Chapter 8 – A Change of Clothes
Bunny was having the time of her life.
Jax, on the other hand, was questioning every decision that had led him to this moment.
"Hold still!" Bunny chirped, already tugging another shirt over his head. "This one will look amazing."
"I look like I'm about to join a traveling circus," Jax muttered.
Nyxian lounged against a nearby rack, smirking. "She's right. You just don't know it yet."
Zee hovered nearby, hands clasped, watching with a mix of amusement and sympathy. Llandra leaned against the wall, arms crossed, pretending not to care—though her eyes flicked up every time Jax emerged in a new outfit.
Outfit after outfit disappeared into Bunny's growing pile.
Long coats.Short jackets.Loose tunics.Fitted shirts.
Some looked ceremonial. Some looked practical. Most looked absolutely foreign to Jax.
From the looks exchanged between the other girls, his instincts were correct.
Eventually, Bunny stepped back, hands on her hips.
"Okay," she said proudly. "Now you look like you belong here."
Jax examined himself in the mirror.
"…I look like a background character in someone else's adventure."
"That's the goal," Nyxian said. "Blend in."
At the counter, Jax noticed something curious.
Every price was well under a gold coin—but each time he paid, his system provided exact change in silver and bronze without him doing anything consciously.
No wallet.No counting.No effort.
It really was like a personal bank.
That's convenient, he thought.
The girls didn't hold back either.
With coin in hand and worries lifted, they splurged—new cloaks, reinforced boots, proper adventuring wear. It had been a long time since any of them had shopped for themselves without counting every coin twice.
When they stepped back onto the street, arms full of parcels, Jax felt lighter.
Not just because of the clothes.
They walked a little farther before Jax spotted a sign hanging above a broad storefront.
Brannic's Weapons and Armor Emporium
"…That's a mouthful," Jax said.
Nyxian grinned. "Worth it."
Inside, the shop was immaculate. Weapons lined the walls. Armor stands gleamed softly under enchanted lanterns.
Then—
A screen flickered into Jax's vision.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACTIVATE SKILL:THIEF – INSPECT?
Inspect?
Jax raised an eyebrow.
"Sure," he murmured. "Why not."
CONFIRM
The world shifted.
Numbers appeared.
Stats. Ratings. Effects.
Every weapon and piece of armor glowed faintly with information only he could see.
"…Whoa."
It took a moment for his brain to adjust.
So that's why it's a thief skill, he thought. You'd only steal the good stuff.
From the back of the shop emerged a dwarf—short, broad, beard like iron wire, eyes sharp and proud.
"Greetings, adventurers," he rumbled. "What can I do ye for?"
Jax stepped forward. "We're looking at equipment. What can you tell me about your stock?"
The dwarf puffed up slightly.
"Everything in this shop was crafted by me. Finest quality Solmere can offer."
Jax's gaze landed on a knife.
Level 10.Poison-inflicting trait.
He picked it up carefully.
"How do you enchant these?" Jax asked. "The special effects."
The dwarf's eyes lit up. "Ah, ye've a good eye. It's in the materials. That blade there was crafted from a Poisonous King Bull Frog."
Jax blinked.
The dwarf quickly waved a hand. "Three feet tall. Spits poison. Nasty little thing."
Jax nodded appreciatively. "Level ten. You did excellent work."
The dwarf snorted, embarrassed. "Once ye hit level ten quality, the beast's essence settles into the metal. That's when special traits become possible."
Jax scanned the shop again.
There were many items above level ten.
"You've honed your craft," Jax said honestly.
The dwarf gruffed. "Best save yer sweet talk for yer four lovely companions."
Bunny and Zee blushed.
Nyxian smirked.
Jax laughed. "Fair enough."
He paused, then asked casually, "What if someone brought you parts from an adult Flame Dragon?"
The dwarf burst out laughing.
"Hah! Ye? To answer that—what couldn't I make? I'd craft whatever ye wanted. At a discount, too, just for the honor."
Bunny blurted, "He has access to a Flame Dragon!"
The dwarf waved it off. "Sure he does."
Jax didn't argue.
He gently returned the knife to its place.
"You're a master craftsman, Brannic," he said. "We'll be in touch."
And he turned to leave.
As the door shut behind them, Brannic snorted to himself.
A level one adventurer, he thought. With friends barely past twenty-two. A flame dragon…
He shook his head.
"Yeah right."
The seed had accidentally been planted.
And Solmere would not stay quiet for long.