After confirming that he could buy even black apes from the Association, Michael placed his order for the equipment he wanted.
He finally understood why the man from the trade center referred to the weapons as "models."
Thanks to the middle-aged man's explanation, it became clear.
Starting from rare rank—or in cultivation system terms, level 2—items were only semi-stocked.
It was like bullets, which could be produced in large quantities because their materials were common, and they had many uses.
However, rare-rank equipment required unique, high-quality materials, specialized craftsmanship, and often had specific functions.
As a result, these items couldn't be mass-produced in the same way.
Instead, models were displayed to showcase what was available, and orders were made based on demand.
They were called semi-stocked products because only a limited number were produced periodically, preventing the waste of valuable materials.
If the stock finished then one would have to commission directly from the creators.
Michael, planning ahead for the time when he'd reach level 25—the maximum level for rank 1, which he aimed to achieve in Woodstone City—decided to order 8 sets of each hammer for the time being.
After some contemplation, he included the Bonebreaker, not because it was his favorite, but because its lack of strong magical presence made it the easiest to repair.
Well according to the middle aged man from the trade center that was trying to make more sales.
A total of 24 hammers brought the cost to a hefty $5,360,000, cutting his remaining funds by a third.
Though he felt a pang of pain, Michael knew it was a worthwhile investment.
The hammers would last him a long time, and if he ever upgraded, he could resell them, albeit at a lower price—standard for secondhand goods.
He knew this because he'd asked the middle-aged man from the Trade Center, who had responded with a suspicious gaze but explained patiently.
After placing the order, the man informed Michael that the association currently had only four of each hammer in stock.
He assured him that he'd contact the branch in Woodstone City to transfer any remaining stock and, if necessary, place an order from outside the city.
As for the models? They were kept on display even when stock ran out, allowing potential buyers to place special orders so they weren't sellable items.
Michael was instructed to return tomorrow afternoon for an update.
He didn't mind the wait—especially since there were no delivery fees involved.
With the hammer issue settled, Michael and the Man from the Trade Center didn't leave the equipment section just yet.
After all, what good were weapons without armor?
Though his undead were technically "dead," they could still 'die' when destroyed.
The corpse acted as a container for their souls, which was what kept them "alive." If the vessel perished, the soul it housed would also die.
Michael wasn't just focused on making them hit harder—he wanted them to be much harder to kill.
Unlike the varied types of warhammers he ordered, he opted for the most practical and durable armor he could find.
Just like with the previous purchases, Michael also bought 24 sets of armor.
Though he was satisfied with his acquisitions, the large sum he had spent in such a short time briefly made him question whether he was making the right choice.
However, that doubt was fleeting, as he reminded himself that he was not only keeping his daily Evolution Point providers safe but also strengthening them.
Speaking of Evolution Points, Michael had checked his talent section and noticed his points had refreshed and increased to 36.
That was enough to upgrade at least five one-star common rank undead to one-star rare rank creatures.
[Type: Heavy Defensive Armor]
Adapts to fit the wearer, providing unparalleled physical defense. Grants moderate regeneration, restoring health gradually over time.
The Titan's Aegis was a full set of dark, matte black armor designed for maximum protection and mobility, priced at $320,000.
The chestplate was smooth yet heavily reinforced, with raised sections over critical areas such as the chest and abdomen. The pauldrons were angular and compact, offering shoulder protection without limiting arm movement.
The gauntlets were sturdy, featuring reinforced knuckles and streamlined forearm guards for both offense and defense. The greaves were equally robust, with overlapping plates shielding the shins and knees while still allowing flexibility for rapid movement.
This armor was intended for his male orcs, with one set for himself, as it had size-adjustment properties.
Michael felt that, the blue apes, with their unique limb structure, would be better off without armor.
Currently, Michael had 10 male orcs, and fully equipping them would take 10 sets of weapons and armor, leaving 14 sets.
These would be divided between his other orcs and blue apes, with only hammers for the latter.
To be fair, the equipment he had bought wouldn't be enough to fully equip all his undead, especially since he didn't plan on missing out on acquiring more humanoid undead once he reached max level in rank 1, but for now, it would suffice.
The land origin was rumored to be a heaven for leveling up, and Michael had felt that potential at the start.
He would have felt it again, had the gargoyles not been such tricky monsters.
Now that he had found civilization, he hoped it would be easier to find a hotbed for monsters, making his investments worthwhile.
After securing the armor, Michael also purchased a new spear.
Inflicts a potent poison on the target, dealing continuous damage over time and weakening their defenses.
The Venomfang Spear featured a sleek, dark green shaft made of reinforced alloy, with veins of glowing emerald running along its length.
The spearhead was long and serrated, resembling a fang.
Despite its deadly appearance, the spear was lightweight and perfectly balanced was Michael gave it a feel, making it highly effective for both thrusting and throwing.
This spear cost Michael another $226,000.
Together with the armor and hammers, Michael had spent up to 13 million in just a short time, leaving him with barely two and a half million remaining.
He was close to being broke again, and this time, it wasn't due to his talents but simply the mounting expenses.
"At least there's some sort of improvement."