Chapter 11 Dark Word Curse
The Kingdom of Arthur had implemented a paper money system over ten years ago, replacing the issuance of minted coins with banknotes. However, the locals of Ark Town, a border town, were clearly still more accustomed to settling accounts with minted coins.
Li Wen found four shillings at once. According to the currency conversion of the Kingdom of Arthur, 1 pound sterling equaled 20 shillings, and 1 shilling equaled 12 pence.
At least in Ark Town, a penny could buy about three to five pieces of black bread, or about a gallon of beer. Therefore, four shillings was not a small sum for early players, enough for Li Wen to equip herself.
Although the setting sun was about to disappear, the night in Ark Town had just begun.
The night watchmen refueled and lit the wicks of the oil lamps by the roadside, and soon the small border town was brightly lit.
The caravans, having traveled all day, were eager to release their fatigue, and the dazzling array of taverns were happy to entertain these wealthy outsiders, preparing beer and delicacies for them.
Li Wen walked along this street, which was the west district, the most densely populated area of Ark Town. She casually walked into a blacksmith shop that was still open.
“Go away, kid. There’s nothing here for you to play with.”
The burly blacksmith with a huge beard was not friendly. He glared at the girl and then ignored her.
Li Wen was not annoyed, nor did she show any emotional fluctuation: “I need a handy dagger with full killing power.”
After speaking, she tossed a shilling to the blacksmith.
The sound of the silver coin falling to the ground was exceptionally crisp. The blacksmith glanced at the silver coin, then looked at Li Wen, “Customization or ready-made? This is not enough for customization.”
“Ready-made will do.” She didn’t have time to wait.
The blacksmith put down his tools, turned around, and brought out a pile of daggers and short swords in sheaths from the back room, placing them on the counter.
“The best steel from the Black Dragon Territory combined with the best forging skills in Ark Town; you won’t find anyone else in Ark Town who can forge weapons like this.”
Li Wen was too lazy to listen to his bragging. She casually picked up a short sword and drew it from its sheath. The blade shone brightly in the candlelight. Beneath its artistic texture was a sharpness sufficient to take a life. Honestly, Li Wen didn’t feel it was very handy in her hands, but it was enough for self-defense.
[Refined Short Sword]
[Weapon – Dagger – Common (White)]
[Crafted by a professional blacksmith, it possesses the ability to kill even in the hands of a frail girl or child.]
“I’ll take this one.”
“1 shilling and 3 pence. The sheath is a gift.”
Li Wen was too lazy to bargain and handed over another silver coin.
After leaving the blacksmith shop, Li Wen went to a tailor shop to get some attire, mainly a belt for hanging the short sword and a cloak to conceal her expression and movements. There were no well-fitting leather armors, and the cloak was also altered to fit on the spot by the owner, so it could only be this way for now.
At least to make herself look less approachable, Li Wen thought.
The hunger value setting in the game would take at least one natural day to drop to the point where debuffs would appear, so Li Wen didn’t intend to eat first. After completing the preparations, she walked straight towards the Hop Tavern.
The Hop Tavern was the largest tavern in Ark Town. Li Wen didn’t need to intentionally search for it; she saw it already.
The tavern was bustling with noise, with various bursts of laughter and curses coming out. Li Wen frowned slightly but still walked in.
Standing at the counter was a lazy young man with dark eye circles and a rogue-like demeanor.
“A pint of beer for 1 penny, wine for two pence, and unlimited cheap ale for 1 penny. If you’re willing to give an extra penny, you can enjoy exquisite mashed potatoes… Who came up with this idiotic line? What idiot would want to eat mashed potatoes in a tavern?”
Li Wen tapped on the counter and placed a penny on it, “I’m looking for someone.”
Upon hearing Li Wen’s voice, the young man’s eyes widened.
“This is no place for women…” The young man noticed the penny Li Wen placed on the counter and changed his attitude, “However, I’m always happy to help others. Everyone calls me Good Old Evan.”
“I’m looking for the Black Wind Fangs, do you know them?”
It was said that tavern bartenders were the most well-informed, so Li Wen took his word for it.
Upon hearing the name, the bartender’s expression became very interesting. He pointed and said, “Look, can you see that table…”
Li Wen followed his gaze, only to see an empty table. This was very strange. The entire tavern was crowded, but no one was sitting at that table, nor did anyone dare to get too close.
“That’s their exclusive spot.”
“Them” refers to the Black Wind Fangs?
Li Wen nodded, approached the table, and chose a conspicuous spot to sit down.
The bartender yawned, showing an interested expression.
“Hey, that spot is…”
Someone wanted to remind her, but was pulled back by a companion. Most of the people who noticed the situation were there to watch the show.
Li Wen remained calm, quietly waiting for time to pass.
Not long after, a group of people whose demeanor was distinctly different entered the tavern.
They were generally wearing half-plate mail or leather armor, carrying weapons like axes and flails, with many scars and bloodstains on their bodies. Their eyes were fierce, and their faces were menacing. Just by entering the tavern, an uncomfortable smell of blood spread.
The noisy tavern fell silent at this moment, and even the most boisterous drunkards dared not make loud shouts.
This group walked directly towards Li Wen.
“Who are you? Didn’t anyone tell you that this spot is ours?”
The speaker was likely the leader of this group. He was tall and disheveled, with muscles comparable to a black bear and a gaze more cruel than a wolf. A long scar on his face almost split him in half.
Li Wen had formed a guess about the identity of this group. They were indeed mercenaries, but that was during the war.
After the Fence Wood Battle, a large number of mercenaries remained on the kingdom’s borders. They had no status, their quality was uneven, and they were neither accepted by the kingdom’s army nor recruited by lords as subordinates. A large portion of them would become swindlers, bandits, and killers, becoming a problem for lords and magistrates.
“Are you the Black Wind Fangs?”
“Since you’ve heard of us, why do you still dare to sit there?”
Without waiting for his command, a fat dwarf carrying an axe walked up and swung the axe towards Li Wen.
“Ahhh!”
Before the axe even approached Li Wen, it fell to the ground. The tavern was filled with the miserable screams of the fat dwarf, and everyone looked at him in horror.
He was kneeling on the ground, his bones seemingly having softened and unable to support his plump body. Black, fetid pus flowed from his eyes and nose, and all the fat on his body rapidly evaporated as if falling onto a scorching hot griddle, with foul-smelling blood flowing from every pore.
When the Prayer was applied to an enemy unit, it became the extremely sinister Dark Word Curse.
