Chapter 5

"Ah... uh, yes. It is harder to get material I can work with lately."

Bart sighed as his jovial expression died down.

"I'd love ta craft up somethin more useful, somethin new even."

Ryzer browsed the weapons as he listened.

"So why can't you get more materials?"

Bart pointed behind himself.

"Came here to take over for my Pa. Old bastard had a gamblin problem that left us in debt. I used what I brought from Claw City to make ends meet for some time..."

Ryzer finished for him.

"But you don't have enough to get more materials from the Claw Dungeon to Fang?"

"Aye."

Bart gave Ryzer a small smile as he spoke.

"Going by land takes a week and then some. A ship is too expensive."

Ryzer put a hand to his chin.

'I know I was in Claw City for a period of time when I was young. Maybe... just maybe.'

He looked over at Bart.

"If I can bring you materials, would you pay me for them? It doesn't have to be money. Your skills could be useful to me. Blacksmith's, leatherworker's and the rest of the crafting classes. You're all useful to an adventurer."

Bart gave Ryzer a confused look that slowly turned into understanding.

"That would be great! Do we shake on it, or..."

Ryzer shook his head.

"It's a promise. I'm based here in Fang, currently, so you'll be able to find me at Fang Inn. If I'm not there, leave a message with Maddie. As I have no materials now, I'd like to ask a favor of you. This time."

Ryzer pulled his coin pouch from his ring, as well as his robe.

"I'd like to buy a couple of weapons, at a discount. If I can't, or don't bring you any materials in less than two weeks, you can harass me into paying the rest of the price."

Bart crossed his meaty, muscular arms.

"I can do that. My weapons, while not the best, are sadly more expensive than I would like to price them. They're the only metal worked in town. The others, they sell stuff made from bone or leather. Fang Dungeon is filled with beasties that'll make good huntin for a novice, while Claw can be a little difficult. Many constructs and golems out that way, though they ain't strong by any means."

'He's pretty talkative, but at least he will drop some of these prices. Three gold for a Bronze Sword? No thanks.'

Having come to an agreement, Ryzer looked back at the weapons.

"Can you tell me the aspects that make you price certain weapons higher than others? Beyond the material composition? You have a Stone Spear for sixty silver, but another for eighty."

Though he asked, Ryzer already began to peak at the information of the weapons.

[Weapon: Cracked Stone Spear

Required: Str 7, Dex 3

Durability: 7/7

Weapon: Stone Spear

Required: Str 7, Dex 3

Durability: 15/15]

Bart pulled down the Cracked Stone Spear, tracing some slight flaws.

"I was in a hurry with this one, it has cracks along the head. It's cheaper as the weapon will break faster, leaving you defenseless. Once the durability of a weapon expires, it will shatter and vanish. Almost as if the dungeons will eat the materials."

Ryzer's eyes went wide. It was the first he had heard of limited use for weaponry.

"Is this true for all weapons? Even ones made from leather or bone?"

Bart nodded, a sad expression crossing his features.

"It is the leading cause of death in new adventurers. Many, if not all, lose their weapon and fall in fear of their enemies strength."

Ryzer kept his words to himself, keeping silent as Bart's eyes became worse off.

"Alright kiddo. Take yer pick."

He wiped his face before he continued.

"We can do market price, but added a little on top. Should be a decent discount."

Ryzer nodded, then tapped a Bronze Spear; 7 gold, a Stone Sword; 80 silver, and an Iron Dagger; 6 gold. Ryzer smirked as his deal saved him nearly ninety percent of that.

"Just these? I'll round the silver, so a gold and a half."

Ryzer nodded, pulling two gold coins from his pouch. After Bart took them, he returned with fifty silver. After placing them on a table, he gave Ryzer the chance to count them. To his surprise, Ryzer scooped them into his coin pouch.

"Alright, I'll lay out the weapons in case you want to take a finer look over them."

Ryzer nodded as they were placed before him.

[Weapon: Refined Stone Sword

Required: Str 9

Effect: Durability increased by 100%

Durability: 30/30

Weapon: Sharpened Bronze Spear

Required: Str 8, Dex 7

Effect: Easier to cut through flesh, Durability reduced by 10%

Durability: 25/25

Weapon: Iron Dagger

Required: 7 Dex

Durability: 60/60]

'These effects are easy to understand, but weirdly random. But about the requirements...'

[Requirements are predetermined prerequisites to properly use a weapon. Even proficiency cannot overcome the effects the dungeons will have on the wielder of a weapon they do not meet the requirements for.]

Ryzer's eyes widened as he read the notification.

'Better to be safe than sorry, so what are my current capabilities?'

[Name: Ryzer Urd Vale

Race: Human

Age: 20

C. Lvl: 5

Class: Villager, Lvl 5

Str: 9

End: 9

Agi: 5

Mag: 0

Dex: 9

Luk: 0]

Ryzer nodded to himself as he watched over his stats and the weapons themselves. He touched his chin and nodded again.

'I'm capable of using these, all three of them. That's good. I'll be able to put them to good use then... I think?'

Bart gave a wide smile as Ryzer put the sword and spear inside of his ring. The dagger was strapped to his thigh. Finally able to leave, Ryzer waved to Bart.

'Thinking of everything I've been scanning... my new coat?'

He looked down at his arm. The black coat was about to go back into the ring when he finally examined it.

[Clothing: Unidentified Black Dragonskin Coat (Hooded)

Would you like to identify?]

As Ryzer blinked rapidly, he realized why he was told it wouldn't be as effective. He stared for a bit before the process began.

[ERROR: Target identification halted. Discerning Eye updated: To identify, C. Lvl must reach 20]

'Uh... huh.'

As Ryzer began to walk away, Bart called him back.

"Sorry, kiddo. Wanted to give you some extra advice, on the house."

Ryzer smiled softly.

"I see that you're a newbie getting ready to head into the dungeon, so you should not just sign up with the guild. There is a great Leatherworker down the street. Good for quality, cheap leather gear. Weapons and armor alike."

Ryzer nodded.

"Thanks. That'll help since my current clothing isn't cut out for dungeoneering."

Bart patted him on the shoulder as he continued.

"The owner is a sweet girl, even gone through a couple of Inspirations. Please do be kind to her, her husband isn't quite... the nicest."

Ryzer tilted his head.

"What's an Inspiration?"

"Just what we crafters call it. It's what happens when we work hard and focus on our craft."

Ryzer thanked Bart once again before waving a he walked off.

---

Thank you,

Anna Haig!