Goblin Dependency
Chapter 71 - 71 51 Tactful Rejection

71: Chapter 51: Tactful Rejection 71: Chapter 51: Tactful Rejection As soon as the words fell, Barn, realizing he had inadvertently spoken too much, promptly shut his mouth.

Facing Xia Nan’s inquiry about the price, his face, dense with hair due to his dwarf lineage, first showed a hint of hesitation.

Then he politely and subtly shifted his gaze from the black-haired young man in front of him to the last item on the shelf, a full-body heavy armor marked with a price of “1500 Gold.”

He slowly began:

“Actually, my suggestion is to first process this scale simply, and on the premise of preserving its integrity as the main material, forge a temporary arm shield.”

“This way, not only can you use it for emergencies now, but in the future, when you have the means for higher-grade equipment, you can easily separate the scale from the arm shield.”

“What do you think?”

Barn spoke very tactfully.

Xia Nan understood what he meant.

In summary, just four words—

No money, don’t touch.

He was a reasonable person and naturally wouldn’t, because of these as-subtle-as-possible words, feel looked down upon and start a fight.

Objectively, his current savings, for ordinary people in this world, might be enough for many years of expenses.

But in the line of adventurers, where supernatural powers exist, it’s only enough to buy a few potions.

Not a complete waste.

At least from Barn’s demeanor, he learned that a magic equipment piece with special effects like his [Dead Line] and [Green Pine], with a green quality and above,

should be priced at a level similar to the 1500 Gold full-body heavy armor, if not higher.

“Then let’s make a transitional arm shield for now, the kind that preserves the main material’s integrity.”

“Uh…

how much would that cost?”

After such an interruption, Xia Nan, who originally felt his small treasury was quite considerable, felt unsteady.

His tone also softened as a result.

Fortunately, if it’s just an ordinary whiteboard equipment, its price is still within the income range of low-level adventurers.

Barn, while examining the snake scale in his hand and considering potential expenses, said:

“Although it’s a temporary transition, I definitely can’t give you those cheap auxiliary materials; battle equipment must guarantee strength.”

“The shape of this scale is special, and it’s a custom order.

We don’t have the corresponding mold in the shop, so labor costs might be slightly higher.”

“Added up in total—”

“35 Gold, I’ll give you a small discount.”

Upon hearing this, Xia Nan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

It was a bit more expensive than expected, but still within an acceptable range.

So he nodded in agreement and paid the deposit.

Afterward, Barn was also very professional, earnestly discussing the specifics of the arm shield with him and measuring various data of his arm.

Perhaps thinking his previous comments about magic equipment were inappropriate, and considering the customer in front of him had just spent nearly 100 Gold in the store,

the owner of the “Rock Hammer,” known for his excellent reputation in the adventurer’s manual, hesitated while measuring Xia Nan’s arm.

He slowly began:

“I have a batch of goods to deliver to Kalanfor soon.

It’s about a four to five-day journey round trip from River Valley Town to there.”

“The caravan is resting in the town and is recruiting guards.”

“If you have time, help me deliver it, and I can reduce some labor costs and give you another discount.”

“When you return, the arm shield should be almost ready, how about it?”

Xia Nan didn’t agree.

Although he thought that as a low-level adventurer who hadn’t even reached a professional level,

he should probably hunt more goblins and take on some classic errands like this.

But after just returning from Mist Forest, without having had a proper warm meal for a few times, going on another errand seemed a bit rushed.

Previously, thinking it was just a simple herbal collection on the outskirts, he had been dragged by the Half Elf to spend many days in the forest, almost losing his life.

To venture out again now, called a caravan guard, who knows what he might encounter.

Having finally escaped his previous “996” blessing of constant work and come to this Otherworld,

can’t he enjoy a few days of leisure!?

Moreover, Xia Nan is currently waiting for the Half Elf’s reply.

At least until he knows when the battle skill master they’ve contacted will be available to come to River Valley Town.

He plans to make further plans only then.

During this time, Xia Nan also wondered if he could practice the two “suspected” battle skills he had.

If he really manages to hone them into one or two moves, and then learns the formal battle skills taught by that professional, along with the already full-level [Vortex Slash]…

Then he would truly meet the three conditions to become a professional!

Thinking this way, Xia Nan declined.

Barn wasn’t angry, just patted him on the shoulder and said with a laugh:

“No worries, the caravan will be staying in town for several days, anyway.”

“It’s never too late if you change your mind later.”

“…”

Wearing brand new chain armor, Xia Nan with dual swords on his back, walked out of the blacksmith shop.

By then, the spoils from this mission had mostly been dealt with.

The specialty of [Copper Bones], 3 points of Constitution attribute, this kind of implicit enhancement needn’t be elaborated.

In terms of equipment, the [Green Pine], a Wooden Sword offering damage bonuses against “Undead Creatures” and “Snake and Scorpion,” along with a set of excellent defensive chain armor, boosted his overall combat power to a new level.

The initially thinned wallet, after spending at the blacksmith shop, still left him with a substantial 140+ Gold.

Even if he spends his days lazing around, doing nothing, he could stay at an inn with good living conditions for over half a year.

Standing on the street, Xia Nan felt his initially burdened heart, along with the backpack that no longer weighed him down after dealing with the spoils, both become lighter.

The busy day had finally ended.

“Let’s take a few days off first.”

Xia Nan thought to himself this way.

During this period, he might look around to see if there’s anywhere selling throwable items like Burning Bombs.

That Oil Powder Bomb Wood threw at the scorpions during the previous mission left a deep impression on him.

On future adventures, such tools could prove remarkably effective.

Practicing the two battle skills, as well as not forgetting [Vortex Slash], though it’s already at full level, who knows if this world has some breakthrough advancement settings.

Practicing more can only be beneficial.

For supplies, there’s no rush.

He can purchase what he needs before the next mission.

The sky gradually darkened.

In the depths of the purple-red sunset were the curling smoke rising from the town.

Xia Nan slowly exhaled a long breath.

“For dinner…

maybe mushroom soup again.”

“To be honest, it’s actually quite tasty.”