Chapter 15: Armor Shop

Pushing open the somewhat heavy wooden door, Raine was greeted by a mixed scent of leather and grease.

The shop was quite bustling. Light streamed in from high, narrow windows, illuminating the numerous figures lingering before the display racks. Accompanied by a few companions, a middle-aged Adventurer with large scabs still covering his arm was carefully tracing the patterns on a delicate piece of Arm Armor. A group of young Adventurers chattered away as they picked through the secondhand equipment section. In the corner stood a solitary figure in a brown hood, silently hesitating before several expensive suits of Chain Armor.

However, the most eye-catching item was undoubtedly the shop's centerpiece hanging right in the middle. It was a gleaming piece of Chest Armor with an incredibly ornate surface—marred by a massive dent. Next to it stood a wooden sign that read "Worth Six Ribs," silently recounting the shop owner's glorious history.

Raine withdrew his gaze and walked straight toward the most crowded, hot-selling section. After deducting his expenses over the past two days and claiming his Goblin bounty, he now had exactly 46 Silver Lions and 89 Copper Deer. That should be enough to buy a decent piece of equipment.

He first approached a suit of Leather Armor priced at 80 Silver Lions, which was already on the cheaper end for similar leather gear. Although the material looked significantly inferior to the one Kaelin wore, its hardened texture felt very reassuring. The protection it offered should be quite good. But after subconsciously glancing down at his still-slender frame, he decisively abandoned the thought.

Setting aside how inflated the price might be, this heavy Hardened Leather Armor felt like a literal iron plate. It was simply too heavy for him right now. It would act like shackles, restricting the slight Agility advantage he had just acquired—especially in the Demon Shadow Forest, where he would need to use Stealth Step and move rapidly for long periods. Unless he bought premium goods priced at several Gold Coins, or even dozens, which would be softer and lighter, there was no way he could find something suitable. But that was obviously far beyond what he could afford.

Behind the counter, the shop owner, "Hard Skin Robert," who had a red nose and looked like an oversized Dwarf, had long since scanned every customer who walked through the door with his shrewd grayish-blue eyes. At first, seeing Raine enter wearing only a coarse linen coat, Robert just spared him a single glance before looking away, focusing his attention on the Adventurers who seemed much easier to squeeze dry.

It wasn't until Raine pulled out his coin pouch and deliberately tossed it in his hand that Robert's large ears perked up with a SWISH. Only then did the shop owner plaster on a sickly sweet smile and hurry over. The way he stared at the pouch was like a seasoned hunter spotting prey, as if everything was under his complete control.

"Welcome to Falling Stone and Ribs! How may I help you?" Robert's eyes narrowed into slits as he spoke in a booming voice. "Oh, young man, look at your upright posture and sharp gaze! Anyone can tell at a glance that you are a highly promising Adventurer!"

Raine returned the sudden flattery with a polite smile. "I need a light and flexible piece of armor."

"A wise choice. Flexibility is the second life of a Ranger Apprentice." Robert's gaze briefly swept over the Short Sword at Raine's waist and the Short Bow on his back. Raising an eyebrow, he unhurriedly dragged out a grayish-white set of armor from the very bottom shelf.

"Try this one. It's the perfect partner for a Ranger Apprentice and a Wandering Apprentice—the absolute cream of the crop among Cotton Armor," he said. Unfolding the top and trousers on the counter, he gently smoothed out the wrinkles with his palm and continued with a beaming smile. "Inside are twenty layers of compressed, high-quality cotton and blended fine linen. It's so light that it feels like wearing a thick coat. And it only costs 40 Silver Lions! For a young man with such great taste as yourself, it is absolutely a value-for-money choice."

Raine took the clothes. They felt soft and lightweight. Judging purely by quality, they were indeed much better than the cheap cloth armor he had seen in other shops. However, he quickly noticed a layer of fine dust clinging to his fingertips.

This wasn't some cream of the crop; it was clearly unsellable dead stock that had been sitting at the bottom of a chest. It seemed this big-nosed, unscrupulous merchant was exactly as the introduction had described. Having hustled his way through society for so many years in his previous life, Raine could easily see through such cheap tricks.

Maintaining his composure, Raine quickly pointed out the flaw: "Shopkeeper, the Demon Shadow Forest is incredibly humid. Once a Cotton Armor made of this material absorbs too much moisture, it will become exceptionally heavy and prone to mold and rot, won't it?"

Robert's heart skipped a beat, and the smile on his face stiffened slightly. He re-evaluated Raine, his gaze losing a bit of its previous contempt.

He thought, "This kid is interesting, quite mature. But it's a pity. No Newbie Adventurer has ever managed to take advantage of me."

"Oh my, so you're an expert." Robert immediately swapped his expression for one of admiration. He smoothly pushed the previous Cotton Armor aside, acting as if it were merely a trivial mistake. "My bad, my bad! I didn't fully understand your needs! For forest adventures, moisture resistance is naturally the top priority!"

He quickly walked over to another row of shelves, took down a brand-new, darker piece of Cotton Armor, and presented it with practiced flair. "Composite Cotton Armor, soaked in waterproof oil several times. Just look at the chest and back!"

He knocked on it forcefully, producing a muffled THUD THUD THUD. "Thin, annealed copper plates are sewn inside. They can save your life at a critical moment! One final price—50 Silver Lions! This is an honest price, given only because you know your stuff!"

Robert stared intently into Raine's eyes, trying to catch even the slightest hint of interest so he could lock the price in stone.

Raine's expression remained completely unfazed. He had indeed taken a liking to this Composite Cotton Armor, but he also saw right through the shop owner's scheme. Sniffing lightly at the faint, greasy odor wafting from it, he immediately shook his head with a troubled look. "It's certainly moisture-resistant, but this oily smell is a problem. The noses of some Magical Beasts are very sharp."

He sighed. "Fifteen Silver Lions. That's the most I can do. If you won't sell it, I'll go take a look around elsewhere." Filled with apparent regret, Raine turned as if to leave.

"Fifteen?!" Robert almost jumped, his voice pitching higher. This price cut hurt even more than the ribs he had broken back in the day!

He grabbed Raine's arm, his tone turning urgent. "Don't be so hasty, young man. Forty. Let's just consider it making a friend!" After all, there was nothing he couldn't sell!

"Twenty," Raine countered, his gaze sweeping over the miscellaneous goods section in the corner. "Since we're friends, you might as well throw in some freebies."

"No freebies. Thirty-five!"

"Then I'll go look elsewhere."

"Wait, I'll throw in a Water Bag!"

...

In the end, Raine purchased his desired Composite Cotton Armor for 25 Silver Lions, and Robert even gifted him a delicate, brand-new Water Bag along with the cheapest leather belt in the shop.

Under the pained gaze of "Hard Skin" Robert, Raine left the armor shop, fully satisfied.