48. Leatherworkers

Jake tours Haven’s bustling shopping districts, noting the high average levels among artisans and adventurers. He checks several equipment shops but finds their rarities lacking. In a larger leatherworking store, he identifies a Tri-Lighttail Dervish vest and realizes someone harvested corpses from the battlefield where he had culled the monkeys.

The shopkeeper, Olivia, explains scavengers found numerous D-grade Lighttail corpses with the cores removed and vents about the unknown beast that left them. Jake, recognizing himself as the culprit, praises the workmanship but refuses the minor upgrade and inquires about gloves, learning they can take commissions but lack self-repair enchantments.

Eleanor arrives, revealing she partners with Olivia and recognizes Jake as Lord Thayne. Jake advises her about the dungeon’s mushroom-ridden, unsalvageable foes and suggests anti-healing measures. Unwilling to endure more of Olivia’s rants, he politely departs, intending to continue exploring rather than commissioning gear immediately.

Afterward, Olivia and Eleanor discuss Jake’s overwhelming strength and reputation, Eleanor cautioning Olivia not to provoke him. They mention their team’s rapid progress toward Perfect Evolutions and D-grade. Meanwhile, Jake suppresses the awkward encounter and proceeds to examine the city’s largest structure: the heavily enchanted, cross-shaped Temple of Haven.