After eating and drinking his fill, Shi Hanfeng began his market research.
The weapons and equipment at the blacksmith’s ranged from a few Silver Coins to dozens of Gold Coins. Potions were the same, none priced below a single Gold Coin.
The saying went: poor in literature, rich in martial arts. Being an Adventurer without money was truly painful.
However, he now had a rough idea—the value of the Enchanted Leather Bracer was enough to carry out his plan.
When Shi Hanfeng reentered the bustling Adventurers’ Guild, the braided Receptionist from the morning was resting her chin in her hand, nodding off.
The thick registration ledger spread out on the wooden counter was about to be pressed down by her drooping head.
“Cough.”
He tapped his finger lightly on the countertop.
“Ah! Yes! May I help you——”
The Receptionist jumped like a startled rabbit.
Her emerald eyes, hazy at first, instantly blazed like stars when she recognized the face before her, and her smile bloomed brighter than the midday sun.
“Rochet-san! You’re back?”
Her voice overflowed with excitement as she shuffled halfway out from behind the counter.
“Did you change your mind about accepting a quest? I kept an eye out for you! There are a few decent White Porcelain Rank clean-up tasks today, though they’re low rank, but—”
“No, it’s something else.”
Shi Hanfeng smiled slightly, interrupting her enthusiastic sales pitch.
He tapped the deep brown leather Enchanted Leather Bracer on his wrist.
“I didn’t mention it during registration this morning, but I actually have a small side business—Merchant.”
He paused, meeting the Receptionist’s wide, curious eyes.
“I wonder if the Adventurers’ Guild has an equipment buy-back service?”
“Equipment?”
The Receptionist clearly froze for a moment, her excitement fading into confusion.
Her gaze unconsciously drifted over Shi Hanfeng and settled on his left hand, where a plain, old, even frayed leather Enchanted Leather Bracer clung to his wrist.
This… doesn’t look valuable.
Could it be the last dignity of a fallen noble? Or perhaps he was struggling and needed to sell things to make ends meet?
She looked at the handsome face before her, then at the shabby “equipment,” and her mind began an intense internal struggle.
Kindness made her reluctant to refuse directly, but the Guild’s rules were clear…
Her small face wrinkled like a steamed bun, fingers twisting the corner of her dress, her voice hesitant.
“Um… this… Rochet-san, our Guild does have identification and buy-back services, but usually for… well… items that look more powerful—like Enchanted Equipment or quality weapons…”
She chose her words carefully, trying to convey the cruel truth without hurting the pride of the person before her: the Guild counter doesn’t buy junk.
Or… or should I just buy it myself?
As a good deed?
Though my salary this month…
The Receptionist’s gaze grew unfocused, clearly calculating her savings.
Shi Hanfeng saw through the tangle of hesitation, regret, and even self-sacrificing thoughts on her face.
“It seems the Guild isn’t interested in plain equipment like this?”
He smiled knowingly.
“Is there a quiet room in the Guild? I can show you what’s special about this Enchanted Leather Bracer. After you experience its effect firsthand, you can decide whether to accept it or how to price it. How about it?”
“Experience?”
The Receptionist blinked, curiosity piqued by his words (and mainly his looks).
She nodded almost involuntarily.
“O-Okay! There’s a small meeting room available! Please follow me!”
Like accepting a secret mission, she glanced around nervously and led Shi Hanfeng through a side hallway to a small, cluttered but quiet room.
“This is where the Guild sometimes identifies items.”
The Receptionist explained, her voice crisp in the silence.
“Please!”
Shi Hanfeng nodded, smoothly removed the unremarkable Enchanted Leather Bracer from his wrist, and placed it on the table.
“Try it on.”
He gestured with his chin for the Receptionist to pick it up.
The Receptionist, both serious and a little skeptical, carefully picked up the deep brown Enchanted Leather Bracer.
The leather felt tougher than expected.
She took a deep breath and clumsily tried to slip it onto her right wrist.
