Chapter 2: Chapter2-Identifying a Top-Tier Item!
In the "Original Realm" game, there are over a hundred newbie villages distributed across five great kingdoms.
Each newbie village has its unique features, allowing players to freely choose their preferred landing spot.
However, once a village is chosen, it cannot be changed.
Sebastian was in a newbie village named "Darkstone," characterized by the presence of a "Master-tier" blacksmith named "Arthur."
Every day, Arthur was swarmed with thousands of players, helping them identify newly acquired weapons.
By the time Sebastian arrived at the blacksmith shop with the unidentified axe, a long queue had already formed, seemingly not having moved forward for a considerable amount of time.
"What's going on?" "Why has the line stopped?"
A player ID'd as "I Don't Care About Money," holding a greatsword and having waited for nearly half an hour, couldn't help but voice his frustration.
Several players ahead turned around, offering words of consolation:
"Hold on."
"It seems someone upfront got a top-tier piece of equipment identified."
Upon hearing this, "I Don't Care About Money" instantly grew excited, "Really? What kind of equipment is it?"
Before anyone ahead could answer him, a player rushed out of the crowd, holding a gleaming longbow.
Climbing atop a table, he announced with exhilaration:
"Ladies and Gentlemen!"
"A level 10 blue-quality bow! Adds 25 points to strength, 35 to agility, and a 5% increase in attack speed! Just got it identified!"
"This is a top-tier piece of equipment for level 10 ranger and hunter classes!"
"Anyone interested in buying?!"
"I Don't Care About Money," standing in front of Sebastian, felt a surge of temptation but soon sighed, "Such a pity, it's a bow. I'm a warrior, can't use it... Would have been great if it was a heavy weapon."
Though he didn't make a move, the venue erupted into a noisy auction as players began to pitch their offers excitedly.
"I'll give 1 gold coin!"
"Come on, you dare to bid 1 gold coin for such a premium item? I bid 3 gold coins!"
"I bid 3 gold coins and 50 silver coins!"
"I bid 5 gold coins!"
The bidding continued incessantly.
In the end, the bow was sold for 7 gold coins and 80 silver coins to an archer.
Sebastian quickly calculated in his mind; this amount equated to roughly 7800 dollars in real currency.
For the average player, this was indeed a substantial windfall...
After this transaction successfully concluded, the line quickly moved forward, leaving just one person ahead of Sebastian.
Of the dozens of players who had their equipment appraised earlier, besides the one who sold the bow, all others left with dejected and disappointed expressions.
It appeared they didn't manage to identify any valuable equipment.
"I Don't Care About Money" eagerly placed his greatsword on the appraisal desk, his face filled with anticipation as he looked at appraiser Arthur.
"Master, please take a look. This greatsword is equipment dropped by a level 5 elite BOSS that my friend defeated. I spent quite a sum to get it at an auction..."
NPC Arthur gave him a disdainful glance, interrupting him, "Cut the chatter. As long as you have the money, I'll appraise even a piece of junk for you. The appraisal fee for this weapon is 1 gold coin, non-negotiable."
I Don't Care About Money nodded repeatedly, hastily handing over the appraisal fee.
The people lined up behind him all craned their necks, hoping to witness the birth of another premium weapon.
Old Arthur casually picked up the greatsword, running his calloused hand along the blade.
Instantly, the grey mist entwined around the blade dissipated, revealing the true form of the greatsword.
[Darkstone Knight Greatsword (White): A greatsword lost by a knight from Darkstone and subsequently claimed by a monster.]
[Attributes: Equipable at level 10, grants +10 to strength, +10 to endurance]
Seeing the attributes that were identified for his treasured greatsword, I Don't Care About Money was stunned on the spot.
"White... white quality?"
"It can't be..."
In the game, the known equipment was classified into five tiers for the players.
White, representing common quality.
Green, denoting rare quality.
Blue, symbolizing unique quality.
Purple, for epic quality.
Gold, standing for legendary quality.
From white to gold, the quality and value increased incrementally. White quality equipment was basically considered worthless.
The complexion of I Don't Care About Money became terribly unsightly at this moment.
It wasn't so much about the money he spent, but the feeling of being deceived by a so-called friend, which left him quite upset.
"Bro, are you done yet?"
Seeing the person in front of him standing still and lost in thought, Sebastian couldn't help but speak up to remind him.
I Don't Care About Money looked back at him, sighed, and then stepped aside to make way.
Sebastian didn't stand on ceremony, advancing directly to slam the axe he was holding onto the appraisal desk with a "thud".
Seeing it was an axe, I Don't Care About Money glanced at it curiously.
But he quickly lost interest upon realizing it was a level 5 piece of equipment.
The onlooking players behind began whispering among themselves:
"See that? Even that greatsword which looked so fine bombed during appraisal. Truly, gambling with equipment in this game is a road to doom."
"Is this 'ShepherdWind' guy joking, bringing a level 5 equipment for appraisal? Who still uses level 5 gear these days?"
"Yeah, if I got hold of an unidentified level 5 piece of equipment, I'd just throw it away to avoid wasting appraisal fees."
"You guys don't get it, spending 50 silver coins to appraise junk, that's what rich people do!"
Sebastian paid no mind to the discussions and sarcastic remarks behind him, simply handing over 50 silver coins to old Arthur, saying, "Master, please proceed with the appraisal."
These fifty silver coins were freshly exchanged from 500 real-world dollars by Sebastian.
Otherwise, being a level-one character, there was no way he could have afforded 50 silver coins.
Old Arthur picked up the axe and nodded slightly. Suddenly, a sparkle ignited in his originally dull eyes.
"A fine piece indeed..."
"It has been a long time since I've seen such a fine item in this village..."
As he spoke, old Arthur dusted off the grime and fog enveloping the axe.
Suddenly, the attributes of the axe were revealed for all the players to see.
[Sean's One-Handed Axe (Blue): A remarkably sharp axe once wielded by the legendary knight Sean of Darkstone.]
[Attributes: Equipable at level 5, a one-handed weapon, grants +50 to strength, +35 to endurance, and +500 to HP.]
[Special enhancement: You gain the favor of the Darkstone knights, reducing the cost of learning warrior or knight class skills in Darkstone by 50%.]
As these attributes were revealed, everyone was utterly astounded.
The players who were just discussing Sebastian were all left agape.
"Strength +50, endurance +35?!"
"And an additional five hundred HP..."
"Is... is this really level 5 equipment?"
"How is it even better than a level 10 blue-grade equipment?!"
"And it's a one-handed weapon!"
Some level 10 players lowered their heads to look at the weapons in their hands, suddenly feeling like they were holding trash.
The once dejected face of the player "I Don't Care About Money" instantly lit up with excitement.
His eyes filled with desire as he looked at the level 5 one-handed axe, murmuring:
"Bro, are you selling this axe?"
Sebastian shook his magus robe and retorted, "Do I look like someone who could use an axe?"
I Don't Care About Money caught on immediately, promptly responding:
"Right, you obviously belong to the magus class, you have no use for an axe like this."
"Name your price. As long as it's reasonable, I'll buy it right away!"
...
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Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone