Sword and Magic and Taxi

Two flowers bloom, one on each side. Zhao Mai left the house where the thief was hiding and would not go back directly. After understanding the truth of even if you don't look for trouble, trouble may come, he went straight to the market near the guild. There are several shops here dedicated to serving adventurers, and there is a blacksmith shop next to it, which sells some light and small weapons.

What he wanted most was a crossbow, which was powerful and easy to use. He had seen ranger Carl carrying a crossbow all day long, and he felt envious. Since there was no time to practice using a bow or sling, the crossbow became the best choice.

After browsing several blacksmith shops and looking at the goods in the shops, Zhao Mai was surprised to find that there were no crossbows in the area. This is completely unreasonable and there must be something wrong with it. As the easiest ranged weapon to learn, it will be in great demand among adventurers and farmers alike. Isn’t it true that demand can’t create a market?

Hey, crossbow... All the shop owners responded with almost the same attitude: We don't have it in stock. If you really want it, I can place an order for you. But there are only a few crossbows released every year. The price is not cheap, are you sure you can afford it?”

Isn't it 35 gold coins for a light crossbow and 50 gold coins for a heavy crossbow?

This price is extrapolated based on the prices of other weapons. Although there are some errors, the prices in Nebo Town are relatively stable. You can buy a long sword for 15 gold coins and a longbow for 75 gold coins. Taking into account production costs and other factors, the price of the crossbow should be what he said.

Unfortunately, you came at the wrong time. The shop owner was unmoved at all. If you want a crossbow, you have to order it. This is the rule now. If you want it in stock, it's not impossible to negotiate. Two hundred gold coins is a good amount. Or you can go to the guild and buy it from other adventurers. This is also a way.

After the salt was stolen, Zhao Mai only had less than forty gold coins left on him, which was usually enough to buy a light crossbow for self-defense. What is happening in the store now seems to be a price increase to monopolize the supply of goods. Zhao Mai alone cannot fight against the store owner's alliance. As for buying it from adventurers, you should also pay extra fees, otherwise who would be stupid enough to take action now?

The best solution to this situation is naturally to mobilize a batch of affordable crossbows and put them on the market. But this will inevitably arouse the vigilance of local controllers. After all, the crossbow is still a weapon, and not just anyone can make it, store it in large quantities, or transport it. It's hard to say whether there are shadows of those in power behind the businessman's actions, or is it simply the instruction of those people?

Should I buy a sling and use it first? Or practice throwing knives? Zhao Mai shook his head and temporarily put these two thoughts behind him. He decided to wander around again, maybe he would gain something.

In addition to the shops on both sides of the street, there are also some vendors setting up stalls along the street. On a straw mat, they put the good things they collected or hunted, and some people were selling all kinds of food they made. The food looked appetizing due to lack of seasoning, but the smell and taste were unsatisfactory. When I saw a kebab vendor, I wondered what kind of animal the meat on the kebab came from, and I missed the mutton kebabs sprinkled with chili, salt and cumin on earth.

Suddenly, the gold coin of destiny reacted. While it became slightly hot, it was still vibrating on Zhao Mai's chest. Zhao Mai took a few steps back and the shock disappeared. As he moved forward, it became more and more intense. So that’s how this thing is used! With a hint of excitement, Zhao Mai walked towards the direction with the strongest vibration.

He saw a dwarf, only about 1.4 meters tall, but wider and thicker than a two-meter strong human being. His thick brown hair mixed with an equally thick brown beard made him look like a lion. The lightly dressed dwarf wore a semicircular iron helmet on his head - or was entangled in his hair - and was dressed in a craftsman's uniform. He held a double-barreled shotgun in his hand.

Wait... Zhao Mai rubbed his eyes, did I read that correctly? Two long black straight cylinders, a black wooden handle, and two independent match ropes, this cliff is a dwarf musket. Has technology developed to this point? Zhao Mai touched his chin and decided to go up and have a chat. One is for the destiny gold coin, the other is for this musket.

The dwarf Thok carries the weapons he created, hoping to find a sense of identity among humans. My dwarf clan is too traditional and has poor ability to accept new things, so my ideas are not supported. He heard that the town of Nebo was the most open and tolerant place in northern Golarion, so he traveled a long distance to come here to try his luck.

The people here were willing to let him demonstrate his weapons, and even gathered several merchants to watch. But at the critical moment, his musket failed to fire. He failed to gain recognition and attracted a lot of ridicule. The dwarf Thok wondered whether he had done something wrong and was spurned by the dwarf god. Maybe he should focus on hammers and tomahawks instead of inventing muskets.

He planned to spend the remaining gold coins in his pocket to buy dry food for the return journey. If you have some left over, it would be a good idea to bring some spirits as gifts to your parents and siblings. Apart from the relative failure of the musket, the prosperity of Nebo Town still left a good impression on him.

Hey, dwarf, I'm very interested in the weapon in your hand. Can you talk about it? Zhao Mai weighed his wallet and said to Sok: I live in the Hearth Hotel not far from here. The stew is very good and the ale is very sweet. I sincerely invite you, do you have time now?

Okay. Suoke agreed to Zhao Mai's request smoothly as if he was not wary.

Anyone who has sniffed the food reserves and is not hostile can still be trusted. It is said that people emit different smells under different emotions, and animals with a sensitive sense of smell can distinguish anger, joy, sadness and hostility. Although I don't know how accurate this judgment method is and whether there will be cases of being wronged, Zhao Mai has no other good way anyway. Of course, he must trust his loyal partners.

The two people talked as they walked and introduced each other. Naturally, Zhao Mai still said the same thing. His common language is not very good. I hope the dwarf can be more considerate. The dwarf Sok has a big beard, and the humans he interacts with treat him as an adult and are not very polite, but who knows that he has just grown up.

Zhao Mai's friendliness towards him quickly turned into a harmonious atmosphere. Before they really started talking about things, the dwarf already liked this kind human being. When they arrived at the Fireplace Hotel, they did not see the fat boss. Only the chef entertained them at the counter before dinner time.

A small barrel of ale, about fifteen liters, was bought by Zhao Mai and moved directly to the dining table. The clear foam overflowed into the oak goblet, greatly invigorating the dwarf. Let us drink to our elders, family and those who care about us first, and we will talk about other things later.

Suoke was already very thirsty and wished he could stuff his whole face into the cup and drink. The aroma stays in the mouth, and the refreshing feeling spreads from the throat to the belly, and then spreads to the limbs and veins. He put down the cup and saw that Zhao Mai's cup was also empty, and couldn't help but admire his good drinker.

Zhao Mai didn't pay attention to the dwarf's raised middle finger. He was looking in the direction of the tavern door. Green walked in with some tattered clothes, one arm hanging abnormally, and holding a leather bag in the other arm, which was the one containing salt.