Chapter 366: Interesting News from the Trade Market
Three days have passed since the Arena Battle, three calm and leisurely days. After that, the final list of Adventurers participating in the operation has been released, but there are still a lot of trivial matters. This operation seems to be very popular; there are actually over 400 Adventurer Teams on the list, totaling over 3000 Adventurers, including Mercenaries.
Each Dark Wanderer is accompanied by 7 Elite Level Blood Flesh Beasts. Based on the Strength of Kurast's Adventurers, a regular Adventurer Team composed of Class Changers should have no problem dealing with one Elite Level Blood Flesh Beast. According to my calculations, five Adventurer Teams are enough to handle seven Elite Blood Flesh Beasts—don't ask me why, based on elementary school math, it's not seven Adventure Teams needed to handle seven Elite Level Blood Flesh Beasts. Have you ever played a strategy game?
Therefore, to be on the safe side, each action squad is composed of five Class Squads and two Mercenary Squads. Reaching this conclusion wasn't difficult; the challenge lies in how to distribute them. The Strength of each Class Squad is not the same; there are Elite Teams, regular Teams, and weak Teams. The same goes for Mercenary Squads. So, how to allocate and combine these Teams is definitely not an easy task. Thorn and the others have been busy with this these past few days. Fortunately, according to the Scout's Report, the Dark Wanderers are not in a hurry to act; they are still waiting for other Dark Wanderers to gather the Little People. It seems they plan to use their full force to swallow the Elf Race in one go, so we still have enough time to deploy.
"Whew—"
On the Street, having just escaped from Thorn's clutches, I awkwardly let out a big breath. All those various complicated matters are truly not meant for people to handle. Now I finally understand that during the Monster Attack on the Rogue Encampment, the most difficult part wasn't for us Adventurers, but for Akara and the others who were Responsible for organizing the operation. I sincerely admire the Ability of these old folks. At least if it were me, let alone organizing tens of thousands of people, I probably couldn't even handle a few dozen.
Nowadays, I'm also a celebrity in Kurast. There's hardly an Adventurer who doesn't recognize me. For example, if I were to walk down a Street in the Adventurer Area, it would take 3 minutes. During that time, I would nod and greet people an average of 100 times. So, here's an elementary school math problem: If I were to wander around in there for 5 hours, how many times would I need to nod and greet people?
You can probably understand why I don't dare to wander around the Adventurer Area, right? I originally planned to go to that Tavern to ask Di Ka for advice on Combat Skills, but because of this, I had to temporarily put it on hold. I'll go back after the Adventurers' enthusiasm cools down. Speaking of which, that Little Fox hasn't bothered me these past few days either. How strange. Could it be that she has finally turned over a new leaf?
Of course, what I didn't know was that Lucia was currently busy with the problem of her Team's composition. Not just her, but almost all the Squad Captains of the Adventurer Teams were constantly busy, unlike a certain lazy bug who is so Leisurely and carefree, eating his fill with no worries for his family.
Now. I am wandering around the Trade District in the West District of Kurast. The purpose of coming here is, firstly, the probability of Adventurers appearing here is relatively low, and secondly, to just wander around, buy some Fruit that the Little Mermaid likes to eat, and also pick up some strange Ingredients for the Three-No Princess to research, such as the King Kong Meat, Superman Meat, Godzilla Meat, White Demon Meat... mentioned earlier.
As for the last reason, it's a bit less pure: to see if I might be lucky enough to encounter some Elf Race members, preferably female Elf Race members, shopping here. I heard Phoenix say the Chance isn't small, but unfortunately, most of them are male. What a pity. It's truly a great pity.
Just as I was lost in thought. Suddenly, with a "bang," my Body bumped into something soft and warm. With my current Strength, as long as the other party isn't a Barbarian or a Building or something, it's absolutely impossible for me to be the one who falls down.
So, the other party flew out.
"Oh, sorry, you're not hurt, are you?"
