novelODS Chapter 15 can finally be upgraded!
Chapter 15 can finally be upgraded!
Xiao Fan worked swiftly and quickly reassembled the machine tool. As soon as the start button was pressed, the indicator light on the machine tool lit up and emitted a buzzing standby sound.
"Finally back to normal!"
Although he had no doubts about the expert-level methods, he still breathed a heavy sigh of relief when he saw the machine tool successfully restart; his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. At the same time, Jiang Yong's task panel also displayed a completion notification.
[The quest "Mechanical Repair" has been completed. You have gained 5000 experience points!]
[Xiao Fan's favorability +20, currently 40/100 (Friendly)]
"Thank you for your help, teacher. The machine tool is working properly now!"
Xiao Fan chuckled and bowed slightly to Jiang Yong, then slapped his forehead: "Oh right, there's also your payment. I'll get it for you right away..."
As he spoke, he jogged over to the counter, opened the drawer, and counted out ten silver coins of good quality, handing them to Jiang Yong. Many of them were cut into eighths fan shapes, and it would take some time to collect them into a whole coin.
"Don't you have Cloud Nest City's local currency here?"
Jiang Yong took the silver coin and, with a smile, asked a question he already knew the answer to.
"...Of course there are, but those aren't worth the price you're paying for." Xiao Fan was a little surprised and paused before answering.
The central government of the Confederation of Caro did not issue a unified national currency; each city-state printed its own paper money representing its own credit for circulation. In this era of infighting among city-states, this model directly led to extreme chaos in the Confederation's monetary economy, with rampant problems such as excessive money printing, inflation, and counterfeiting, making intercity trade virtually impossible to function normally.
Over time, people have spontaneously bypassed official currencies when conducting certain transactions, returning to the trading model of precious metal currencies. Even when there are not enough small-denomination currencies, the phenomenon of cutting up high-value coins to use as change is quite common.
It's true that you have to stretch every penny in half.
However, it is said that the central government of the Carlow Confederation did try to obtain the right to issue currency, but for some reason it failed.
A high-quality silver coin is roughly equivalent to a day's wages for an average citizen. Xiao Fan, wanting to make a good impression on Jiang Yong, offered him the maximum possible reward.
"The money in Yunqi City is actually quite good."
Jiang Yong replied casually, but it made Xiao Fan's expression change slightly.
"...Indeed, this person is an expert-level figure; how could he not know the true situation in Yunqi City?"
He muttered to himself.
"Oh, right,"
Seeing that the task rewards on the panel had been confirmed, Jiang Yong sized up Xiao Fan a few times, nodded with feigned profundity, and suddenly said, "It's rare for someone to call me 'teacher.' Since you're already here, let me see your study notes too. You can ask me if there's anything you don't understand."
This was certainly not because he took a liking to Xiao Fan and planned to take him as a disciple, but rather to trigger another hidden reward in this mission, which was also his second goal on this trip besides Kotia!
"Oh? Okay, uh, thank you so much!"
Overwhelmed with gratitude at being personally instructed by an expert, Xiao Fan was so excited he could barely speak. He hurriedly pulled out a textbook filled with annotations and his own notes, explaining, "I'm a senior majoring in Fire Seed Adaptation Materials. You see…"
Jiang Yong took the laptop and opened it; a prompt immediately popped up on the panel.
You have obtained "Xiao Fan's Notebook"!
[Note: This item can be used as a job skill book to unlock the "Craftsman" job, or to provide 2000 experience points to an already unlocked job.]
[Detection indicates you do not yet possess the "Craftsman" profession. Would you like to consume 2000 experience points to use this method?]
"yes!"
As a chill swept through his brain, the complex theories and diagrams in the notebook immediately became familiar and dear to Jiang Yong, transforming into real knowledge imprinted in his mind, just like when he learned techniques and skills before.
Your career has changed!
You have obtained the new profession "Craftsman" lv1!
The "Unemployed" level 1 tier has been removed!
"Finally, I can upgrade!"
