Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 386. Three kinds of crossbows

"Hmm, let’s say I need it for something stronger than the boar, which can handle tough skin and everything," Theo said.

"I got it," the man replied before continuing.

"This one right here is a light field model. There’s only one thing this one excels at: quick loading. It’s great for short hunts and valuable for those who need speed over punch."

"But since you said you want something strong enough to kill a thick-hided beast like a boar, or even tougher..." The man raised three fingers. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"We have three kinds of crossbows that would be worth your time after this one."

"First is the heavy hunting crossbow. It has larger limbs, a thicker string, and heavier bolts, just as you mentioned. It’s mainly good for Ironclad boar hunting, and with good aim, you can definitely kill one with a single shot."

"The second one, we call it the Knight Breaker, a name worthy of what it can do. This one hits harder. Much harder. But it draws very slowly and is heavier in the hands. It’s best used when you only need one shot to end it all... or be ended." The man tried to joke at the end, and Theo only smiled.

"As for the third one, we call it the mounted model. This one isn’t made for quick skirmishes like the one I’m holding. It’s designed for piercing tough scales, breaking shields, or stopping a charge. It’s powerful but requires the tamer, hunter, or knight to be at least level 10 and to have enough points in strength," the man finished.

Theo waited for a while to think it over. All three seemed better than the one the man was holding, but at the same time, they were much slower.

’If I get the Knight Breaker for Elias, he will be able to help with the decisive blow... but that mounted one... I don’t think he is ready for it.’

"Thank you for all the information. Can I see the Knight Breaker first? That way I can tell whether my party member can handle it."

"It’s for your party member? May I know their level and preference first?"

"He is level 10 and hasn’t broken through yet. And he just started using a normal bow."

"Oh, so he just started out, huh..." The man couldn’t help but think for a moment.

"Then this is just a suggestion, but I would say your party member should use the heavy hunting crossbow."

"I figured." Theo nodded.

Elias had only recently learned the basics of archery, and to switch to an actual crossbow would take some time and practice.

"There are levels to a crossbow. If your party member has just started with this skill, they should train with a basic model first, then move on to the better and stronger ones."

As Theo nodded again, he suddenly felt something enter his spatial radius. He turned around and saw a young lady in a yellow dress. Her curly red hair was dazzling, as if it had just been styled.

"Clara?" Theo asked, raising his eyebrows with a smile.

"When I heard you were here, I quickly came to meet you," Clara said as she approached him with a smile.

She bowed her head and showed good etiquette toward the head butler before moving toward Theo again.

Theo leaned closer and lowered his head near her forehead before flicking it with moderate force.

Clara immediately backed away, her hands clutching her forehead in surprise.

"What was that for, young master?" she said in a somewhat hurt tone.

"You know very well why I did that. Didn’t I give you a holiday today?" Theo said, shaking his head.

"But it felt strange not being your attendant for even a day. It has been so long since I took a break, young master," Clara replied in a guilty tone, still holding her forehead.

"You work addict." Theo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He turned back toward the crossbows, and only then did he realize something.

"Wait, I am glad you are here," Theo said, making Clara look at him in confusion.

"Clara, you need to choose what you want to upgrade in your gear. That’s also why I am here right now," Theo explained. It was half a lie, but it wouldn’t hurt if his attendants believed he was going out of his way to help them.

"Oh." Clara glanced at the wall lined with weapons.

Then she looked at the man, who quickly looked away the moment their eyes met. Theo found it strange, but then the man did his best to maintain eye contact.

"Uh... What would you like to have, C... Clara?" the man asked.

Theo cringed so hard it was difficult to keep a straight face. The man noticed Theo’s judging face and couldn’t help but grow embarrassed as well.

"Young master, I can buy the equipment on my own. You don’t need to buy them for me," Clara said, glancing at the head butler as if slightly embarrassed.

"Just do it," Theo replied, his persistent gaze making Clara sigh. She knew he wouldn’t budge.

"Hmm, the usual is fine, Lando. Just make the material one grade higher," Clara said, her demeanor completely different from how she acted around Theo.

"Why only a grade higher?" Theo asked, before something else occurred to him.

"Lando, was it? Please show me all the different kinds of throwing knives you have. I want them for her. She’s my party member," Theo said.

When Clara heard him call her a party member instead of an attendant, she paused.

"Of course, young master. I will show you what Clara usually buys, along with the upgradable options. Please come this way," the man said, this time without getting embarrassed.

They began following him, and that was when Theo grew curious.

"Are you a regular here, Clara?"

Clara glanced at him and nodded. "This station is the only good blacksmithing place in the whole town, young master. Many others opened recently to compete, but they can’t compare to this one."

"What she says is true. I have seen their quality. It’s rather lackluster," the butler chimed in.