Chapter 38: Equipment Upgrade

Raine immediately noticed a new addition to his spell-like abilities—Silent Roar Lv1.

Silent Roar Lv1, Effect: Emits a sound wave scream that can interfere with or interrupt all spellcasting within a ten-meter radius.

"Interrupting spellcasting, eh!"

Although this originated from a monster’s magic, and Raine didn’t know what the world’s orthodox mage’s spell was to interrupt casting, it didn’t hinder his understanding of the importance of this spell-like ability.

"Not bad, I’ve finally got my first ability to counter enemy magic."

"It’s also a decent way to counter some spellcasting monsters."

Raine quickly thought of multiple scenarios where Silent Roar could be applied. Not only could it be used against magical creatures, but also against hostile casters.

"Huh? Does the Giant Bloodsucking Bat Leader also have Strong Lv1?" Raine glanced at the passives in his bloodline talents and suddenly discovered this point.

"In that case... can’t I just remove the Goblin Warrior bloodline?" Raine raised an eyebrow and said with delight.

Because the Cold-Enhanced Goblin Bloodline also had Low Light Vision Lv1.

As for the sole third-level bloodline talent—’High-speed Reproduction Lv3,’ it was utterly useless for someone like him who didn’t even have a girlfriend.

And now that Strong Lv1 has a replacement....

After a brief thought, Raine inserted the Mutated Goblin and Wild Boar Warrior bloodlines into his bloodline slots but did not put the Goblin Warrior bloodline back.

Moreover, since bloodlines cannot be merged a second time, Raine cleared out the remaining five Giant Vampire Bats from his sixteen-slot bag.

Thus, in his sixteen-slot bag, there was only one ordinary Wild Boar bloodline and one Goblin Warrior bloodline left.

As for his current bloodline slots, they were adjusted to:

[Blessed Bloodline: Cold-Enhanced Goblin Bloodline×1, Wild Boar Warrior Bloodline×1, Giant Bloodsucking Bat Leader Bloodline×1]

[Bloodline Talents: High-speed Reproduction Lv2...Low Light Vision Lv1...Frost Affinity Lv1...Brute Force Lv2...Thick Hide Lv2....Sensitive Smell Lv2...Hammer Mastery Lv1...Sensitive Hearing Lv2....Strong Lv1]

[Spell-like Abilities: Freezing Ray Lv1, Barbaric Charge Lv1, Acoustic Positioning Lv1, Silent Roar Lv1]

The originally full set of four bloodline slots now had one empty, as if making room for potential future monster bloodlines.

...

Early the next morning.

Raine arrived early at the Iron Furnace Workshop.

The slightly chubby elder, who always wore a welcoming smile, saw Raine at first glance and warmly greeted him, saying, "Welcome, Mr. Rein."

"Mr. Fiode, hello, I’m here this time to get a new shield," Raine nodded, smiling as he explained his intention.

Since buying three pieces of equipment last time, Raine naturally became acquainted with the elder—Fiode, the responsible manager of the Mill Town branch of the Iron Furnace Workshop.

Due to Raine’s constant practice of the Shield Bash combat skill during this time, the cross-braced reinforced kite shield could no longer withstand such high-frequency use.

Whether it was the reinforced rams or the handle at the back of the shield, both had become a bit loose.

It’s not that the equipment from the Iron Furnace Workshop was of poor quality; rather, this shield, which was worth only about ten silver coins, was not meant for the high-frequency skill training of a quasi-classes adventurer.

Since he mastered Shield Bash, Raine thought he might need a sturdier and more durable metal shield instead of a ramming iron shoulder guard.

Raine clearly remembered the price inquiry last time—’Riveted Metal Shield 35 silver coins, Cross-braced Reinforced Kite Shield 18 silver coins,’ and this time he earned 21 silver coins.

If what Mr. Fiode said last time was true—’buying back old equipment originally purchased from the Iron Furnace Workshop at a higher price,’ then his money should be sufficient.

"By the way, Mr. Fiode, you mentioned last time that your shop could buy back old shields?"

"Of course, Mr. Rein, please show me your shield. If there’s nothing wrong, it should still be possible to buy it back at eighty percent of the original price...."

