บท 3: Chapter 3: Methods to Gain Adventure EXP

Mondstadt City, the gates area.

As expected, everything was far larger than what was shown in the game. The streets near the city gates bustled with many peddlers and pedestrians.

Since his clothes had gotten wet, Amber knew Nolan had been robbed penniless by the Treasure Hoarders. So she paid out of her own pocket to buy him a suitable outfit from a nearby store that sells clothes.

It cost over 5,000 Mora - very ordinary clothing. At first hearing the number gave him a shock, but he quickly realized Mora differed from his original currency.

About 1 USD was equal to 100 Mora it seemed. The Mora coins created through Rex Lapis' divine powers sure existed in massive quantities.

They should have been endlessly manufactured ever since the first Mora was born, only stopping temporarily after Rex Lapis passed on the Gnosis.

Since Mora itself held intrinsic value as a medium of exchange, it would inevitably get used up over time. So there was no need to worry about rampant inflation from overproduction.

"I'm truly grateful to you again Amber. I wouldn't have known what to do if we hadn't met."

After changing into dry clothes, Nolan felt much more comfortable. Amber then brought him to Good Hunter restaurant for lunch.

Amber sighed and said with a straight face:

"It's my duty after all. For you to be robbed by Treasure Hoarders within Mondstadt territory shows our Knights of Favonius still haven't done enough. Don't worry, I'll help keep an eye out for the Hoarders during my patrols and try recovering your lost goods as much as possible."

Hearing Amber say this, guilt welled up in Nolan's heart. Should he not have deceived her? He opened his mouth but no words came out.

"Right, what are your plans next? If you wish to return to Liyue, our knights can request some Liyue trade convoys to bring you back. Or if you stay in Mondstadt, we will also provide you with a temporary place to live."

Amber asked as she looked over at Nolan and pondered for a moment. Then she put on the gloves she had taken off during the meal and waited for Nolan's answer.

He didn't need to think this over at all. Returning to Liyue meant resetting back to his initial state upon arrival. Nolan could only continue spinning his lies.

He pondered for a moment and said:

"If possible, I'd like to find work and live in Mondstadt for a while. Going back to Liyue like this, I'd be looked down on and laughed at by others."

Nolan put his palms together sincerely making a begging gesture.

He had his own thoughts. If the knights provided temporary lodging, he could search for a job that granted both Adventure EXP and Mora.

Nolan had already thought about it. Just now he saw someone selling fish at the entrance of the city, and the business was not bad.

He could fish to earn Adventure EXP while also selling the catches for Mora for income. Once he became stronger via EXP, he would switch to being an adventurer since defeating monsters was the optimal way to obtain Adventure EXP.

If his plan worked out and he remained prudent, in time he could rival even an Archon with his mere mortal body!

Is this a boy's pride? Amber's forefinger slid up and down her cheek as she recalled Lisa's words before about how boys cared about face. When they got into such situations, it was best to just go along with them.

Sigh...alright then.

"Erm...you do have a point. So let me take you to a temporary place to live now."

Amber had no reason to reject Nolan's request. She got up to lead him to the relief shelter set up by the knights for people in difficulties.

After all, people like Nolan who came to trade but encountered robberies would occasionally be there.

Thus relief shelters were essential infrastructure in Mondstadt, and it was also a place for emergency response in the event of an unforeseen disaster.

A day later, after Amber finished making arrangements for him under the guise of a victim of misfortune, Nolan started pondering how to obtain Adventure EXP.

Once he became stronger, what couldn't he accomplish? So gaining Adventure EXP had to be his top priority.

The method of obtaining it was defeating opponents. As long as he overwhelmed the other side until they couldn't resist at all, even fish could provide EXP contributions.

Of course, the number of Adventure EXP depends on the strength of the opponent.

Fish only gave 5 points while the first slime he met granted 32. Yet that was still the weakest monster that even ordinary people could handle alone.

But Nolan wasn't strong enough right now, and it was dangerous to go directly to fight the monsters. So just like his earlier thoughts, he would start off gathering Adventure EXP from the fish to get through the weak early stage.

Catching fish with his bare hands was far too slow though. Nolan recalled the emergency 30,000 Mora Amber had lent him and wondered if he could buy a fishing net to catch fish faster and easier.

Thinking in this way, Nolan walked out of the small and simple temporary residence.

After spending some time familiarizing himself in Mondstadt city which wasn't that unfamiliar, he finally located a fishing gear shop and went in to ask:

"Boss, how much for a fishing net?"

The shop owner was a middle-aged balding man with white hair, bony features but still seeming quite spry in his movements despite the age.

Sanburn wore a light brown vest, his entire bearing resembling an elderly gentleman. Noticing Nolan, he set down the cup he had been wiping:

"Oh? A customer! How surprising, and rare to see someone from Liyue too. Mondstadt welcomes you, friend from afar! What kind of net were you looking for?"

"I am indeed from Liyue, sir. I need a durable, sturdy fishing net. Any good recommendations, preferably on the cheaper end?"

Nolan spoke with a calm expression.

He was still a little unclear about the fishing gear, what he wanted was a cheap fishing net that could catch fish, after all, this was not something he would do for a long time.

Moreover, the 30,000 Mora borrowed from Amber can't be spent too much in this, or else life will be very tight in the days to come.

Sanburn's eyes swept Nolan, probably also guessed that the Liyue person in front of him was new to Mondstadt, and likely faced some financial difficulties. After thinking a bit, he slowly replied:

"Hrmm...my shop here only sells top grade gear. All nets are from a famous Mondstadt fishing equipment factory, so there's no way for cheap bargains."

Speaking so, he turned and walked deeper inside, placing the cup in his hands on a table. From a wall hook, he took down a fishing net and said to Nolan not far away:

"This net originally cost 13,000 Mora. I'll sell it to you for 10,000. Made by Thorn Fishing Gear factory, as you know their trait is durable sturdiness."

Apologies, I don't know them at all. After all, he had only come to Teyvat for a little over a day. All his information originated from playing Genshin Impact before - the game definitely wouldn't elaborate in such minute details as fishing net manufacturer identities.

Nolan stroked his chin. 10,000 for a net was still rather suitable. Converted to his original currency, roughly 100 USD which was common for fishing nets. It showed the boss had indeed given a discount already.

"Alright, I'll take it." Having decided, Nolan didn't waste words and directly purchased it.

"Haha, great! Head to Springvale Lake tonight to cast your net. With some luck you'll harvest plenty fat catches by morning. Eat your fill then sell the excess early before noon when prices drop!"

Before retirement, Sanburn had been a fisherman himself thus knew many common tips in the trade. Hence he opened this gear shop after retiring.

Casting nets didn't have high difficulty. Success depended on location and luck for the most part. Just casual advice for now.

Nolan nodded his head, indicating that he understood, what the boss said was similar to what he thought.

Before leaving, he bought some more bait, then eagerly made his way out the gates, observing along the bank of Springvale Lake for suitable net throwing spots.

Because of the lack of a small boat, it was impossible to go to the center of the lake. So he could only make do with what he had, watching the depth of the water to cast the fishing net, and then sprinkle the bait, waiting for tomorrow.

(End of Chapter)

To be continued...