Mushroom Lord in the Underground City-Chapter 320 - 312: Puki Masters and Puki Trading

The distant city walls have already towered majestically, with the massive stone outline soon to be completely joined together.

Although there are still a large number of complex Magic Arrays that need to be inscribed and activated, from the moment they are joined, Mushroom Town will be officially upgraded to a true city.

It is heard that the big figures, led by Chairman Fa’er, have already begun discussing the official naming of this emerging city.

Nowadays, on the streets of Mushroom Town, the few wandering Pukis have noticeably decreased, replaced by more and more "Puki Masters" walking surrounded by a dozen or twenty Pukis.

As expected, this peculiar new "profession," difficult to define within the traditional professional system, has quietly become popular.

Whether it’s Warriors, Mages, Archers, or even powerless commoners, theoretically, anyone can become a Puki Master as long as you have the courage to undergo a near-death experience, voluntarily being parasitized by that peculiar fungal thread...

Those choosing this path are mostly lower-level Adventurers with mediocre talent, stagnant in their strength, or original commoners eager to change their fate.

In the eyes of those with true strength and Talent, this is undoubtedly a side path full of unknown risks.

Furthermore, there are numerous restrictions. For instance, since the continuous replenishment of Magic Power is required to sustain Puki activities, Puki Masters cannot leave the Fungal Mat for long periods.

After all, expensive Magic Potions are not the kind of daily consumption that these people from lower backgrounds can easily afford.

As the number of Puki Masters increases, changes are beginning to manifest in all aspects of Mushroom Town.

Among the negative changes, the most prominent is the burden on the roads.

A Puki Master and their Puki team often occupy the space that would originally accommodate ten people standing.

Even though Chairman Fa’er initially planned the roads with the scale of a large city in mind, under this unprecedented circumstance, it appears insufficient.

Currently, the number of Puki Masters is not too many, so passage is still possible, but if their numbers continue to increase, traffic congestion will inevitably become a thorny problem.

It is said that Chairman Fa’er is deeply conflicted about whether to start large-scale road expansions now or to simply issue policies restricting the travel of Puki Masters.

Of course, there is also a positive side to these changes.

Proper combination of Pukis allows one to function as a small Adventurer team.

Consequently, some Puki Masters have started forming new modes of operation, acting solo or in pairs, breaking the traditional rule of needing three or four people in a team.

The rise of Puki Masters has naturally led to the emergence of a new compatible trading market.

There are craftsmen specifically tailoring protective Leather Armor for Pukis to prevent them from easily dying in battles; there are merchants selling diluted Magic Potions, too weak for humans but just right for Pukis.

The most important change is that, as people gradually realize that Pukis not only come in numerous varieties but also differ in individual Attributes, a whole new, lively "Puki trading market" has emerged.

...

Two travel-weary Puki Masters stepped into the bustling Puki trading market.

Their Leather Armor was stained with some dried, darkened blood stains, which weren’t theirs, but from a group of thieves that had been occupying the trade route between Mushroom Town and Fish Sail Port.

Those ignorant fools dared to rob within the territory of the now thriving Mushroom Town, and the result was predictable. Less than ten days after the reward was posted, they were completely eradicated.

The ones who completed this cleanup task were precisely these two Silver Level Puki Masters standing before us.

It’s worth noting that among the thieves were quite a few holding Silver Level strength, yet they were all vanquished by these two with their large group of Puki subordinates and some ingenious tactical cooperation!

Of course, the process wasn’t a straightforward rolling over.

Although the two Puki Masters themselves were unscathed, their Puki army suffered significant losses. At the moment, only a mere six follow them, as they are here to replenish their "troops."

Going deep into the Underground City to capture new Pukis is indeed an option, but due to the uncertainty in the varieties and Attributes of Pukis produced on the Fungal Mats in the Underground City, for the two who have a relatively mature combat mode and need a fixed combination, such a replenishment method is somewhat inefficient.

The Pukis in the trading market, although a bit pricier, are convenient and quick, allowing them to select as needed.

Upon entering the market, they impatiently waved away a few hawkers trying to sell so-called "Elite Pukis," who were merely conmen trying to trick novices.

If someone indeed got lucky enough to acquire an Elite Puki with strength above Silver Level, they would have long been surrounded by layers upon layers of Adventurers bidding, and wouldn’t need to peddle along the streets so humbly.

In the market, reputable Puki sellers typically have their Pukis sit quietly around the stalls, forming temporary display areas for customers to linger, observe, and choose freely.

The transfer process of Puki ownership is exceptionally simple. The buyer and seller only need to place their hands on the target Puki and confirm "handing over" and "receiving" in their consciousness, and the transaction is completed instantly.

It’s also this form of mindful transaction that has prevented the emergence of a Puki-theft profession.

The duo walked and stopped leisurely, carefully selecting, and replenished several suitable Pukis.

Just when they were about to leave, a dense crowd not far away caught their attention.

As previously mentioned, when a crowd forms dense layers, it’s either due to a conflict or a fight or the appearance of a "powerful Puki" with excellent Attributes!

Adventurers have a knack for bustling into excitement, so the pair exchanged a glance, immediately squeezing into the crowd without hesitation.

...

"30 gold coins! Is there a higher bid?" On the platform, Horn held high a seemingly ordinary Puki with a cap red as blood, shouting loudly, "This is a genuine ’Delicious Level 7’ Puki! There’s an official Guild appraisal report to prove it!"

As he spoke, he deftly pulled out a roll of parchment with the Guild’s red stamp, displaying it to the crowd. On the Skills Bar, the words [Delicious LV7] were clear and striking.

"Just the appraisal cost me 5 gold coins! Is there a higher bid?"

Sure enough, bolstered by the reliable appraisal report, the bidding enthusiasm was instantly ignited.

"30 gold!"

"35 gold!"

"40 gold!"

It’s no wonder everyone is so passionate; this is the unheard-of [Delicious LV7]!

Even the majority of nobles have probably never tasted it!

Many of the Adventurers bidding eagerly below aren’t planning to enjoy it themselves but intend to sell it to those nobles as a rare commodity.

Watching the price climb, Horn couldn’t stop grinning.

After selling that piece of information about "Symbiosis," even though he still hadn’t paid off his debts, he wisely kept some gold coins, using them all to buy Demon corpses and draw Pukis!

"100 gold coins!" a clear female voice interrupted the clamorous bidding. Some recognized the bidder as Lillian, the personal maid by Chairman Fa’er’s side.

"105 gold coins." Someone unwillingly tried to raise the bid.

"120 gold coins!" Lillian unhesitatingly raised the bid again.

This price finally quieted the entire venue.

Horn, beaming with joy, handed the precious Puki to Lillian. This price exceeded his expectations and not only allowed him to pay off his debts but also had some leftover to buy more Demon corpses!

Since Lillian hadn’t been parasitized by the fungal threads, she couldn’t complete the mindful ownership transfer, but in any case, this Puki wasn’t meant for combat.

She simply picked up one of the Puki’s feet, like lifting a fat chicken ready for the pot, and calmly left the market.

In the distance, Fa’er stood by the window overlooking the trading market and asked the nearby Edin, "Edin, what do you think of these Puki Masters?"

Edin, after a moment of thought, replied, "At this critical stage of new city construction, stability is of utmost importance. Moreover, this new profession does indeed objectively enhance the overall strength of lower-level Adventurers. My suggestion is not to publicly encourage it, but also not to forcibly intervene. Maintain the status quo, and continue to analyze and assist. If all matters were my sole responsibility, I’d surely be overwhelmed."