Suddenly, as Fiode started inspecting Raine’s shield, his words halted, and his eyes opened slightly, his expression changing. He looked at Raine in disbelief and smiled wryly, saying:

"Uh... Mr. Rein, did you fight an ogre with this?"

"I remember you bought this shield just over half a month ago. How did it get worn out like this?"

"I believe that with our Iron Furnace Workshop’s quality, this shield shouldn’t wear out so quickly without repeated heavy impacts."

As he spoke, Fiode pointed out several fine wooden cracks on the shield’s surface in front of Raine.

"This..." Fiode’s words left Raine at a loss for words.

After all, the initial buyback price offered by them was at eighty percent, which truly was a high price recovery.

Moreover, what they said made sense.

It was indeed due to his excessive and frequent use of the Shield Bash skill recently that this shield wore out so quickly.

"So... what is the highest buyback price for this shield now?"

"At most, I can buy it back at sixty percent... forget it, I’ll do seventy," Fiode sighed and said.

"I hope Mr. Rein will continue to visit our store in the future."

As for Raine, he hesitated for a moment.

He didn’t have enough money.

Seventy percent buyback for the old shield was 12 silver, 60 copper. Adding this to his current 21 silver coins, it totaled 33 silver, 60 copper, which is 1 silver, 40 copper short of 35 silver.

Although he still had 2 silver coins left at the inn for living expenses, the problem was that this was his only remaining money for living.

He couldn’t just not leave any money for living expenses, could he?

"I’ll come back in a few days when I’m carrying more money with me," Raine said and planned to leave.

Just then, a young man beside him suddenly gently patted his shoulder and said in a joyful voice, "Raine! It’s really you!"

"I wouldn’t have recognized you if it weren’t for your familiar voice."

"Oh wow, you’ve changed so much."

"Robin, long time no see!" Raine also showed happiness.

The sunny, round-faced boy in front of him was Robin, his earlier sparring partner under Master Humbert.

"You’re here to buy equipment too?" Raine asked, looking at the shiny new short spear in Robin’s hand.

"Yes, I plan to buy a new short spear and shield," Robin smiled. "By the way, I heard you didn’t have enough money? How much are you short? I can lend it to you."

"This..." Raine showed hesitation.

"Is five silver coins enough?"

"Two is fine," Raine gestured with his hand.

"Mr. Rein, why don’t you let this young gentleman buy it for you? That way, if you purchase three items at once, you get a ten percent discount," Fiode whispered to Raine.

As a shop manager of the Iron Furnace Workshop, advising customers like this naturally could hurt his shop’s interests, but Fiode had his reasons.

In his view, the Mr. Rein before him had unusual strength and might soon become an official class Adventurer. If he could build a good relationship now, Raine could become a big client for high-tier equipment purchases in the future.

His willingness to increase the buyback price by ten percent was also due to this reasoning.

"Haha, that’s right, Raine, let me handle it!"

Raine was also pleasantly surprised because this way, not only did he save 3 silver and 50 copper, but Robin’s two equipment purchases could also enjoy the ten percent discount.

That works perfectly.

Soon, Raine and Robin walked out of the Iron Furnace Workshop side by side. Raine’s newly bought metallic kite shield was left in the workshop for the addition of three rhombus spikes, which would take a day.

"Raine, I’m off to complete a task. Yesterday, my team was lucky enough to snag a kobold-clearing mission."

"Kobolds? Those are indeed popular," Raine nodded with a smile.

He knew how goblin and kobold clearing missions were much sought after among the lower-tier adventurers.

"Yes, after this mission, I think I’ll have saved up enough money. I’m planning to take my sister to Dorne City to have a priest treat her eyes."

Robin smiled sunnily, his bright eyes filled with hope for the future.

"Your sister is lucky to have a brother like you. She’ll be very happy," Raine nodded seriously and said.

"Haha, it’s not much!" Robin seemed a bit embarrassed by Raine’s compliment and scratched his head.

Just then, a group of young adventurers at the end of the street waved to Robin.

"Well... they’re waiting for me. See you later, Raine."

"Okay, see you!" Raine waved goodbye with a smile.