"Campfire" and "Water Conjuration" – these were practically mandatory support skills for every team and lone wolf in the later stages of the apocalypse. Their effectiveness was irreplaceable for prolonged operations in harsh environments.
After lingering by the stall for a brief observation, Luo Jie squatted down, picked up the two sheepskin scrolls, and addressed the equally white-robed vendor, "Boss, how much for 'Campfire' and 'Water Conjuration'?"
The vendor spread five fingers, his voice a gravelly rasp. "5000 points for the bundle. Not sold separately."
Luo Jie almost chuckled. The vendor wasn't stupid. He clearly knew that compared to the value of "Campfire," "Water Conjuration" was little more than a throw-in, hence the bundle deal.
Luo Jie's inquiry drew the attention of a nearby group. One of them took the scrolls, examined them, and shook his head. "They're just two basic skills. 5000 points is way too much; that's enough for an F-rank blue-quality piece of equipment... Tell you what, 2000 points flat."
The vendor, ever patient and showing no displeasure at the haggling, took back the scrolls and smiled. "Basic skills are indeed not worth much, but that depends entirely on what the skill does. I also have an E-rank white-quality 'Arcane Missile' I can let you have for 2000 points. Interested?"
A low murmur of laughter rippled through the onlookers.
"Arcane Missile" was infamously useless. It allowed a magic-oriented player to fire a single, non-elemental missile equivalent in power to a full-strength punch from a player with equivalent Constitution.
In simpler terms, its effect was roughly comparable to a Constitution-focused player throwing a brick.
Though both were E-rank basic skills, "Arcane Missile" was far less valuable than the logistical godsend that was "Campfire" and "Water Conjuration." It wouldn't fetch 2000 points; 500 would be a stretch.
The potential buyer hesitated for a long while before finally shaking his head and walking away.
For most players, spending 5000 points on two logistical skills that didn't directly boost personal combat power was far less appealing than investing the same amount in a good piece of gear.
Seeing no one else step forward, Luo Jie turned to the vendor. "Add in that 'Arcane Missile,' and I'll take the lot for 5000 points."
"Deal."
After the exchange was completed, the vendor suddenly spoke up. "Friend, is there anything else you might need?"
Luo Jie paused, then realized something, a hint of surprise in his voice. "You're a professional merchant?"
Professional merchants were the middlemen of the player market. They lingered in the markets, leveraging sharp business instincts and silver tongues to buy low and sell high. Nearly every new seller had been taken advantage of by one.
Yet, there was no denying that these professional merchants often had some truly good items stashed away.
"Do you have any arrows for a bow?"
Luo Jie thought of the "Feathered Serpent's Indian Hunting Bow" in his inventory, which had proven invaluable in the earlier battle against the USS team.
"Want the good stuff, or the regular kind?" the vendor asked.
"The good stuff, preferably."
The "Feathered Serpent's Indian Short Bow" was more akin to a sniper rifle; using regular arrows would clearly fail to maximize its capabilities.
"Take a look at these. I think you'll like them."
With that, the vendor retrieved a quiver of black-feathered arrows from his storage space.
At first glance, these black-feathered arrows seemed no different from ordinary ones, but the triangular arrowheads glinted with a peculiar red-gold sheen.
Kabane Black-Feathered Arrow
Type: Ammunition
Quality: F (Blue)
Skill 1: Armor-Piercing Heavy Arrow – Ignores armor with a defense rating below 100. If armor exceeds this value, deals 100 + Bow Power as bludgeoning damage.
Description: A special arrow crafted by the armorers of Koutetsujou (Iron Fortress) for the daughter of the Chief, Ayame Yomogawa. The arrowhead incorporates Kabane (Corpse) heart membranes using a special technique, rendering it nearly indestructible.
Luo Jie nodded inwardly. This professional merchant did have some quality goods. The Kabane Black-Feathered Arrow was likely the best arrow available at this stage.
"How much for these?"
The vendor held up two fingers. "200 points per arrow."
Luo Jie counted the arrows in the quiver: twenty in total. Buying them all would cost 4000 points.
"That's a bit steep."
"It's actually not. I paid 3000 points just to acquire them. If it weren't for the fact that so few players use bows, I'd never sell them this cheap... And you should know, arrows, unlike bullets, can be retrieved and reused."
Though Luo Jie suspected the vendor was telling the truth, old habits die hard. He decided to squeeze a bit more.
"Throw in a hundred regular arrows, and I'll take the whole lot."
"Alright... alright." Though his face was hidden behind a mask, the vendor's tone was clearly one of reluctant resignation, tinged with pain. "You're cutting it real close. You wouldn't happen to be a fellow merchant, would you?"
Luo Jie merely smiled noncommittally.
Having completed nearly ten thousand points worth of transactions, even the vendor realized he'd encountered a significant customer, and his attitude grew markedly more attentive.
"Brother, is there anything else you're after? Not to brag, but my inventory is far more comprehensive than what you'll find on the consignment app..."
"The Merchant Guild, I know."
In his past life, any seasoned player worth their salt had heard of the Professional Merchant Guild. By the later stages of the apocalypse, their reputation for comprehensive stock and reliability had even begun to overshadow the official consignment system, controlling over 80% of high-tier equipment transactions in the player market.
Hearing Luo Jie mention the "Merchant Guild," the vendor was genuinely taken aback. After a moment, he chuckled bitterly. "So, brother, even if you're not a colleague, you're at least an insider... Well, whatever. Today, anything you want, I'll source for free. Consider it a goodwill gesture. Maybe you'll send some business my way in the future."
Luo Jie hadn't expected a casual remark to lead to such a misunderstanding, but since it worked to his advantage, he saw no reason to correct it. He pressed his advantage. "Do you have any skills for bladed weapons? Preferably in the katana category."
The vendor scratched his head through his robes. "Brother, you're asking the tough questions... Swords and blades are the two biggest melee weapon categories; nearly half of all illusion realm players choose one or the other as their main weapon. Because of that, sword and blade skills are always in short supply. They get snapped up the second they hit the market."
"Skip the sales pitch. Do you have any or not?" Luo Jie's tone hardened slightly. He knew these merchants well; if the profit was there, there was almost nothing they couldn't get their hands on.
"I do... but they're pricey."
The vendor didn't beat around the bush any longer. Instead, he activated a holographic display to show Luo Jie two skill books.