Chapter 12: I Am Indeed Getting Stronger

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

The sudden brief silence seemed to cause no concern for Rigel, who spoke to the stunned office lady with a calm and collected voice.

"No, no problem!"

The office lady finally reacted, hurriedly apologized, and continued filling out the registration form for Rigel.

However, it might have been Rigel's imagination, but the office lady's hands seemed to move faster than before, speeding up the registration process.

The surrounding silence was once again filled with noise, as if nothing had happened.

But, if you listened carefully, you could still hear the murmurs of many people.

"Is he a member of Loki's Familia?"

"Just registered as an adventurer? A newbie, I guess?"

"That Loki's Familia has a new member again."

"Probably not an easy one."

"Human, huh? They don't seem to have any outstanding racial abilities. Maybe he has some exceptional personal talents?"

"Who knows?"

The whispers continued, and some of them even reached Rigel's ears.

However, Rigel paid no attention.

After all, this wasn't something particularly strange.

As one of the strongest Familias in Orario, one of the Twin Kings, Loki's Familia was well-known not only in Orario but also around the world. Wherever they went, they were bound to be a focus of attention.

Since Rigel had reported his affiliation with Loki's Familia, it was only natural that he would attract the attention of the people around him.

Moreover, Rigel believed that before long, his existence might come to the attention of some interested parties through various channels.

The addition of a new member to Loki's Familia was not a big deal, but it wasn't a small matter either. For those who closely followed the movements of Loki's Familia, it was still worth collecting as information.

Of course, they could only gather this much information, knowing that Loki's Familia had a new member named "Rigel Brihaut."

As for Rigel's specific details, it wouldn't be so easy for them to find out.

Not long after, Rigel, having completed the procedures, left the guild and returned to the street.

He didn't leave the street immediately but started wandering around.

This street, located in the northwest of Orario, known as the Northwest Street, was primarily populated by adventurers due to the presence of the guild headquarters that managed the city and adventurers.

Thanks to this, the Northwest Street seized the business opportunity and opened countless shops catering to adventurers.

Specialized stores selling weapons and armor.

Specialized stores selling potions and special items.

Such shops were ubiquitous on this Northwest Street, making it a popular place for adventurers to linger, earning it the nickname "Adventurer Street."

Due to Loki's instructions, Rigel needed to purchase weapons and armor, so he had no reason to leave immediately.

"Ten thousand fali?"

Rigel walked down the street, weighing the amount of his starting capital.

"In Orario, ten thousand fali is not a small amount, but it's not a huge sum either."

Here, a plate of fried noodles costs a few hundred fali, and a cup of ordinary wine rarely costs more than a thousand fali. Whether this purchasing power is significant or not is a bit subtle.

"A bottle of ordinary potion to restore stamina costs around a thousand fali, and a cheap, standard short sword costs a few thousand fali. So, ten thousand fali does seem like a considerable amount."

However, Rigel knew that for truly powerful adventurers, ten thousand fali might be just a bit of pocket change.

Not to mention, the equipment of top-tier adventurers is never below a million fali, and often not below ten million fali.

For example, while there are standard weapons costing a few thousand fali, there are also top-tier items costing tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of fali.

Because humans can receive blessings and have the chance to gain the "Smithing" ability upon leveling up, which allows them to add special attributes and effects to forged items, the strength of the equipment varies depending on the blacksmith's skill and the level of "Smithing."

Roughly, people categorize equipment into three levels: First-Class, Second-Class, and Third-Class.

However, only the magical equipment with special effects, crafted by advanced blacksmiths who have learned the "Smithing" ability, can enter this classification.

As for equipment without special effects, even if the blacksmith's skill is high, making them exceptionally sharp, they are unlikely to be classified, even at the lowest Third-Class level.

The lowest Third-Class equipment is typically used by Level 3 or 4 adventurers, with a single piece costing no less than ten thousand fali.

In other words, although Rigel had ten thousand fali as his starting capital, he might not even be able to afford a single piece of Third-Class equipment, let alone a complete set of weapons and armor.

"It seems I can't afford special equipment for now."