The Enchanted Leather Bracer was clearly too large, hanging loosely around her slender wrist like a child wearing an adult’s clothes.
“And then?”
She looked up, bewildered.
“Feel it.”
Shi Hanfeng prompted.
“Focus, try moving your arm, or lift something heavy nearby?”
The slight strength amplification the Enchanted Leather Bracer provided was almost negligible for someone with a template-enhanced body like his.
But for a Receptionist who spent all day at a desk, the effect should be more noticeable.
The Receptionist suspiciously followed his instructions.
She took a deep breath and focused on a heavy wooden chair beside her.
She usually struggled to move it.
Reaching out, she gripped the back of the chair and subconsciously lifted—
“Huh?!”
To her surprise, the chair rose easily with one hand.
Though not effortless, it was far lighter than she’d ever experienced.
“Ah!”
She cried out, quickly setting the chair down, staring at her hand in disbelief before snapping her gaze to Shi Hanfeng.
“My strength increased a bit? It really works! Is this truly Enchanted Equipment?”
The amplification was weak, but real.
This unassuming leather Enchanted Leather Bracer genuinely had a strength attribute.
For a melee class, even a minor effect was worth paying for.
“Now, does it still look like junk?”
Shi Hanfeng asked with a teasing smile.
“No! Not at all! I’m sorry, Rochet-san, I was mistaken!”
The Receptionist’s face flushed.
She hurriedly removed the Enchanted Leather Bracer as if handling fragile treasure.
“I-I’ll take it to Logistics for appraisal immediately! Please wait!”
Before her words finished, she shot out of the Identification Chamber like the wind, gripping the Enchanted Leather Bracer as if afraid it would sprout wings and fly away.
***
The heavy oak door of the Guild’s Logistics Department seemed to carry a barrier, separating it from the noisy front hall.
Inside, a heated argument was raging.
“Uncle Barton! Take another look!”
The Receptionist’s voice rose eight octaves, almost rattling the jars on the shelves.
She waved the deep brown Enchanted Leather Bracer like a battle flag before the bearded, shiny-bald middle-aged man.
“It looks old, but it’s effective! It’s an Enchanted Equipment that boosts strength!”
Barton, the head of Logistics, was puffing on a massive pipe, squinting as he tapped a gray stone.
He exhaled a smoke ring, barely lifting his eyelids.
“Our little lazybones, why so energetic today?”
“Can’t I work hard for the Guild’s sake?”
The Receptionist flushed and interrupted, neck stiff with conviction.
“I want you to assess the item’s value. Try it on.”
Old Barton finally looked away from the mineral, glancing at the unremarkable Enchanted Leather Bracer in the girl’s hand and then at her face, red as an overripe apple.
He sighed helplessly.
He stretched out a calloused hand, grabbed the Enchanted Leather Bracer, and slipped it onto his equally sturdy wrist.
He flexed his wrist casually.
For a moment, the corner of his mouth twitched beneath the pipe, and a trace of surprise flickered in his eyes.
“Hmm, it’s interesting.”
Old Barton mumbled.
“But this thing looks terrible. The effect’s so-so—good for Newcomers at best.”
He held up five thick fingers.
“Five Gold Coins, tops.”
“Five?!”
The Receptionist’s voice hit dolphin pitch, making her jump.
“Uncle Barton! That’s robbery! This is Enchanted Equipment! Even a weak one is genuine! Outside, watered-down Potions sell for a Gold Coin! This Enchanted Leather Bracer truly increases strength!”
She put her hands on her hips, small body radiating surprising authority.
“This is Rochet-san’s… ahem, it’s a potential VIP client for our Guild! You can’t cheat him like this!”
“Tch,”
Old Barton winced, puffing smoke in frustration.
“Fine, fine, since you’re so insistent—eight. Not a coin more—”
“Ten!”
The Receptionist declared, eyes fierce enough to pierce the counter.
“You little brat, are you crazy?!”
Old Barton’s eyes bulged.
