direction, his movement did not go unnoticed.
Whispers immediately spread.
— Hey, look, bro… Where does this kid think he's going? Looking for trouble?
— Tsk. Another rookie who doesn't know the rule: don't bother the big fish for no reason.
— I'd like to know what gives him so much confidence.
When he reached close enough to Su Mo, Xu Ran spoke in a falsely flattering voice:
— Excuse me, miss. Are you the owner of the Scarlet Thorn?
He didn't have time to say more.
The two guards accompanying Su Mo immediately stepped in.
— Stop right there, kid. What do you want? Why disturb the peace of our young mistress? one of them demanded.
— Leave while you still can, added the other.
Xu Ran did not flinch. He kept his smile and calmly replied:
— Come on, big brothers, don't be so harsh. I approached because I genuinely believe my services could be useful to your young mistress.
— You?! A level 5 thinking you could be useful to mademoiselle?!
In this world, a hunter could see the level of anyone below them, as well as those up to twenty levels higher—unless the target deliberately concealed their level with special equipment.
— Kid, I'll give you one last chance. Leave. Now.
Xu Ran's patience was tested, but seeing that Su Mo remained silent, he decided to take a calculated risk… to provoke a reaction.
— No, big brothers. I'm an enchanter, and I can help your young mistress fully wield her weapon.
He paused, then added with a teasing smile:
— Calm down. Let her at least hear me out and make her own decision. Don't pretend she's too timid to choose for herself.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
The guard produced a dagger in his hand.
Every hunter had a personal storage space, allowing them to store and summon equipment and loot at will.
— You… you've got a sharp tongue. Let me fix that.
As the guard advanced, Xu Ran remained perfectly calm.
The onlookers held their breath, expecting a bloody scene.
But suddenly—
— Wait. Let him come.
Su Mo's voice broke the tension.
— Very well, miss, replied the guard, stepping aside.
Xu Ran sat across from her.
— It's an honor to meet you in person, mademoiselle. I've heard you possess exceptional talent… and now that I see you, I can only agree. I admire your courage and your noble heart. You are a model I take inspiration from—
— That's enough, cut Su Mo.
— Stop flattering me with words you don't mean. Get straight to the point.
Xu Ran smiled inwardly.
A very sharp intuition and sound judgment.
Indeed… she was right. How could I have time to admire a wealthy heiress while struggling to survive in this dangerous world?
— You say you're an enchanter… and that you can help me wield my weapon properly?
— Exactly. The Scarlet Thorn has remarkable qualities for its rank. If it were a different type of weapon, say a saber, it would be fine. But for a fine blade, its weight is too great for the combat style, especially for beginners.
He continued calmly:
— A high-level hunter could use it, but its durability would be insufficient against the monsters they face.
— Where are you going with this?
— I have an enchantment that can remove the weight from your weapon, allowing you to wield it effectively.
— Oh? And how much for your services?
— Hoho, nothing much. Just 25,000 yuans, for you, lovely miss, he said, winking, trying to charm her.
— Your services are expensive. I could find another enchanter for less. And it's only a level 5 weapon.
Xu Ran shook his head slightly.
— You're right. But I'm different.
— I don't just reduce the weight.
— I make it almost vanish.
— And I can bind the enchantment to you alone. Imagine the advantage that gives you.
Su Mo's eyes brightened with a hint of interest.
To make the weight disappear…
And bind the enchantment to a single person?
This was no ordinary enchantment…
What an intriguing skill…
She produced the Scarlet Thorn.
— But miss… a guard began.
A simple gesture from her hand stopped him.
Xu Ran took the weapon.
It was truly magnificent…
Very well. Let's not waste time.
Featherweight.
Beneficiary: Su Mo.
[Ding. Scarlet Thorn enchanted with "Featherweight".
Beneficiary: Su Mo.]
Xu Ran — [Lvl. 5] | Health: 100% | Energy: 80%
He handed the weapon back.
— There. Done. Test it.
— Already? That's fast.
As she grasped it, Su Mo immediately felt the difference.
The weapon was almost… weightless.
She swung it a few times, then handed it to a guard.
He immediately reacted:
— I can still feel its weight.
Su Mo placed the bills on the table.
— Good work. I assume you prefer cash?
— Yes. Of course.
Better than banking. If possible, it's best not to leave too much information with the black market.
She stood and handed Xu Ran a card.
— Here is my guild card.
As he took it, she whispered:
— I hope this helps you return alive.
She walked away.
Xu Ran gave a slight smile.
What an interesting… and intelligent young mistress.
They say she has a talent for recruiting. Seems true.
Well… I owe her one now.
Outside, in the car—
— Miss, why did you trust him so easily? Knowing the black market, it could be dangerous to hand your weapon to a stranger for enchantment. And you even gave him your card in front of everyone.
— Oh? You worry too much, she replied calmly. He gave me a good impression…
She paused briefly.
— And also…
— And also?
— Nothing. Drive.
I have the feeling we will meet again very soon… and he will be crucial, she thought.
Su Mo — Talent: Soul Premonition
Can judge a person by the impression they give and determine if they will be beneficial in the near future.
The employee returned with the hammer.
— Dear client, your order is ready.
He placed the Degraded Great Hammer prominently.
— Your move, dear client.
As expected in the black market… it seemed leaving here would not be simple.
Xu Ran paid the 25,000 yuans he had just received and advanced under the hungry gazes watching him.
System, you also have a storage space?
[Yes. The host can store objects belonging to them in the system space, as long as the distance between host and object does not exceed 5 meters.]
Perfect… now, time to discourage any challengers.
The moment he touched the hammer—
[Ding. Degraded Great Hammer enchanted with "Featherweight".
Beneficiary: Xu Ran.]
The enchantment applied instantly.
Xu Ran — [Lvl. 5] | Health: 100% | Energy: 70%
He lifted the hammer with one hand.
Then he began to manipulate it.
The hammer traced rapid circles, brushing his shoulder, sliding under his armpit, passing behind his back before coming down to slash the air in front of him. He handled it like a Nunchaku.
Then he balanced it on a fingertip and spun it like a top.
To him, it was as if he were playing with a feather.
But to the spectators, seeing a one-ton hammer spin with such speed was an unmatched display of raw strength.
Then, finally—
BOOM.
He slammed the hammer into the ground and stood upright, posture steady, aura overwhelming.
— Perfect. This weapon will suffice for my little disciple's training.
No one dared breathe.
Coming to the market wasn't difficult. The challenge was leaving alive, without ambush.
Seeing Xu Ran's level, everyone expected an attempt to steal the weapon—or worse. Yet, no one dared act.
It was obvious: a level 5 capable of wielding a one-ton hammer like it was nothing? Impossible. Even a level 25, able to lift two tons, couldn't balance one ton on a fingertip. This demonstrated an exceptional level, and none could explain how he did it.
Moreover, he had a private conversation with the young mistress of the Su She Guild, who had given him her card. Even at level 5, he already appeared as a prodigy in Su Mo's eyes.
In conclusion: the risks were far too great to attempt anything against him. And no one would dare provoke the Su She Guild—for a mere hammer.
To further enhance the mystery surrounding him, Xu Ran did not store his weapon immediately. He left it on the ground, took a few steps, and then stored it via the system space.
Normally, storing an object required physical contact, as if placing it into a container. He only snapped his fingers, and the hammer vanished.
Thus, Xu Ran discouraged anyone from attempting an ambush.
And now, he could head home and prepare for tomorrow's exam.
End of Chapter 4