After seeing Anna off, I found myself with a handful of tasks to handle—first and foremost, I needed a weapon for the upcoming commissions. Without something to defend myself, I was a sitting duck. Second, I had to gather food that could sustain me while I was out on the road or waiting between jobs. And last, but definitely not least, I had to find a place to stay. But thankfully, Anna had already taken care of that for me, giving me the location of a nearby inn where I could settle down for a while.
Now, all that remained was to find myself a proper weapon.
To be honest, I hadn't really given much thought to the weapon part until now. I regretted not asking Anna about it before she left, but she'd already done so much for me. It was clear that if I wanted to survive and make it here, I needed to start relying on myself more.
I set off, wandering through the town's winding streets until I ended up in what felt like the very heart of the town—the bustling town center. My clothes still made me stick out like a sore thumb, even with the cape the nurse had given me to help me blend in a little. But I did my best to walk confidently, trying to ignore the curious stares I caught here and there.
There was such a noticeable difference between me and the people around me—the Aelorians. I couldn't help but notice their aura, the way they carried themselves with a quiet strength and kindness in their eyes. When they looked at me, it was obvious I didn't belong here. But now, at least, I could say I was a traveler with a proper license. That should count for something, right? It was a small comfort in this strange new world.
I continued wandering, passing shops with all sorts of goods displayed outside. One had golden necklaces and bracelets glittering in the sunlight, the kind of jewelry that made you stop and admire, but I pressed on. That wasn't what I was here for.
Just ahead, another shop caught my attention. It had crates of fruits and vegetables stacked neatly in rustic wooden boxes, the kind you'd expect to find in a small town market. Curious, I stepped inside and found myself waiting behind a customer at the counter.
The conversation between the man and the shopkeeper quickly turned heated.
"Two silver coins for three apples?! Are you out of your mind?!" the customer snapped, voice rising in frustration.
The shopkeeper shrugged, his tone cold and unyielding. "Take it or leave it, lad. I'm doing you a favor here."
The customer clicked his tongue and muttered something under his breath—a curse, I think—something about "Nyern."
I didn't understand the words exactly, but I could tell the tension between them was real.
Waiting my turn, I stepped forward and greeted the shopkeeper politely. After he nodded back, I asked for a mixed bag of fruits and vegetables.
As he began picking out the items, my eyes caught on one unusual fruit in particular. It looked like a wide orange, but its color was unlike anything I'd seen before. It glowed softly with a bright white light, even in the shadow of the shop. Something about it felt almost magical.
"What's this one?" I asked, pointing.
"That's an Idun. Completely fresh and clean," the shopkeeper replied, barely looking up as he continued packing my order.
It piqued my curiosity, but I wasn't about to try something I knew nothing about just yet. I stuck with more familiar fruits for now.
After a few minutes, the shopkeeper handed me a bag full of different fruits and vegetables. "That'll be two silver coins," he said.
I realized that was the same price the customer had argued over for only three apples. But I figured my mixed bag was a fairer deal, so I paid with the silver coins I still had from the Guild.
I thanked him and stepped outside, bag in hand. One task down. Next up: find a weapon.
As I walked through the lively town center, I found myself marveling at how peaceful it felt. The chatter of the crowd, the rhythmic pounding of footsteps on cobblestone streets—it all made me feel a little more at ease. Yet, I couldn't stop thinking about the beast that had attacked earlier. Where had it come from? The Silver Knight had been there—were they aware of something? Or was it just coincidence?
My guess was the beast was just a criminal who slipped into town and wreaked havoc. Anna would have taken care of it if I hadn't been there to help.
Lost in thought, I noticed another shop just ahead. There was writing above the entrance that I couldn't understand, but the two medium-sized swords hanging outside were impossible to miss.
A weapons shop.
I smiled, feeling a small spark of excitement, and stepped inside.
The first thing I noticed was the section near the entrance filled with backpacks, belts, and travel gear. I hadn't really thought about needing more than a weapon, but seeing all that gear made me realize I'd need the right equipment to survive out here.
Moving further inside, I reached the weapons section. Swords, spears, daggers, bows—they were all laid out with care. I was completely taken in by the sheer variety, but I knew I had to make a choice.
While a bow or dagger sounded cool, a sword was what would fit me best. Something medium-sized and not too heavy—I could handle that. I wasn't some seasoned warrior, but I had practiced swordsmanship for about five or six months before arriving here. That experience, small as it was, gave me some confidence.
As I inspected the swords, one in particular caught my eye. It was displayed inside a glass case, its blade curved slightly like a katana. The handle was unique—black and purple with delicate, swirling lines. The silver blade gleamed under the shop's lights, beautiful and deadly.
I was especially good at slashing, so this sword felt like the perfect fit.
I glanced at other weapons, but nothing compared. Heavy claymores looked cumbersome, and the thin rapiers seemed too light and precise for my style. Even a few wands were there, likely for those with a Core, but that wasn't me.
I made my decision.
I grabbed one of the backpacks near the entrance, then approached the shopkeeper.
He was a middle-aged man with short gray hair, sitting calmly on a wooden chair, reading a newspaper. I hadn't expected to see something like that here, but I supposed news traveled everywhere.
"Hello, sir," I greeted.
He looked up, folding the paper with practiced ease. "Looking to gear up, traveler?"
"Yes," I replied. "I'd like to buy that katana in the case—and a backpack."
He raised an eyebrow. "You've got an eye for the rare ones. That blade's not just decoration. It's tempered with Veilsteel. Expensive, but durable."
I hesitated. "How much?"
The price made me flinch inwardly, but I still had some silver saved. I could afford it—just barely.
"Alright," I said, nodding. "I'll take it."
As he carefully wrapped the sword, he added quietly, "Not many people pick that one. They say it has a… temper."
I blinked, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"
He shrugged, looking almost bored. "You'll find out soon enough."
I gave a small nod and left the shop, sword and backpack in hand.
I hadn't chosen the sword just for its looks—I'd felt something when I saw it, something that told me this weapon was meant for me.
Now, with my supplies ready, it was time to head to the inn Anna had told me about and prepare for whatever came next.