Noah still had a frown on his face, looking at Liam with a puzzled expression as he held the Revostrium Gladius in his hands. Finally, he spoke up, "I don't get it. Sure, it's valuable to me, but from what I've gathered Sect's would prefer items that can benefit their overall strength instead of the strength of just one person. Feeding rare/fragmented-rare weapons to the Revostrium... wouldn't that be a tremendous waste?"
"Ahh lad, you really don't get it, do you," Liam nodded his head as if he were looking at a particularly dull pupil.
Noah's frown deepened, wondering what he was missing. But for now, he could only bitterly swallow his pride and reply with a, "No."
"What's the main difference between the Revostrium and other weapons?" Liam asked, as he leisurely watched a soccer game between England and Italy with growing displeasure on his face.
Noah thought about it, and while the ability to transform/replicate itself into a perfect copy of any weapon was subjectively phenomenal.... the true difference could only be, "Sentience" he said out loud with an expression that indicated shock on his face.
'No way,' thought Noah, and he hurriedly commanded the system to open the familiar tab.
Familars
1) Revostrium (Unnamed)
Noah clicked on the Revostrium tab, gasping in surprise at his growing suspicions being confirmed.
Name: Unnamed
Level: 1/20 (EXP: 2500/5000, Consume weapon slot items to evolve)
Species: Revostrium
Durability: 5000/5000
Intelligence: 3
Strength: Dependant on user's strength and weapon selection.
Wisdom: 3
Dexterity: Dependant on user's dexterity and weapon selection.
Constitution: 300
(Recieves 3 Stat Points per level)
Skills: (None)
Evolution Condition: Feed 3 Rare weapon slot item of each kind (Weapon, Bow, Shield) and One [*****] ranked weapon slot item, along with 50,00,000 [*****].
"What on earth....," Noah absentmindedly muttered as he saw the Revostrium's ridiculous Constitution stat. And it not only had the ability to level up like him, but Noah suspected that the sentient weapon's true value lied in its locked [Skills].
"Why do you think that Sect Leader Fella was lugging around half the sect's treasury around with him? He just didn't have enough fragmented-rare weapons for the revostrium to be useful at his level, or he'd have bound to it instantly. It's hard to such a steep cost for a fancy uncommon weapon," Liam nonchalantly replied, causing realization to dawn on Noah.
The Sect Leader might only find the Revostrium weapon useful when he'd acquire enough fragmented rare or rare items, but Noah wasn't even sure if he met the conditions to wield them. For him, uncommon weapons were pretty much the pinnacle of available weapons right now, and he couldn't help but burst into a wide smile when he thought about the sheer extent of the wealth he'd acquired.
When he'd first arrived on the second floor, Noah had found 500 Bronze Takkim tied neatly in a sash that was attached to his waist. That sounded like a lot initially, until Noah got to know that a single night at the local inn cost a 100 Bronze Takkim, and every meal cost 25 bronze takkim. Noah had inquired the price of weapons available at the local markets, but the shopkeeper only had common weapons available. Even those cost a 100 silver takkim, which was equivalent to 10,000 Bronze Takkim. It was daylight robbery, and even with the allowance of 300 Silver Takkim per day allowance Bulai had given him, he didn't have enough money to buy more than a common weapon.
With a wide grin on his face, Noah sprinted towards the city with growing anticipation at unlocking the Revostrium's skills. And he also had to think of a name for the little guy, too.
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Noah walked through the bustling main street of the Saemanis Sect City, witnessing many amusing sights on the way to his destination. He had easily identified a dozen challengers, some haggling passionately over a weapon or a piece of armor that they passionately gazed at, or perhaps some of the more inventive merchandise like smoke bombs, common grade combat puppets, or even... fashionable outfits, though that was just one woman with a irritated frown on her face. Others bowed and beseeched men and women who were clearly way past their prime, offering bribes with either currency or a piece of equipment they owned, appealing with sincerity in hopes that they would be able to learn a combat art. A gutsy man even had the audacity to challenge one of the masters to a duel, immediately receiving a kick to the abdomen that sent him flying back into an innocent shopkeepers stall, wrecking his well organized merchandise.
