NOVPUBChapter 109: Chapter 109: [Simple Folk Customs] Black River Valley!_1
Chapter 109 -109: [Simple Folk Customs] Black River Valley!_1
This year’s rainy season brought more ferocious downpours than usual. n𝚘vp𝚞𝚋.com
Just a few days ago, the sky had been layered with heavy leaden clouds.
Today, it seemed as if a gigantic tear had been ripped into the firmament.
Stray torrents of rain lashed down noisily.
As if threatening to submerge the entire River Valley Town.
Being the first day of the “Grey Night period,” the rain was particularly cold.
This also made the tavern in River Valley Town bustling with numerous Transcendents, exceptionally lively.
At the bar, in a corner.
Tuck had just received 76 Magic Gold coins for selling sheep.
A total of over a hundred and twenty sheep. Under normal circumstances, they could have fetched over 200 Magic Gold coins, or even more.
Unfortunately, these were wolves disguised as sheep.
But even so, Tuck was quite satisfied.
After all, this Magic Gold was practically picked up for free.
Moreover, selling wolf-transformed sheep for money was feasible.
“It can’t be said to be a path to riches,” he mused, “but at least it’s a way to earn a little extra.”
As he fingered the Magic Gold in his pocket,
Tuck’s peripheral vision was also fixed on the [Steady Growth System]’s interface.
As Tuck moved away from the growth zone range anchored by the [Steady Growth System],
the previously flickering icon for the growth zone had now completely dimmed.
No more Origin Energy Experience was recorded in the growth log either.
“Huh…” Tuck sighed.
“The growth cycle in Ramore is completely over.”
“The next step is to head to St. Land and anchor to the Origin Energy Tower there. That will provide me with ample Origin Energy Experience.”
“Meanwhile, conceal my identity and set up my own alchemy material shop in St. Land.”
As a Transcendent, one must have a specialty, of course.
Tuck couldn’t rely solely on the generosity of nature for sustenance every day.
As long as Tuck could utilize his alchemy skills,
Making money wouldn’t be too difficult.
And concealing his identity was a given.
What Tuck had done, he knew better than anyone.
Those three Bishops would rather take Tuck’s head than have Ramore.
Tuck was clear on their priorities.
In Ramore, Tuck had the protection of many powerful beings.
In St. Land?
Protection? That’s a joke.
If Tuck dared to reveal his identity today,
He might very well be found dead in the streets tomorrow.
Without sufficient strength, Tuck would certainly not reveal his identity.
Even Tuck’s appearance now was a combination of Taniru’s and his own features.
Tuck was about to enter St. Land under the guise of a fugitive from Ramore,
Not as “Tuck.”
“In the next few days, I’ll gather information in River Valley Town,” he thought.
“Only once prepared will I head to St. Land.”
As Tuck pondered, he expanded his sensory abilities.
The murmurs of many Transcendents, like a torrent of information, were swiftly captured by Tuck.
Without a doubt, simply by sitting here in the tavern, he could gather more than enough information—an exercise Tuck had often engaged in before.
Feeling that enough time had passed,
Tuck turned his attention to the young bartender.
He then pulled out a Silver Dragon Coin and placed it on the table.
One Silver Dragon was worth 50 Copper Nee.
More than enough for Tuck to enjoy a full meal and drink to his heart’s content.
“Do you know where the alchemist shop on the edge of River Valley Town is?” Tuck asked.
Before the young bartender could answer, a burly man beside them, clad in a bear fur coat, had already offered his guidance.
“Hey, lad! If you buy me a drink, I’ll take you to the alchemist shop in town for free. After all, I need to get my weapon forged there too,” said the burly man.
Tuck glanced over.
A Level 15 [Knight] with truly subpar Transcendent Weapons on his back—hardly worth forging, it’d be better to simply scrap them.
“No problem,” Tuck smiled and readily agreed.
At this point, some Transcendents around them started to snicker.
From his accent, they could tell that Tuck was a foreigner.
They loved to see newbies like Tuck get taken for a ride by the old hands.
In their words,
This was the Black River Valley’s version of a welcoming gift.
Indeed, some young and handsome lads might get taken to the sheepfold by someone with particular tastes, to complete their “adult initiation.”
After finishing his drink, the Level 15 Knight stood up and walked towards the back door of the tavern.
