Chapter 128: Trading at CGA.

In front of Evan's apartment, there was a huge crowd causing commotion over something, and Evan, who had just come out of his room, went to see what had happened.

The crowd was so large that he couldn't even see what was going on ahead.

So, he asked one person standing before him.

"Brother, do you know what happened here? Is something big happening?"

"Oh, hi Evan, haven't seen you in a while. Yes, something big happened. People found many blood traces around here and are suspecting someone from this floor. The whole staircase up to this floor is bloodied, like someone was heavily injured or came covered in blood."

"Oh, I see. Well, did they find out who it was?"

"Nah, Horace over there is trying to look cool in front of some girls and is looking around for clues like some detective. Isn't he a total fool?"

The guy said while pointing toward Horace, the building owner, who was looking around with a cool attitude, and secretly laughed at him.

Evan didn't think much of it until his eyes landed on some blood spilled on the floor before his room.

He instantly remembered what had happened last night.

'Oh crap, it was me, and if Horace calls the police, they may connect it to the fight between me and Lucas last night. I should do something to stop him from calling them.'

Evan, who was still thinking, quickly reached Horace, who was talking with the girls.

"Horace, maybe I can help you with this," Evan said as he came in front of him, drawing everyone's attention.

"Huh, Evan, what are you doing here, and what do you mean you can help with this? Do you know who was behind it?"

"Yes, because... it was me who did this. So don't waste time calling the police and wasting other people's time over such a foolish thing."

Evan said as the whole crowd fell silent.

"Huh... do you mean you're the one who spilled blood in the hallway and stairs? But why? If you don't tell me the reason, then I am calling the police right now."

"Don't worry, if I didn't want to tell you, I wouldn't have come in front of you. The thing is, last night I was returning from the dungeon and didn't notice a big cut on my leg, which was obviously caused by a monster attack. My pants were soaked in blood, and it continued to flow, making this mess around here."

He explained, showing the bandages and tapes he used on his almost healed injuries from Tess's attacks.

The crowd began to murmur among themselves as the story matched and seemed believable, causing their suspicion to diminish.

"So, it was you, huh. Well, don't do it again, but for this mess, pay the fine and get it over with. And yes again, don't do it again." Horace said, knowing he couldn't mess with Evan, who was an awakened being, while he was not.

If Evan had not been an awakened being, Horace would have taken money and made him clean it up himself.

After paying the five hundred as a penalty, Evan went to get a taxi to reach CGA and buy some equipment and weapons for hunting.

After coming down from his floor, he exited the building and took his ride to the CGA branch in the city.

Later, Evan stood in front of the branch, paid the fare, and enter the building ground.

He first thought to check out the market in the branch made by hunters but decided that he should buy something first, then hunt, and afterward visit the market.

He entered the main building and decided to head to the second floor, where weapons and armor are sold by the association.

The building has four floors: the first is the basement, where the Nexus portal is located and only hunters of Tier 1 and above can enter; the second is the ground floor, where hunter registration and dungeon inquiries are conducted; the third is the second floor, where weapons and armor are bought and sold; and the fourth is the third floor, where miscellaneous items like potions, materials, and other goods are available for purchase or sale.

Most hunters buy items from the second and third floors because they often prefer to exchange items with other hunters according to their needs.

Evan did not stop and went to the second floor to buy some items with his meager 160,000 CP.

He knew he would not be able to get decent items of Erith rank, but still trying to find something that fits in his hands was not bad.

He took the stairs and reached the second floor, where many hunters were buying items left and right.

The floor was big, just like the first floor, though a little smaller in area, but still spacious enough to accommodate about five hundred hunters easily.

He then approached the main desk, where the cash counter was available to pay for the equipment, the hunters were looking around for.

"Hello sir, how may I help you?" the official standing there asked him with a professional smile.

"Hello, I am a Tier 0 hunter and am here to buy some equipment for myself of at least Caldo rank," Evan explained as the official nodded and went to work.

"Sir, could you please specify the type of equipment you are looking for, such as armor or weapons, and the specific type? We have lightweight armor for assassins and mages and heavyweight armor for knights and tanks. As for weapons, we offer a variety of commonly used options like swords, bows, axes, hammers, spears, and many more, with custom-made options available as well. You can also provide us with the materials to build them."

"Well, I want to buy some weapons and also wish to sell a full set of knight armor, preferably of Erith rank."

"Oh, certainly sir, we can facilitate that. If you wish to sell, please come with us and show the condition of the armor, and then we can decide the price after assessing its overall condition," the attendant said as he led Evan to a large table where he could display the entire equipment.

Evan nodded and took out the armor from his inventory, placing it in front of them.

The armor consisted of various parts such as headgear, a chest plate with attached chainmail inside, full hand guards with iron gloves attached, and leg gear that was quite spacious compared to the others.

The attendant began inspecting the armor's components, his face filled with shock as the armor was far superior to merely being called Erith rank.

It was also a perfect set of gear complemented by a Wind element.

"Sir, are you really going to sell it here? Is it not a suit you use yourself? Wouldn't you prefer to auction it at a high-end guild to gain more profit?"

