Chapter 37: [Arcane Lock]

"Something happened, and I haven't been out for a long time," Gao De smiled helplessly and explained, then asked: "Are you still buying primary spider venom potions?"

"Of course." Pierre nodded with a smile and also gave Gao De a piece of news.

"For some reason recently, the number of wild beasts outside the city has increased significantly, and they have become much more irritable; even the frequency of subterranean creatures appearing has increased quite a bit, so more people have gone out hunting."

"The demand for primary spider venom potions has increased significantly during this period, and it's almost in short supply."

Primary spider venom potions were originally used by hunters to coat arrows and weapons to deal with fierce beasts, and their intense paralytic properties were a sharp weapon for dealing with low-rank subterranean creatures and wild beasts.

With more hunting activities, the sales of primary spider venom potions naturally went up.

This was good news for Gao De.

His heart moved slightly, and he handed the set of primary spider venom potions he brought to Pierre.

Pierre took the potion, a faint light flashed in his eyes, and then he nodded with satisfaction, "Your goods are still of such good quality."

He put away the primary spider venom potions and took out some coins from the drawer under the counter and handed them to Gao De.

"Did you give too much?" Gao De calculated in his heart and found that Pierre had actually given 1 Saint Xi En gold coin plus 15 three-leaf flower silver coins, which was 35 silver.

This was 2 silver more than the purchase price of 33 silver discussed at the beginning.

It wasn't a large amount, but Gao De didn't mean to take advantage of this small benefit.

"Didn't I tell you that primary spider venom potions have been in short supply recently? So its price has also increased by 10%, so naturally, my purchase price has to be increased a bit; I can't take advantage of you." Pierre explained.

Knowing that he hadn't given too much, Gao De accepted it without being polite.

"By the way, is the matter of undertaking the repair of spell items you mentioned before still valid?" After the transaction was completed, Pierre called Gao De and asked again.

Gao De's eyes lit up, "Could it be that there is business?"

Repairing spell items can not only earn some extra money but also indirectly learn some spells, which is killing two birds with one stone.

"Yes, after I released the news, someone actually came to the door to ask about the situation a few days ago," Pierre nodded and didn't rush to sit down, "It's just that you haven't been here during this period, and I didn't know what your situation was, so I didn't agree directly at that time."

"However, he still left me an address," the little old man leaned close to Gao De and said: "The price that person offered is exceptionally high."

"How high?" Gao De asked subconsciously.

Pierre extended his right hand and then opened it.

"5 Saint Xi En gold coins?" Gao De was slightly surprised.

Pierre nodded heavily, "Were you startled? I was also startled when I heard it."

"1st-circle spell item?" Gao De hesitated.

"Yes," Pierre spread his hands, "Otherwise, how could such a high repair fee be offered."

The value of a 0-rank supernatural item itself is only 12-15 gold coins; if the repair fee requires 5 gold, it is better to buy a new one.

Being able to offer such a high repair fee, it can only be a 1st-circle supernatural item.

"Can it be repaired?" Pierre asked.

The difficulty of repairing a 1st-circle supernatural item and repairing a 0-rank supernatural item is not the same coefficient; Pierre was not sure if Gao De's ability was sufficient, which was also one of the reasons why he didn't agree at the time. "Yes," Gao De nodded, "It just takes time, and..."

He paused and said in a deep voice: "Need to add money!"

The repair fee is generally about 10% of the value of the item itself, which is a reasonable price, and the average price of a 1st-circle supernatural item is 65 gold.

In addition, it is almost impossible to find a second person in Hogen City who has the ability to repair a 1st-circle supernatural item.

Things are precious because they are rare; in this case, it is reasonable to increase the price appropriately.

Pierre also knows the market, so naturally, he wouldn't think Gao De was asking for an exorbitant price, and even nodded in agreement, saying: "The repair fee of 5 gold is high, but if it is to repair a 1st-circle supernatural item, this price is indeed still on the low side."

"It's good that it can be repaired; I can help you negotiate the price again. How about this, you come to the shop again the day after tomorrow, how about it?" The little old man smiled and took the initiative to say.

"Then I will trouble you," Gao De naturally wouldn't have any objections, "I will come to the shop again the day after tomorrow."

"Boss, do you know if there is any spell in 0-rank and 1st-circle spells that can protect a box and make this box unable to be opened by outsiders?" After hesitating, Gao De still asked.

The spell wooden box left by Master Seda must be opened by some means.

Although asking directly like this will expose some information, he thinks he can still bear this risk.

Besides, if he deliberately hides it, it doesn't necessarily mean he can hide it from others, but it is easier for others to think more.

And after these days of contact, Gao De and Pierre have established some meager trust.

Of course, the main thing is that through these few contacts with Pierre, he faintly sensed that this little old man is not as simple as he looks on the surface; he is definitely not just the owner of a small grocery store, his knowledge is extremely broad, and he is the most likely person he knows to solve his confusion.

Not to mention, the wooden sign at the door of the grocery store also writes Pierre's extensive "business" scope: part-time item recycling and treasure appraisal.

Treating the spell wooden box left by Master Seda as a treasure doesn't seem to be a big problem.

"Protect a box and make this box unable to be opened by outsiders?"

Pierre did not disappoint Gao De; after frowning his slightly white eyebrows and thinking for a while, he gave his answer: "According to your description, what I can think of is Arcane Lock."

"Arcane Lock?" Gao De raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, 1st-circle spell Arcane Lock," Pierre introduced in detail: "Arcane Lock can be cast on a door, chest, or other closed container to magically lock the container, greatly enhancing its security.

Unless there is a corresponding unlocking secret spell or powerful spell means, it will be almost impossible to open."

"This means that general physical means including picking locks, violent beating, etc., will not be effective on containers cast with Arcane Lock."

"Because of this effect, Arcane Lock can also play a role in protecting the container." Pierre explained.

"Of course, perhaps there are other spells that can achieve the effect you described; after all, I only have a little understanding of the most common and general spells," the little old man shook his head gently and sighed: "There are too many spells."

"If you want to open Arcane Lock, is there any way?" Gao De could almost be sure that the wooden box left by Master Seda was cast with Arcane Lock, and couldn't help but frown, feeling helpless.

Just the cantrip 【Tracking Mark】 had already left him helpless, and Arcane Lock as a 1st-circle spell would inevitably leave him even more helpless.

"If you don't know the unlocking secret spell set when casting Arcane Lock and still want to open Arcane Lock, one way I can think of is Dispel Magic, which can directly dispel the spell effect of Arcane Lock."

"Another is Knock, which can temporarily suppress the spell effect of Arcane Lock in a short time," Pierre spread his hands, "However, Dispel Magic is a 3rd-circle spell, so don't even think about it."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 38 =====