Ana and I exited the carriage once it had stopped and Reiia had given us the signal to disembark. The market was as busy as Time Square, and there were merchants and stalls everywhere hawking their wares. There was a certain skill I had decided I wanted to copy using TCUG at the market, but I needed to find a merchant or someone who had it. The skill in question was [Appraisal], and it allowed the user to examine items and learn more about them. It was commonly associated with merchants in EoR, and the skill itself would prove its worth the higher its rank became.
Since TCUG didn't copy the skill's rank, I just needed to find a single merchant who had the skill to copy it. With the others in tow, I began walking through the crowded market. I could feel the invisible gazes from everyone as they watched me go through the market inspecting each stall. This was exactly what I was aiming for since merchants and traders would spread the word of my appearance to everybody they came across, especially other nobles. With my party coming up, this news would prove that I am alive and well, and would bring further attention to my party. A noble's party was a grand occasion, and I was going to milk it for all that it's worth.
After walking around the marketplace enough, I found an odd looking stall with tons of unique looking items. There were gems, skulls, bones, jewelry, weapons, and even silverware. As I was looking at all the different items, the merchant came up to the stall bringing along a potential customer. The merchant was a bit of an older fellow. He was bald, had a scraggly beard, and wore an old sailor's hat. As I was just about to leave the stall, I heard a familiar 'ding', and a system notification popped up:
[TCUG has detected the skill 'Appraisal'. Do you wish to copy? Y/N]
My eyes lit up as I immediately clicked yes. There was no special feeling afterwards, but I knew it worked once I began looking at different items. Certain items would display information such as the knife I was currently looking at.
Item: Knife
Rarity: Common
Description: A normal knife that can be used for various activities.
Value: [SKILL LEVEL TOO LOW]
While inspecting the various items, a certain thought began forming in my mind. If I were able to view all this information at F rank, then why aren't merchants buying up all the good items using the skill? As I thought of this, a notification popped up.
[The user and the residents of this world are very different when it comes to skills and other subjects. For example, the 'Appraisal' skill allows the user to see all this information, but a resident of this world with the same skill would not see anything. Instead they would 'feel' inclined to buy an item. This feeling being activated depends on the rank of the skill per the merchant. Along with that, the user knows of this world as a game and thus has access to all the game functions in terms of skills and descriptions. Residents of this world do not understand any of that terminology, and thus their skills have a different effect than the ones you are accustomed to.]
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As I read this notification, I realized something... the system can read my thoughts. I sighed as I kept on using my newly acquired skill in order to both wrack up experience, and hopefully find anything useful.
While doing so, Reiia approached me and asked, "Master Ray, do you have any other places you wish to visit while in Granbell? We've been walking around the marketplace for a bit now, and I think it's safe to say that you have gathered enough publicity from the market."
I held my chin as I though about Reiia's words. It was true that I had basically already gone through most of the market, and that I had already achieved my main goal of spreading the news of my appearance. Along with that, I had acquired the Appraisal skill and learned about this world's skills as a bonus.
"Reiia, I think it is about time we start heading out. I will stop by a couple of stalls along the way out. I want to go eat something with the rest of you, so pick a place you and the knights wish to eat at and we will go there."
She looked a little puzzled by my request and replied, "Master Ray, we appreciate your concern but it would be seen as odd for us to eat with you at the same table. We can go to different establishments instead to avoid any negative attention."
I shook my head as I said, "I am not ashamed to eat with my knights. I will be leaving soon to the Royal Academy and wish to establish a relationship that I wasn't able to before due to my illness. I don't care what others think of my actions, I only care about the people I serve and those who serve under me. If you still do not wish to eat with Ana and I then I understand, but in the future please don't decline my next invitation."
"Thank you Master Ray, we will take you up on your offer then." She smiled as she said this, and I couldn't help but smile back.
Before heading out of the market completely, I decided to check out out a stall on a whim. There was nothing about the stall that made it stand out, but the selection of rings made me want to take a closer look. While using my 'Appraisal' skill I looked over all the rings being displayed but didn't find anything of interest. Just as I was about to give up and leave the market for good, a bowl full of dusty rings and jewelry caught my eye in the corner of the stall.
I looked at the merchant and asked, "What's the price for an item in this bowl?"
The merchant barely gave me an odd look as I asked but replied, "All that stuff is garbage, tell you what, you find an item you want and you can take another one for free. I'll give em both to you for a couple silver."
I nodded my head as my heart began to pound. The chances were slim, but I had such a strong feeling to check this bowl that there had to be something interesting in it. I carefully dug through the bowl inspecting each piece of jewelry I came across. After a couple minutes I found what I had been looking for.
Item: Dusty Ring
Rarity: Rare
Description: An expertly crafted ring that has been forgotten about and allowed to age. There is a slight aura of mana emanating from it, but repairs will need to be done in order to unlock its full potential.
Properties: [SKILL LEVEL TOO LOW]
Value: [SKILL LEVEL TOO LOW]
I kept my composure as I set the ring aside. Since I had no idea what its properties were yet, I didn't want to get overexcited. If it was useless for me, I could always resell it to a merchant after getting the ring cleaned up and restored. I kept on digging through the bowl with renewed fervor but in the end only came up with an uncommon ring that I could sell for a couple silvers.
After haggling with the merchant, I ended up paying 4 silvers for both rings. I was happy with the exchange considering I could sell the uncommon ring for that amount alone once it was restored. It had no special properties, but it would aesthetically be a beauty after restoration. We left the marketplace and headed towards the busy streets so that we could go have some lunch.
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Item rarity guide: common, uncommon, rare, legendary, mythic