Chapter 23 - 23. A Spark Of Idea From The Genius

"Wow...thank you so much for your kind advice and information. I'd be going off now, thanks for the rewards and I'd be right back here if we need to chat, alright?" I clasped my hand to my chest and bowed before leaving the store.

I walked over to meet Bruce the bowsmith and gingerly paid for the automatic self reloading crossbow with unlimited bolts. Hahahaha. It got a stock like a rifle, the bow was made of composite even if it is not drawn back fully like a bow. Its speed would be between 160-190km/h.

Not bad for a crossbow that acted like a rifle with unlimited bolts. *Pchew Pchew Pchew* down goes one enemy. Hah hah hah. I soon received an announcement regards to the damage rating of +35 and have a socket where I could insert a gem to enhance it

I placed the crossbow in my 3rd quick slot and I'm finally satisfied. Now to return to the forest this time as a Ranger to unlock the Class. I should stay at the goblins place to let it respawn about 10 times so I would gain another round of EXP, credits and shields to sell.

I passed by NoOne's pathetic little camp and waved at him as I walked towards the goblin's camp. I wonder what else this NPC is waiting for... Giving out quests to more adventurers or something? So far I have not seen anyone carrying any weapons out here besides me. Soon I reached the goblin camp and unslung the crossbow from my back.

The same goblin grunts were at the main entrance and I shot a few times with the arrow and took down those 2 after shooting at least 4 Arrows at them. I hope to gain more EXP points in this way so I would level up as soon as possible. I went over and grabbed their spoils.

Soon I heard the similar announcement indicating that I had unlocked Ranger Class. I went in and shot another 4 more who emerged from within their camp, brandishing their long swords and spears along with their coveted shield with a drawing of a white skull in front of it. 2 more emerged from the sides and I shot them down too.

This crossbow is OP, it's self reloading with unlimited bolts and seems nothing could stop me right now. I waited for the 8 goblin grunts to respawn and waited for 10 times before I call it a day since the sun had dipped down over the mountain tops. I had attained EXP points +960, 80 goblin shields, and credits +960.

I was walking back to Northern Ingmery gate and was checking the interface and found that I had levelled up to another 10 more levels. There are another 100 points and I would allocate them when I get back to the Great Hall. It may sound like a great deal but I still have a long way to go. Its a max of 100k levels. The only thing that would help me to raise the levels would be by grinding.

"Haish... In this system, you win some you lose some. I could grind and it just affects my level up and allocation of points meant for combat. But the rest of the profession remains as it is. Maybe... If I could only discuss with Pointus and the head of infirmary to actually promote better health and living conditions."

"Would it hurt to make a few bars of soap, body lotion and hair shampoo? Haisshh... I miss those 6 girls who would be able to adapt to anything. Hmm... Wait a minute. They mentioned about abandoned houses and also men going to war, there must be widows and orphans in Ingmery, right? "

I thought to myself as I stopped near an old tree and was looking at the gates that lead to the Northern District. I think I could get someone to help out. Don't mind if I do...

I walked in, showed my identification and went to Bruce the Bowsmith and offloaded all the 80 goblins planked shields and received 4,800 credits. I looked at my wealth and was feeling wonderful since it had reached the 10k mark.

I walked through the gate that leads to the Central Ingmery and looked at the abandoned house near the Tavern. It doesn't look too shabby, maybe it needs a fresh coat of paint to make it lively. I saw a patrol guard and asked him, "Excuse me, is there any law against us to take a look at the abandoned house? There's no occupant there, am I right?"

"No problem, it's had long been abandoned, there's another large house near the central marketplace. It's an ideal place there if you want to take up residency. You just need to go to the Great Hall, pay a small fee and then the house would be yours." the patrol guard replied.

"Thank you for your kind service, I'd take a look at the abandoned house near the marketplace. By the way, when the men of Ingmery went to war and lost their lives, do their widows and children stayed behind here?"

"There's an orphanage that takes care of these poor orphans. The widows, on the other hand, are quite independent on their own. Would there be any more questions, citizen?"

"I don't think so. I may head down to meet Prius at the Great Hall and see what kind of solutions he has gotten for me." I bade the patrol guard and headed back to the Great Hall, with the intent to change, shower and then allocate the points. And after dinner, might scout around for the abandoned houses and then ask about the orphans.

.....

"Knock, Knock... I'm back..." I greeted everyone when I entered the main door of the Great Hall. Prius was sitting at the table with a mug in front of him and was pleased with himself over something that I would not know of. Patricia immediately served a jug of ice-cold water and places it there for me since she knew I had been out and about for 20 times waiting for those goblins to respawn.

"Here you go, 5 pieces of pork chops from the wild boar. The rest had been sold off to the merchant who was always there and not going anywhere soon. Hmm, do you know how to preserve these pieces of meat?" I asked Patricia and she shook her head.

"That's a fine crossbow you've got there, my friend. How were your results today?" Prius asked as he noticed my self reloading unlimited bolts crossbow. "Well, I've killed 160 goblin grunts and some wild boars to sell the hide and meat. The goblins had only some money but their planked shields sure are worth a lot of credits. I wonder why the price is so unbalanced here in this town."

"Not bad my friend, well run along with Pat and show her to preserve this meat. At least we could have meat for the coming few days, eh?"

"That's right, Prius. No problem, Pat. Just leave the pork covered first inside the pot and I will settle it with you later. I just need to get changed, have a shower and then discuss something with you later about an abandoned house and orphanage."

"No problem, my friend. Carry on..." Prius said as he went to the kitchen to place the pork chops there. As for me, I can't wait to get rid of the clothes that I wore and have a nice shower. If only I have a body soap, I guess it would be much more refreshing than running down with a piece of rag.

.....

"Prius, what did you found out? Is he a decent, law-abiding citizen?" asked Patricia as she placed the pork chops inside a cauldron and covered it up.

"Yes, he's a decent man. He helped Jonn to gain back his lost property. Before that, he helped Rebecca and gifted him with a stone ring that increases his strength. He did kill 160 goblins and a few wild boar just to unlock his Class."

"He did talk to some patrol guards and when I checked with them, Audemars was asking if its an offence to enter an abandoned house. Later when he returned from the forest he asked about acquiring an abandoned house and also about the widows and orphans. I can't place my finger on it but I think he's a kind and righteous man. Don't you think so? "

"Yes, at least he seemed quite decent to me but his demeanour was something not from this island. Maybe he kept his identity to himself and doesn't want to reveal too much, who knows. At least one thing we both know is that he got an OP fart that could kill anyone within a radius of 3 meters."

"Hah hah hah... I can never forget the incident. I was wondering why he was moaning but little did we know he was yawning and had to release after what's keeping inside him for 6 months. Hah Hah Hah." laughed Prius aloud and had confirmed that I was not a spy and I don't intend to harm anyone except for those who look for trouble first.