The Difference Between Night and Day
"......Huh?"
"I asked what the difference is."
I found myself gaping like a fish, unable to hide my fluster under his piercing, predatory glare.
"Hmph......"
He paused at my hesitation, letting out a low sigh with a look that said he'd expected as much, then resumed walking.
Think...... Think.
I bit my lip lightly, staring at his back.
Kael wouldn't have sent me here for no reason.
But with no quest generated, his question meant the info needed to enter the closed tool shop had already been provided.
What is it?
Kael's words and Unto. Those two had to be the keywords unlocking the quest.
Night...... Night is different from day.
Different.
"......?!"
The realization hit me like lightning. I grabbed him urgently.
"Show me the tool shop's true face."
"No idea what you're talking about."
"Like your true face."
"......What?"
"You're...... not a Northerner, are you?"
Unto's face hardened slightly at my question.
"Don't talk nonsense. I've lived in the Northern Plateau my whole life. And you're saying I'm not a Northerner? Are you mocking an old man?"
"No, sir."
I scanned his face slowly once more. Deep-set eyes, prominent cheekbones. Though his back was hunched, his shoulders were broad and his legs long—like a typical Northerner. But his were short, sturdy, and thick.
That trait is definitely......
A regular player might not notice. Especially just a week into the game—few had left their starting zones, let alone encountered the continent's various races.
This is a quest even accepting it wouldn't let you solve.
But this quest came from Kael at max tribal reputation. Meaning it opened not now, but after significant time in-game.
I'm jumping ahead of the schedule.
I gave a wry smile.
"If you're running a daytime tool shop as a Northerner, then as a Southerner, I'd like to use your nighttime one. I need to stock up before night hunting."
"......"
Unto glanced at me.
"Looks like Kael didn't send a knot-eyed fool after all."
My guess hit the mark. His expression softened a bit as he jerked his chin for me to follow.
Got it.
I trailed after Unto.
Kkiiiiiik—
Not the front door, but a small side one led to stairs descending underground.
"Come on."
He plunged into the unseen darkness without a care.
"Watch your step. Every one's razor-sharp."
"......"
His warning fell on deaf ears.
I couldn't stop gawking at the sight before me.
Weapons and armor I'd never seen lined the walls in abundance.
No way...... Is that armor from Naktoon's hide?
I let out a hollow laugh at the armor bearing the intact scale patterns of the massive desert monster from the south.
And that's Rock Wood vine?
Thick black tendrils coiled up one wall like vines.
Rock Wood—a plant monster from the vast eastern swamps. Rock-like with a massive tree atop, its stems were tough yet flexible, prime material.
And damn hard to hunt.
Regular swords barely scratched it; only advanced swordsmen dared challenge one.
Magic burns them, alchemist bombs work too—but to harvest the stems, you need a blade. Pure sword work.
Rock Wood hardens on contact with mana or other forces, or its rocky base crumbles, ruining one property or the other. To get both intact? You needed a skilled swordsman. Hence the high price.
Even the Eltia Iron Kingdom's black market rarely stocks this......
The Iron Kingdom and here were both starting zones. No reason they wouldn't have black markets too.
Entry conditions are tough there too...... Those items won't hit the market for months.
Every piece screamed premium.
I opened my inventory, checking the gold left from selling goblin magic stones.
"How much for something like this?"
I casually pointed at the Rock Wood vine.
"As you know, we only barter here. But for high-rep tribe folk, gold works. Hmm, 900 gold per meter."
"......"
Unto didn't even turn.
Even the Eight Great Clans couldn't afford this now.
At that price for vine? Everything else was pricier, no doubt.
I had Tesaro's sword—no need for gear. Just scouting for later.
I'll sweep this place clean eventually.
Pricey, sure—but the Clans could pool gold fast, rep aside.
A thousand at one gold each? Instant 1k. But no Clan started in the North. While they grind rep here, I'm ahead.
My play: Auction everything before Clans access black markets.
Rare materials make 'em top normal-tier items.
Rare grade at best, item-wise.
Once Heroic drops, these become NPC/soldier farm fodder......
Obsolete later—but now? Jackpot.
Against Clan capital, my edge was info and timing. Always.
"Here, take this. You'll need it for night hunting."
As I browsed, Unto handed me a small pouch.
"What's this?"
"Divine beast powder."
"......Powder?"
Peering in, it was filled with flour-like white dust.
"Don't worry, grinding didn't kill the divine essence. One of the three ancient sacred beasts, the great blue turtle called Cheong-gwi of Kalduan. Sheds its shell every 50 years like a molt. This is powder from those remnants."
Unto eyed me.
"Handle with care. Beast's gone decades—probably a century old. Not much left."
I curiously scooped some on my finger. The pure white powder sparkled ethereally in the light.
"What do I use it for?"
"Beats me."
"......Huh?"
I frowned. He chuckled wryly.
"Druids used it to summon sacred beasts in rituals back then. No wildlings or beasts now—no real use."
"You said it'd help with night hunting."
"Repels monsters too. Outsider like you on night hunt? You'll guard. Sprinkle around the altar—no monsters near. Buy it?"
For a hard-entry shop, the powder seemed underwhelming.
That's really it?
NPCs never acted without reason.
I narrowed my eyes, taking the pouch.
"Fine. Sold. Price?"
"No gold. Barter only. Rare or unique materials? We'll trade."
"Hmm......"
I checked my inventory.
Can't give altar key...... Only rare thing's this. Bit of a waste, but oh well.
I pulled out the [Goblin Mage's Worn Staff].
Rare Grade
Embedded blue gem glows faintly in the dark. Solid options—prime auction fodder.
"This work?"
The blue-gemmed staff gleamed in the gloom.
Rare grade, great options—big auction payout. But bold investments pay off.
Just goblin gear. Higher levels mean better drops.
No regrets on small early gains—but this could've stirred auction chaos. A twinge of regret.
"Oho! Goblin gear—rare in the North! Nice, that'll do."
Unto nodded approvingly.
"Deal. Take the powder."
◈ Durability: 0/0
◈ Usable Level: None
◈ Powder from grinding shell fragments of Cheong-gwi, the vanished divine beast, great blue turtle of Kalduan. Retains spirit power—repels most monsters effectively.
Grabbing the pouch triggered the alert, revealing its info.
?? Grade—that's the hook. Unknown grades change via quests or events.
I pocketed it.
"Thanks. I'm off."
"Careful. Full moon night hunts draw hordes."
"That's why only the tribe's elite head to Lang-a Fortress."
I brushed off his warning casually.
Full moon......?
My hand froze on the door handle.
"Tonight's the full moon rise?"
"It is."
I yanked the powder from inventory, re-reading the description.
'Repels most monsters.'
Meaning it might attract some.
Lang-a Fortress...... Divine beast powder...... Full moon.
My eyes trembled faintly.
"No way......"
Clank!
Thud!!
I flung the door open and bolted to the square where hunters gathered for night hunt prep.