“Not leaving through the front door?”
Tuck offered a well-intentioned reminder.
“No need, the back door is closer,” said the Knight, waving his hand dismissively.
At this point, more and more people turned their attention to Tuck.
They had a vague sense that they would soon see this young wizard, pinned to the ground and kissing the earth, by the knight.
“If that’s the case, alright then!”
Tuck, seemingly oblivious, followed behind.
Inside the small alleyway behind the tavern.
The heavy rain was pouring down.
“Wuu wuu…”
The walking Knight suddenly heard the rumbling sound of a Steam Engine and even the intermittent whistle that rhythmically sounded, quite clear as if it were right next to his ear.
“Huh? There’s no steam train in Black River Valley, am I hallucinating?”
The Knight shook his head vigorously.
“Forget it, let’s deal with that young wizard first, that fellow came from the direction of the Sheep Pen, must have made money by selling sheep.”
As the Knight turned around, his eyes instantly bulged in shock.
He saw that the obviously rookie-like wizard.
At this moment, with his ears following the rhythm of the roaring Steam Engine, Origin Energy Steam emerged like rings of smoke, pouring out rapidly.
Even the Origin Energy Steam began to swirl around him, forming a ring of steam.
“Damn it! A Steam Wizard, this is a Steam Wizard!”
The Knight’s eyes were about to pop out, and his legs trembled violently.
Strength equal to a warrior, defense on par with a knight, agility and speed matching an assassin, and the ability to inflict damage far surpassing that of the average wizard.
This is what defines a Steam Wizard.
In terms of sheer strength, this Steam Wizard before him could pin him to the ground, to kiss the earth all night long.
“Bang!”
A dull thud sounded, and the Knight was flipped onto the ground, embracing Mother Earth.
“What have I done to deserve the attention of such an important person?” was the last thought the Knight had before losing consciousness.
“Not bad at all…”
Tuck nodded in satisfaction, feeling the power of his “Rune Hand.”
The “Rune Hand” was the name Tuck gave to the third hand he conjured after he grasped the “Rune Spiritual Hand.”
The Rune Hand functioned equivalently to Tuck’s own arm.
However, this hand was invisible and perfectly concealed its presence.
In terms of location, it could move freely within a ten-meter radius around Tuck, its speed akin to that of Tuck swinging his arm while walking, and when unleashing its strength, it delivered a solid punch.
It was an arm adept at stealing, sneaking attacks, and backstabbing.
The term “third hand” revealed the uses of this additional limb.
When Tuck cast the true Rune Magic spell “Rune Spiritual Hand,”
The Rune Hand would draw power from the Spirit Realm, manifesting the formidable attributes of the “Rune Spiritual Hand.”
It was like a mystical hand that operated runes and traversed the Spirit Realm.
Tuck had tested it: the “Spiritual Hand” could crush an Iron-coupled wall.
A definite expert in dismantling structures.
Tuck’s own strength was not weak.
And now, having transformed into a Steam Wizard, his punch guaranteed full hypnotic effect.
After rummaging through the other person with the Rune Hand,
Tuck acquired 15 pieces of Magic Gold and 6 Silver Dragons.
After lamenting momentarily that Black River Valley had the same warmly hospitable culture as Ramore,
Tuck unceremoniously claimed the long sword that the Knight carried.
While searching the Knight, Tuck came up with new ideas for the use of the “Rune Hand.”
For example: leveraging the “length” of the Rune Hand, he could loot from a safe, medium distance.
He could also learn some explosive martial arts techniques, specializing in hammering enemies with fists the size of a large pot.
Every time he learned a new wizard technique, Tuck felt there was a huge development space.
This forced Tuck to marvel once more at the wonders of the Transcendent Wizard World.
When Tuck, carrying the long sword, returned to the tavern,
All those Transcendents who had wanted to scoff were suddenly struck silent.
“Crap!”
“That kid actually came back.”
“Wonder if that fellow Wade is still alive.”
“The kid even dares to come back carrying a long sword, sheesh, tough cookie!”
This time Tuck laid out one Silver Dragon in front of the young bartender.
“The intersection eastward, number 56, but the old guy’s not in the best of moods,” said the young bartender briskly, saving Tuck some trouble.
“Thank you!”
Tuck nodded lightly, maintaining the politeness expected of an out-of-towner.