Rigel was a bit disappointed.

Of course, just a bit.

Isn't it normal for a Level 1 newbie to not be able to afford special equipment?

Not to mention, even Level 2 adventurers generally can't afford special equipment.

The use of special equipment is almost entirely concentrated at Level 3 and above.

Rigel estimated that it would take some time before he could use special equipment with levels and effects.

"I'll buy some higher-quality common items."

Having accepted this reality, Rigel began visiting the shops along the street.

Two hours later, Rigel successfully gathered all the equipment he needed.

First, he spent 24,000 fali on a sword.

The sword was a one-handed, slender blade, relatively light, with weaker attack power but very fast and agile, making it easy to use. After comparing various weapons, Rigel chose this one as the most suitable and comfortable for him.

From the trend of his ability growth, it was clear that Rigel's "Dexterity" and "Agility" had grown more, while his "Strength" and "Endurance" had grown less, indicating that he was more of a speed and technique-oriented fighter.

Therefore, Rigel chose a light, slender sword with fast attack speed and light weight as his main weapon to maximize his speed and technique.

In addition to the light, slender sword, Rigel spent 11,000 fali on a short sword as a secondary weapon for emergencies.

As for armor, because heavy armor would hinder his movements and reduce his speed and technique, Rigel ultimately chose leather armor instead of metal armor with higher defense.

This leather armor consisted of an inner layer to protect the upper body, armor to protect important joints like elbows and knees, and gloves and boots for hand and foot protection.

Both the inner layer and the joint armor could be worn under clothing, making them lightweight and not hindering movement.

Because they were almost weightless and did not hinder movement, Rigel immediately liked them and put on the armor on the spot.

Especially the gloves and boots, Rigel, who had fought for a day and a night, knew they were very practical.

Yesterday, due to the lack of hand and foot protection, Rigel's hands were rubbed raw from gripping the sword, and his fists, which had struck monsters, were injured and bled profusely.

His feet were the same; running around in the dungeon in ordinary shoes would easily result in blisters. If not for the quick-healing potion provided by a senior from his Familia on the way back, Rigel would not have been so lively today.

Considering the injuries from the day and night of fighting, it was fortunate that there were such effective potions; otherwise, Loki would not have let him off easily after seeing Rigel's miserable state yesterday.

Rigel spent a total of 48,000 fali on this entire set of armor.

Including the main and secondary weapons, Rigel spent 83,000 fali, leaving him with only 17,000 fali out of the original 100,000 fali.

This level of consumption and the price of the equipment were far beyond what a newly debuted Level 1 adventurer could afford.

Even experienced Level 1 adventurers, with all their equipment combined, would not exceed 30,000 fali, and the quality of their equipment would be far inferior to Rigel's.

Rigel's equipment was already at the Level 2 standard.

"Is this enough?"

After preparing his equipment, Rigel finally couldn't hold back and headed to the Babel Tower, entering the dungeon.

He was eager to try out his new weapons and test his current strength.

And the results were very encouraging.

"Growl!"

When the dog-headed man, like a fierce beast, lunged at Rigel as usual, Rigel also charged forward boldly as usual.

His speed was incredibly fast.

"Swish!"

A silver arc sliced through the air, cutting through the dog-headed man's neck before he could even react. The dog-headed man remained in mid-air, still in the lunging position, and his head was severed by the light sword.

Blood splattered, staining the ground and the dog-headed man's corpse.

"Too easy."

Rigel stood before the corpse, looking at his hands, his face full of surprise.

"My speed has increased so much, and my strength is much greater than yesterday."

Just a one or two-level increase in basic abilities made such a big difference?

This surprised Rigel and made his heart race.

"I am indeed getting stronger."

With this realization, Rigel would be unworthy of all his efforts and determination if he didn't feel his heart race.

"It's a bit of a pity, though. After getting stronger, this level of enemy can no longer excite me."

Rigel looked at the dog-headed man's corpse at his feet, his expression turning to regret.

He still preferred more challenging and stimulating battles.

New book, first week! Please follow, recommend, and support! (≧∇≦)/

(End of Chapter)