The Vanished Merchant

"Is this the Silent Edge?"

Inside the cabin, Linsey was sitting in the front hall, holding a gray strip of cloth in her hand.

If it weren't for the sharp arrow mark drawn on it.

This thing, if thrown anywhere, would probably be seen as a tattered rag.

Ironically, this is the reward for the "First Strike" mission.

[Enchanted Rag: Silent Edge]

A cloth with enchantment power, when rubbed on a weapon, can grant a one-time enchantment effect that lasts for three hours.

Usage interval: 1 time/12h.

Enchantment effect: When the player initiates the attack in combat, eliminates the sound of the first attack on the weapon.

"..."

"If this thing were used for assassination, that would be truly outrageous."

Linsey quickly thought of scenarios where this thing could come in handy.

In the case of assassination or sneak attack, an attack that makes no sound is definitely a highly effective method.

Even if we take a step back...

Using the effect of the Silent Edge to hunt also prevents the prey from hearing the sound of the arrow being shot.

Especially the Iron Horn Great Bow in Linsey's hand.

Although this weapon is incredibly powerful, each shot produces a thunderous vibration of the bowstring, which, while intimidating, also serves as a warning to the enemy of an impending attack.

If you use this enchantment before each battle.

What would have been a loud and dramatic attack would instead become a silent and stealthy sneak attack.

"Undoubtedly a great product."

With a sigh, Linsey accepted the Enchanted Rag and then looked through her other finds.

This crackdown on Devil Beast yielded him a wealth of material.

Not only can the Bat Staff be crafted instantly, but the three Devil Beast in the Hunting Notes – the Frozen Wind Sparrow, the Emerald-tailed Snowy Owl, and the Rot Leaf Rabbit – have also simultaneously completed the First Stage of achievement kill counts.

The rewards for the Frozen Wind Sparrow and the Emerald-tailed Snowy Owl are both earrings.

Wearing it can increase a person's agility.

Linsey...

To be honest, he was a little reluctant to do it to himself.

Linsey never wore earrings in her past life, and although she had been injured many times in battle in this life, she still felt strange about piercing her own ear.

And he held the two earrings in his hand.

The reward from the Emerald-tailed Snowy Owl is called the "Verdant Earring".

A pure white gemstone is set on a bright green feather pendant, shimmering like a new leaf in the morning light. The feather, with its exquisite details, is so lifelike that one can almost hear it swaying gently in the breeze.

The reward for the Frozen Wind Sparrow is called the Frost Wind Earring.

Eight soft, white crystals, like feathers, are linked together, resembling the first snowfall of winter, giving a sense of tranquility and purity. The earrings themselves are crystal clear, like moonlight illuminating the earth on a quiet night, possessing both a fresh and refined quality and a dreamy and mysterious feel.

"..."

"I already feel uncomfortable wearing just this flower crown. You should keep it and give it away later."

Linsey felt really embarrassed to wear the two feminine earrings, so she obediently stuffed them into her backpack as well.

Finally, the achievement reward for the Rot Leaf Rabbit is simple and easy to use; it can be worn directly as a pendant.

[Rare Item: Lucky Rabbit Foot]

[Slightly increases the wearer's luck.]

[An achievement item, an accessory that can occasionally boost luck, of moderate value.]

Linsey hung the Lucky Rabbit Foot on her body.

Almost as soon as he finished the action, a voice calling his name came from outside the cabin, "Linsey, are you home?"

"..."

"Suo Mu Jin?"

Linsey immediately recognized the voice.

He casually ran his Silent Edge over the Ice Fang Dagger, then put the weapon back into his pouch before opening the door to the cabin:

"It's so late, is there something you need from me?"

Linsey looked at Suo Mu Jin with great wariness.

Just as Anrui later came to interrogate the businessman, Linsey also had some suspicions about Suo Mu Jin in front of him.

He already knew that Suo Mu Jin's Merchant Skill had reached the Fourth Stage, giving him combat abilities that could be effective in battle.

However, during the previous days of clearing out Devil Beast, the other party was nowhere to be seen.

Suo Mu Jin, however, was unconcerned about Linsey's suspicions.

He shook his head and smiled, without even entering the door, but reached into the merchant's bag and took out five plants, placing them in front of Linsey.

"Didn't you say you were cultivating cold-resistant crops?"

"I knew this matter was of great importance to the town, so I spent the last few days trying to find these things for you."

"..."

"This is Winter Wheat... and potatoes?"

Linsey was even stunned for a moment.

He had guessed the purpose of Suo Mu Jin's visit, but he never expected it to be like this.

He carefully examined the plants and found that they still bore the fresh marks of being recently dug up. Even using his abilities to investigate, he found nothing unusual about them.

so...

While Anrui organized his forces to wipe out the Devil Beast and establish his authority.

The merchant's disappearance was actually because he went alone into the wilderness to find crops that Linsey could cultivate.

"I... you..."

Linsey was momentarily speechless.

Like Anrui, he assumed the worst and thought Suo Mu Jin might have chosen to betray the town.

But the wild crops before him forced Linsey to dispel his doubts.

After all, searching for these things in a vast forest is definitely not an easy task.

No one understands the difficulty better than Linsey.

Linsey quickly adjusted her mindset, and her tone became much gentler than before. At the same time, she did not immediately accept the plants. "Suo Mu Jin, you once said that when dealing with businessmen, it is best to have a clear price tag."

"This is my way of saving myself." Suo Mu Jin smiled and shook his head. "No matter what the future holds, stable food production will always be one of the most important things."

"If you insist on giving me compensation, then you might as well develop new cold-resistant crops as quickly as possible."

Hearing this, Linsey accepted the wild plants.

He had thought Suo Mu Jin would take this opportunity to say something more.

But the businessman made no unnecessary movements and simply turned to say goodbye to Linsey.

"..."

"You... just left like that?"

Linsey frowned as she watched the businessman leave.

He couldn't quite gauge the other party's true attitude and thoughts.

It's important to know that with the victory in the battle to eliminate the Devil Beast, public opinion in the town has completely turned in favor of Anrui.

Under these circumstances, Suo Mu Jin took the wild plants that Linsey desperately needed, without offering even the slightest persuasion or attempt to win him over.

"This doesn't make sense!"

Linsey carefully recalled the other party's information.

But in the past three years, he has had almost no dealings with this businessman.

If you were to go to town now and ask, given Anrui's current reputation, the answers you get from other people would likely be biased.

So, who in the town has been around long enough?

And who can explain their doubts with a neutral attitude?

Linsey murmured, "Now I'll have to go see Nun again."