They got right to it.
The two of them immediately left the tavern and hurried to the market in the slums.
It was much like any other market. Besides the shops with proper storefronts, there were also small vendors using carts or simply spreading their wares on tattered cloths.
Many new Adventurers and desperate refugees were here, browsing the goods.
A few burly thugs stood in the corner of the market, keeping the peace. They were members of the gang that ran this place.
As they moved through the second-hand market, Colin took a look around.
As one of the perks of his system, he could see the Attribute Panel of some pieces of equipment, a feature that was incredibly useful for picking out gear.
However, the stuff on these ground stalls was all junk.
After all, the people who set up stalls here were basically scavengers.
They were the sort who dared to venture deep into the city's Underground City or the wilds, making a living by stripping equipment from Adventurers and reselling it. As a result, the things they sold were a motley collection of low-quality goods. Many of the weapons had passed through countless owners and were who-knows-how-many-hands-down.
Thanks to all the refugees.
Lately, the most common goods the scavengers had were things like sickles, wooden sticks, and Short Spears.
This pile of junk only cost a few Silver Coins, or even just a few Copper Coins. Their performance was far worse than the Orc Short Sword in Colin's hand; they barely even deserved to be called weapons.
The Cotton Armor was comparatively more reliable.
You could usually get a set for a few Gold Coins. Its Defense was much better than ordinary linen clothes, so it was worth the price.
As for things like Long Swords, Plate Armor, and long halberds, Colin didn't even bother looking.
He knew without even thinking that he couldn't afford them. Besides nobles and High-tier Adventurers, probably no one else could.
After searching for a while, the two turned and walked into a nearby herbalist's shop.
Dried herbs hung everywhere inside, filling the air with a strong, herbal scent.
Colin glanced at the Potion rack behind the counter.
Colorful labels listed the prices of various Potions: Weak Antidote, 10 Gold Coins; Healing Potion, 50 Gold Coins...
"What can I get for you, sir?" the owner behind the counter said with a smile. "I'm guessing you're here to ask about my buy prices for herbs?"
"So you could tell we were a couple of broke, desperate guys at a single glance?" Kase grumbled, displeased.
Colin said, "I'd like to ask what kind of herbs you're buying."
"There are pictures of some common herbs hanging on the left wall. You can take a look at those."
"Thanks."
Colin walked over to the left.
A number of figures dressed like refugees were already standing in front of the hanging pictures in the corner.
'Looks like a lot of refugees have been gathering herbs to make a living lately. Even the herbalist's shop has put up illustrations to guide the workers. That means herb prices probably won't be too high, and the herbs themselves will be pretty hard to find.'
Colin sighed. 'But what choice do I have?'
The illustrations on the wall were in a medieval style and looked a bit abstract.
Golden Thistle Grass, eight Silver Coins a pound; Stone Skin Moss, one Gold Coin a pound; Frost Star Grass, five Gold Coins a plant...
Colin silently repeated the names to himself as he tried to memorize the pictures.
Kase, standing beside him, seemed to be memorizing them earnestly, but knowing him, Colin figured he would have forgotten everything by tomorrow. When it came to using your head, you could never trust a Half-Orc.
He wasn't sure if it was because of the point he'd added to Intelligence or if he was just in good form today, but the memorization process went quite smoothly.
Soon, Colin had basically memorized all the information he needed.
Just as he was about to leave, a short, stout man walked in.
The man had a white beard that hung down to his waist, and the top of his head only reached Colin's chest. He wore a tattered woolen robe, and his shoulders were nearly as wide as he was tall. It was clear at a glance that this guy was powerfully built.
'A Dwarf?'
Having never seen one in person before, Colin eyed him with curiosity.
The short man charged aggressively to the counter, placed both hands on it, and stood on his tiptoes to yell at the owner, "Got any Frost Star Grass? Don't tell me you're still out."
"Of course we do."
"Alright then, give it to me. I can teach you some Magic in exchange."
'Magic?' Hearing their conversation, Colin was instantly intrigued.
"Shorty, I've told you many times. Are all you people this stubborn?" The owner stood up straight and crossed his arms. "You can only buy things with money. Besides, I'm not interested in your crappy Magic!"
"Foolish human."
The Dwarf turned to the refugees on Colin's side and shouted, "Whoever can get me a stalk of Frost Star Grass can come find me to learn Magic! Second sewer entrance on the right side of Giant Dragon Avenue, got it?"
"Guards! Guards!"
Seeing that the Dwarf wasn't leaving, the owner immediately started yelling at the top of his lungs.
At that, the shorty took off in a flash, disappearing like a ball rolling across the ground.
After witnessing this little episode, Colin and Kase returned to the tavern.
Kase spoke first. "I don't think there's much money in gathering herbs. Did you see all those refugees? They've probably picked clean every herb for kilometers around Thousand Masts City. If you ask me, we should go after that big bear."
"The worst that can happen from gathering herbs is we come back empty-handed. If we go after that bear, we probably won't come back at all," Colin said.
"But we can't just gather herbs around Thousand Masts City, then."
"The best-case scenario would be getting a wagon escort quest. Then we could head to a more remote village and gather some herbs along the way." Colin sighed. "If only things were ever that easy."
Kase grunted a couple of times but didn't reply.
As the two were talking, the tavern door creaked open.
The Adventurers inside looked over like hungry wolves spotting fresh meat.
The newcomer wasn't carrying any weapons. It was obvious they were a potential employer looking to hire someone.
With a series of sharp CLANGS and JINGLES, the restless Adventurers brandished their weapons, hoping to attract the employer's attention.
However, the person walked straight over to the Half-Orc and the human kid and sat down, not giving the others a second glance.
"Bob, shouldn't you be resting up?" Colin asked.
"Gotta earn money, right? Besides, you don't need your legs to drive a wagon. And I've faced worse than this before," Bob the wagon driver said, leaning on the table. "You two gotten any work lately?"
"No."
"That's great... uh, you know I don't mean it like that." Bob continued, "Word is, the reason for all these refugees lately is a massive winter disaster up north..."
"A winter disaster? It's not time for that yet."
Hearing this, Kase grew inexplicably agitated.
'A winter disaster...' Colin searched his original body's memories for anything related.
The so-called winter disaster was a catastrophe characterized by a widespread drop in temperature that lasted for several years.
A winter disaster would force the monsters in the north to migrate south, bringing ruin to the villages along the way. If that was the case, it was no wonder so many refugees were appearing.
"This is intel from the 'Gray Hand.' It's not like I'm the one who decides these things."
"What's the Gray Hand?"
"You don't know? They're the High-tier Adventurers who work for the city. Every Adventurer dreams of joining them. No offense, but I think they're more professional than anyone else in this city."
Bob caught his breath and continued, "Anyway, the guild's been busy lately, so I have to make a delivery up north. I was thinking of hiring a few more people, just in case."
Hearing this, a rare look of contemplation appeared on Kase's face.
Though he was already getting excited inside, Colin still felt the need to remind him, "Not all monsters have such fatal weaknesses. Sometimes you just need raw power."
Bob said, "I don't have enough money to hire more..."
Just then, a man wearing Cotton Armor walked over.
He took the Hand Half Sword from his belt and slammed it onto the table with a CLANG.
He was followed by four more armed men, who gathered around. Aside from the leader, the rest were just stragglers in linen clothes.
These were all Adventurers who hadn't found work, and their gear was naturally unimpressive.
"This gentleman is right, you do need stronger guards," the man said. "My squad can absolutely guarantee your safety. And we'll do it for the same price you're paying these two—maybe even a little cheaper!"