Chapter 79: Chapter 79 - Major Ava (2/2)
”What if I promise all items I sell with at least be of Rare rank?” Lino threw out a bigger fish.
”...” the woman sucked in a cold breath; if anyone understood the rarity of good, quality items in the world, it was her. Usually, people would be lucky to walk around with a piece or two of [Enchanted] or [Uncommon] gear. Anything beyond that relied on luck too much. Even those high sons of Kings and Queens would be lucky to have a single [Epic] item. And, from the boy's words, it seemed that [Rare] would simply be the lowest quality.
”What's your long term plan?” the woman didn't think for a second she was being cheated; it wasn't only because, even if she was, she could easily do something about it, but because boy's eyes revealed nothing but honesty and truth, and even her instinct told her so.
”I come from a very poor place,” Lino said. ”Where I didn't dare sell my wares because I'd have to sell them for loafs of bread. Within three months, I want to expand to the point even people from First-tier Sects will be rus.h.i.+ng over to buy my items. There is, however, a catch.”
”A catch?”
”I will not sell them either for money or for Qi Stones of any quality,” Lino's words seemed to shock a woman for a moment. ”I'll only sell them for resources. Plants, ores, leather, metals... anything that can be used in crafting, really, in addition to core items for setting up formations, arrays, as well as high-tier Scrolls for Talismans. I'd like it if I paid 10% of proceedings in either gold or Qi Stones, but if it's impossible, I'll settle for resources.”
”...” Lino knew that his ambition was simply too much, and he knew one mirror alone was hardly enough to convince the woman. So, he took out another one of his creations, the pair of daggers he'd crafted for Aeala but decided to leave gifting them for later, once she's a bit stronger. Handing them over, he rather enjoyed woman's shocked expression; daggers were of [Epic] grade, Level 72, and almost impossible to find anywhere to be bought.
”... what's the highest grade and level you can craft?” the woman immediately asked as she began planning out the whole process in her head; this young lad in front of her wasn't simply a talented blacksmith, he's a treasure trove if handled properly.
”Unfortunately, my Flames are quite low-level,” Lino said, seeming apprehensive. ”If I pour my all, I can craft at maximum Level 100 [Epic] grade items. However, those will be exclusive rarities.”
”... I want to extend the deal.” the woman said, suddenly surprising Lino.
”Do tell.” he added with some interest.
”I'll provide you with Level 85 Flame - [Burning Heart Flame]. Though it's not the strongest of its rank, it's among the top 10 at the very least. If I gift you that, can you craft a [Legendary] grade staff that's at least Level 150?” Lino was slightly shocked; Level 85 Flame was inching too close to the Void Realm of Flames, the breaking point. The difference between the Void Realm Flames and those beneath was like the difference between heaven and earth; even Lino himself only knew a bit about them thanks to Eggor's guidance.
”...” Lino fell into a deep thought for a moment; aside from the Flame, he was also limited by his own cultivation and the amount of Qi he possessed. He usually liked crafting items in one ago after preparations, but crafting what the woman wanted in one go was simply impossible. He'd probably have to spend two-three months to craft it, and even then he wasn't certain of the success. ”I can at most promise a [Legendary] grade Level 130 staff. However, depending on the resources and plans, I am 80% confident in being able to craft growing-type [Unique] staff. It's your choice.”
The woman's breathing quickened; she'd been lacking a good weapon for quite a while now, not only because she was much stronger than people in her surroundings, but because there simply weren't that many talented blacksmiths around.
Most are either groomed by Sects and Clans or are absorbed the moment they showcase some talent. They are treated like treasures by every large power, as one Grandmaster Blacksmith can increase the Clan's and Sect's strength by nearly five times in just a few years, to say nothing of those monsters that had gone beyond, Like Void Blacksmiths and Sacred Blacksmiths.
If she could establish relations.h.i.+p with the boy early on, she would never be put in such an awkward position as now, using a Level 80 [Rare] grade staff as a Illumine Realm cultivator.
”Deal.” she said without even a hint of hesitation. ”How long before you can craft it?”
”I can't exactly dedicate all my time to crafting it, as I need to supply my future shop,” Lino smiled sheepishly. ”But, in two months, at most two and a half, it will be yours. Of course, as not not arouse the beauty's suspicion, I'd prefer if my smithy was inside this compound. Besides, those outside are utter s.h.i.+t. Can you believe I spent like 5 hours crafting that c.r.a.ppy mirror?! Good G.o.d, no wonder you seem so thirsty for a weapon. I bet the most people in her can craft are forks and spoons.” the woman seemed to have heard something too mind-shattering thrown in there, such as him crafting a [Legendary] tier weapon in two months and crafting that mirror in five hours, but she simply chose to believe she misheard.
She didn't dare believe it. However, she was rather pleased Lino himself offered to stay in the compound, as she felt slightly awkward having to ask him. ”Anyway, I'll deliver first batch of items in two weeks, and rather than shop-style, I'd like you to hold an auction first as to draw in attention. There will be at least one [Epic] grade item thrown in there. But, uhm, I'm kind of short on resources. I have around 10,000 low-grade Qi Stones. Can I exchange them for something?”
”... pfft.” the woman burst out laughing yet again, shaking her head. ”What's your name?”
”Lino.”
”I'm Ava,” she said, smiling. ”I have a feeling you and I will become good friends, Lino.”
”Just friends?”
”Haii...”
”I won't give up, you know?”
”I already have a husband. And three kids. One of them is even older than you.”
”... well, now that's just cruel.”
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