I looked at the victim who had fallen to the ground, covered in a black Cloak and dressed in a Mysterious Appearance, and asked with an apologetic expression. Judging by the current situation, it was probably that the other party was standing in front of a stall buying something and was then knocked down by me while I was distracted.
"You..."
From the Brain covered by the black Cloak came a crisp, sweet voice filled with exasperation. Huh? So it was a girl. That really is a sin.
"Are you okay? How about I help you up?"
Thinking this, I extended a hand to the other party. Actually, it's not entirely my fault, because most people, seeing my Adventurer Appearance, will actively avoid me. This has led to a peculiar bad habit common to almost all Adventurers—liking to walk straight through.
"Who wants you, this hateful person... to help!!"
With a "slap," the hand I extended was fiercely struck. As a result, my hand didn't move at all, but the other party covered her little hand and cried out in Pain.
Eh, wasn't the lesson just now enough? For someone like you who doesn't even have a Mercenary Strength Level, it's best not to lay hands on an Adventurer. That will only hurt your own hands and feet in vain.
I withdrew my hand indifferently. The Black Robe girl also stood up angrily, shooting an unfriendly Gaze from the indistinct face shrouded in black.
"Tell me, what exactly are your intentions?"
Shaking her reddened little hand, the Black Robe girl puffed out her Chest with Arrogance, pointed a finger, and asked me. Her voice was cold, carrying a hint of naive innocence from someone unaware of the world.
Ha, intentions? Can such a small Matter escalate to Politics?
Given my Status as a Class Changer, being able to apologize and calmly chat with this Mysterious Black Robe girl, who is infinitely close to Commoner Strength, is already quite rare. But I don't put on airs like an Expert. Since she wants to pursue this, let her pursue it to her heart's content. Anyway, I'm quite bored right now.
Just as I was thinking about how to deal with this very silly and naive Black Robe girl, a Voice came from beside us, cold and carrying an unquestionable Command Tone.
"Tima, the other party has already apologized. Stop messing around."
Hmm, that sentence was much more pleasant to hear. I looked over towards the Black Robe girl named Tima and saw a Black Robe woman dressed similarly to her, slightly older. Noticing my Gaze, she elegantly nodded slightly towards me, seemingly not wanting to attract Attention. Ignoring Tima's Wronged Gaze, she quickly pulled her away.
What two strange women. Watching their retreating Figures, I shook my Head in confusion. The older girl was one thing; she seemed to possess Tier 3 Class Changer Strength. Her Adventurer Black Robe, unique to Adventurers, didn't seem out of place. But the younger one, who didn't even have Mercenary Strength, was dressed like that, which was a bit Mysterious.
After only a few steps, my Body suddenly froze. The Figures of those two Black Robe girls flashed through my Brain again. Observing with an Adventurer's sharp Gaze, their Heads seemed slightly protruding on both sides.
Could it be...
The next moment. I sharply turned my Head back, only to find that they had already disappeared into the crowded Street.
What a Tragedy. There were once two real female Elf Race members right in front of me, and I didn't cherish them properly. Only when I lost them did I feel immense regret. There is no greater Pain in the human world than this. If heaven could give me another Chance, I would say eight words to those two girls: "Can I touch your ears?". If I had to add a supplementary explanation to this sentence. I hope it would be, touch both at once.
Never mind. Anyway, after the operation begins, I'll soon get to see the real Elf Race. It doesn't make much difference now. Looking at the bustling Street, I scratched the Back of my Head in Helplessness and continued to focus my Attention on the various stalls.
"Selling White Demon Meat. Comes with a free Rare Magic Staff..."
"One of the Three Great Delicacies, Sty Meat, Sty Meat! Limited stock arrived, buy quickly! Comes with a free special Mysterious Card from our shop..."
It seems the promotional Methods in the Diablo World are not to be underestimated either. But then again, am I complaining in the wrong place?