"No, I am certain I am going to sell it here. I am not a knight; I am a Necromancer who obtained this after defeating a boss," Evan explained, clarifying any misunderstandings about how he acquired the armor as a Necromancer.

Regarding the question about selling, it at auction, Evan preferred to avoid the spotlight of high-end guilds, which could bring trouble into his life. Selling it to the association would help him evade such complications.

"O-okay, I will call someone at a senior post to look into this offer, so please wait and don't go anywhere," he said as he rushed away to call someone.

Evan didn't move from there and waited for the attendant to return. As he looked around, he noticed that beside him, there were many Tier 1 rank equipment for sale. 

Higher-tier equipment, such as those above Tier 2, are not displayed like that, nor are Tier 0 items, which are available in bulk was only displayed in screen lists. Displaying a single item from various tiers would not showcase the full variety.

He was looking around when his eyes landed on someone he knew quite well.

"Oh Mr. Darian, is that you?" Evan said as he saw someone coming toward him with eager steps.

Darian, who was heading in a slightly different direction, stopped in his tracks when he saw Evan.

Standing beside the item-selling desk, he got confused and first thought to just nod and go away, but when his eyes landed on the items on the desk, he instantly felt like he had seen them before.

He came closer and realized the equipment was indeed familiar.

He inspected them and found they were the same equipment he saw with Evan after the dungeon destruction investigation.

"Aren't you that kid named Evan who took the Solo test?" he said as he came closer, but his whole attention was on the armor lying in front of him.

"Oh yes, sir, I am the same kid and am here to sell this and to buy some items after receiving the money from the sale," Evan explained.

Upon hearing this, Darian's eyes flashed with excitement, as if the thing he was looking for, came to him with open hands.

"Well kid, if you don't mind, can I buy this set from you? My brother's nephew, who just got his class a few days ago, is looking for this type of armor. He is a Skyedge Warrior of B rank class. He is quite talented and very good, but the only thing he was looking for is a good weapon and a good armor related to his class. However, a weapon was the only thing my brother was able to find and is still looking for armor."

"And this item over there is quite good, so I want you to give it to me. In return, you can ask me for two... no, three pieces of equipment of the same rank, and I won't bat an eye at the price tag for you," Darian said. Evan, who was initially thinking of rejecting the offer, decided to consider it, as he could get three items of Erith rank at any price.

"Well, Mr. Darian, I first started to think of rejecting your offer, but out of respect and considering your generous proposal, I agree. Yes, I am ready to take three items," Evan said. At first, Darian was disappointed when he heard Evan, but as Evan continued, Darian's face lit up with delight.

"Thanks, kid. You've solved one of my big problems, and don't worry, I won't go back on my word. I'll even help you get the best items from our association," Darian said. He then went to look for a staff member, as he didn't see anyone nearby, and asked Evan to stay there and not go away.

Evan nodded and sighed as two people asked him to stay and wait but no one arrived yet. 'Where did that attendant go? I should tell him that I am going to sell it to Darian,' Evan thought as he looked around for the same attendant and found him talking to someone.

He was about to approach him when his eyes fell on the person the attendant was talking to. Lucas, who was alone, was conversing with the attendant.

'Where did he come from? Is he always present wherever I go? Is he coincidentally following me?' Evan wondered as he hid away. But then he thought, why should he hide, as he wasn't going to join Lucas's team until he had gained enough power.

"Oh sir, why are you hiding behind that stand? Please come out. I have brought my senior to handle this trade," the attendant, who had been missing, said as he returned after talking with Lucas and found Evan standing behind the dummy stand.

"Oh, I was just checking whether my size for such armor was good or not and nothing else."

"Sorry sir, but this armor is not available for you to buy as you need a tier 1 certificate to get it. And yes, I brought my senior to... huh, where are they? They were just behind me a few seconds ago."

The attendant said as he looked around for him, but Evan knew where his senior was and with whom.

The senior that the attendant brought was walking around with Lucas to help him buy items, and the reason for this was... don't ask me. You know all about his protagonist halo, so just be satisfied with that.

"Well sir, maybe your senior isn't interested in such a low trade, so why don't we consider it, as never happened, as I also got someone to sell it in exchange for three items of the same rank."

"Huh... but weren't you about to sell it to us? What happened that changed your mind in such a few minutes?" the attendant asked with shaky hands, but not out of fear or tension, but for losing his percentage of buying the armor and even selling some items to this kid.

"Yes, I did, but someone asked me to sell the armor to him and even gave me a tempting offer, so I changed my mind. But don't worry, I am still selling it to the association."

"Huh, but what would you give to that hunter if you're giving us that armor?"

"Oh, you didn't understand. I mean to say that I am giving this armor to an official to get three items."

"Huh, which one? Let me talk to him and then you may decide it after that. Where is he? Is he coming or did he run away after tricking you with this fake tempting offer?"

The attendant said as he thought that one of the officers was trying to seize this kid item and put him into a fraud.

"Oh, he returned quite fast. Look, that person is the one who bought my armor from me."