Noah had switched to plain black robes, that obscured his body and most of his face- his [Mask of a thousand faces] was still on cooldown, there was no helping it. Running into Azmahak or one of his minons would be a catastrophe of epic proportions, so he wanted to get over with his business and get out of the city as soon as possible.
A large sign announced that he had reached his destination, the words 'Wai Lu's Grand Emporium' boldly inscribed on it, as he walked up a long flight of carpeted stairs, past two well armed guards that gave him a look of warning due to his masked face, but let him pass without saying anything.
Noah entered a three storeyed pagoda that, while not nearly as impressive as the Sect Pagoda's, was nearly thrice their size in terms of width. Elegant white tiles were used to construct each of the eaves, making it appear is if a thin layer of snow coated the exterior of the pagoda, giving a mellow yet pleasing first impression.
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Stepping past the open wooden doors, a magnificent sight awaited Noah. Weapons, of all shapes and sizes were hung on either sides of the wall- it was an entire bloody armory and Noah could guess that there were easily hundreds of weapons- spears, axes, polarms, swords, sabers, knives of all sizes and variations and a few weapons that Noah couldn't even name. A plump man made his way towards Noah, who just waited for him to make the approach. He could see a few other challengers examining the wares, but due to the two dozen guards strategically placed around the first floor of the pagoda armed with long spears and knifes, he doubted anyone would try something stupid. There were multiple such merchants behind glass tables that contained slightly more precious merchandise, or so was his assumption, all wearing flowing white robes making them easy to identify.
"Greetings, Sir. Welcome to Wai Lu's Grand Emporium. Is there anything I may assist you with?" The merchant asked with a genial expression on his face, and Noah slightly modulated his voice to achieve the effect he desired.
A voice that was barely above a whisper echoed out, as Noah pulled out the [Saemanis Sect Seal] he had acquired from the Sect Leader, "Official Business, Saemanis Sect." The plump man's pleasant smile twitched slightly, as he reached out for the Seal, examining it for a moment and then hurriedly handing it back to Noah. "Follow me, Sir," he said, leading Noah through two flights of stairs, passing through armored guards arrayed even on the stairs, to the third floor, where there were just 10 glass displays- he yet again, walked past them and knocked on the door of a small room at the north-eastern corner of the third floor- the only room on the entire floor.
"Come in," a wizened old voice came from inside, and the plump merchant entered first, followed by Noah.
A man that appeared to be in his late sixties calmly sat on a chair, sifting through stacks of hand-written, tabulated notes that Noah figured to be balance sheets or their equivalent. A majestic beard that was more silver than grey drooped to his chest level, as his gaze fell upon Noah. The pressure he felt was no different than the aura he had felt from Azmahak and his band, and his new perception stat started going haywire, indicating that this man exuded a level of threat he could not easily evade, let alone combat. He had an amiable smile on his face, appearing to be a kindly grandfather-figure instead of a monstrous combat power- but Noah had already witnessed such power levels, so he didn't flinch.
"Official business, Saemanis Sect," Noah once again said in a calm tone, passing on his Sect Seal to the emporium master.
The man examined the Sect Seal from all angles, nodding after a solid minute of inspection, "This is indeed the Sect Leader's seal. Pray tell, what business does the Saemanis Sect wish to conduct with us?" The old man replied with a level of serenity that Noah felt was odd, wasn't the Saemanis Sect an overlord of the region?
"Ah lad, you have it wrong. The Grand Emporium or other such organizations are usually backed by foreign powers, so they really have no reason to fear you," Liam added, causing Noah's expression to slightly twitch. There was no bullying his way into a discount, now.
"May I know how many common weapons you have in your possession?" Noah asked, causing the old man to look at Noah with a flummoxed expression on his face.
"1,534, which I believe is the largest and most comprehensive collection in the region," The old man replied, with a professional voice, already having regained his composure.
Noah raised on hand in the air, and reached for the bag of holding at his waist. Overturning it on the table, the plump merchant and the old man both watched with a mix of surprise and awe as rectangular gold coins, each with a unreplicable seal from the western prefecture alliance bank, clinked on the table forming a small pile on the table before long.
"1,534 gold tokkim. I believe this will be enough, no?" Noah asked, his facial shroud masking the smirk he had underneath.
"Sir, I can go through with this transaction but you must understand that our confidentiality clause cannot be applicable for such a large purchase," The old man explained with a somewhat apologetic expression on his face.
