After a mission, Xia Nan only felt like his heart was bleeding as both pieces of armor he wore were completely ruined.
The money bag he received from the other party didn’t feel as reassuringly heavy as it usually did.
With both old pieces of equipment dealt with, it was naturally time for a spending spree.
Heavy armor was too cumbersome, and the blacksmith shop didn’t have any lightweight types like the sheriff’s, which reduced bulk and coverage area to lessen the weight.
Not to mention how expensive they were, it was hard for Xia Nan, with his current physical condition, to support a full set of plate armor, including boots and gloves.
He no longer considered it.
The chain armor from before had staunchly withstood two missions and still offered good defensive performance even after major repairs.
The user experience was excellent.
Without hesitation, he directly took out 50 gold and bought a brand-new set of chain armor, wearing it on the outside.
On the other hand, perhaps he also tasted the sweetness of equipping two pieces of armor for "double protection."
Considering it comprehensively, Xia Nan spent another 45 gold to buy a set of studded leather armor as an inner layer.
The dark brown leather, tough as iron after tanning, was lined with two rows of brass rivets stretching from the shoulders down to the side waist.
It was lightweight and snug without being tight.
Its defensive performance was almost the top tier among the leather armors in the store.
Moreover, among all the original equipment he had, the two daggers from the "Stinky Fish and Shrimp" team, Dwarf Elki, which had been with him the longest, were also lost in the battle with the Thorn Demon.
He then spent 2 gold to buy a new one.
To be used for collecting demon materials, cutting food, and even in combat under special circumstances...
The uses were extensive.
Up to this point, his total expenditure in the "Rock Hammer" blacksmith shop was 50+45+2—
Returning the 50 gold obtained from recycling the two discarded pieces of equipment, Xia Nan added 47 gold of his own.
Only then were the matters regarding equipment considered resolved.
He directly changed into the new armor and walked out of the blacksmith shop.
He couldn’t help but reach out and touch the sturdy yet flexible surface of the studded leather armor snugly under the chain armor.
Feeling the solid weight balancing flexibility and defense on his body, Xia Nan sighed in relief inwardly.
His gaze swept across the busy streets.
With the new equipment purchased, next would be...
Adventurer Association (River Valley Town Branch).
In the corner of the hall, a shop with a sign that read "Alchemist Association."
Xia Nan moved cautiously, making his way through shelves filled with various alchemy potions.
As he moved, he slightly tilted his body to prevent the dual swords on his back from accidentally knocking over any bottles on the shelves.
Working as an adventurer for several months, he was just one Battle Skill away from becoming a professional.
Yet this was still a place he couldn’t afford to spend in.
[Dark Corrosion Resistance Potion], [Slippery Oil], [Kaff’s Unified Spirit Medicine]...
The price often ran into three digits, and knocking over just two bottles by accident was enough to bankrupt him, wiping out all the gold coins he painstakingly saved.
He couldn’t help but feel a bit rueful:
"This must be what they call a true profiteering business..."
He wondered if alchemists needed special talent or where one could learn related knowledge.
Unfortunately, his Golden Finger currently only had the ability to display equipment and personal attribute information.
If it had been a bit more useful, extending the "Skill Level" system beyond Battle Skills, just like in games from his previous life, where skills like "Collection," "Forging," and "Alchemy" could be quickly improved through training...
He wouldn’t have to camp in the wild for ten-plus days just to scrape together a little money.
Staying in an inn, brewing dozens of potions, would settle his life.
Passing by a bottle priced at "230 gold" labeled "Underwater Breathing Potion," Xia Nan couldn’t help but twitch his eyelids twice.
"What kind of people spend here?"
He grumbled silently, his feet suddenly stopping.
What caught his eye was a bottle of potion with a golden sheen, its surface foam reflecting a brilliant golden light.
[Light Resistance Potion], 300 gold.
He couldn’t help recalling that battle with Sheriff Ingram in Kalanfor many days ago.
Back then, he had managed to trigger [Copper Bones] with the "Destiny Coin," rendering the opponent’s physical damage ineffective.
But the Holy Light Shock from [Holy Slash] struck him full on.
Even now, Xia Nan could still vividly remember the searing pain more intense than fire scorching flames.
If he had proactively drunk this potion at that time, his post-battle injuries might have been much lighter, avoiding significant risks.