Chapter 91 (1/2)

Chapter 91 – Black Market Ninth Shopping (2)

Sungjin headed towards the southern part of the market.

‘It was around here…’

While he was walking

‘Clang! Clang!’

He could hear the hammer banging away at the anvil. Sungjin headed towards the sound. Soon the furnace and the anvil came into view; Sungjin found Kargos’s Smithy. The Operator gave an announcement.

[This is the Smithy of Kargos]

[It is a place where items can be modified and enhanced.]

Sungjin entered the smithy and greeted the owner.

“Hello”

“Welcome”

A dwarf half the size of Sungjin returned his greetings.

“Any requests?”

“I want to enhance some things.”

“Oh ho, really? What item would you like to enhance?”

Sungjin removed the three swords from his hip, Blood Vengeance, Moon Specter, and Artemio, and placed them on top of the counter.

“Hmm? All of these?”

Sungjin shook his head.

“No no. I want to pick one of them… I was just wondering if I could preview the enhancements before I make my decision.”

Kargos shook his head at Sungjin’s question.

“Eey, of course not.”

“…I see…”

“I treat all items that pass through my hand like my own children; I give it my best for my children. But just because I am their father does not mean I can predict how my children will end up as adults.”

Sungjin was a little disappointed as he would not be able to make a more informed decision.

“Ok, in that case…”

Sungjin picked up Blood Vengeance and put the sword back on his hip. He then picked up Artemio and put it away as well. The last one remaining was the Moon Specter, which he handed over as he said

“Please enhance this item.”

The reason why he chose Moon Specter was simple. Sungjin already knew Blood Vengeance’s enhancement effect.

The enhanced Blood Vengeance would get an incredibly strong skill, but it wasn’t something he needed any time soon. He hasn’t used Artemio for very long, so it was lower on his list of priorities.

Although if he was to consider its role as the ultimate ‘anti mage’ weapon, it seemed like it could also prove to be quite useful…

“Hmm, you sure? Ok, let’s see…”

Kargos received the Moon Specter from Sungjin and inspected it. The Moon Specter’s appearance couldn’t be more worn out; He had found it buried within an ancient Columbarium. The paint had long since peeled off, and the pommel was terribly damaged.

But Kargos inspected the sword without minding its state, and then he pulled out the blade from the scabbard.

“Ooh”

He exclaimed once he saw the sharp edge of the blade.

“This is a Legendary Class weapon.”

He recognized the weapon in a single glance.

“Yes.”

“Do you have Enhancement stones? Legendary items require three stones.”

“I brought three.”

Sungjin took three out of the cube and handed it over.

“Hmm… Very good. I’ll take care of this guy.”

“When should I come to pick it up?”

Sungjin knew the process from having enhanced Blood Vengeance in the past. But Moon Specter was a different item.

But Kargos gave the same answer as when he had taken Blood Vengeance to enhance.

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow morning it is.”

“Yes. 8 in the morning… about one hour before the raid start.”

Sungjin nodded. It wasn’t too bad. All he had to do was just come by in the morning. He had asked out of worry that he might not get the sword back in time.

“Understood. Then I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”

Sungjin said. Kargos then held out his hands, palms facing up.

“10,000 Black Coins.”

“Ah…”

Sungjin had forgotten. Enhancements required money. Sungjin asked the Operator,

“Operator, how many coins do I have right now?”

[12,146.]

Sungjin quickly did the math in his head.

‘I still have 3 unsold items left over from last time; I put up 7 new items today…a total of 10…’

Depending on competition and number sold, Sungjin expected anywhere from 30~50,000 coins.

‘…20,000 for Star of the Nameless, 15,000 for Gourmet’s Glasses… 35,000…’

Sungjin felt he could afford to spend 10,000 coins here. No items were as urgent as improving his item. The only thing that bothered him was being unable to buy the Elixir, but it was something that could be solved with money later.

It was more important to buy items for the moment.

‘About the Elixir… I can probably take my time.’

While Sungjin was taking time weighing his options, Kargos added

“You could also pay when you come to pick it up.”

“Really?”

“Yeah well… if you aren’t able to pick up your item because of lack of funds, you’re the only one in trouble, right?

He was right. The Moon Specter was worth far more than 10,000 coins. Legendary crafting material ‘Enhancement Stone’ was without a question priceless. Leaving behind his weapon here without picking it up was like leaving his clothes with a dry cleaner and not coming back to pick his things up.

Sungjin nodded.

“Then I’ll just pay when I return to pick up the sword.”

This was better for Sungjin. He would be able to plan his budget better after he got his receipts from the auction. Kargos nodded.

“Okay.”

Sungjin decided to ask

“Ah… and I heard from before…”

“Yeah?”

“I heard that if you have two of the same item, you could get something called ‘Synergy’ or something…”

“Ah, yea. That’s possible. If you have two items, you can ‘Combine them’.”

“Combine?”

“Yeah. You can mix identical items and multiply the effects. The rating rises by one level.”

“And then… how is it related to enhancement stones?”