Jason, “Wait, really? Why would that count? There is a reason most people don’t look into making their own accessories until the sixth break. The fact that you two both have a bracelet is the exception that proves the rule.”
Rosha raises an eyebrow, “You haven’t realized it yet? It’s your core. Basically, no one in NeoRealm gets a core before the sixth break. There is a reason every wallet warrior and young master doesn’t have one. No one knows what triggers the formation of a core early.”
Jason, “Then why do you have so many components?”
Rosha laughs, “Well, like I said, ‘No one in NeoRealm’, as in that isn’t necessarily the case outside of NeoRealm. And where did we just spend all that time exploring?”
Jason, “So there were cored in the Deep Wilds?”
Rosha shrugs, “I would assume so? You got that, and we got a bunch of stuff. Would it be so out of place that the System works to delay core formation until it can do it for you? I presume part of waiting for the sixth break is either because the body becomes reinforced enough that it can take the System shoving a core in you or core formation is related to the soul.”
Jason, “Hmm, I can see either one. Or rather, the first option? I think it has more to do with the System having enough control of your body. Because while technically it makes our bodies, that differs from having the right to our bodies. Which, them shoving stats into you, would certainly override.”
Courtney calls over, “I would be willing to bet Jason and the second reason are the combined answer. Or rather, some sort of self-realization related to the soul? Likely connected to your dao.”
Jason, “Dao just means ‘path’.”
Courtney, “That doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Finding your path in life can be quite hard. Many stumble through life without meaning, even now that more focus is put on mental health.”
Jason, “Okay, fair enough. Well, I’ll be going back to training. Have fun.”
Rosha laughs, “I expect to be belittled and talked down to!”
Jason frowns, “Do you want me to come along?”
Rosha shakes her head, “For one, it wouldn’t help. And for another point, I want to be underestimated! They’re going to judge me for not having a core and yet going in to get accessories.”
Rosha frowns and rethinks the first point, “Actually, you might help. While you aren’t a high enough level, most can’t really detect that and they might just assume you’re hiding your abilities or put points into something other than stats. So, since you have a core? A thing they will be looking for, they might respect you as an actual customer.
“But as I said. I want them to underestimate me. They’ll think I'm just a lackey sent to make a deal. Which shows either that these are low-quality components dumped on them to see what can be gotten. That isn’t technically wrong? There is no way we could have survived getting anything of true quality.
“So I’m going to get every benefit I can from them without them realizing it. They’ll think I’m just trying to get personal benefits, which I am, but they will assume it is at the cost of my employer and instead of much more expensive benefits that some sixth break or above would be looking for.”
Jason shrugs, “Well, good hunting, I guess.”
Rosha smiles wide, “Oh, don’t worry, I will!”
Courtney, “Tomorrow.”
Rosha nods, “Tomorrow!”
So quite early the next morning, the two set out into the city. The crafters, in theory, should be near the place where a bunch of materials are brought into the city. But that would make sense and how can a religious city of such extremes do that? So instead, crafters were placed a third of the way around the city in the production zone.
The only reason it wasn’t on the opposite side like the cliff Jason is hanging out at, is that they still want things such as incense. And since they provided much of the fragrant woods and herbs used in such things, they got a bit of a say in it. This ended up with the crafters, the nature folks, and merchants at three points of a triangle around the edges of the city.
Anyway, Rosha and Courtney arrive at the place they are looking for.
“Kel’s Accessory Wholesale and Training!”
Yep, wholesale as in they sell large batches of accessories. Which some might wonder about. After all, people at or above the sixth break aren’t exactly common. Well, the answer to that is the second part.
The eponymous Kel sells training as well. And obviously training requires a lot of material and produces a lot of sub-par products. This would normally result in a very strict master to a single apprentice type of structure where every attempt by the apprentice is watched over carefully. Every component was carefully weighed. Every time the process is going wrong the master steps in to make sure something sellable is produced or the process is a complete failure.
Kel just teamed up with the kingdom to gain a bunch of repeatable components and trained the children of nobles who wanted to be crafters and their parents wanted them to be in a “noble” profession. Oh, and they needed to have boatloads of cash. Because even with the deal with the kingdom, this stuff was still expensive.
Anyway, they sold the results wholesale because this sort of thing resulted in many duplicate accessories and any organization who focuses on rules and appearance of solidarity will pay through the nose for matching accessories. Which ironically means you’re paying more for wholesale despite slightly lower quality.
That, obviously, isn’t what Rosha and Courtney are here for. Instead, they’re going to have their components used by the more advanced students who are advanced enough to need to stretch their creative wings.
Courtney compared it to gambling when she first found the place. After all, you give them what on other games would be vendor trash for a high-level player. Not because it was bad, but because you needed to be high-level to use it and when you’re that high a level, it wasn’t worth it.
Though, honestly, the wholesale also goes in the other direction. Basically, while individuals do dump their components here individually (or by sending a lackey). People new to the sixth break who suddenly have access to such rarified company, will buy accessory components off more seasoned adventurers and bring them here to gamble.
Though to note, they generally bring about ten at a time. People tend to find maybe a component in a year. Rosha is just cheating by both having vision that can identify them and being trained by one of the most skilled Deep Wilds rangers.