Evan pointed at one person coming as an officer of the association was also behind him, and the atmosphere between them was not good or normal.

"Tell me who it is... Senior Darian."

"What are you doing here? Get back to the main desk or you won't be able to work here anymore," Darian said in anger, taking it out on him.

The attendant ran away like a cat with her tail between her legs.

"What happened, Mr. Darian? Is something wrong? Are you not going to take my armor?"

"Oh, no, I am going to take it. A low-rank hunter filled with the pride and attitude of a high hunter got in my way and wasted both our time with his meaningless purchase."

Evan instantly recognized such a character and thought of Lucas, who was the only one to get on Darian's nerves and get away easily.

"Oh, don't worry, sir. Such a person doesn't deserve your anger. Let us complete the trade and move on, as ruining our transaction over something pointless is unnecessary. Moreover, it is for your nephew's future and, safety comes first before anything else."

Evan said, trying to calm him while pressing his alarming nerve to put him in control.

"Yes, I understand. But Evan, can I ask if you also have the weapon of the boss from back then? If getting an additional weapon for my nephew is possible, I can pay more. If you provide me with that weapon, I will give you a total of five... no, six items for everything."

Darian declared, causing Evan's mind to waver. However, he didn't falter much, as such a good and handy longsword didn't come easily. With this weapon, he could level up his skill, which he got from boss back then. Until he could normally perform the skill, he couldn't sell it.

"Sorry, sir, but I did wish to sell it to you. However, due to some issue, it broke in the dungeon as its durability was already low. Using that weapon in a crude way by me got it destroyed. So once again, sorry, and thank you for your generous offer."

Evan said, making lines as his lying ability grew much faster now.

"Oh, then it's okay. But if you get the same weapon, contact me too," Darian said as he picked up the armor and ordered the official, who was the same person with Lucas, to get him the three necessary items.

Darian was eager to send the armor to his nephew and left while Evan and the officer remained alone.

"Well sir, what I need is a bow, spear, and finally a shield of Erith rank, obviously. And please try to find the best of the best for me," Evan explained, as these three were the basic ones he thought would be valuable the dungeon and wanted to become proficient in.

"Hah, Sir Darian, why did you put me in such a situation? I was about to make a connection with that kid who knows the branch manager, but he assigned me to give items to this kid," the officer said, even though he did not agree to do this work but still doing it.

He told Evan to follow him and took him to the tier 0 section where he searched for the best equipment he wanted to buy. Finally, after fifteen minutes, he agreed on three items.

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Weapon: Shadowpiercer (Tier 0, Erith Rank)

Type: Bow

Durability: 800/800

Weight: Light

Attack Power: 70

Description: A sleek, jet-black recurve bow carved from the spine of a Netherwood Tree, reinforced with darksteel inlays. The bowstring is woven from Abyssal Silk, allowing it to vibrate with eerie silence. Each arrow loosed from this bow carries a whisper of the void, vanishing momentarily before striking its mark.

Effects:

Phantom Arrow: Arrows gain slight intangibility, ignoring weak barriers and passing through lesser obstructions.

Piercing Gloom: Arrows deal extra damage when fired from the shadows.

Silent Draw: The bow produces no sound when pulled, allowing for stealthier attacks.

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Weapon: Nightpiercer (Tier 0, Erith Rank)

Type: Spear

Durability: 900/900

Weight: Medium

Attack Power: 95

Description: A dark spear with a twisted obsidian shaft and a fang-like spearhead forged from the remains of a Shadow Serpent. The weapon pulses with an eerie, predatory hunger, making it feel almost alive in the wielder's grasp. When wielded in dimly lit environments, its edge appears to ripple like a mirage.

Effects:

Fang Strike: A successful thrust temporarily weakens the target's defenses.

Shadow Lunge: Allows the wielder to lunge forward at unnatural speed when attacking.

Predator's Instinct: Slightly enhances reaction speed when locked onto an enemy.

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Weapon: Duskguard (Tier 0, Erith Rank)

Type: Shield

Durability: 1100/1100

Weight: Heavy

Defense Rating: 120

Description: A round shield made from Voidforged Metal, absorbing light instead of reflecting it. At its center, a shifting abyssal gemstone pulses with stored energy, allowing the wielder to momentarily harness its protective properties. Its surface is unnaturally cold to the touch, as if resisting the warmth of the world around it.

Effects:

Void Absorption: Can absorb a portion of incoming magical damage, converting it into temporary resistance.

Abyssal Reflection: Can deflect weak spells back toward the caster when timed correctly.

Stalwart Guard: Grants minor resistance against mental interference while raised.

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He took the three pieces of equipment and nodded before the official left him to roam around. When Evan looked at the item cost, he was shocked as the total amount was around 280,000 CP.

He wouldn't be able to get that amount even if he sold the armor, which would fetch at most 140,000 to 165,000 CP.

To buy them, he would have to spend all his remaining money.

"Then let's start the real fun from now on. Talent, enchant them," Evan said, as he determined to put extra effort into bringing out the true potential of the items he held.

Talents and items came first, and other things were secondary.

-<To be Continued>-

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