After walking around. I was already holding a Magic Staff and a so-called Mysterious Card in my hand. Upon inspection, the Magic Staff was made of rough Wood. As for the Mysterious Card, calling it a card was less accurate than calling it a Wooden Sign. Turning it over to the front, it had the four large characters "You are a good person" engraved on it...
What the hell!!
Unconsciously, I had wandered near the Dock of the Harbor. From afar, I heard the Sailors' enthusiastic shouts. I suddenly remembered Captain Meshif. At that time, his Ship was heavily damaged, and his Sailors were severely depleted, so he needed about a month to rest and reorganize on the island. Calculating now, he should be arriving at Kurast soon, or perhaps has even already Departed again.
Thinking of this, I slowly shuffled towards the Dock. Before long, I arrived at the edge of the Dock. In the wide River, hundreds of Merchant Ships of various sizes were densely moored. It seems sea transport is indeed very profitable, which is why so many people take such risks.
Stopping a few Sailors to ask for directions, I finally spotted Meshif's Figure. He had a white Headscarf wrapped around his Head, a thick black Beard, and a gray vest over a tight, open-chested white cloth shirt, outlining his dark, sturdy Body weathered by wind and rain. A Scimitar was slung at his waist. He looked more like a Pirate captain than a Captain, but anyone who had interacted with him knew that Meshif was actually a very amiable big man.
Seeing that it was me looking for him, Meshif showed a somewhat flattered expression. Over the past few decades, he had transported over a thousand Adventurers, but none had ever been willing to come back and visit him. Some with bad tempers were even too lazy to exchange a single word with him. Although he was a Captain, he was still just a Merchant Commoner after all. An Adventurer like me, specifically coming to visit, was the first.
His complexion looked very good; he seemed to have completely moved on from the Sorrow of that Shipwreck. Only when talking about his deceased Brothers would a look of Sorrow flash across his Eyes. He self-deprecatingly remarked that for someone like him, who hovered on the Edge of Death, being able to survive for decades was already a great blessing, so even if he were to truly perish one day, it would be enough to feel comforted.
We stood and chatted like this for an afternoon. Before I left, Meshif suddenly stopped me and had a Sailor bring out a Cup-sized Gold Statue from the Ship. The Statue had a square Frame at the bottom, and on top stood a Bird with wings spread, ready to fly. It looked very exquisite.
Meshif told me that he had found this by Chance while staying on the island. Originally, he was embarrassed to offer such a common Item, but according to some old people, this Statue possessed Magical Strength. As a mere mortal, he couldn't figure out anything about it, so he might as well give it to me as a way to Repay the life-saving grace during the Shipwreck.
I curiously took the lifelike Golden Bird and observed it in my palm for a while. Only then did I notice that there were indeed intricate patterns on it, which combined looked very much like some kind of Magic Pattern. Perhaps there was really some hidden secret within. Thinking this, I didn't stand on ceremony and accepted it. However, as the saying goes, courtesy demands reciprocity. I couldn't just accept someone's Item for free, could I? During that Shipwreck, strictly speaking, I only acted to save myself. Moreover, if it weren't for the efforts of Meshif and his crew afterward, the Ship would have sunk anyway.
So, I rummaged through my Inventory. Thanks to setting up that stall last time, it was much tidier now, but finding a suitable Item wasn't easy. Hmm, Torch, Tent, Roasted Meat, Fruit, Trap, Gold Coin Potion, and Equipment...
Oh right, isn't there that thing?
I suddenly clapped my palm, remembering the Jade Figurine I had casually taken from the Dwarf Tribe last time. This thing was just an ornamental Item, useless to us Adventurers. It was perfect to give away.
So, the result of my day wandering around the Trading Market: Gained some strange Ingredients, freebies, and Fruit, consumed some Gold Coins, acquired a Golden Bird Statue, lost one Jade Figurine, and encountered two suspected female Elf Race members.