Open your monster encyclopedia

"The so-called iron shield, does it mean the kind made entirely of iron, or one wrapped in iron, with iron bands included?"

"An iron shield is a shield made of metal."

Lindsay understood.

"I'll take a look at the shield later... This crossbow looks good, how much is it?"

Linsset walked to the counter and selected the crossbow closest to the wall on the platform.

The carpenter's shop sells three types of crossbows: the hand crossbow Linssey is currently using, similar to the light crossbows he previously saw in the hands of the ratmen, and this largest of the three, a black-edged crossbow with a set of pulleys.

When Devon saw that Lindsay was very interested in the crossbow, he immediately became interested as well.

"Adventurer, you have a good eye. You immediately chose the crossbow with the strongest draw weight in my collection!"

This is a pulley crossbow; it's labor-saving, and the string is strong. Although it can't compare to a heavy crossbow, it has a longer range than a light crossbow, and it only costs 45 silver.

"45 silver, that's more expensive than a two-handed sword! I see this crossbow has been sitting here for a while now." Linsel gestured to the carpenter, placing his index finger on the crossbow shaft, a thin layer of dust appearing on his fingertip.

"Sigh, not many people buy them. The new adventurers in town prefer to use bows and arrows, saying that bows and arrows are impressive and make it easier to change jobs later. Also, these crossbows are a bit more expensive."

Devon rubbed his head: "You're quite thoughtful, kid. This crossbow has been here for a while. How about this, I'll give you a 3-silver-coin discount, 42 silver coins?"

Linsset stood still and thought for a while.

"It's a bit expensive."

He then turned around, preparing to leave the shop.

Devon was somewhat flustered when he saw this.

"Hey, don't go! I'll sell it to you for 40 silver coins, no, 38 silver coins, that's the lowest price!"

"Hmm, that's more like it. So, how much are the compatible crossbow bolts you have here?"

"The standard medium crossbow bolts for the pulley crossbow sell for 20 copper coins each, or 1 silver coin for 5 bolts. The small crossbow pouch for bolts sells for 30 copper coins."

"Goodness, shooting five arrows costs one silver coin, that's way too expensive, forget it."

Linsset turned and left.

"Wait, here's a quiver of crossbow bolts for you, along with this small crossbow pouch, all free if you buy this pulley crossbow!"

"Deal! Also, if there are any quality issues with the crossbow later, I'll come back to you. I hope you won't make the repairs too expensive."

Devon laughed out loud after hearing this: "It's alright, it won't be expensive. This is an old shop of mine, you're welcome anytime."

After purchasing the crossbow, Lindsay, led by the carpenter Devin, arrived at the room where the shields were kept.

These shields looked similar to those sold in the blacksmith's shop, and even two fewer types. Lindsay asked about the prices, and they were the same.

"Then I'll give you this log shield I have, in exchange for a log shield with iron hoops."

A short while later, Linsel walked out of the carpenter's shop carrying his newly replaced iron-bound wooden shield, a small crossbow quiver containing 20 bolts, and the newly purchased pulley crossbow in his hand.

The log shield cost 1 silver coin, and the iron-bound log shield cost another 5 silver coins, so it was actually 4 silver coins.

It seems that the crossbow in my left hand will have to retire from now on.

Next, I'll go to the training camp to practice with the new crossbow I bought, and while I'm at it, I'll ask the instructor if anyone in the camp knows how to use a two-handed axe so I can learn from them.

……

Linchui Town, training camp.

Linsset swung his newly bought coachman's sickle and cleaved the scarecrow from top to bottom down to its waist.

Since no one in the camp was practicing with two-handed axes, Linssey's practice naturally aroused the curiosity of many adventurers and guards.

"This double-handed axe is incredibly destructive! But it still feels a bit lacking in power."

"Look, the two-handed axe that 'Wolf Slayer' is using doesn't look very impressive; it seems to be just a modified version of the logging axe used by lumberjacks."

Lindsay ignored the comments and continued practicing.

Five days passed in a row.

For the past five days, Linse has simply stayed in the town, completing some preparatory work and other trivial matters.

After his own Brand Warsword was reforged, it successfully gained the quality of hardness. Moreover, according to the dwarf "Ironhammer," the longsword also gained the quality of balance during the reforging process because of the uniformity of the material during the sword-making process.

As for the purpose of the Balance trait, "Iron Hammer" said it can improve the speed and durability of weapons.

He then looked at the chainmail at the blacksmith's shop, but Lindsay only considered it briefly and did not change into the chainmail.

The half-body chainmail shirt costs 30 silver coins, while the full-body chainmail costs 55 silver coins. Also, you'll have to abandon your existing wolfskin set after switching to this one.

I asked Old Zane at the tailor shop, and he said that his studded leather armor and helmet have now become one with the dire wolf skin, and there is no way to modify them anymore.

I spent 20 silver coins at the alchemy shop to make up for the cost of the potion I got from Joe, even though I never actually used it.

For the next five days, he practiced with his two-handed axe at the training camp every day.

I've almost gotten used to the new pulley crossbow.

This crossbow requires two hands to use and is much slower to load, but it is several times more powerful than the original hand crossbow. Standing fifty meters away, it can easily shoot through the scarecrows in the camp.

As for who he learned it from, he asked the camp instructor, Rod. Rod, seeing that his strength had improved rapidly recently, told him that the dwarf "Ironhammer" in town could use a two-handed axe and that he could learn from him.

Lindsay then went to the owner of the "Hammer" blacksmith shop.

The other party was very generous, but the tuition was quite high, 5 silver coins, and the lessons could only be taken during the dwarves' free time after they finished blacksmithing each afternoon.

Even so, five days later, Lindsay felt he had made some progress. He not only practiced chopping straw men, but also how to break enemy shields, which was a key point that "Iron Hammer" taught him.

The newly acquired Two-Handed Axe feat on the panel has been upgraded to the basic level.

[Two-handed Axe: Basic]: When using a two-handed axe, damage dealt is increased by 20%, and shield destruction is increased by 100%.

Lindsay was very pleased with this, but at this moment, Instructor Rhodes, who was standing aside considering the situation, revealed a subtle smile.

"Linse, you've started practicing with your two-handed axe these past few days. Looks like you really want to learn the combat techniques on that tattered parchment."

However, wielding a large axe requires considerable strength. While you appear to be slightly stronger than the average person, it's far from enough to unleash the true power of a two-handed axe.

Unfortunately, you've only recently become a professional; your profession is warrior.

It's not that warriors can't use two-handed axes; class-specific weapon preferences aren't that strictly limited. It's just that if your class is a Barbarian, then with the strength bonus from that class, two-handed axes will be quite effective.

"What physical attributes will a warrior gain? What bonuses will they receive?" Linsel asked, rephrasing the attributes on the panel in simpler terms.

"Strength, and your physical strength, but this will only be noticeable after you've been a professional for a while, roughly a year. You won't see any improvement if you've only been a professional for a short time."