Broke and Broken: Shopping Adventure

Gideon did have a point, but I couldn't help feeling that something was amiss. This newfound peacefulness seemed to make us forget the harsh reality of the game, the grim circumstances, and the lives lost in it.

It didn't sit right with me. Because I didn't want to forget about all of the things that happened to me since the apocalypse.

Matthias broke the silence, offering, "So, where do you guys want to go? I can be your tour guide."

I couldn't help but tease him, asking, "A tour? You know this place well for a newcomer?"

He replied, sarcastically, "Unlike some people who seem to enjoy aimless shopping, I explored this place like a regular person."

I rolled my eyes at his comment and inquired, "What does the market have to offer, then?"

Matthias took the lead, heading towards a shop that turned out to be a weapons store.

What were they called again in a fantasy setting?

Stepping into the store, I was greeted by an impressive array of weapons and even some armor, all in excellent condition. Of course, these were quite different from the items you'd obtain from a weapon banner.

My gaze fixed on a particular sword that instantly caught my interest. It was a short sword, entirely black from the blade to the scabbard.

I picked it up, examining the intricate details. This might come in handy; after all, the last time my hand was stepped on by a goblin, all I had in my pocket was a cutter.

But then, I jumped a bit when someone tapped me on the shoulder. What the hell that startled me! Why do people keep sneaking up on me like that?! Darn it!

I spun around to see who it was, and to my surprise, it was a dwarf. I mean, I've seen them in video games, but seeing one in real life was a whole different story.

I gave a nod, and the dwarf said, "You've got a good eye, young lad. You'll make a great hero someday." He patted my shoulder in a way that felt like dialogue from an NPC in a video game.

Did that mean everyone here had some kind of scripted dialogue or role to play?

I ran my fingers along the sword's blade and asked, "How much does this cost?"

The dwarf flashed a beard-stroking smile and told me, "It's about 50,000 gold coins."

Damn! It was really expensive! How many gold coins I had again?

[Answer: 130.000 gold coins]

Well, that's not bad. But maybe I would find something more important than a short sword? But, this was also important since in some scenarios I couldn't always depend on my revolver.

Moreover, I didn't know how to use a short sword. Lord, this was hard! It's like when I decided how to use my money to buy merchandise! Was it better to buy it or was it better to buy food for the whole week!?

And then, out of the blue, I felt a tiny hand touching mine. It was Jayden, and he was holding up his little dagger with a big smile. "Seth, look! This sword looks just like my dagger!"

It was adorable, but damn, it's weird seeing a ten year old boy holding a dagger like it was some kind of toy.

The dwarf interrupted our little moment, saying, "I'll be at the counter. When you've made up your mind, come find me." With that, he headed back to the counter, leaving us to figure things out.

Matthias suddenly barged into our discussion, holding some scrolls in his hand. He gave me a doubtful look and asked, "What are you guys doing? Do you want to buy that short sword? Do you even know how to use it?"

Ugh, everytime Matthias talked, I felt like my mood went down to 0. With an annoyed huff, I gently placed the short sword back in its spot. I wasn't in the mood to buy it anymore.

"No, and you're wrong. I could use it to stab you right here and now, and you wouldn't even notice it," I retorted, crossing my arms.

Matthias just chuckled and patted my shoulder, saying, "Oh, Seth, that's funny. What I meant was you could buy a scroll to learn the basics of swordsmanship." He motioned for me to follow him.

Wait? There were scrolls to learn swordsmanship?!

"Old man, show me the swordsmanship scroll." Matthias said to the dwarve.

"Aye, sir." the dwarve then pulled out something from his counter, it were scrolls, like five of them.

I took a look at them and found they contained step-by-step instructions on sword moves. Did that mean I had to demonstrate them? What a pain.

"I know what you're thinking, Seth, but you don't need to learn it the hard way," Matthias chimed in while tapping the scroll.

"You can put your hand on this magic circle, and all this knowledge will be transferred to you automatically." He smiled like he was saying, 'It's cool right!'

Because it was so cool! Like damn, if I could learn something like that, I would just choose the Warrior Class!

"But, of course, it won't make you a master like someone from the Warrior Class. This is just for beginners," Matthias added.

Did he just read my mind? He was so scary sometimes.

I turned to the dwarf and asked, "How much for all of this?"

The dwarf replied, "One of each is 20,000 gold coins."

That meant I needed at least 100,000 gold coins for the lot. I sighed, stroking my chin, contemplating the cost.

"Don't be so stingy," Matthias teased, grinning.

"Fine, I'll buy the short sword and all the scrolls!" I declared, a bit annoyed.

"Hoho, good choice." the dwarve nodded and pulled out some plate made of wood, in the middle of it carved a magic circle.

"Place your hand here, and it will automatically transfer the gold coins," he instructed.

That was pretty creative. I rested my hand on the plate, and the magic circle lit up.

[Your transaction (short sword and beginner swordsmanship scrolls) has cost 100,000 gold coins.]

[Confirm the transfer.]

"Yes."

[The transaction has succeeded.]

Yup, I was officially broke now. I would never shop with Matthias again! Never!