Akiol stared at this Epithet. It was very obvious what it was insinuating. That was Aura. In a way A World's Legacy had verified that Akiol was the last person to use Aura.
This however had several implications. First, it was clear that the "World" remembers Aura and its usage. Secondly it's aware that Akiol is the last to wield it. Third, it's aware that Aura is a lost technique. Something he personally barely managed to stumble on, and even then had to build up his usage brick by brick.
If the World was aware of Aura and that Akiol was the last to wield it, then why did it give him two Epithets? Considering that it also was aware of the descent of Wrock's God, the Myriad Phoenix, and thus subsequently feared Wrock. . . why did this feel off?
More importantly, why did it only come to mind now? Akiol felt like he was revealing more pieces to the puzzle, but still the grand image couldn't be made out. Now a new question was added to the mix:
What was the 'World'?
More questions and even less answers. Akiol came to the west to hopefully find even a bit of answers, but yet there was only more questions. Adding these thoughts to the list of concerns Akiol maintained the switch in Epithet. Additionally he adjusted his body through his slime. Removing the telltale silver hair aspects and replacing it with a charcoal black. He slightly modified his face to not be easily recognizable.
Then he absorbed the straw steeple hat. With this the disguise was complete. Although the cloak remained the same, since it was sold by a wandering merchant Akiol was under the impression it wasn't a one-of-a-kind. On the slim chance it was Akiol felt the risk of someone recognizing the cloak was lesser than him being revealed as a Third Stage Prince Slime.
It felt strange to have to require such a complex disguise. In a way Akiol felt it should've been the other way around. Star Driven Sword should've been the player, and Last of the Forgotten Legacy should've been the NPC.
This could just be chalked up to bad luck. Akiol patted Stars at his hip and suddenly felt grateful for his desire to improve {Photon Cutting Slash} first. Not once had he revealed Stars, and thus the sword couldn't reveal Akiol as the Star Driven Sword while he was in disguise.
Unfortunately this did mean he couldn't further practice the technique while posing as a different player, but he had several other techniques to improve in its place. {Photon Cutting Slash} was simply the most convenient in terms of Aura usage.
Zipping back into the town Akiol pondered how to sell the items the players dropped. In a sense he could simply claim he found a pile of equipment. Since there wasn't anyone to witness the "Star Driven Sword" absorbing the weapons, this excuse was plausible.
The problem lie in who to sell it to. Akiol was unsure if the NPCs would accept the items due to their avoidance to players. Or if the players would purchase items outside of their stage ahead of time.
Considering the west's importance on custom made equipment. . . Akiol felt the players might not purchase the equipment even if he sold it cheap. The sporadic assortment of materials he obtained would likely be appealing to them however.
Moving to the player market center Akiol managed to convince someone to lend a rug to place his wares on. Finding a secluded corner Akiol laid out the mat and placed the various materials upon it. Although he originally planned to log off Akiol felt the need to pawn off the goods as soon as possible.
This was simply because of the density of players at this town. With so many eyewitnesses it would be hard to track him specifically as the seller of the dropped items. Thus he could entirely avoid any conflict with Blighted Blood.
Soon enough a few players glanced towards the carpet and immediately threw questions, "Dude, these are Second Step materials, and that one's a Third Step!"
"I know.", Akiol nodded.
"Who in the world can afford that in a Town?"
"It's cheap."
This perked the interest of the player, "How cheap?"
"Name me an offer."
"Fifty Bills.", the player pointed to a particularly large piece of monster hide.
Akiol looked at him dead in the eye and the player tsked, "See! What's cheap for you?"
"A hundred."
"A hundred?!", the player was shocked, "You're not kidding?"
"No."
Immediately reaching into their bag the player fished out a set of paper bills. Counting through them they handed it over, "A hundred."
Accepting the money Akiol gestured towards the hide, "It's yours."
"Really?!", the player incredulously grabbed the hide and stored it in their bag. The moment it disappeared from sight they asked, "Why are you selling it for so cheap?"
"Scraps from a battlefield, just getting it off my hands."
"Hahaha, I see! I struck it rich then, hold on let me get my buddies!"
The player skipped off and Akiol remained seated by his rug. Soon enough the player returned with a group of four others. They seemed skeptical, unwilling to believe what they were just told.
Soon one pointed towards a jagged bone, "A hundred?"
"A hundred.", Akiol confirmed.
They pulled out the money and handed it over. Akiol allowed them to take the bone and watched as the group exchange glances. Immediately they began to pull out their cash and rapidly purchased all the Second Stage materials.
Finally one pointed at the sole Third Stage materials, "How much?"
"Five thousand.", Akiol rose the price.
They put their hand over their mouth and whispered, "If we pool together our cash we'll have enough. This thing can sell for well over fifty thousand. This guy's selling it for less than a tenth!"
Agreeing the players pooled their cash and came to a total of 4,681 Bills. Akiol smiled and said, "Close enough."
Receiving the cash Akiol allowed them to take the Third Stage material. Now with his rug empty Akiol rolled it up. With a faint bow Akiol smiled, "Thank you for your business."
"Thank you brother! You've just saved us hours of farming."
"Glad you're pleased."
Akiol left the players and returned the borrowed rug. Along with 10 Bills as thank you. Flickering into a secluded section Akiol changed his form back to his silver haired self. Dispelling the straw steeple hat he placed it upon his head and switched back his Epithet to Star Driven Sword. With the reversion of his disguise complete he zipped back to the Town. Arriving at a blacksmith he leaned against the door, allowing part of the straw steeple hat to mask his face.
A set of players walked out in a huff, clearly displeased by something. Once the room was empty he approached the blacksmith.
A gruff voice sighed, "Resurrectors huh? It's not often I get good materials to sell decent gear. I do my best work with the low quality stuff I get yet it's never enough for them."
Modifying his voice a bit with mana Akiol faintly laughed, "They certainly know what they want."
"And I can't provide it! Anyway how can I help you?"
Reaching into his cloak Akiol dispelled a weapon and pulled them out like he used a storage bag. Placing them onto the counter he asked, "Just an appraisal. Yours."
Picking up the weapon, a spear with an oddly shaped tip, the blacksmith eyed it carefully, "Definitely of good quality. Finely chosen materials to create an ideal outcome. I'm impressed, where'd you get it?"
"Found it, abandoned."
"Likely a Resurrector dropped it then.", the blacksmith placed it back onto the desk, "It's very good, of a high Step as well. You'd get more of an in depth appraisal if you visit a City."
"If I were looking to sell it, who would you think would be interested?"
"You wish to sell it? I can give you a price myself, but I assure you it won't be near anything you'd get at a City."
"Your price?"
"Fifty thousand Bills."
"Done."
The blacksmith looked at Akiol in surprise, "Really? This is custom made you know, thing could go for double my given price easily."
"I'm a little short on money right now."
The blacksmith nodded knowingly, "Okay one second. Let me go count."
Moving into a room behind the counter the blacksmith vanished for a good amount of time. Eventually he exited the room lugging a wooden box. Placing it onto the counter he opened the wooden box revealing stacks of cash inside, "Fifty thousand. Once you're in the city I recommend depositing it."
"I'll keep it in mind.", Akiol picked up the box.
Slipping it underneath his cloak Akiol absorbed the box and all of its contents, acting as if he placed it within a bag. The blacksmith smiled and picked up the spear, "Best deal I've made in a long time. By the way, who are you-?"
The blacksmith found no one was in his shop, only a closing door and the spear in his hands acted as proof of the transaction.