Boots of Elvenkind

Boulderstone left. Before departing, he changed into a shirt that showed off his muscle definition, and the shimmering purple agate ring on his hand was practically blinding.

Ring of the Charmer

Quality: Ultra-Rare

Attributes: Charisma +4, Performance +4, Persuasion +4

Once per day, can cast Disguise Self with a DC 15 Perception check and Charm Person with a DC 15 Charisma check. Restores at dawn.

Warning: This attribute bonus is a standard bonus. When worn alongside other Charisma-enhancing equipment, the bonuses do not stack; only the highest value applies.

Description: This dazzling ring is of exceptional quality. Even without using the spells enchanted upon it, it is enough to make you the center of attention.

Value: 4,000 gold coins

Poverty made Du Pont's eyes burn. "You really are dressed flashy as hell."

"Haha, I think so too." Boulderstone was clearly in a great mood. Arriving at the gazebo, he tossed down a key and a pair of dark green boots. "All right, no more talk. If I really manage to bring her back, I'll teach you some useful things then. But I may be gone for a few days this time. Come to this little courtyard whenever you want; use anything inside as you please."

"Ah, does it really need to take that long?"

"You said it yourself—women think differently from men. If I go looking for her, she probably won't give me a pleasant reception. And her pride won't let her come obediently back with me after I sweet-talk her for a few sentences. If it goes slowly, it might take me one or two months to settle this."

As he spoke, Boulderstone pointed at the boots. "These boots make your steps silent when you wear them. Whether you're hunting in the wilderness or taking Chartered Missions, they'll help you. But I still hope you'll wait until I'm back before trying anything. Otherwise, if your luck is bad, you might really die in there."

Du Pont said, "Your mouth really isn't very lucky. Talk to women like that, and you'll talk yourselves into a breakup."

"Maybe. But that's just how I am. I'm not as slick-tongued as those bards." Boulderstone waved as he prepared to leave, then suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. If Judy asks why I haven't come by these past few days, tell him I couldn't be bothered going to work and went into the wilderness to clear my head. Don't mention that I went looking for her."

After saying that, Boulderstone strode away, tossing Du Pont's wishes for a safe journey straight behind him.

He really was in a hurry.

Boots of Elvenkind

Quality: Rare

Attribute One, Silent: While wearing these boots, you make no sound from your footsteps regardless of the surface you move across.

Attribute Two, Stealthy: You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

Description: These boots are favorites among Wood Elf rangers and rogues. They are not only comfortable to wear, but also convenient for tracking and hunting. However, some elven nobles dislike them, because their design is not ornate enough and they are not comfortable enough to wear.

Value: 500 gold coins

Seeing the boots' attributes, Du Pont could not help sucking in a breath.

These were practically essential for solo dungeon runs. If he learned the second-circle spell Invisibility Spell too, wouldn't he always be able to seize the initiative against anyone?

Besides, if he still had not saved enough money by the end of the month, he could pawn them for some gold and first get through the damned hurdle in front of him.

Of course, as long as things did not get that bad, he would keep the boots if at all possible.

Boulderstone's gift carried his goodwill. If he found out Du Pont had sold them for money, he would probably think less of him.

Besides, magical items rarely had fixed prices. There would always be a difference between buying and selling. If he sold them, he might not even get 500 gold coins. If he wanted to buy them again later, he might get gouged. Trading them away in a hurry would definitely mean taking a loss. It was more worthwhile to use them himself first.

Still, these looked rather large. Would they even fit him?

After using a spell to clean them up a little, Du Pont undid the laces and slipped his feet inside. The slightly loose boots instantly conformed to his feet in the next second. Even the laces tied themselves, forming an elaborate and elegant knot.

Holy shit, self-adjusting shoes were one thing, but they could tie their own laces too!

If this feature appeared on Earth, it could probably more than double the price of an ordinary pair of shoes on that feature alone.

Once Du Pont had put on both boots, the Boots of Elvenkind automatically turned the same gray as his Apprentice Robe. Whether he ran or jumped, he made no sound at all. They were about as comfortable as the sneakers he remembered, far better than the cloth shoes he was currently wearing.

But if he moved too quickly, the sound of wind caused by his robe could not be eliminated.

It seemed that sneaking after enemies unnoticed like in the movies was still quite difficult. But having something was better than having nothing. He just had to be more careful with his movements.

That was all for later. With Boulderstone gone, there was not much point in staying here. He could first haul that gray wolf into the village and see whether he could sell it for a good price, then check whether the tavern had any suitable missions.

Du Pont gave the gray wolf a tug. The thing definitely weighed over a hundred jin. Even though he was in decent shape, carrying it down the mountain on his back was probably unrealistic.

He did not have Boulderstone's impressive stamina.

He went to the warehouse but could not find the little cart used to haul pigs that morning. He only found a wicker basket.

After a great deal of effort, he finally stuffed the wolf carcass inside. Yet every step left a deep print, and after only a few steps, his whole body began to ache.

The result did not surprise Du Pont. If anything, it exceeded his expectations.

Back at the construction site, he had been able to carry a hundred jin of cement, but he had been an adult then and much fatter than he was now. His constitution was damaged now, and he was still injured. Yet he could still carry something this heavy around. His physical fitness was far stronger than before.

If he fixed his weakness and grew a few years older, carrying over a hundred jin while running around should not be a problem. But he was still a teenager, after all. His endurance was naturally much worse.

Du Pont was not about to make himself suffer. Just as he was considering going down the mountain to find a villager, he suddenly realized that the lame Skeleton Soldier he had summoned earlier was still alive and had not dissipated.

After all, this was a Skeleton Warrior specially designed for hard labor at construction sites. Its combat ability was abysmal, but the advantage was that as long as it was not destroyed, it could last an entire day.

Without that trait, how else could they drive down the wages of those mud-legged laborers mixing concrete?

Thinking of this, Du Pont could not help sincerely admiring just how evil this world was.

No ruthless grinders? Then create a super grinder that never tired, never needed food, and had limitless endurance. Grind ordinary people to death so they could never bargain down the wages of the Mage's Association construction guild.

What, kick the mages out and do it yourselves? Then the castles and walls you built would be far inferior in both quality and speed to those made where mages were present. Add the delayed construction time and food costs for the mud-legs to the mage hiring fees you saved, and there was no need to say which mattered more.

Gathering his mental power, Du Pont reattached the Skeleton Soldier's leg. Then he helped the clumsy skeleton sling the wicker basket over its shoulder, eyeing its light, flimsy frame with some doubt.

Without muscles or weight, could this thing really carry over a hundred jin?