Swordsman's Regression: Reawakened as a Necromancer-Chapter 35: New Gear (2)

⸢Armor: Obsidian Ironwolf Set (B-Grade)⸥

⸢Defense: +30⸥

⸢Agility: +9⸥

⸢Aspect: Shadow Prowl —Increases movement speed by 10% when not in direct sunlight. Deflects damage in nighttime battle and reduces stamina consumption for evasion skills⸥

It was perfect. It complemented his high Dexterity and Agility attributes while offering the defense his Constitution demanded.

"I’ll take this one," Percival said.

"A solid choice," the Merchant said. "I’ll have it removed and enchanted to fit your measurements."

Percival moved to the weapon racks next.

The Merchant remained close, eager to see what this strange customer would pick.

Percival’s hand hovered over a Greatsword, but then his gaze drifted to a weapon hanging on the wall.

A Scythe.

It was a wicked thing, with a long, curved blade and a haft wrapped in black leather.

’I am a Necromancer now,’ Percival thought. ’Should I not wield the weapon of the reaper?’

"That would be a dramatic choice, wouldn’t it?" The Merchant noted.

Percival paused, still staring at the weapon. "The scythe isn’t the most functional weapon."

"That is true," The Merchant explained with a professional tone. "Even though it is believed to be a weapon of death, it is a ruthless liability on the battlefield."

"The scythe is not designed to thrust, which limits your options in close quarters. It is awkward in tight formations. Hah! You would risk beheading your own allies."

"It performs poorly against plate armor, as the force is distributed along a curve rather than a point."

The Merchant pantomimed a swing. "The attacks are very telegraphed. A skilled Swordsman would see the swing coming, step inside your guard, and end you before you could recover the blade."

Percival narrowed his eyes at the weapon.

In this case, the Merchant was right.

It was exactly why Percival had barely seen scythe-wielders in his past life. And when he did see them, they were all flash, no function.

He wanted output, not aesthetics.

"You know your trade," Percival admitted.

"I sell weapons that keep my customers alive so they can come back and buy more," the Merchant smiled.

Percival turned to the straight blades. From the grip of the mannequin, he picked a longsword with a platinum guard and a blade that shimmered with an inner light.

⸢Weapon: Lightpiercer (B-Grade)⸥

⸢Attack: +40⸥

⸢Dexterity: +5⸥

⸢Aspect: Light’s Edge - Attacks ignore 15% of target’s physical defense. 20% chance of inflicting minor stun damage on hit. 5% chance of inflicting major stun damage on hit⸥

It was an extremely functional weapon, and with his Swordsman magic, his handling of the blade was already flawless.

"I’ll take this one."

"Impressive choice yet again."

They moved to the counter. The Merchant tallied the bill on a ledger. "That will be thirty-one gold pieces."

Percival checked his pouch. He had 33 gold.

He still owed Rettucia 10 gold for the Anchor and had only 7,000 mana coins left in his reserve.

Despite the fact that he was gaining mana coins at 50% times more than the average newbie Awakener, his high Attributes needed him to purchase things that cost a lot of money, things that Awakeners at his Necromancer level wouldn’t have to worry about yet.

Like a B-Grade armor and sword, and a godforsaken custom-made Artifact.

But such was the price of power.

He paid the thirty-one gold.

The Merchant collected the payment with a smile. Not only was this customer very informed on equipment, but he also didn’t come here merely to window shop! He actually had coin.

This was his favorite kind of customer.

Percival gathered the items into his inventory. They vanished into golden light.

"My name is Valen," the Merchant offered his hand for a shake. "Please, do return to my store any time you’re in need of new gear or any equipment at all."

He gave him a knowing smile. "I could take you to the golden vault for A and even S-Grade equipment at a discounted price."

Percival accepted the hand, though he thought nothing more of it. "I am Percival. It was nice doing business with you."

He turned to leave, but then paused when a notification reminded him that his inventory was almost full.

He looked at the Merchant. He suddenly realized that he was in an equipment store. Merchants didn’t only sell special equipment...

"Do you buy?" he asked Valen.

The Merchant raised an eyebrow. "I am always looking for high-quality materials. What do you have? A few wolf pelts? Some iron ore?"

Percival simply placed his hand on the counter and emptied half of his inventory.

Piles of loot materialized, piling up in lines over the polished wood.

⸢Carrion Queen Carapace⸥

⸢Merbeast Fangs (x4)⸥

⸢Thick Merbeast Scales (x5)⸥

⸢Crownless Greatsword (C-Grade)⸥

⸢Thornwrought Armor (C-Grade)⸥

⸢Goldscales Wrought Armor (B-Grade)⸥

⸢Rusted Wielding Anchors (B-Grade)⸥

⸢Beast Cores (x7)⸥

⸢Siphoned Beast Cores (x37)⸥

The Merchant’s professional mask was completely shattered now.

He stared at the heap of high-grade monster parts and equipment, his eyes bulging.

"This..." The Merchant picked up a piece of the Carrion Queen’s shell. "This is from a Beta Gate Boss. And this..." He touched the Goldscales armor. "This is dungeon gear."

"Can you buy it or not?" Percival asked.

The Merchant snapped his fingers at a gaping assistant in the back. "Boy! Get the abacus! And clear the back table!"

It took ten minutes to tally the value. Even the drained beast cores, though stripped of soul energy by Percival’s ⸢Soul Draught⸥, were valuable for forging a special kind of mana-conductive swords.

"Total value..." The Merchant clicked the final bead on the abacus, sweating slightly.

"Thirty-five gold, seven silver, and nine copper." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Percival seemed satisfied with that price. He accepted the coin and after a hearty thanks from Valen and his assistant, he walked out of the equipment store.

Stares and whispers followed him.

Percival did not have any plans to be wealthy in this world. But for an Awakener without a Guild or the backing of the crown, it seemed he was going to do just fine.

As he worried about leveling up, slaying a difficult beast, clearing a dangerous Gate World, or watching his back, he didn’t want to also worry about coin.

Thankfully, while his high stats gave him the problem of purchasing better equipment, it also offered the solution of mana coins rewards and sellable loot.

He adjusted his hood and headed to the battle regions of the city.

Now, it was time to test the gear.