Chapter 113: No Longer Willing to Keep Going

Lu Kuan did not reach out to take the item; instead, he looked at the others with an inquisitive gaze, waiting for an explanation.

Their behavior seemed strange. What did his duel with the Glory Guild have to do with helping them appraise this item? Glancing toward the elf mage some distance away, whose eyes bore an unfriendly look, Lu Kuan decided it was best to be cautious.

Sensing Lu Kuan’s suspicion, the male player exchanged a glance with the ponytailed girl before sitting down beside Lu Kuan and quietly explaining.

“Expert, we caught this while fishing on the Banyan Tree Plains. We planned to auction it off, but a friend warned us not to sell it casually, so we canceled the auction and took it back.”

“Just now, someone from the Glory Guild—that elf mage over there—came looking to buy it. Their offer was very high, but my friend wasn’t around at the time…”

Now Lu Kuan understood.

He glanced at the elf mage, whose expression had darkened, and smiled. “So you saw me, someone who has a grudge with Glory, and thought I could help appraise it for you. At least I won’t side with them, right?”

Caught in Lu Kuan’s insight, the male player scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.

“Alright then, I’ll help you out.” Knowing the situation, Lu Kuan no longer hesitated and reached out to take the iron hammer.

Before Lu Kuan could inspect its attributes, the elf mage strode over swiftly.

“You’re not selling the equipment anymore?” The elf mage’s face was stern, his tone unfriendly.

The ponytailed girl turned and looked at him calmly. “You have to give us some time to think.”

“What’s there to consider? Since I already made an offer, you want to sell to someone else? Don’t you plan to stay in Molten Fortress anymore?” The elf mage snapped, clearly agitated.

The young couple grew angry. Seeing his girlfriend being confronted, the male player immediately stood up, ready to retort.

“Hold on, hold on~ If it’s really good, I wouldn’t mind buying it myself.”

Lu Kuan grabbed the young player’s arm, grinning as he looked at the elf mage. “How about we spar first? Perfect timing—I’m not keen on staying in Molten Fortress either.”

The elf mage faltered, his face turning so dark it seemed almost wet with rage. His neck reddened as he glared at Lu Kuan. After half a day of struggling internally, no words escaped his lips.

The young couple’s eyes widened in amazement, their admiration for Lu Kuan growing. How many in Molten Fortress would dare speak to Glory’s members like that? Not only did he speak boldly, but he also reduced the elf mage to silence, unable even to utter a harsh word.

Lu Kuan smirked quietly, ignoring the elf mage, and looked down at the item in his hands.

“Legendary Refined Black Iron Hammer (Relic Quality, Smithing Hammer)
One-Handed
Equipment Requirements: Strength 12, Smithing Skill Level 4
Weight: 5
Material Quality: 45
Durability: 32% (Corroded)
Max Stamina +10
Fire Resistance +5
Master’s Ingenuity (Passive): When forging or upgrading plate armor, overall success rate +2%, chance to produce enhanced quality, extra superior quality, and additional armor +20%.
‘On one side of the hammerhead is engraved the initials of Oscar, the first-generation Dwarven armor master.’”

Lu Kuan paused for a few seconds upon seeing the hammer’s attributes, then looked up at the couple. “You caught this while fishing?”

They nodded together.

“How long did you fish in the same spot?” Lu Kuan’s face darkened as he asked again.

The couple, seeing his expression, felt a bit uneasy. The male player hesitantly replied, “Two… two hours?”

Lu Kuan fell silent once more.

A cursed soul, truly cursed! In his previous life, he had mastered fishing to Grandmaster level and never once caught purple-grade gear! His friends who practiced fishing together either caught mounts or treasure maps, while he stood alone, unrivaled, his best catch being the largest rare fish in all of Molten Fortress.

Look at these two—only level ten and they’ve caught purple-grade gear after just two hours!

“Truly cursed!” Lu Kuan silently lamented, tears of unwillingness welling in his heart.

“Expert, are you alright?” The male player couldn’t help but ask, noticing Lu Kuan’s changing expressions.

“Oh, I’m fine, I’m fine~”

Shaking off his “tragic” memories, Lu Kuan cleared his throat and asked, “What level is your fishing skill?”

The male player scratched his head out of habit and answered with a smile, “I’m level 4, and my girlfriend’s almost level 3.”

Hearing this, Lu Kuan felt somewhat reassured. It seemed the couple spent most of their time fishing. If it were him, he wouldn’t have been able to haul in this ten-plus-pound iron hammer no matter how hard he tried.

“This is a great find, and not just any ordinary purple-grade gear,” Lu Kuan said as he handed the smithing hammer back to the ponytailed girl, smiling. “How much did the Glory Guild offer? Five hundred gold coins?”

At Lu Kuan’s words, the elf mage’s face immediately shifted uncomfortably. The ponytailed girl paused briefly. “About… 600 gold coins.”

Six hundred gold coins, roughly equivalent to over fifteen thousand in currency now, was indeed a generous offer.

But Lu Kuan sneered and shook his head. “Sell it to me. I’ll pay double.”

At this, everyone present was stunned—the young couple naturally, and even the elf mage stared at Lu Kuan as if he were an alien.

Has this guy lost his mind? A purple-grade item from a life skill worth 1,200 gold coins?

“Idiot, you’re willing to spend money just to spite our guild? People like you who harm others without benefit to themselves—I’ve truly seen it all now,” the elf mage said with anger and disdain, as if he had guessed Lu Kuan’s intentions.

Lu Kuan only smiled in response. Glory Guild really thought too highly of themselves—did they deserve his petty sabotage?

Ignoring the elf mage, Lu Kuan calmly looked at the couple, waiting for their reply.

Neither expected that a random passerby helping them would turn out to be such a ‘big spender.’ Lu Kuan’s offer far exceeded their expectations.

After a brief discussion, the male player solemnly said, “We’re very satisfied with the price… but may I ask, why do you think this purple-grade item is worth so much?”

“It’s not worth that much,” Lu Kuan said unexpectedly. Seeing their confusion, he smiled and explained, “I have a way to increase its value, and only I know how.”

Seeing Lu Kuan’s mysterious smile, the couple began to understand. This human ranger likely possessed some secret or technique—something connected to this smithing hammer.