Vol. 2 - Ch. 28 - Consignment Store [Part 1]

The next morning, Ash followed Clara down the north street of the central plaza.It was a place that was not often visited, partly because the stores were clustered on the east and west streets.

Other than on his first day on the island, this was the first time Ash was visiting this place.

A brick building could be seen ahead on the right.

Ash stopped, bringing the building into his view.

Behind it the White and Black Towers could be seen at the northern tip of the island.

Yet, the brick building did not lose to their presence.

Thanks to its stylish exterior, Ash didn't feel any sense of stuffiness.

"It sure is huge." Ash remarked.

Because it was visible from every street, Ash had gazed upon it every day.

It was without a doubt the largest building in the central plaza.

"That's Venus' house. The Consignment Store is over here,"

Clara pointed to the building slightly further down.

It was built of stone and had a flat roof.

The exterior of the building was plain and looked like a warehouse.

Suddenly, Clara stopped in front of the entrance door.

She pointed at Ash as if to say, "Go in first."

Ash sighed and ended up opening the door.

The floor was made out of wooden planks and creaked whenever stepped on.

The inside was probably about the same size as a pub.

However, this place felt more spacious, perhaps because there were no desks or chairs placed in it.

Three reception tables were at the front, each with a smiling Milma waiting behind the counter.

Further in the back were neatly arranged wooden boxes of various sizes. The place was well deserving of its name as a Consignment Store.

Ash figured that the items entrusted to the store were most likely stored there.

Several bulletin boards were placed on the walls on either side. They were each divided, most likely by type.

The names of the boards were written on their upper edges, with some reading, <Exchange Stones>, <Enhancement Stones>, <Magic Stones>, and so on.

There were numerous challengers gathered in front of the various bulletin boards. Most of them checked eagerly, as if they were looking for a needle in a haystack.

"It kind of feels like sneaking into enemy territory..." Clara remarked.

"Just how scared are you?"

"Ah! Wait!"

Leaving the frightened Clara behind, Ash went to the <Enhancement Stones> bulletin board.

The bulletin board was so large that one had to step back to take in all of it. Despite this, it was crammed with horizontal papers that were only about two fingers tall.

Suddenly, Ash saw a piece of paper with the words <Red Attribute Stone> and price of <5,100> written on it.

Ash recalled once selling the same item to a General Store for 5000 Duri. There were several other postings of the same item, but they were all around 5,100.

(Seems like I lost out a bit. But it's fine. Back then I needed the money to buy the Bite Whistle.)

Ash ended up considering it as a tuition fee and made up his mind to not to make the same mistake again.

"Ash, isn't that you?"

A person suddenly approached Ash from the side. As Ash turned he saw a familiar face standing next to him.

"Leo. What a coincidence."

"I knew that we had a strong bond." Leo remarked.

Suddenly, Ash felt something pulling on his clothes from behind. Clara, who had been hiding behind Ash for some time now, glanced at Leo. She was apparently trying to ask who he was.

"This is Leo. He's dangerous." Ash said.

"Ash... Couldn't you introduce me in a better way..."

"His hobby is groping other people's butts. Don't let your guard down around him."

"No!" Clara gave a short scream and quickly hid behind Ash. Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NʘvᴇlFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

"Hold up, hold up. I don't go after girls." Leo said, trying to defend himself.

"Then you ought to give up going after whoever it is." Ash said.

"That's the same as telling me to stop living." Leo said with a straight face, reaffirming Ash's thought that he was a dangerous person.

"Oh, that's right. I saw Lucas. He was just here a second ago, but I don't know where he went..." Leo said with a disappointed expression.

"He might've gotten tired of you."

"There's no way... is what I'd like to think, but..."

It seemed like Leo was somewhat aware why people were avoiding him.

Ash, on the other hand, was completely positive that it was because of Leo's habit of groping butts.

"Well, nothing to be done about it now. That aside, Ash, is there something you're looking for? Given that you're here that must be the case."

"I shared with a friend that I was having a tough time with the enemies on the 11th Floor and they suggested that I come here. So, it's not like I have anything in particular I want."

