The hunter market remained lively long after the sun disappeared beneath the horizon.
Lantern light flickered across rows of stalls while hunters moved between them, bargaining over weapons, armor, and supplies. The air carried a mix of tal, oil, and unfamiliar monster materials that gave the entire place a rough, practical atmosphere.
For Lin Yi, it was the first ti he had seen this side of the city so closely.
Most ordinary citizens rarely visited the hunter markets. These places were designed for people whose lives revolved around venturing outside the walls.
Wang Hao, on the other hand, looked completely fascinated.
"This is incredible," he whispered while staring at a rack of short swords. "I’ve read about hunter markets in books, but seeing one in person feels different."
Lin Yi glanced around calmly.
The equipnt here ranged from cheap beginner gear to more expensive items ant for experienced hunters. Most of the weapons were simple iron or steel, but occasionally he noticed sothing unusual: blades with faint elental glow, armor engraved with runic patterns, or bottles containing mysterious liquids.
Every item represented survival in the wilderness.
"Try not to look like a tourist," Lin Yi said quietly.
Wang Hao coughed and straightened his posture.
"Right."
They spent several minutes browsing different stalls.
Wang Hao purchased a pair of light leather gloves designed to improve grip when climbing or running. He also bought a small pouch containing basic bandages and a few cheap recovery herbs.
"These are beginner essentials," he explained proudly.
Lin Yi nodded approvingly.
"Very professional."
Then Wang Hao frowned.
"Wait... you haven’t bought anything yet."
Lin Yi shrugged.
"I’m still looking."
In truth, he didn’t intend to buy a weapon.
The froststeel dagger in his system inventory was already far better than anything sold in these stalls. Revealing it here would only attract unnecessary attention from the vendors.
Instead, he picked up a simple canvas backpack and several small survival tools: a rope, a folding knife, and a water flask.
Even if he possessed the system, basic preparation never hurt.
anwhile, a few steps away, Su Qinghan stood quietly at another stall.
The stall owner was demonstrating a set of weapon maintenance stones while she inspected the edge of a slender sword. The blade had a faint icy tint that matched the nature of her Frostblade class.
She listened carefully as the vendor explained how to maintain this weapon elental surge.
Lin Yi noticed her occasionally glancing in their direction.
It was subtle.
But he caught it.
Wang Hao noticed it too.
He leaned closer and whispered, "Brother Lin... I’m telling you, she’s watching you."
Lin Yi chuckled.
"You’re imagining things."
"I’m not!"
Wang Hao lowered his voice even further.
"Think about it. She talked to you twice today. That’s basically a miracle for soone with her reputation."
Lin Yi shook his head.
"Maybe she just finds us interesting."
Wang Hao stared at him.
"You say that like it’s normal."
Before Lin Yi could reply, Su Qinghan finished her purchase and walked toward them.
Wang Hao instantly straightened.
She stopped in front of them and spoke calmly.
"If your still buying anything, consider so cold wear as the expedition will happen during the cold morning in two days."
Lin Yi blinked.
"Morning?"
"Hunter teams prefer traveling before sunrise," she said. "It reduces the risk of encountering nocturnal monsters during departure."
Wang Hao nodded rapidly.
"That makes sense."
Su Qinghan’s gaze shifted briefly to the backpack in Lin Yi’s hand.
"At least you brought supplies."
Lin Yi smiled.
"I listen to good advice."
She seed to consider sothing for a mont before speaking again.
"The beginner expedition usually lasts one day. Teams will scout the outer forest and eliminate low level monsters."
Her eyes rested on Lin Yi.
"Do not wander away from the group."
Wang Hao whispered under his breath, "She’s definitely worried about you."
Lin Yi ignored him.
"Understood," he said calmly.
Su Qinghan gave a small nod and turned to leave.
But after taking two steps, she paused.
Without looking back, she added quietly,
"If you survive tomorrow... your Laborer class might prove more useful than people think."
Then she disappeared into the crowd.
Wang Hao blinked.
"Did she just encourage you?"
Lin Yi laughed softly.
"Maybe."
They finished their shopping shortly afterward and returned ho.
.....
The night passed quietly.
Lin Yi spent so ti organizing his supplies before finally lying down to rest.
But sleep ca slowly.
He stared at the ceiling of his small apartnt while thoughts drifted through his mind.
Three months ago he had been an ordinary student on Blue Star.
Tomorrow he would step into a monster infested wilderness.
Life had a strange way of changing directions.
Eventually his eyes closed.
Then, a faint chanical sound echoed inside his mind.
Ding.
A new ssage appeared within the system interface.
[Host preparing for first hunt.]
[Preparation reward detected.]
Lin Yi frowned slightly as he read the notification.
Preparation reward?
The panel displayed the original item.
[Reward: Basic Hunter Boots (Common)]
Before he could react, the system activated automatically.
[Reward amplification triggered]
[Enhancent ×100]
A ripple of energy passed through the system inventory.
Monts later, the result appeared.
[Item obtained: Windstep Hunter Boots]
Lin Yi sat up instantly.
He opened the inventory and examined the new equipnt.
....
Windstep Hunter Boots
Quality: Rare
Effect: Enhances movent speed and reduces fatigue during extended travel.
.....
Lin Yi whistled quietly.
The system had once again transford a basic item into sothing far superior.
A small smile ford on his face.
At this rate, even simple rewards would turn into valuable equipnt.
The wilderness suddenly seed far less intimidating.
....
The next morning arrived sooner than expected.
Before the first light of dawn touched the city skyline, Lin Yi was already awake.
He washed his face, packed his supplies, and stepped outside.
The streets were nearly empty.
Cold morning air drifted through the city as he walked toward the eastern district.
By the ti he reached the outer checkpoint near the eastern gate, a group of newly awakened hunters had already gathered there.
Wang Hao waved energetically when he saw him.
"You made it!"
Lin Yi nodded.
"Did you doubt ?"
"A little."
Several Bureau officers stood near the massive steel gates while experienced hunters checked equipnt and organized the teams.
Beyond those gates lay the wilderness.
For the first ti since arriving in this world, Lin Yi would finally see it.
As the eastern horizon slowly brightened with the first hint of sunrise, the enormous gates of Jianghe began to open with a deep tallic rumble.
And the real test of this world was about to begin.
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