“I’m defending the Guild’s reputation! We can’t lose our clients’ trust!”
The Receptionist stood her ground.
“If word gets out that the Adventurers’ Guild can’t even properly assess real Enchanted Equipment, who’ll come to sell good stuff? They’ll all go to those black-hearted merchants!”
For the next ten minutes, the tiny Logistics storeroom became a war zone without smoke.
The Receptionist’s sharp tongue clashed relentlessly against Old Barton’s thick skin.
Their price battle ended with Old Barton clutching his ears and crying “I surrender!” in despair.
“Ten! Ten Gold Coins! Take it and go! Or I’ll throw you and the Enchanted Leather Bracer out together!”
Old Barton waved her away as if chasing a fly.
“Deal!”
The Receptionist instantly brightened, grabbing the coin pouch and running out in joy.
***
When the Receptionist, cheeks flushed with excitement, opened the door to the Identification Chamber, Shi Hanfeng was calmly leaning against the broad identification table, his fingertips idly tracing a smooth black stone.
Sunlight from the high window outlined his golden hair and face in near-perfect detail.
“Rochet-san!”
The Receptionist’s voice was full of accomplishment and a subtle hint of “praise me.”
She hurried forward, placing a heavy, bulging leather pouch on the table before Shi Hanfeng.
The clinking of Gold Coins sounded reassuring.
“The Enchanted Leather Bracer’s effect is excellent! Old Barton from Logistics verified it himself!”
She tried to keep her voice steady, but her eyes screamed “praise me.”
“He said, while the effect is good, its appearance lowers the value. If it were a beautifully crafted ring, the price could double.”
Shi Hanfeng raised his brows in surprise.
He’d expected three to five Gold Coins at most.
After all, it was basic equipment with weak effects and poor appearance—ten Gold was more than he anticipated.
It seemed this Enchanted Leather Bracer was more valuable in this world than he thought.
Or perhaps, he glanced at the Receptionist with sparkling eyes, someone had gone above and beyond for him.
“Thank you, Receptionist.”
He smiled warmly.
The Receptionist’s face grew even hotter at the kindness.
“This result is more than satisfactory.”
The Receptionist felt a weight lift from her heart, and a sweet joy spread through her.
She waved her hands.
“Not at all! It’s my duty!”
Shi Hanfeng’s slender fingers dipped into the pouch, smoothly extracting ten gleaming coins.
They rolled across the table, scattering golden light.
He selected three and pushed them back toward the Receptionist.
“Now, I’d like your help with one more thing.”
Shi Hanfeng’s tone was calm, as if discussing the weather.
“Eh? Rochet-san, what’s this?”
The Receptionist stared at the coins.
“Adventurers aren’t prohibited from posting quests, right?”
Shi Hanfeng smiled.
“I’d like you to draft a request: seeking two experienced, command-obedient melee fighters—preferably warriors. The mission is to eliminate a small Goblin nest. The time is set for tomorrow morning. The reward is one Gold Coin per person.”
“Also, emphasize in the description that absolute obedience to my command is required.”
Eliminate a Goblin nest?
A small one?
For two Gold?
The Receptionist gaped at the lavish offer.
Usually, the reward for such a White Porcelain Rank quest was five Silver Coins at best. Yet Rochet-san was offering two Gold just to hire two temporary teammates?
Was this the wealth of a healer?
Or the boldness of a Merchant?
She instantly imagined a low-key, powerful, and cautious elite.
“No problem! Leave it to me!”
She quickly took the coins, patting her chest.
“I’ll find you two reliable people.”
“Thank you.”
Shi Hanfeng smiled and put away the remaining seven coins.
With his current strength, unless he ran into a Goblin Hero or those absurd Goblin Holy Knights from the original work, clearing a small nest would be easy.
But with only one life, he had no plans to play hero.
He had no desire to catch any possibly poisoned Goblin arrows with his body.
Better to play it safe and hire two reliable shields for the front row, so he could focus on completing the main quest.
