The method for creating garments from “Arachne Spider Silk” was becoming increasingly refined, but the complex process of “clothing manufacturing” could not rely on a single type of fabric alone.
Combined with the new stockings she had seen yesterday, Su Yao felt a sense of shame over her previous ignorance, having only ever recognized “black stockings and white stockings.”
She summoned two new types of Monster on the Dungeon Third Floor: the Volcano Fluff Moth and the Snow Field White Silkworm.
The former required the placement of a plant-type Monster called the Devil Vine on the rock walls near magma pools, while the latter required a fungal Monster known as Blood Crystal Coral.
According to Vainet’s introduction, the Volcano Fluff Moth—also known as the “Fire Tinder Moth”—had a strong reproductive capacity but a short lifespan.
They would lay their Spider Egg on the leaves of the Devil Vine.
The newly hatched white larvae would consume the “Devil Vine leaves” to grow into their second stage before diving into the magma.
They fed on the magma during this period, and once they reached the third stage—turning a brilliant crimson—they would crawl back onto the vines.
There, they would spit out silk to fix themselves in place and pupate.
By harvesting these pupae, soaking them in ice water, and then processing them through “silk reeling,” one could obtain the highly elastic “nylon-like” fabric previously used to make those Flesh-colored Stockings.
This fabric could withstand a certain degree of high temperatures and flames, and it was easily dyed into various colors. However, its greatest advantage was its heat preservation.
If made just a bit thicker, it could become the “Bare Leg Artifact” of this fantasy world.
Incidentally, the Devil Vine was also a highly heat-resistant plant-type Monster.
It sustained itself using the heat from the magma; since it did not require photosynthesis, its leaves were red.
The parts of the Vines closest to the magma would turn black, while the newly grown upper sections were a tender, flesh-colored pink. They gripped the rock walls firmly like creepers.
The transition from black to flesh-color, paired with the bright red leaves, made the vine’s appearance a perfect match for its name—not to mention it would attack any creature that came near.
If entangled by it, the more one struggled, the tighter it would bind. Conversely, if one could remain calm and stay still, it would actually let them go.
The second type of Monster, the Snow Field White Silkworm, was also known as the “Ice Silkworm.”
Much like the mulberry silkworms of her original world, the Succubus Clan used the silk from their pupae to produce Silk Cloth.
Aside from their body color, the biggest difference between the two insects was their living environment and required Food.
The Blood Crystal Coral was a fungus-like Monster that lived in frigid regions. Their spores would drift long distances with the wind and snow to enter a Dormant state.
If a creature happened to die on top of the spores, they would awaken and decompose the carcass to obtain Energy.
A mature Blood Crystal Coral looked exactly like its name suggested.
Blood-red branches that resembled Crystal would grow out of the vast, white snowfields, looking very much like “flames” dancing amidst the ice.
Naturally, it served as a vital Food source for the “Ice Silkworm” larvae.
The vibrant red acted like a beacon on the snow, allowing the Ice Silkworm to easily locate them and lay their Spider Egg on the red branches.
Once the hatched larvae developed to a certain point, they would form pupae on the Blood Crystal Coral.
The adult moths would then become covered in spores, carrying them across the snowy plains when the weather was calm.
However, adult Ice Silkworms likely wouldn’t be seen in Su Yao’s Dungeon…
The silk stripped from the “Ice Silkworm pupae” was, naturally, “Ice Silkworm silk.”
Not only was the name identical to a certain silk fabric from her original world, but the tactile sensation was also exactly the same.
It was as smooth and silky as milk while remaining cool and comfortable, making it an excellent material for making undergarments…
With “Arachne Silk,” “Fire Tinder Moth silk,” “Ice Silkworm silk,” and the common “hemp” and “wool” found in this world, combining these materials would make developing a clothing industry fundamentally problem-free.
The only flaw was the lack of “cotton” and the corresponding “cotton spinning technology.”
In Su Yao’s vision, “cotton products” were the top choice for the Police Uniform.
