Chapter 82: Cryo Slime

Chapter 82: Cryo Slime

"I'm glad that caught your attention. I wish I had more information to tease you with. Still, the most I managed to suss out myself was that everyone with one of these additional classes is either a Diamond-rank adventurer or closely related to one."

"So adventurers on par with Keldenar?"

"Well... I'd say it's hard to be on par with him, but yes. The rumors say he has an enchanting class with the powerful magical artifacts he exports, not to mention the layers of enchantments on his golems."

'I guess I can ask him or Gramps, whichever comes first.' I decided.

We continued to chat for a bit while we drank and ate. Johnathan mostly asked me for some stories of my adventures and what monsters I had fought. He was highly pleased to hear that I was responsible for the silver mine being back in operation, as apparently, his family did business with the owners. In return, I was told about some of his most successful trade deals or the famous people he had done business with. Thankfully, Johnathan remained mostly humble, but most of his stories went utterly over my head. The food was a delight and at least on par with Trevor's work, although the portions left a bit to be desired.

"So originally, I was going to sell you our spare freeze tool, but my merchant instincts tell me I should sell you our best one instead." Johnathan said while we were settling down to a light after-dinner drink, "And after such a pleasant evening, I most certainly want to agree with them."

He placed two objects on the table: golden metallic cages with intricate engravings. Housed in the center were two pale turquoise cores. One was notably larger, reminding me of the difference between the two fire catalysts. Without a doubt, I wanted the larger one, as it was likely another fused core.

"I don't suppose you'd be willing to part with both?" I asked, trying to hide my desire.

"Sadly, I must keep one myself; otherwise, I won't be able to transport large amounts of perishable goods. However, I'd gladly try to source another one for you."

"Please do. And yes, I'd gladly take your best one off your hands if you're willing."

He gestured for me to take the larger one and pulled out a crystal necklace similar to my guild tag. We tapped crystals to complete the purchase. The guild would vet the purchase for me, but I doubted he was willing to scam me at this point. He suddenly went wide-eyed and looked at me in shock.

"Wow. You must have really wanted that. This singular transaction just gave me two merchant levels," Johnathan said, rubbing his chin. He was clearly debating whether to sell me the other one and even when I prodded, he reluctantly held firm.

"I'm surprised you didn't gain any racial levels, even if you've changed your distribution."

"Ah no, that is a common misconception. The vocation experience is only for the class itself. If I want to earn any racial experience, I'm forced to hire adventurers or mercenaries to slay some monsters with me in a party." Johnathan explained, "It's quite common in the noble circles, although I just got a few levels to make my daily life easier. But others sometimes pay their way all the way to some absurd levels. Some adventurers earn a fortune being partied with a noble family."

"Can't say that interests me, I wouldn't want to share my experience with anyone not pulling their weight."

"I don't blame you, and my merchant skills tell me that you're earning way more than them anyway." Johnathan chuckled, "I think we should do business in the future, Syl. It will be immensely profitable for both of us. Tell me, what else are you looking for?"

"Originally, I was looking for magical slime catalysts, but I'd be willing to accept even raw slime cores. I'm currently looking for any cores other than blue slime, although my current preference would be a yellow or orange slime core."

Johnathan went silent for a moment, deep in thought, although I could overhear his slight mutterings thanks to [Perception]. "Magecraft? Alchemy? Enchanting? Or something else...?" He shook his head and smiled, "Sorry for my ramblings. It's a bad habit I've failed to break. Regardless of your intention, I will keep my feelers out for you."

At the end of the evening, Johnathan escorted me back to the gate. It was a surprisingly entertaining evening, and I'd potentially made valuable contact and finally got my tendrils on a new core, with the prospect for more in the future.

"Thank you for a most amazing evening, Syl. Please do send Guild Master Lisa my regards."

"Thank you as well, Johnathan. I'm glad I didn't turn down your request."

Before heading to the guild, however, I asked around for somewhere to purchase barrels, which is how I eventually ended up at a carpenter's, requesting thirty barrels. The owner was baffled at my requested quantity but only had ten in stock. I paid upfront and said I'd collect the rest when he was done, throwing the ten into storage. It was a good thing he didn't have the stock on hand, as it looked like I'd need to level up my storage skill again if I wanted to fit the total amount I requested.

Using [Vanish] and finding a quiet alleyway, I withdrew a barrel and filled it with alcohol slime by placing a hand inside it before resealing it and depositing it again. Then, I finally headed to the guild; before dealing with Luke, I visited Thern and dropped off his barrel for the enchanting work he'd be doing. We exchanged greetings before I dropped the barrel in front of him.

"What's that you got there?"

"Your barrel of alcohol you requested."

"Wait, that's full of the booze you gave me last time?"

"Yes. I'm getting more barrels made as well."

Thern groaned, "I know I said barrel... But what I actually meant was a keg... I didn't expect you to actually get a literal barrel."

"Oh... I didn't know there was a difference." I replied with a shrug.

"Well, the damage is done. I'll just have to put even more effort into my enchanting to be worthy of such a prize!" Thern replied with a hearty chuckle, "What do you want? Elemental resist? Protection? I probably have enough for something like poison immunity... Maybe a little attribute boosting?"

"That's... Wow, I didn't expect enchanting to have so many options."

"Aye, although you're limited by the materials available and the piece of equipment. Being made of draconic scale, yours should be able to handle quite a load, and I have a good supply of materials available from my old job."

"What about magic resistance in general? Or mental protection?"

"Mental protection would work on an accessory or headpiece, not armor. I can do general magic resistance, but it's far less effective than just getting something like fire resistance."

"I'd rather have the broad resistance. I already have traits for individual resistances and immunities."

"Ah! Right, you do have a ton of racial levels; it makes sense you'd grab a lot of defensive traits. I keep thinking of my old human customers who didn't bother with traits... Well, a general magic resistance and protection enchantment sounds ideal for you, on top of the size-altering and self-repair I already planned on doing."

"Thanks, Thern, I can't wait to get it."

"If the crafting isn't done already, it should be today. Then I'll need a day or so for enchanting, so you'll get it soon and finally look like a proper adventurer."

"That's some fast work..."

"You'd be surprised how fast someone with a dedicated crafting class can churn out equipment with all the skill bonuses they have available."

"Thanks, Thern. I'm going to look for my next quest. Try not to drink the entire barrel in one sitting!"

"Ha! I think even a dwarf would struggle to survive that much!"