"Of course, of course, I understand. You may let them know the Sect Leader of the Saemanis Sect himself has requested these weapons after I make my leave. For now though, I suggest you close the Emporium and arrange these weapons for me with due haste," Noah patronizingly replied, as if 1534 gold was just a trivial matter for him. Well in all honesty, it kind of was.
The plump man ran out of the room with an escatic expression on his face, and the old man was about to follow, when Noah spoke out, "May I know how many uncommon weapons, shields, and bows you have available."
The old man once again gazed at Noah, and sighed. "I hope the disturbance you intend to cause doesn't bring harm to the Wai Lu Emporium."
"Of course not, Emporium Master. We wouldn't dare harm one of our benefactors," Noah replied in a reassuring tone, and the man seemed mollified with that for now.
He led Noah to the 10 glass panels right outside his door, and Noah realized that the third floor was for uncommon weapons. His jaw dropped when he gazed at the prices, looking at the old man and barely controlling the burst of rage he felt.
"Hundred platinum tokkim.... for one weapon, isn't that a bit much?" He asked with a quivering tone, his new found wealth would evaporate... just like that?
"A bit much? Sir, we are the only one's in Saemanis Sect City with the resources and the connections to sell strategic grade weapons of the uncommon rank. Not a single shop in the rest of the city would dare sell such a priceless commodity, they would rather turn it over to their sect for contribution points or keep its possession a closely guarded secret," The old man replied with a scoff, as if chagrined by Noah's accusations.
"And I suppose you don't have any artifacts or fragmented rare weapons available for sale?" Noah asked with diminishing confidence in his voice.
"Hahaha, surely you jest my good sir. If I, Feng Yun, were to acquire such a weapon, I would guard it's existence with my very life!" He good-naturedly replied to Noah, assuming he had just been jesting all this while.
"Ha...haha," Noah chuckled along with the old man, and replied in a small voice, "Very well, I shall take all of them."
"Very good, sir," The old man replied with the pleased expression of a merchant who had just acquired a massive windfall gain, and called out, " Ai, Yaman, pack all the merchandise on this floor and bring it to my room."
Two guards jogged up to the merchandise, and looked at the old man with a completely lost expression. "All, sir?" asked one of the guards, dazed.
"Yes, all, now hurry up. Time is tokkim, we will throw in a complimentary uncommon bag of holding for our customer's generous patronage," The old man snapped with a hurried expression, as if his previous hesitation at selling the weapons was naught but a laughable act.
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Noah once again emptied a stack of tokkim on the table, but this time they glinted with the slightly dulled, yet more textured sheen of platinum when compared to silver. An authorizatory stamp from the Western Prefecture Bank confirmed their value, and Noah followed through with emptying a very small stack of gold tokkim too.
"996 Platinum tokkim and 400 gold tokkim in all, feel free to check," Noah replied a kindly smile, but he was fuming inside.
The old man gave him a kindly nod, as he started going through the tokkim, examining and verifying them at lightning quick speeds. The guards entered with a small bag of holding clutched in their wrist, respectfully depositing it on the table with a bow.
"Please sir, feel free to inspect the merchandise," The old man replied with a fawning smile, as if Noah was his golden goose.
He peered into the contents of the bag, grudgingly satisfied with his haul.
[Longsword of Blazing Inferno]
[Rapier of Piercing Accuracy]
[Mace of Bludgeoning Fury]
[Royal Oak Shortbow of Rapidfire]
[Longbow of Frostfire]
[Composite Bow of the Waterdrop]
[Bulwark of Greater Defence]
[Arm-shield of Deflection]
[Mirror Shield of Reflection]
[Aegis of Light]
Next, the plump merchant barged in, heaving from the exertion. He gently deposited four bags of holding, probably of the common rank- three bulging to the brim and the fourth almost empty.
Noah examined the merchandise, seeing a vertitable hoard of weapons that could outfit an entire army. He didn't think he would be cheated by the Emporium, so he picked up his five bags of holding and deposited it into his inventory.
The emporium master raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
"I will be taking my leave now," Noah said, and the emporium master and the plump man bowed in unison, "Thank you for the patronage," they said, as Noah started making his way out of the shop with due haste.