Colm walked toward the adventurer's guild door but paused just short of it, turning a question over in his mind. Do I really need to keep the Claw of the Grove Stalker? He glanced at his pocket where the once makeshift spear head resided. The claw had been his primary weapon for a while, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it didn't align with the direction he wanted to take.

With my Wavebound Surge, I'm leaning more toward being a caster who supports my phantoms from a distance. Let's face it—I've never been a skilled fighter. It makes sense to focus on abilities that keep me out of the fray, especially since there are people out there who've been training far longer than I have.

Pulling the claw from his pocket, he examined it closely, running his fingers over the intricate grooves and sharp edge.

[ Claw of Grove Stalker ]

A remnant of the fearsome Grove Stalker, this claw pulses with primal energy, imbued with the creature's fierce survival instincts. Its sharpened edge and latent power make it ideal for weapon crafting, carrying with it the wild strength of the stalker's spirit.

To him, it symbolized a pivotal chapter of his journey—the fight for survival in the grove. Still, maybe it's time to let it go. Let me see how much I can get for it. If the guild is willing to buy it, I might be able to put the funds to better use.

His fingers brushed against another object in his pocket: the Fungal Charm. He pulled it out, considering it as well. I've had this charm forever. Maybe I should see what it's worth, too.

[ Fungal Charm ]

An eerie charm fashioned from twisted roots and fungi harvested from the Fungal Goblin. When worn, the charm slightly boosts resistance to poison and environmental effects, providing limited immunity to minor toxins and fungal spores.

[ Ring of the Stone Gnawer ]

Forged from remnants of the Stone Gnawer, this rugged ring bears the creature's essence, granting resilience and endurance to the wearer.

Shrugging, Colm joined the shortest line and waited his turn, fidgeting with the charm in his hand. A few minutes later, the clerk waved him forward.

"Hello," Colm began, placing the claw and charm on the counter, deciding to keep the ring to himself. "I've got a couple of system-acquired loot items I'm considering selling. Would you be able to give me a price?"

The clerk nodded. "Of course, I'd be happy to help. Let's take a look."

She carefully examined both items, turning them over in her hands. After a few moments, she said, "You've got some interesting pieces here. The claw, in particular, is high quality—very durable, sharp, and ideal for weapon crafting. This one would fetch five gold. The charm, on the other hand, is a bit more niche. While useful, it doesn't provide a substantial boost, so I can offer one gold for it."

Colm stroked his chin, weighing the options. I don't really need the claw. I want to get a staff or something similar that suits a caster better. As for the charm I think I'd like to keep it as a memento. Maybe I can find a way to embed it in a piece of gear later.

"Thank you," Colm said finally. "I'll sell the claw, but I think I'll hold on to the charm for now. Before I do, though, do you mind telling me what kind of weapon the claw would be best suited for?"

"Absolutely!" the clerk replied. "The claw's density and sharpness make it ideal for a dagger. If crafted into one, I'd imagine it would also provide a bonus to dexterity. Of course, that's just my opinion. You could consult a crafter to explore other possibilities."

Colm nodded, filing away the information. I didn't even consider that gear might provide stat bonuses. Makes sense.

"That's alright," Colm said. "I'm set on selling it. Thank you for the insight."

"Very well," the clerk replied with a smile. She moved the claw beneath her desk and counted out five gold coins, handing them to Colm. "Here's your payment. Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

Colm pocketed the gold and then asked, "Actually, yes. Do you know a good place in the plaza to buy light but sturdy gear and a backpack? Also, do you happen to know how much dimensional storage items cost?"

The clerk nodded. "Certainly! A popular choice is Peck's Shop. Peck is a skilled armor crafter who goes above and beyond for his clients. You'll find his shop on the corner of the square—it has a display of leather goods out front, so it's hard to miss.

"As for dimensional storage items, the price varies quite a bit depending on the style you want—ring, necklace, bracelet, and so on—and the amount of space it holds. Smaller ones, with about 10 square feet of storage, generally run around 3 gold. But the larger ones, which can hold thousands of square feet, cost hundreds or even thousands of gold."

Colm raised an eyebrow. "Ah, that's a pretty steep price for the larger ones. Still, the smaller ones sound perfect for me, and 3 gold seems pretty reasonable."

The clerk smiled. "It's more affordable now than it used to be. Over the years, skilled crafters have improved their techniques, which has driven the price down. The Adventurer's Guild also worked hard to subsidize and standardize the cost of smaller storage items, knowing how valuable they can be. A well-used storage item has saved countless lives."

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"The guild really seems to go above and beyond," Colm said thoughtfully. "Thank you! I really appreciate the recommendation."

"Of course. Enjoy your day!" the clerk replied, waving the next person in line forward as Colm turned to leave and made his way out of the guild into the plaza.

After a few moments of wandering the plaza Colm stepped into Peck's shop, ready to tackle the first item on his list: gear. The sturdy sign outside reading Peck's Goods had guided him to the right spot, and now inside, his eyes roamed the walls lined with a variety of armor. The craftsmanship, particularly a few sets that immediately stuck out to him. Scales? Could that be some kind of dragonscale? he wondered, fingers itching to touch the intricate patterns.

A gruff voice behind him broke his focus. "Looking for something?"

Colm spun around to face the speaker, startled. A stout, rugged dwarf stood there, his massive beard covering half his chest and his eyes sharp as a hawk's.

