Chapter 45, Oddities

Chapter 45, Oddities

An item with healing abilities.

This one is similar to his staff, allowing the user to cast the skill embedded in the item.

The effect of a basic healing potion might not be much for high-level adventurers, but for their level, it's more than sufficient.

Last time he was injured, he only used a minor healing potion, and the effect was already quite good.

Wu Heng leaned in for a closer look.

[Oak Branch Natural Bracelet]

(Description: The bracelet grants the user two uses of 'Healing.')

The system also displayed a notification.

The function matched what Otruluk described, though not as detailed.

But still... if you're injured, you can just drink a potion; there's no need to use a reward opportunity on this.

Seeing the others remain silent, Otruluk continued with the introductions.

"The second item is the Firestone Gauntlets. Punching with them can cause a small explosion, but the downside is they can easily injure your fingers."

Easily injure your fingers?

What kind of genius designed this equipment?

Otruluk didn't pause to gauge their reactions and continued, "Next, we have the Hunter's Ring, which improves accuracy."

The third item was a ring that looked as if it was carved from bone.

[Hunter's Ring]

(Description: The ring grants the user the ability to 'lock onto a target' with precision.)

Otruluk then moved on to the fourth item.

It was a black leather plague doctor mask, resembling the ones worn by medieval physicians, with a long, pointed beak and round glass lenses over the eyes.

"This is an oddity, called the Witch Doctor's Mask. It filters out most toxic gases, but there's a catch—it might infect you with a new virus. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with low constitution."

What the hell? A poisonous gas mask?

[Witch Doctor's Mask (Oddity)]

(Effect: When worn, it filters out most toxic gases in the air. If your constitution is below 20, there's a chance of contracting a virus or plague.)

(Description: A gas mask that has absorbed old toxins over time.)

"Captain, what's an oddity?"

Just as Otruluk was about to introduce the next item, he paused and explained, "Magical items are created by inscribing magic onto objects, allowing the user to cast spells. An 'oddity,' on the other hand, is something formed under special conditions or in a unique environment. These can also produce special effects, but they often come with some negative side effects."

So, magical items are man-made, while oddities form naturally under special circumstances.

Both can have special effects, but oddities are unpredictable and often come with drawbacks.

The plague doctor mask in front of him, for instance, had the downside of potentially poisoning the wearer if their constitution wasn't high enough, even if it filtered out external toxins.

After thinking for a moment, Otruluk added, "Oddities are hard to replicate, and in terms of value, they're often worth more on the market. Many people collect them as valuable items."

"Got it."

But Wu Heng still wasn't impressed with the mask.

Gas masks, even in the modern world, are mass-produced items.

It might not be easy to find a military-grade one, but getting a regular gas mask shouldn't be difficult.

Besides, he hadn't encountered any significant toxins yet.

So, this item wasn't particularly valuable to him.

Otruluk then introduced the remaining items, all with special effects, but the only oddity was the mask.

After some polite exchanges, the three made their choices.

Otruluk chose a piece of armor that boosted defense, Wu Heng picked the 'Hunter's Ring,' and Kavina chose the only oddity, the 'Witch Doctor's Mask.'

She probably figured that since none of the items suited her well, she might as well take the most expensive one.

She could always sell it later and buy something more useful.

...

After choosing their items, all three were fairly satisfied.

The newly joined Yuli, meanwhile, sat on the sofa eating chips, watching the three make their selections.

She didn't say a word, just kept munching away.

Otruluk took the unchosen items back.

When he returned, he sat down again.

Wu Heng asked, "Captain, any progress on that thing I mentioned?"

Yuli, who had been munching disdainfully, paused and perked up her ears to listen.

Otruluk knew what Wu Heng was referring to and replied, "There's no result yet. Give it a few more days."

"Oh," Wu Heng thought for a moment and then asked, "Captain, how do you generally deal with ghosts like the ones in that mining village?"

The other three all looked at him.

Their eyes seemed to say, "A necromancer asking others how to deal with ghosts?"

"Uh, just making conversation, trying to learn something new."

Kavina spoke up first, "Magic energy from spells can affect spirits."

Ghosts can pass through walls, so physical attacks don't work well on them.

Magic is more effective against them.

Otruluk added, "Necromancers usually train spirits into wraith servants for their own use, but it's generally difficult for spirits to form on their own."

After a slight pause, Otruluk added, "Transforming living beings into spirits is a serious crime in any kingdom or organization."

"I know, I was just thinking about that mining village and got curious," Wu Heng said as he poured himself a cup of tea. He continued, "I want to buy some skill books and equipment. Aside from using rewards from commissions, are there other ways to get them?"

"Not many options. The guild doesn't allow rewards to be bought with money because it would reduce others' motivation to take on commissions," Otruluk replied, thinking for a moment before continuing, "If you need something, you can apply to the guild or issue a commission to see if anyone has what you need and is willing to trade."

Issuing a commission to buy things was indeed an option, but Wu Heng wasn't sure what he wanted to buy at the moment.

They then talked a bit about the squad's situation.

With the squad now having four members, Otruluk and Kavina planned to take on some regular commissions once they recovered, to make money and also to improve the squad's coordination.

Earning money didn't appeal much to Wu Heng, who had just looted a gold shop,

But participating in squad activities was a must.

After all, the team atmosphere was still pretty good.

...

Leaving the guild, Wu Heng headed straight back to his residence.

After finishing dinner, he was about to take out a corpse core and swallow it.

Knock, knock!

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

This was followed by a girl's voice, "Wu Heng, are you home? My aunt is looking for you."

Wu Heng opened the door to find Yuli standing there with her arms crossed.

He had just met this little girl today, and now she had found her way to his home.

"Who's your aunt?"

"Of course, it's your vice-deacon," Yuli said, with a hint of pride in her voice.

Oh, Slater, huh?

No wonder they have the same hair color.

Damn, this girl got in through connections.

No wonder she's got that smug attitude.

"The vice-deacon is looking for me?"

"Yeah, she's waiting outside."

Wu Heng thought for a moment, then went back inside to gather his things, and left with Barson.

Leaving the crowded district, they arrived at the main road.

A carriage was parked nearby.

As he got into the carriage, the mature and alluring Slater sat across from him.

Before Wu Heng could ask anything, Slater lightly tapped on the carriage wall, "Let's go!"

The carriage began to move, heading toward the west side of the city.