“Arachne Silk” could be used to create form-fitting, riot-proof undergarments, but that alone wasn’t enough.
Just as a bullet would still leave bruises on a person even if they wore a “bulletproof vest,” certain vital areas still needed hard armor for protection.
The scales of the Crystal-Tailed Dragon Lizard could perfectly satisfy this requirement.
The former task was given to Vainet, while the latter could be handled by the Dwarf, Uzo.
However, for times when the Town law enforcers didn’t need to go out on missions, Su Yao wanted them to wear “uniforms” that looked sharper and cooler.
To achieve this, she first needed to obtain “cotton.”
Su Yao described the plant with white, fluffy bolls to Vainet and Chlorel, but unfortunately, neither of them had heard of it.
There was no other choice; she would have to settle for the next best thing and use “linen” as the fabric for the uniforms…
As if! A “talent” introduced by Hilvi brought her an unexpected pleasant surprise.
This man named Nordla was a Traveling Merchant.
He wandered through various Nations and regions across the Mainland, selling local specialty goods as he traveled to earn money for his travel expenses.
Hilvi had cooperated with him three or four times. Aside from his somewhat unstable supply schedule, the goods he provided were all very peculiar and valuable.
At first, Su Yao didn’t believe a Traveling Merchant could provide her with anything of value. However, he eventually placed a full bag of plump, yellow, “pearl-like” crops before her eyes.
Her pupils constricted slightly as she recognized the crop. She then reached into the bag, took out a small handful of “beans,” and squeezed them slightly in her hand.
“Mr. Nordla… what are these? These shouldn’t count as ‘valuable goods,’ right?”
When trading with a strange merchant, the last thing one wanted was for their “true thoughts” to be seen.
Although she had been stunned for a moment upon seeing the Soybeans, she immediately reverted to the persona she had when first meeting the Traveling Merchant.
“This crop is perfectly suited for cultivation in this land. The reason I brought them here is because this land is filled with people who cannot fill their bellies. I believe if it is Miss Su Yao, you will surely understand its value.”
Nonsense, of course she understood. Or rather, with Soybeans, she wouldn’t have to waste DP opening a Treasure Chest whenever she wanted to eat tofu in the future.
Moreover, the production of seasonings like Soy Sauce was inseparable from them.
Although she was determined to get this bag of Soybean seeds, showing too much urgency would make it easy for the other party to hike up the price. Since it was a trade, the amount of money paid should naturally be as little as possible.
“There are indeed many Beggars and people who can’t fill their bellies on this land, but what does that have to do with me? Am I supposed to buy these seeds and give them away?”
She first indicated that she had no use for the item and that keeping it was pointless, intending to then pivot and buy it from him with a small amount of money.
This tactic was a high-end maneuver she had learned from “old junk collectors”!
However…
“My apologies. I have intruded. I shall leave this Town immediately. Until we meet again, if fate permits.”
Why wasn’t this guy following the script? She hadn’t said she wouldn’t buy them. Wasn’t he trying to earn travel expenses? Don’t leave!
“Wait! It’s my fault. Let’s discuss this further. I’ll buy them! I’ll buy them, alright?!”
Upon hearing those words, that cursed merchant walked back. A cunning smile played in his silver eyes as he pulled the bag of seeds out of his pack once more.
“As a merchant, Miss Su Yao, you are still too green. If you truly had no interest, you shouldn’t have inspected the product so carefully.”
“Moreover, I heard from Hilvi. The person who built dormitories for the Employee and developed the Town into what it is today is also you. Unlike the previous Lord, you definitely know their value.”
Tsk. After seeing through her little scheme, he still maintained that effortless attitude.
This guy had no chivalry at all. She hoped he’d be hit with a Curse to only ever find boyfriends for the rest of his life!
…
Thus, in the subsequent trades, Su Yao stopped testing him. Following the Soybeans, she acquired the crucial Cotton Seeds and the seeds of a certain “tuber” plant.
And so, the matter of developing Labyrinth Agriculture was also placed on the agenda…