Curio

(The latter half of the previous chapter was revised. Readers who read it on October 11, please take another look.)

An item with healing abilities.

It was the same type as his staff and could activate the skill imbued in the item.

An ordinary Healing Potion might not do much for high-level professionals, but it was more than enough for people at their level.

When he had been injured last time, he had only taken Minor Healing Potions, and their effects had already been quite good.

Wu Heng leaned closer and examined it carefully.

Oak Branch Nature Bracelet

(Description: The bracelet grants its user the ability to cast 'Heal' twice.)

The system also displayed a prompt.

Its function was the same as Ortluk had described, though the explanation was not as complete.

Still... if they got hurt, they could just drink potions. There was no need to use up a chance to claim a reward on this.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Ortluk continued his introduction.

"The second item is the Flint Gauntlets. Punching with them produces a certain explosive effect, but the drawback is obvious—they can easily injure your fingers."

Easily injure your own fingers?

What genius had designed this piece of equipment?

Ortluk did not look at their expressions and continued, "The next one is the Hunting Ring. It can improve accuracy."

The third item was a ring that looked as though it had been polished from bone.

Hunting Ring

(Description: The ring grants its user the precise ability to 'Lock On Target'.)

Ortluk then looked toward the fourth item.

It was a Raven Beak Mask made of black leather, resembling the sort worn by medieval doctors. Its beak was long and narrow, with two round glass lenses where the eyes should have been.

"This is a curio called the Witch Doctor Mask. It can filter out most poisonous gases, but it also has a drawback. Wearing it may directly infect you with a new virus. Those with low constitutions should not choose this."

What the hell was that?

A poisonous Gas Mask.

Witch Doctor Mask (Curio)

Effect: When worn, it filters out most poisonous gases in the air. If Constitution is below 20, there is a chance of contracting a virus or plague.

(Description: A Gas Mask retaining ancient toxins.)

"Captain, what's a curio?"

Ortluk had just been about to introduce the next item when he paused and answered, "Magic Items are made by engraving magic onto an object, allowing the user to cast it. 'Curios,' on the other hand, are items formed under special environments or conditions. They can also achieve certain special effects, but they often come with negative side effects."

In other words, Magic Items were artificially made, while curios formed naturally under special conditions.

Both could possess special effects, but the formation of curios was uncontrollable, and they often came with negative effects.

The Raven Beak Mask before them was a perfect example. Its negative effect was that if your Constitution was insufficient, the poisonous gas outside might not poison you, but the toxins in the mask itself would.

After thinking for a moment, Ortluk added, "The effects of curios are difficult to replicate. In terms of value, they are also worth more on the market. Many people collect them as collectibles."

"Understood."

But Wu Heng still did not think highly of the mask.

Gas masks were mass-produced even in the Modern World.

He might not be able to get military-grade ones, but finding ordinary gas masks should not be difficult.

Besides, he had not encountered any poison or anything like that.

So this thing was not worth much to him.

Next, Ortluk introduced the remaining items. They all had certain special effects, but the mask was the only curio among them.

After the three modestly deferred to one another for a while,

Ortluk chose a suit of armor that enhanced defense, Wu Heng chose the Hunting Ring, and Cavina chose the only curio, the Witch Doctor Mask.

She probably felt that none of the others suited her. She might as well take the most valuable one.

She could trade it for money later and buy an item she could use.

After choosing the items, all three were fairly satisfied.

Only Yuri, who had just joined, sat to the side eating Potato Chips while watching the three pick their items.

She said nothing, merely crunching away.

Ortluk put away the remaining unchosen items.

When he returned, he went back to his seat and sat down.

Wu Heng spoke again. "Captain, is there any hope for the matter I mentioned?"

Yuri, who had been sitting nearby with her head tilted and a disdainful expression on her face, stopped eating her snacks and listened closely.

Ortluk knew what Wu Heng wanted to ask and continued, "There's no result yet. Wait a few more days and see."

"Oh!" After thinking for a moment, Wu Heng asked again, "Captain, how should we generally deal with ghosts like the ones in Mining Village last time?"

The other three all turned to look at him.

Their eyes seemed to say, You're a Necromancer. Why are you asking other people how to deal with ghosts?

"Uh, just chatting. Expanding my knowledge."

Cavina spoke first. "The energy produced by casting magic affects soul bodies."

Ghosts could pass through walls, so physical attacks were largely ineffective against them.

Magic was more effective instead.

Ortluk added from the side, "Necromancers raise ghosts into spirit servants and command them. Under normal circumstances, they rarely form on their own."

At that point, Ortluk paused slightly before adding, "Slaughtering living beings to turn them into soul bodies is a very serious matter in any kingdom or organization."

"Ah, I know. I just remembered what happened in Mining Village and asked casually." Wu Heng picked up his teacup, poured himself some water, and continued, "I want to buy some Skill Books and equipment. Other than completing commissions to exchange for rewards, are there any other ways?"

"Not many. The association does not allow money to be used to purchase rewards, since that would reduce other people's incentive to accept commissions." After thinking for a moment, Ortluk continued, "If you need something, you can apply to the association or post a commission to buy it. You can see whether anyone has it and is willing to trade."

Posting a commission to buy something was indeed an option, but he did not yet know what he wanted to buy.

After that, they chatted about the team for a while.

There were now four people in the team. Once Ortluk and Cavina recovered a little more, they planned to take on some ordinary commissions, making money while honing their teamwork.

Making money held little appeal for Wu Heng, who had just looted a gold shop,

but he would definitely still need to join the team's operations.

After all, the atmosphere in the group seemed fairly good so far.

After leaving the association, Wu Heng returned directly to his residence.

After finishing dinner, he had just taken out the Corpse Core to swallow it.

Knock, knock!

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

Then a girl's voice came from outside. "Wu Heng, are you home? My aunt is looking for you."

Wu Heng opened the door and saw Yuri standing outside with her arms crossed.

He had only met this little girl today. How had she already found his home?

"Who's your aunt?"

"Of course, your Vice Deacon." Yuri's tone carried a hint of pride.

Uh, Slyther?

No wonder they had the same hair color.

Damn, this little girl got in through the Back Door.

No wonder she spoke with such unconvinced resentment.

"The Vice Deacon is looking for me?"

"Mm. She's waiting outside."

After thinking it over, Wu Heng returned to his room, gathered his things, and left with Bartholomew.

After leaving the crowded district and reaching the Main Road,

he saw a carriage parked nearby.

He entered the carriage and found the mature, sexy Slyther seated across from him.

Before Wu Heng could ask anything, Slyther lightly tapped the carriage wall. "Let's go!"

The carriage slowly started moving, heading toward the western part of the city.