Without hesitation, Jiang Yong put half of the experience he had accumulated from killing pursuers and practicing skills over the past few days into his panel into the "Craftsman" skill, which leveled him up to level 4!
Instantly, a refreshing sensation swept through my brain and then spread throughout my body!
[Your Health +40, Stamina +2, Constitution +2, Spirit +2, Coordination +2!]
You have acquired the trait "Master Craftsman"!
You've mastered the skill "Cut corners"!
"Master Craftsman": Production speed +10%, quality randomly increased by 0%-3%.
"Cutting corners": After release, this manufacturing process will save 2%-5% of materials, and the quality will randomly decrease by 5%-8%.
In Star Age: Evolution, each class comes with initial skills and traits, and continues to gain attribute bonuses and new skills and traits as they level up. The "Craftsman" is a non-combat class, and the attribute boosts it provides are not particularly strong, but it comes with two skills and traits that are somewhat useful for home production, and Jiang Yong will need them soon.
In addition, once the "Craftsman" skill reaches its maximum level, it will provide a trait that grants a boost to the mechanical-type spirit fused with the user, which is quite useful. However, Jiang Yong also plans to acquire another profession and does not intend to spend all his experience on Craftsman for the time being.
"But why this skill?"
Looking at the description of the newly acquired skill, Jiang Yong's expression turned strange.
The initial skills included in each class book largely depend on the author of the book. For example, a "Warrior" class book might include skills like "Berserk" or "Strength Amplification" if it comes from a tank-type warrior, while it's more likely to include skills like "Instant Step" or "Weakness Strike" if it comes from an agility-type warrior.
As for this "cutting corners"...
Jiang Yong glanced silently at Xiao Fan beside him—who would have thought that you, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, were also a cunning businessman.
No, it would be even stranger if he were a shrewd businessman, to know the person Jiang Yong was looking for later, especially in a place like Yunqi City.
Shaking his head to dispel the useless thoughts, Jiang Yong closed his eyes to feel the changes in his body, and then opened his personal panel to check.
Name: Jiang Yong
Rating: 4
Rank: F
Life: 151
Attributes: Stamina 93, Constitution 28, Spirit 28, Coordination 28, Charisma 26
Cultivation Technique: Vacuum Induction Technique lv3: All attributes +11
Equipment: Explorer's Belt
Skills: Basic Contract lv1, Anchoring lv1, Cutting Corners lv1
Trait: Skilled Craftsman
Fusion Spirit: Spirit Chrysalis lv25
Semi-fused Spirit: Not yet unlocked
Occupation: Craftsman lv4
Faction Reputation: None
"Now, if we encounter those expert-level pursuers again, even without relying on ambushes or home base buffs, we'll have enough to hold our own."
Jiang Yong closed the panel with satisfaction and began to instruct Xiao Fan. The fourth-level craftsman's understanding of knowledge far surpassed Xiao Fan's, and he was capable of guiding him. Jiang Yong also took this opportunity to learn from Xiao Fan and organize the newly acquired knowledge in his mind.
After some time, Xiao Fan gained a lot, and his favorability towards Jiang Yong increased by 5 points. Jiang Yong also systematically reviewed the new knowledge, making his foundation more solid.
"The favorability rating is almost there. Now, let's move on to the third target..."
Jiang Yong felt a sense of exhilaration as he unleashed a combo attack—who else could squeeze so much hidden resource out of an NPC?
"That's all for today."
Jiang Yong smiled, returned the notebook to Xiao Fan, and was about to turn and leave when he stopped, pretending to suddenly remember something: "Oh right, there's something else I need your help with."
"Of course, no problem, please feel free to speak!"
Having just received a favor, and now having the opportunity to deepen his relationship with an expert, how could Xiao Fan refuse? Without even asking what the request was, he readily agreed, even if it meant stealing his roommate's women's clothing.
"That's good."
Jiang Yong nodded with satisfaction, a knowing smile spreading across his face: "You're Professor Xu's student, right? Could you take me to visit him?"
"I don't want the one from the university, I want the one from the distribution channels."