Blade of Tyranny

Chapter 9: Bloodthirsty Vines

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

[Goblin’s Eye: Special Item]

There was also a worn tome apart from Goblin’s Eye.

[Skill Tome: Bloodthirsty Vines]

Nie Fan had expected to find the tome—or should he say, he had come searching for it! The skill Bloodthirsty Vines was a novice Druid ability, and was leveled up through usage just like Black Oil and Mini Fireball. It could only be obtained by slaying a Goblin Warrior, but killing a second Goblin Warrior would only provide an ordinary vine spell.

Bloodthirsty Vines was a growth-type skill as well, with each increased level cultivating more attributes than Black Oil or Mini Fireball. In later stages, it would even develop special mutations, gaining attributes such as Bloodlust or Death Devourer.

In fact, Nie Fan was looking up the information on Bloodthirsty Vines right now.

[Bloodthirsty Vines: Skill growth rate 27, Adjustment 32]

[Skill Level 1: 1 vine summoned, attack 15, tenacity 3, HP 30, 5 seconds casting, 5 mana cost, 20 seconds cooldown, no special attributes]

[Skill Level 2: 1 vine summoned, attack 25, tenacity 6, HP 50, 4.6 seconds casting, 7 mana cost, 18 seconds cooldown, no special attributes]

[Skill Level 3: 1 vine summoned, attack 35, tenacity 8, HP 80, 4.4 seconds casting, 9 mana cost, 16 seconds cooldown, no special attributes]

***

A 20-growth rate was considered high for a normal plant-type skill, and yet Bloodthirsty Vines reaches a stunning 27. Adjustment was a fine attribute to have as well, since players would be able to change the attributes of Bloodthirsty Vines through certain quests their after they had leveled up the skill considerably. Higher adjustment rates also meant higher successes—in comparison, Bloodthirsty Veins had an Adjustment rate of 32 whereas normal plant-type skills only reached around ten.

Apart from obtaining that skill, Nie Fan had also secured one Goblin’s Eye, which would be a key item to enter the Goblin Temple in the depths of the Blood Shade Plains!

Nie Fan had also quickly learned Bloodthirsty Vines, adding another active attack skill on his skill bar.

It was a strong ability whether in the early or the late stages—Nie Fan had also thought of a place where he would level up that skill, and the rest could wait. As the saying goes: beard well lathered is half shaved, leveling up Bloodthirsty Vines would also help improve his own level, although the cost would be huge: he would need to pool some money before that and purchase MP potions.

At the moment, he has three warrior items, two of which were Copper-grade that could sell for a good price given the rareness of equipment at the moment. He also had other items such as Silver Grass and Coagulus which would be enough to sustain his skill training for quite some time, although there was no telling whether anyone would want to buy them.

Searching for the locations of herbs nearby, Nie Fan harvested another twenty-six tuft of Silver Grass and twenty-two tufts of Coagulus. While a lot of players would have found it rewarding to be able to obtain three tufts of herbs, there were basically none of them who would directly allocate skill points to herb harvesting. As such, the level of his Harvest ability improved rapidly, with the system notification ringing when he harvested the last tuft of Coagulus to signal that his Harvest skill had improved from novice to intermediate.

That was a simple matter, however, since only 50 proficiency points were only needed to level up from novice to intermediate. On the other hand, leveling up to advanced from intermediate required 2500 proficiency points, and it would be more horrific when attempting to level up from advanced to master. Nonetheless, intermediate-ranked Harvest skills were enough to gather any herbs for maps below Level 30.

Taking a look at the time and realizing that more than an hour had passed, Nie Fan headed back towards Tajit Village.

There were more players logging in now, and item trading between players was increasing as some of them began to level up. Tajit Village was bustling now, with one stall after another being set up at the path entering the village.

And at the village gates, two fully armored Level 60 elite guards holding greatswords were keeping order.

“We buy full-sets of level ten equipment, even mystery items!”

“We buy various herbs, ores, gem shards, and quest items…”

“We buy level five warrior helmets…”

The shouts were never-ending at the village entrance. Most of those purchasing Level 10 equipment, herbs, and ores by bulk were representatives from major guilds or studios since their main players would usually be outside the village power leveling, leaving a few others who stayed in the village for logistics.

Nie Fan showed some of those buyers the attributes of the items he had on hand, asking them for a price.

“Please wait a moment, we shall receive a reply soon.” Several of the buyers were taken aback when they saw Nie Fan’s message. That single normal armor was nothing, but he did possess two Copper-grade items and one of them was Level 15—they certainly couldn’t make the call with such top-grade equipment on the table, and would have to ask their party’s chief.

Most of the top players should be around Level 8 and about to reach Level 10 at the current phase, which sets a high demand for Level 10 items. However, that demand would not be mad even if most guilds would farm items in their parties: top parties that managed to secure drops of one or two Level 10 Copper items would never put them out for sale because they need those items urgently. That was why no one expected Nie Fan to actually sell a Level 10 Copper-grade armor and a Level 15 Copper-grade helmet.