"Uh, yes," Colm stammered, then caught himself. He used Analyze out of instinct, and what he saw stunned him.

Peck (Level ???) – Dwarf

It's Jerry all over again, Colm thought, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.

Peck raised an eyebrow. "You gonna stand there gawking, or are you gonna tell me what you're looking for? I don't have all day."

Snapping out of his daze, Colm coughed awkwardly. "Sorry about that. I'm new in town, and your uh, level surprised me."

Peck let out a hearty laugh, the sound echoing off the walls. "You're not the first. Most don't expect a crafter to be high-leveled, while leveling through crafting may be slower than combat, it comes with its own rewards."

"That definitely shows," Colm said, nodding. "I'm looking for something that offers protection but keeps me mobile. I'm leaning toward a caster and support role, so I figured leather would be the best fit. Do you have any recommendations?"

Peck stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Interesting. More casters lean toward cloth, but the goods I make are far superior to your average cloth. What's the use of dishing out damage if you can't take a hit?" he said with a grin. "What's your budget?"

Colm hesitated. "I have about five gold to my name, but I'm also hoping to get a leather bag or maybe a storage item."

Peck's grin widened. "Five gold, eh? Must've come into a bit of luck recently. Follow me, lad."

Colm followed as Peck led him to a display featuring gear made of scales that gleamed with a metallic luster. "This here," Peck began, motioning to a set of armor, "is one of my store's favorites. It's made from the hides of Steelhide Basilisks, beasts from a Tier 3 Echo. Their scales are tough to pierce and resistant to flames. It offers excellent protection while keeping you light on your feet."

Peck grabbed a glove from the set and tossed it to Colm. "Go ahead, feel it."

Colm caught the glove and marveled at its texture—cold, smooth, and durable. He bent the glove, noting its strong resistance, and gave it a light tap with his fist, feeling a reverberation like striking metal. "This isn't metal?" Colm asked, amazed.

"Aye, lad. The basilisk scales are tough as steel. It's popular for a reason," Peck replied.

"How much for the set?"

"A full set—including gloves, boots, leggings, and chest piece—runs you about two gold. If you want it enchanted to self-clean and self-repair, that'll cost an extra gold."

Colm winced slightly at the price. "It's a bit steep. Do you mind showing me some other options?"

Peck nodded. "Of course. But let me tell you, the protection it provides and those enchantments are worth it. Also, you'll thank yourself when you don't smell like a sewer after a week of delving."

Colm chuckled as Peck led him around, showing off various pieces, but nothing stood out as much as the Steelhide Basilisk set. After mulling it over, he turned to Peck. "I think I'll go with the basilisk set, with the enchantments."

Peck clapped his hands together, his grin widening. "Knew you'd come back to it! Tell you what, lad. Since you're kitting yourself out properly, I'll throw in a basic leather pack for free. Got too many of 'em lying around anyway."

"That's amazing! Thank you so much," Colm said, genuinely appreciative.

Peck waved him off. "No problem at all. Now let's get you fitted. Got a color preference? The scales come in dark gray, deep red, or dark blue."

Colm thought about it for a moment, then smiled. "Dark blue."

Peck nodded approvingly. "Good choice. Let's get you measured."

Colm felt a pulse of mana radiate from Peck, a wave of coldness washing over him. Peck stepped into the back, returning moments later with the Steelhide Basilisk armor. Motioning for Colm to take a seat, Peck began the fitting process.

Holding up each piece of the armor to Colm, Peck released another pulse of mana. Each item shifted slightly, resizing as if alive. One by one, he handed the pieces to Colm to put on, repeating the process for every item in the set.

By the time the last piece was adjusted, Colm noticed sweat trailing down Peck's face. Curious, he asked, "What exactly did you just do?"

Peck grinned, wiping his brow. "Pretty convenient, isn't it? It's part of my class. Lets me resize gear I've crafted to fit anyone perfectly—costs a bit of mana, but it's worth it. Means I can make items in bulk and tune them individually. Saves a lot of hassle."

"That's incredible," Colm said as he admired the fit of the armor. "This feels perfect. I don't think I've ever worn anything tailored like this."

Peck chuckled, clearly pleased. "Glad you appreciate it. Took years of practice to get it to this level, but it's worth it when I see the results."

Colm stood, walking around to test the fit. The armor felt snug yet flexible, offering a sense of protection without sacrificing much mobility. Spotting a mirror, he paused to take a good look at himself.

The reflection stunned him. The dark blue scales of the armor gleamed faintly under the shop's light, giving him a regal yet dangerous appearance. I'm fully decked out in scale armor—and I have magic. A grin spread across his face as he slung the leather satchel Peck handed him over his shoulder. For the first time since arriving in this world, he truly felt like an adventurer.

"So," Colm asked, breaking from his thoughts, "could I eventually get this gear enchanted to boost my stats?"

Peck nodded. "Absolutely. That's the next step if you've got the coin. For now, this set should last you a while—those basilisks are tough as nails at Tier 3. But if you ever outgrow it or need something more specialized, come back, and I'll get you sorted."

"I definitely will. Thanks for everything," Colm said, fishing three gold coins from his pocket and handing them over. He relocated his old clothes and remaining coins into his new satchel, feeling more organized than ever.

Satisfied with his purchase, Colm made his way to the door. Looking back, he called out, "Thanks for the gear, Peck. I'll definitely be back!"

Peck waved him off with a hearty laugh. "Anytime, lad. Stay safe out there."

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