"So you're on something like a field trip?"

"You could say that. Though, if I see something I want, I'm going to buy it."

"I see," Leo nodded, "In that case, I have a piece of advice for you. You can only use equipment that corresponds to the highest grade you've reached. So do not go buying Exchange Stones or Magic Stones of Grade 3 or higher."

"I didn't think equipment would be this influential."

"I don't have it with me right now so I can't show you, but my Grade 7 weapon can probably one-shot the 10th Floor Lords."

"Seriously?!"

Ash figured that a weapon that could take down an opponent he had fought so hard against in a single hit would undoubtedly be strengthened by a large number of stones.

It was way more powerful than anything he'd ever imagined.

Although Ash was somewhat crestfallen, he was also excited.

After all, he'd thought that his fighting prowess had almost reached its peak. But, knowing that he still had room to grow, albeit with the help of tools, made him quite pumped up.

However, Ash's excitement did not last long and was soon grounded by a certain wall.

Namely, the price written next to an item's name.

"They're expensive..."

"Look! A Paralysis Enhancement Stone is 200,000 Duri... One of those and you can kick up your heels for several years."

Clara was looking at the bulletin board, her eyes filled with despair.

Although not as expensive as the Paralysis one, the Poison, Bleed and Reflect Enhancement Stones were all expensive.

One of each went from 50,000 to 100,000 Duri.

"We might not be able to strengthen ourselves if we keep having feasts like the one from yesterday." Ash muttered.

"But I want to eat good food once in a while." Clara exclaimed.

"Don't forget that you came here to conquer the towers..."

"Oh yea..."

Having reminded Clara of their original goal, Ash headed to the <Armor Exchange Stones> board.

The armors, to Ash's surprise, were not only divided by grade, but also by series.

(What a way to complicate things...)

The Grade 3 armor series included the <Guardian> and <Assassin> series. The Grade 7 included the <Fairy> and <Giant> series. While the Grade 8 armors included the <Dragon> series.

Naturally, none of them were very affordable.

This rang even more true for the Grade 7 and 8 series.

Still, Ash could only find armor series for Grades 3 and above, which left him wondering if there weren't any for Grade 2 and below.

The fact that he too had not come across any armor in his hunting confirmed that his theory was probably right.

Moving on to another location, this time Ash stopped in front of the <Weapon Exchange Stones> board.

Here, unlike just now, there were plenty of Grade 1 and Grade 2 items for sale.

Their pricing was 200 Duri for Grade 1 stones and 500 Duri for Grade 2 stones, respectively.

Ash could definitely afford them, but they would still hurt his pocket.

(I'd like to make an axe to fight the Skeletons, but...)

Ash couldn't help but groan as he stared at the bulletin board.

If he were to be honest, Ash wanted to procure all of his equipment with his own hands.

But given the low drop rates, it was clear that his idea was not the brightest. It would be easier for him to abandon his principles and use the tools provided to him.

Ash reached out with a heavy hand and peeled off a paper that read, <Grade 2 Exchange Stone>.

He paid the bill at the reception table and got what he wanted.

"Ash, what did you buy?" Clara asked.

Ash showed his purchase to Clara, who asked, tilting her head sideways.

"We need a Grade 2 Weapon Exchange Stone to deal with the Skeletons."

"D-Did you have enough?"

"Yea. But I'm completely dry now."

Ash answered nonchalantly, but it was clear that he had been hurt by the transaction.

(If there was a more efficient way for me to make more money...)

As Ash was pondering this, Leo approached him with a wry smile.

"If you join a Guild you can trade with the other members at a discounted price."

"A Guild?"

"It's an organization created by the challengers for like-minded companions. The main purpose of a Guild is to allow challengers to team up easily and form stronger bonds with members of the Guild, and as I mentioned earlier, trade equipment and tools at a lower rate."

Ash was totally unaware that such an organization existed.

But, after giving it a bit more thought, he wasn't all that surprised that there was one.

It was too difficult to reach God alone.

Suddenly, Leo began to scurry around as if he were paying close attention to the people around them.

"Hmm... It's hard to talk here. How about we go outside for a bit?"