章 13: Black Market (2)
He pondered thoughtfully, 'I seem to recall that Sucura is highly skilled with dagger weapons. I should seek out a mentor to learn more. Ideally, I would prefer to engage in combat from a long range rather than up close.'
Sucura glanced at the beastman and inquired, "What is this gun?" before turning his attention back to the displayed firearm.
The gun resembled an enormous Anaconda, its dark crimson hue complementing Sucura's hair and emanating an unsettling aura. It didn't appear to be harmless, nor did it seem overtly vicious; instead, it evoked a sense of unease.
The beastman explained, "It's called Arankar. There are rumors surrounding both the weapon and the merchant who sold it. It was crafted by a deranged artificer who, upon deeming his creation a failure, promptly discarded it."
"What are the pros and cons of this Arankar?"
In this mystical realm, firearms are often deemed ineffective for a variety of reasons. Magicians, for instance, possess magical defenses that allow them to perceive threats through their mana. They also maintain protective wards to guard against surprise attacks from adversaries. Beastmen, on the other hand, boast incredibly resilient skin and, in some cases, exoskeletons that render bullets as futile as water guns against steel walls.
Magic-based alternatives, such as lightning spells, prove to be far more potent. These spells not only travel faster than bullets but also have a greater impact on their surroundings. Technological limitations and the absence of seamless integration with magical abilities further diminish the appeal of guns.
The beastman explained, "It's called the Weakness Gun. For instance, if you encounter a skeletal enemy, you can use your mana as a medium and fire the gun to purify the creature. In essence, it counters your enemy by exploiting their weaknesses. That's all I know."
Sucura contemplated this information and gave a subtle nod, thinking, 'This weapon seems incredibly overpowered, doesn't it? Its effectiveness likely depends on the user's mana reserves, as well as the degree of condensation of the bullet. The more condensed the bullet, the greater the damage inflicted. Additionally, the weapon's potency may be influenced by the attributes of the user and their synergy with the firearm.'
Sucura gestured for the beastman to continue.
"The drawbacks of this gun include an erratic fire rate and the need for intense concentration. Users may experience emotions amplified a hundredfold compared to normal individuals, as well as extreme hallucinations if the gun is overused."
Sucura calmly asked, "There's more to it, isn't there?"
Raising an eyebrow, the beastman gave a subtle nod. "The previous owner disappeared without a trace within six months, and nobody knows where he went. There have been numerous previous owners."
Sucura scoffed to himself, thinking, 'It's likely that the gun has already been studied or something along those lines. Perhaps there's more to it, but the beastman doesn't want to divulge further details.'
"How much for this gun?" Sucura inquired.
"1,500 gold coins, fixed price."
Sucura considered the price and thought, 'It's cheaper than I expected, which means there must be more to it.' He pondered for a few minutes, weighing the potential benefits of the gun for his survival against the risks associated with its mysterious nature.
"I'll think about it."
***
Upon leaving the stall, he strolled along for several minutes before catching sight of the Witch's hut. He mused to himself, 'If memory serves, witches have their own kingdom governed by a matriarchal system. My knowledge of witches is rather limited, but I do recall that some of them possess an ageless quality, their faces belying their true years.'
As he stepped inside the store, he was greeted by an array of potions, enchanted weapons, and various tomes. The interior exuded an air of opulence, with meticulously clean and well-organized displays.
Sucura's gaze settled on the stunning witch seated gracefully behind the counter. Her supple skin was complemented by a gothic black witch's dress and a wide-brimmed, pointed hat adorned with an embroidered bat motif. The elegant spectacles she donned only served to enhance the youthful allure of her visage, which was framed by ebony tresses as dark as the night and bewitching, deep crimson eyes.
[Lvl. 84]
Sucura carefully examined the items without touching them, and after a few minutes, he approached the Witch. "Do you have the Mind Blank Spell?" he inquired calmly.
The Witch regarded him with an enigmatic smile and replied, "Yes, we have the Mind Blank Spell." As she rose from her seat, her every movement seemed to exude enticement. She circled around him, scrutinizing his physique, before coming to a stop in front of him and gently placing her hand on his chest.
With a sudden intensity, she looked into his eyes and asked, "So, you're the Fallen Hero, huh? Why are you so weak?"
Sucura responded with a composed demeanor, "I must respectfully assert that the matter in question is not within the purview of your concern."
"Hoh," she delicately encircled her hands around his neck, their faces drawing tantalizingly close. "You've entered my domain, and I could easily end your life with a mere incantation," she whispered, her scent intoxicating and her mellifluous voice weaving a spell of its own.
After several heartbeats of intense eye contact, she inquired, "Are you a eunuch, perchance?"
"No, I'm not," he replied with a faint smile, before adding, "You are truly captivating, but I was well aware that venturing into your facade would bring about dire consequences."
"Fufu~…" she gracefully released her hold and sauntered towards her chair. "You are quite perceptive. I had hoped to acquire new specimens for my experiments, particularly the body of a former hero such as yourself."
As she settled into the chair, Sucura inquired, "How much does the spell cost, Miss Witch?"
"Just call me Mathilda, Sucura. The Mind Blank spell is priced at 4,000 gold coins."
Upon hearing the cost, Sucura felt as if her ears were bleeding, rendering her momentarily deaf. "I beg your pardon, could you please repeat that?"
"4,000 gold coins," Mathilda reiterated.
Stunned by the price, Sucura subconsciously froze in place, resembling a statue.
Mathilda arched an eyebrow and explained, "Perhaps you're unfamiliar with the pricing structure. Common spells range from 100 to 1,000 gold coins, rare spells cost between 1,000 and 15,000 gold coins, and epic spells are priced from 50,000 to 200,000 gold coins. As for legendary spells, they're considered priceless and can only be traded for other legendary items, such as artifacts or weapons."
Sucura contemplated, 'I hadn't anticipated such a steep price.'
"How about mythical spells, Mathilda?" he asked calmly and respectfully.
"Those are self-explanatory, Sucura. Mythical spells are just that - myths. They can only be acquired by chosen individuals and they cannot be traded or transcribed into books,"
"I appreciate the clarification, Mathilda. Regrettably, I hadn't foreseen the cost being so high. I must take my leave now."
As Sucura turned to leave, Mathilda called out, "Wait a moment, Sucura. I have a proposition for you. I'll grant you the Mind Blank Spell free of charge."
Sucura halted his stride and inquired with a hint of suspicion, "What's the catch?" Internally, he mused, 'Nothing in this world comes without a price.'
With an enigmatic smile, Mathilda replied, "In exchange, I'll ask for a favor in the future. Rest assured, it will neither harm you nor involve anyone close to you."
"May I take some time to consider your offer?" Sucura inquired.
"Of course, feel free to return whenever you wish." Mathilda's eyes sparkled mysteriously in the dim light as she offered him a cryptic smile.
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