These merchants didn't actually have any valuable goods on hand. With transportation systems paralyzed, the flow of goods became difficult, and the merchants were plunged into unprecedented hardship. Some took to traveling, collecting goods on foot, while others opted to craft inexpensive trinkets. Still others possessed precious heirlooms, relying on these valuables to maintain their reputation.
After visiting this merchant village, Simon couldn't help but sigh that it was really depressed.
In such a big village with hundreds or thousands of houses, there are only dozens of lights on and only six families still doing business.
Simon found the amulet merchant Saluba in the game, a fat bug with rich clothes and unusually plump lips.
As expected, she sells amulets here, badges with magical powers that can greatly help the wearer.
It is said that the amulet is formed by the most sincere thoughts placed on things. It is not a tool that can be mass-produced and is extremely precious.
Of course it is also very expensive.
Using amulets requires amulet slots, and amulets with different effects require different numbers of amulet slots. Simon calculated that he did not have enough money to use a powerful amulet, so he had no choice but to give up.
Among the other merchants, one sold weapons. Simon took a look and saw many brand new bone nails, which were much sharper than the one he had picked up from the ground. So he spent 150 yuan to buy a small bone nail that fit him well. The center of gravity was more stable when he wielded it, and it was very convenient to use.
I didn't keep the remaining 150 geos, so I went to another armor store and bargained for a small metal round shield. It was sturdy and durable, and very cost-effective.
While chatting with the business bugs, one of them suddenly made a commission to Simon. It turned out that he noticed that the Gruz nearby were unusually active. He hoped that Simon, the brave warrior, could go and find out what exactly caused the Gruz to be restless. If he could bring back correct and reasonable information, the businessman was willing to pay Simon one hundred gigao as a reward.
After hearing Shang Chong's request, Simon agreed without giving it a second thought. Due to his promise to Nati, he planned to go back and convince Nati not to worry about him, and then go investigate.
It would take some time to go back and forth. Simon had a mission to complete, so he couldn't help but lose interest in continuing the conversation. He stood up and said goodbye to all the businessmen.
The business bugs tried to persuade him to stay several times, but Simon decided to set off immediately.
Simon's arrival was a rare and lively event for the deserted merchant village. Before leaving, they said goodbye reluctantly, wishing him a safe journey and hoping that he would come often.
Looking at these enthusiastic insects and the decaying village behind them, Simon suddenly felt a deep sense of sadness. These insects were consciously or unconsciously singing a lament for the old world. They seemed out of tune with the present, being swallowed up bit by bit by time and reality.
Things like this happened everywhere in this declining kingdom. Simon felt an inviolable historical inertia, but he was still very uncomfortable. He hoped that he could do something for this world that was gradually getting worse.
With a heavy heart, Simon sorted out his equipment: two bone nails, a crossbow, a grappling hook, a round shield, an empty cloth bag, a small water bottle, and a light fly lantern. These were all. He tied these items to himself very carefully, and placed the bone nails and grappling hooks at his waist, so that he could get them with just a raise of his hand.
Such small details are everywhere in life. Simon dare not relax and tries his best to do his best.
On the way back, he ran fast, but almost had an accident. A Gom suddenly emerged from the ground, and its huge and ferocious mouthparts attacked Simon who was jumping in the air.
At the critical moment, Simon pulled out the bone nail and chopped down lightly, hitting the densely packed fangs near Gom's mouthparts, which bounced himself away. Then he left without looking back, leaving Gom, who had failed in the hunt, to shrink back into the ground unwillingly, and use his flexible long tongue to collect the gravel near the hole and pile it into a small mound.
This accident was not a challenge at all for Simon. The insect's body gave him agile movements, his skilled swordsmanship enabled him to escape death, and his bold and careful character ensured that his chop would be foolproof. All these combined made Gorm's tried-and-true attacks become as pale and crude as a crude black-and-white movie.
After returning home, Simon reported his experience using the grappling hook to Paya, offering suggestions for improvement and praising the weapon greatly. Nati curiously asked him what he had seen during his trip, but Simon, not fond of discussing his experiences, simply replied that he had seen a merchant insect.
Nati's talkative mood suddenly came up, and before he started talking, Simon told him that he wanted to explore Gruz's range of activities.
Of course, Nati was very opposed to it, but Paya expressed his support.
"The elders said that we must respect every idea of every warrior. They are the true pioneers. If you want to go, go ahead, little one. I will convince Nati."
Simon didn't rest after returning home. He hurriedly filled his water bottle and set off again.
Nati was restless, a powerful emotion filling his heart. He wanted to say something, but nothing came out. He felt a fire burning in his chest, but the sight of Paya's gentle eyes extinguished it. As Nati watched Simon retreat, a thick layer of dust covered a damp, wrinkled corner of his heart, leaving only heaviness and depression.
"What's wrong with you?" Paya asked with concern.
"I don't know. I'm just sad that the little guy has grown up."
…
Simon ran all the way towards the Shangchong Village until the platform above his head ended. He turned around and jumped up from the suspended steps on the cave wall to the upper platform.
After walking a distance from here, you will see several Gruz wandering around the street lights. These insects look like small balls, with elephant trunks and two pairs of small wings on their backs. They are actually quite cute and not very aggressive.
Simon tried to hunt one, jumped up and chopped it, and the sharp bone nails hit Gruz's thick skin, cutting a long gash, with light blue blood oozing out. The injured Gruz tried to escape hurriedly, but its flying speed was too slow, and it was hit on the head by Simon's nail, somersaulted, and fell to the ground like a deflated ball.
Simon dissected the Gruz and found a cavity inside it. Perhaps this is why the Gruz can fly despite its short wings.
There's no point thinking about these things, Simon laughed at himself, shook his head, and headed towards the center of the platform.