How could they not be shocked?!

“How much would you sell the Copper-grade armor for?” Some of the players asked gingerly.

“Five hundred bronze coins.”

“It’s too high a price. I can’t decide for now; I have to ask the boss about it.”

Nie Fan shrugged. He could afford to wait at the moment, and he could get rid of the herbs he had now. Those were much easier to sell in comparison: the market price for one tuft of Silver Grass was ten bronze coins and one tuft of Coagulus was fifteen.

Many parties and studios tend to groom one or two specialist potions masters. They would mainly be the ones consuming herbs, although they still would not be able to purchase too much at once, and Nie Fan could only sell them moderately.

***

Meanwhile, the Green Goblin spawn point deep inside the Blood Shade plains.

“Warsong, someone’s selling a level ten copper-grade warrior steel armor and a level fifteen copper-grade warrior helm.”

“Wow. A level fifteen, copper-grade warrior helm? That party must be insane… they actually took down a level fifteen elite beast?” Warhammer’s first reaction to the information was that it must be a party selling that item, because no one could kill a level fifteen elite beast alone!

‘But it makes no sense. Why aren’t they keeping it for themselves if they got that perfect an item drop?’ Warsong wondered beside them.

“Who’s the seller?” Warsong asked.

“Dark Night.”

“It’s him.” Warsong was stunned for a moment, remembering that it was the fellow whom he invited to their party. “No need for guessing games, everyone. You guys stay here while I return to the village for a look—we need those two items whatever the price may be! What is the first offer anyway?”

Since there was considerable competition in Tajit Village, it would also be troublesome if those items fall into their rivals’ hands.

“Five hundred bronze coins for the level ten armor, a thousand for the level fifteen helm.”

The entire party gasped when they heard about the astronomical price. In comparison, their pooled wealth was only three thousand-odd bronze coins, and that was also thanks to the hard work of around three hundred players in their guild.”

‘That’s not really expensive, but we’ll go broke if we buy those items,’ Warhammer thought.

So, that Dark Night was actually that amazing that he could get two items worth half their entire studio’s wealth. No wonder he gave them the cold shoulder when he was invited to join their party—with that wonderful a player, it was fortunate he did not recklessly provoke him.

“I’ll try to bargain with him,” Warsong said, but he did not appear too confident.

***

At the same time, Nie Fan had finally sold off all the Silver Grasses and Coagulus he had and realized that he now had around six hundred bronze coins. Earning money was quite easy by using information other players did not know, and with the money he now has, Nie Fan started to purchase every Novice Mana Potion and Novice Health Potion available on the market.

[Novice Mana Potion: Single burst, restores 100 MP]

[Novice Health Potion: Single burst, restores 150 HP]

Meanwhile, Potions Masters who had purchased herbs would be using it to concoct items, after of which they would either provide them to their respective studios or sell them on the market. That being said, novice potions were not for casual gamers since novice mana potions and novice health potions were twenty bronze coins and thirty bronze coins per bottle respectively. Even elite parties would have to think carefully when using one or risk going penniless if they use those potions too carefreely.

Nie Fan himself bought one novice health potion for emergencies and twenty novice mana potions.

“Greetings. I’m Warsong; we’ve met before.”

When he heard that voice, Nie Fan turned and studied the person speaking—it was Warsong, who came looking for him immediately after returning to Tajit Village and was able to find him in the crowd with a single glance.

“Were you talking to me?” Nie Fan asked in return. “I’ve told you: I’m no interested in joining your party.”

“I’m sorry about being presumptuous before,” Warsong said awkwardly, “I’ve come with the intent to buy those two warrior items.”

At the same time, he was guessing that Nie Fan might be a member of a super guild that operated discreetly, and that Nie Fan was their spokesperson. How could he even dream of Nie Fan to join his party if that was the case?

“Oh, the steel armor and the helm?”

“Well, that price is a little too high. Can I get a discount?” Warsong added uncomfortably. That was the first time he was actually bargaining with someone else—before this, all his deals were made without much fuss, whereas the numbers this time was a little too high.

“I’m sorry but this is non-negotiable. In fact, it’s already considered cheap.” Nie Fan promptly replied, unwilling to waste time on senseless haggling. Moreover, he did not really especially connect with Warsong when they met two hours ago, and there would be others coming to buy those two items even if Warsong did not.

After all, Nie Fan was perfectly aware of how wide the market goes for those items.

“Could I trade with another item?” Warsong asked hesitantly after some thought.

“What do you have? I need level ten copper-grade druid items or gem shards, otherwise forget it.” Nie Fan said after considering it, deciding that he could yield if Warsong had those.

“Not really…” Warsong’s tone became meek. Nie Fan was demanding high-grade items on the get-go, not that Warsong’s own party had much to offer either.

“I could offer market price discounts if you have lesser healing potions or lesser mana potions. Someone is already pinging me now—I’m selling them if you won’t take it.” Nie Fan said as he glanced at his private messages.

There was already someone else inquiring about the price and was haggling as well.