“Ah? Wait, the reward is two Gold. You gave too much.”
The Receptionist suddenly realized, waving her hand.
“It’s not extra. It’s a thank-you for a hard-working girl.”
***
After leaving the Guild, Shi Hanfeng went straight to the Oak Barrel Inn.
Without hesitation, he used a shiny Gold Coin to reserve the quietest single room in the corner of the second floor for a week.
When the innkeeper—a robust woman who was also the owner—moved aside to reveal the narrow but clean room with a small window and wooden bed, Shi Hanfeng’s fears of sharing a giant communal bed vanished.
Sunlight spilled through the window onto the small bed, the air filled with the scent of wood and the faint aroma of baked bread from downstairs.
With only one life, comfort was a key factor in maintaining combat strength.
Though it cost him a bit more, having private space—free from the boisterous ten-man bunks and their symphony of snores—was worth every coin!
Very much worth it!
***
The next morning.
The Adventurers’ Guild hall was just awakening, the scent of ale lingering from the night before.
A few Newcomers, rubbing sleepy eyes, queued up for minor errands.
The Receptionist had dark circles under her eyes, clearly having spent much of the night drafting the request.
“Good morning, Rochet-san!”
As soon as she spotted Shi Hanfeng entering, she perked up and waved vigorously.
Her bright smile banished all fatigue.
“The quest was accepted! Reliable warriors, just as you requested! They’re waiting in the rest area!”
She pointed to a quiet corner of the hall.
Shi Hanfeng followed her gaze.
On two heavy oak benches sat two familiar figures, quietly conversing.
Hans and Gelte looked up at the sound, their faces shifting from surprise to disbelief to pure joy—ending in the expression of someone struck by fortune from above.
Fate truly worked in mysterious ways.
Hans was first to react, pulling the still-stunned Gelte to his feet with such force he nearly knocked over a nearby cup.
“Rochet-san!”
Hans’s voice boomed with excitement.
“Good morning! What a coincidence! I can’t believe we’re meeting again so soon!!”
He rubbed his hands, face full of sincere joy.
Shi Hanfeng approached, scanning the two.
“I didn’t expect it either. Aren’t you two resting for a few days?”
He glanced behind Hans.
“I don’t see Jemie—is he still recovering?”
“Yes, yes!”
Hans nodded.
“That guy’s still at home. He’s not as sturdy as us and lost a lot of blood. Even though your healing was effective, we thought it best for him to recover longer. So we discussed it—”
He patted Gelte’s shoulder.
“Someone’s gotta work to earn money or we’ll be eating dirt by next month.”
He laughed.
“Then last night we saw a new quest posted: ‘Eliminate a Goblin nest, generous reward, warriors who follow commands.’ It was like it was made for us!”
He grinned, revealing uneven teeth.
“We figured it was our lucky day!”
Gelte nodded beside him, the scar on his face seeming to relax.
Shi Hanfeng smiled.
“Very well. Since it’s a request, you saw the conditions.”
He looked between Hans and Gelte.
“For this operation, I require you to follow my instructions completely. Whatever happens, prioritize my orders. Can you do that?”
“We can! Absolutely!”
Hans replied instantly, his chest clanging against his chainmail.
“Rochet-san, you can count on us. What you say, we do. No questions asked!”
He knew full well that with Shi Hanfeng’s healing magic, as long as they weren’t dead, he could bring them back.
That meant saving on Potions—essentially pure profit.
And after seeing his Goblin-slaying in action, they understood their roles were strictly support.
Low risk, high reward, secure mission, and great pay—only a fool wouldn’t listen.
“What you say, we do! Point and we charge!”
Hans declared, while Gelte nodded firmly in agreement.
“Excellent.”
Shi Hanfeng’s satisfied smile shone in the morning light.
For some reason, Hans and Gelte felt an inexplicable sense of relief and reassurance.
“Excellent.”
Shi Hanfeng nodded.
“Then prepare yourselves. We depart soon.”