"Outsider, you've come at a really bad time. While you still have time, hurry and leave!"
The shop owner, who had taken the money, offered his advice, then lowered his head again to continue his work. Duke shrugged and stood watching the person skillfully weave the grass rope.
At some unknown point, queen grass, which could only be used to feed pigs, was now described by people as being able to ward off The Harrowing. This led to a large number of people collecting queen grass and weaving it into ropes before The Harrowing each year, lighting them on the night of The Harrowing to protect their homes.
But in reality, this stuff had no effect whatsoever.
At most, it only provided a little psychological comfort.
"Good craftsmanship!"
Duke complimented him and turned to leave. At the same time, several idle men sitting on the street exchanged glances and slowly followed him.
The boss, still weaving queen grass, glanced at Duke's back and touched the golden sea in his embrace.
He muttered, "Naive kid, exposing your wealth so easily—isn't that just providing extra meals for the fat rats or Razor-fish?"
Duke, strolling down the street, seemed unaware that he was being followed; he simply walked leisurely with his hands in his pockets, occasionally stopping to buy some local handicrafts.
There were long skirts adorned with vibrant scales, necklaces woven from beast teeth, conch horns that made a low, mournful sound when blown, and even statues of the Mother Serpent.
These were all souvenirs to take back to his friends in Piltover and Zaun.
Perhaps that little devil Jinx would like this unconventional harpoon launcher, and the rope net for hunting sea beasts could be given to Caitlyn.
This bottle of strong liquor, infused with an unknown sea beast limb, could be given to Viktor; it's unclear if he's managed to win over the girl named Skye yet.
The beast tooth necklace would go to Vi, the statue to Camille, and as for Orianna, whom he had neglected for so long?
Of course, it was 'buy, buy, buy'—he'd buy one of everything he could think of and give it all to that little girl with the bun hairstyle.
With dozens of inventory slots filled, Duke unknowingly arrived at the dock area, standing at a dock and watching the shark fins constantly swimming in the Water.
He remarked with emotion, "I've met so many friends along the way; it's really great!"
"But while I've met so many friends, there are also quite a few idiots!"
Duke rolled his eyes and slowly turned around; a dozen hooligans, carrying various weapons, were smiling cruelly at him.
The tools in their hands included, but were not limited to: sharp fish knives, rusty cleavers, half a harpoon wrapped in bandages, a sharp hook welded to an iron rod, and the best of them was merely a damaged muzzleloader.
At this moment, Duke gained a new understanding of Bilgewater's scarcity of weapon resources.
Buying weapons and firearms here should bring in a fortune!
"Kid, we've followed you for eight blocks, and we've finally got you cornered!"
"Weren't you quite good at strolling? Try strolling one more time and see!"
"Hand over all your money, take off your clothes, and jump into the Water yourself, and I won't take your life!"
"Hurry up, don't waste time!"
....
"This is the level of hooligans in Bilgewater?"
Duke rolled his eyes again; someone had already been watching him before he even pulled out the golden sea to ask the shopkeeper.
His subsequent frantic shopping spree, besides preparing souvenirs for his friends in Piltover and Zaun, was also to see how many people were actually targeting him.
He hadn't expected there to be only a dozen or so.
Here, the cause of conflict can often be the necklace or ring you're wearing, or it might be because you're well-dressed, making others think you're weak and easy to bully—a fat sheep dripping with oil.
It's even more likely that your brass belt buckle looks golden when reflecting the sunlight, and the other party thinks it's made of gold, so they hit you over the head, steal your valuables and clothes, and then make a quick getaway, not caring whether you live or die.
If you don't wake up after they leave, you'll appear on a butcher's block the next day.
Here, might makes right; only strength can convince everyone.
It's the naked Jungle law, a true survival of the fittest.
This is Bilgewater: nine out of ten residents are criminals, and the remaining one is still on the path of crime, intending never to return.
"Are you planning to take advantage of me?"
Duke slowly rolled up his sleeves, spread his legs, and as he subtly inhaled, he lowered his center of gravity.
His left hand was clenched into a fist across his chest, and his right hand was also clenched, with his arm pointing straight down.
"Hand over the money!"
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