Chapter 5: Getting Geared Up

I ended up passing out on the couch when I got back home and waking up the next day with a mild headache and low ringing in my ears. It was the first time I'd gotten a hangover, and I could safely say I did not like it. After a quick shower, change of clothes, and a cup of coffee though, I felt ten times better and headed out to the loot shed as I was calling it now, to continue what I'd begun yesterday. I'd actually considered that everything might have been a dream when I'd woken up today but then I'd brought up my status, confirming that it had actually happened, much to my relief.

Everything was just as I'd left it, and after double-checking the first box to make sure I hadn't missed anything important I began on the others. To say there was a lot to go through would have been an understatement and I was very grateful for the fact that my system could identify most of the items. There were body parts, gems, random tools, and a large array of weapons, most of which I couldn't use. I'd tried to pick up and swing an onyx-looking hammer but it swung me around and a screen had promptly informed me that I had insufficient strength, willpower, and endurance to wield the damn thing.

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Shade Hammer[Tier 4]

Weapon Type: Hammer

Durability: 75/75

Quality: Great

Abilities: [Life Drain] [Berserker's Rage] [Weakening Pulse]

Traits: [Soul Bond] [Mad Taint]

Warning!

You have not met the requirements to wield this weapon.

Requirements: Strength(18), Willpower(20), Endurance(17), Constitution(14)

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It was a shame, some of the abilities sounded interesting, although mad taint did quell my disappointment, and I continued on through my search. A lot of weapons were like the hammer and I just didn't meet the requirements to use them, either because they used a form of energy I didn't have access to or I didn't have the required stats. One thing was for certain though, I would never need to work again. The gems alone were worth a fortune. There were quite a few diamonds, rubies, and other exotic gems that I probably wouldn't ever sell because I couldn't be sure if they could be found on earth and I didn't want to get the government on my back.

In the end, for melee weapons, I picked out a basic-looking shortsword as it was easiest for me to use. I'd tried a longsword and even a scimitar but neither had felt right in my hands probably because I'd never used a sword a day in my life, and I didn't count swinging around a stick and pretending it was a sword, like most kids have done at least once. The shortsword was basically like a meat cleaver and far easier to use. I also took the belt of knives since my uncle and I had actually thrown knives before for fun, and axes.

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Steel Shortsword[Tier 1]

Weapon Type: Sword

Durability: 30/30

Quality: Average

Abilities: [None]

Traits: [None]

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After that, I moved on to what I would be using as my main force of firepower, guns. This was the state of Texas and my uncle had a lot of guns, although I had to leave the shed and head inside since he kept them all in a single room he kept tightly locked. It only took a bit of rummaging around in the cabinet to find the key. He'd always used the same damn hiding places.

What greeted my sight was a gun lover's wet dream, though I didn't stay for long. I knew how to fire a gun and could safely fire most if not all the guns in the room but I'd already made up my mind on which two I'd be taking with me for now.

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Glock 19[Tier 2]

Weapon Type: Pistol

Durability: 29/35

Quality: Average

Abilities: None

Traits: None

Additions: [Extended Mag] [Custom Grip] [Pistol Light]

Remington 870[Tier 2]

Weapon Type: Shotgun

Durability: 32/40

Quality: Average

Abilities: None

Traits: None

Additions: [Custom Grip] [Tactical Flashlight] [Shell Holder] [Extended Custom Stock]

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Each felt familiar in my hands and I remembered all the times my uncle had taken me out to the shooting range to practice. These two would be perfect as weapons to use in the dungeon as both were deadly, had light attachments, and gave me both close range and mid-range options, not to mention sometimes you couldn't reload in the heat of a fight and so having a backup firearm was always a good idea. For some reason, I can't understand, I also ended up taking my uncle's cowboy hat out of the room, even though it probably looked ridiculous on me. I'd seen him wear it a hundred times and I'd always wondered what it would feel like since he'd never let me near it. It felt like a hat, but I would wear it as a sort of homage to him if he was actually dead. I still had doubts about that.

With guns and hat in tow, I made my way out of the house and back to the shed, thankful for the high wooden walls. I must have looked very odd walking around with two guns and a cowboy hat, then again, I actually might have looked Texan, though that might have been me stereotyping a bit. Despite what people thought, Texas was not a state of cowboys and gun-happy people, though both were a thing. The people were nice at least in my experience and very welcoming. If only I'd been brought up in this state rather than New York. I had nothing against New York, but well it had soured for me thanks to my dear parents.

With melee and ranged weapons out of the way, I moved on to the last thing, armor. There were a few bits and pieces in the boxes, but most did not fit me, and many of them had requirements I simply did not meet. It was sort of annoying, but also another reason to level up. In the end, I was able to find a moderately good leather chest plate, some bracers, and one metal pauldron. It wasn't great but definitely better than nothing, and to top it all off, underneath everything I wore one of my uncle's bulletproof vests. I won't lie, all together it made me feel bulky and far heavier, but if it saved my life then it would be worth it.

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Leather Chestplate[Tier 1]

Armor Type: Body Armor

Durability: 25/25

Quality: Poor

Abilities: None

Traits: None

Leather Bracer[Tier 1]

Armor Type: Body Armor

Durability: 15/15

Quality: Average

Abilities: None

Traits: None

Steel Pauldron[Tier 1]

Armor Type: Body Armor

Durability: 20/20

Quality: Average

Abilities: None

Traits: None

Kevlar Vest[Tier 2]

Armor Type: Body Armor

Durability: 40/40

Quality: Average

Abilities: None

Traits: None

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With everything sorted, I put the loot back in the boxes and headed out of the shed, once again really thankful for the high wooden walls because I couldn't imagine what someone would think if they saw me. I must have looked like quite the sight wearing leather and steel armor with a cowboy hat, carrying a sheathed sword, strapped pistol, and a shotgun on my back.

I was a bit bummed out that I hadn't found any potions in the boxes as healing potions could come in handy. For now, however, a first aid kit, some pain meds, bandages, and clean water would have to do.

"I really wish I had an inventory." I sighed. Maybe there was an ability for it that I could unlock.

"Only one way to find out." I opened up the hatch and made my way into the dungeon entrance, my heart racing as I unlocked the second door and headed to the last. I stopped and took a deep breath as I pulled my shotgun from my back, flicked on the light, and pumped the gun. The map I'd left last time was still in the small alcove, and after a quick inspection, I placed it in my backpack with the rest of the items I'd brought. With a once last deep breath, I placed the key into the keyhole and turned twice.

The door swung inward, and for the second time, now prepared, I entered the dungeon.