David and the two knights followed behind Raizen until they reached the building's front door, where the three knights Raizen had ordered to guard were still standing firm.
Raizen nodded toward them.
"Open the door."
"Yes, my lord!"
They pushed the main door open.
Raizen, David, and all five knights stepped outside.
"David, lock it."
"Yes, my lord!"
David closed the door… then froze.
There was no lock.
No key.
Nothing.
He looked around nervously—until he spotted an iron rod leaning against the wall.
He grabbed it, bent it with brute force, then wedged it between the door handles, twisting it tightly until the door couldn't be opened from outside.
Raizen watched this and sighed internally.
I thought he was going to ask me what to do again…
They finally walked down the muddy path, rain still falling lightly.
Raizen glanced back at the forest path they came through…
Then he noticed another road branching off.
At the end of that road stood a small wooden shop with a signboard:
EQUIPMENT & POTIONS
Raizen's eyes lit up.
Just what I was looking for.
He entered, gesturing:
"Five of you, wait outside.
David, come with me."
David nodded and followed.
The moment they stepped inside, Raizen and David froze for a moment.
Weapons lined every wall—
swords, bows, gauntlets, spears, shields—
each hanging neatly in wooden frames.
Below every displayed weapon was a small wooden plaque with its details carved into it.
Raizen read the first one.
---
1. Ember-Touched Gauntlets (Tier 2)
Effect:
Fire-resistant metal
When user punches with mana, tiny ember sparks appear
Price: 1 Gold
---
2. Iron-Reinforced Sword (Tier 2)
Effect:
Better durability & mana conductivity
Edge stays sharp longer
Produces small mana sparks with swings
Price: 1 Gold
---
3. Hunter's Bow (Tier 2)
Effect:
Can fire two arrows at once
Mana infusion increases accuracy
Price: 1 Gold
---
4. Raven's Crossbow (Tier 2)
Effect:
Shoots 3 consecutive bolts
Slight mana guidance
Long reload
Price: 1 Gold
---
5. Bronze Bear Shield (Tier 2)
Effect:
Thick bronze layer blocks claws & weak spells
Minor recoil absorption
Price: 1 Gold
---
6. Mist-Edge Spear (Tier 2)
Effect:
Tip forged in mist caves
Extends reach by 10 cm with mana
Price: 1 Gold
---
There were even more — too many to list.
Raizen stared at them, impressed.
Just like a game…
Then his eyes dropped to the plaque:
Price: 1 Gold
Raizen froze.
One gold?
I have 100 silver… but what does that mean?
Then—
A panel appeared.
---
[Currency of this world]
1 Bronze
100 Bronze = 1 Silver
100 Silver = 1 Gold
100 Gold = 1 Ruby
100 Ruby = 1 Diamond
---
Raizen smirked.
Perfect timing.
So 100 silver = 1 gold…
If I buy a Tier 2 weapon, all my money is gone instantly…
I can't waste everything on just one weapon.
He looked down.
There were weapons neatly stacked:
common swords
spears
daggers
shields
All arranged cleanly, but without any descriptions.
Raizen frowned.
"Why don't these weapons have details?"
He didn't notice the pair of eyes watching him from behind the counter.
---
A young woman behind the counter adjusted her round glasses.
Her eyes lit up like a starving cat seeing food.
FINALLY! A customer!
One whole week since opening my shop and nobody came!
Master, you said this would be a good location… liar!
She focused intensely on Raizen and David.
She pressed her glasses up proudly.
Time to use the "observation technique" Master taught me.
She looked at David:
Sword… posture… aura…
Yep! Rookie knight!
Then she looked at Raizen:
Fragile body… weak arms…
But handsome face…
Then her eyes widened.
Spatial ring!?
Not just any ring…
That's AT LEAST a 5000 kg capacity one!
Her mind exploded with conclusions.
This kid… must be from a super rich family!
He probably ran away from home to become a mercenary!
She puffed up proudly.
Hmph! As expected of me.
My observation skills are perfect!
…She was wrong about everything.
---
A calm, gentle voice spoke:
"That's because those weapons are Tier 1.
Tier 1 weapons don't have special effects."
Raizen turned.
The shop lady stood there:
Short brown hair
Fair-skinned
A simple white blouse and brown vest
A knee-length skirt with ink stains
Round glasses she kept adjusting nervously
A belt full of potion vials
And a warm smile mixed with "please buy something…"
Her shop was neatly arranged:
shelves of potions
racks of herbs
tools like grinders, flasks, tongs, funnels
wooden counters piled with labels and books
Raizen nodded.
"Oh, that explains it."
He then looked behind her— potions lined up on the wall.
---
Strength Potion
A red liquid swirling inside a small glass bottle.
Effect:
Boosts strength for 1 minute
Works on Bronze-1 to Bronze-4
Price: 5 silver
---
Healing Potion
Green liquid with a soft glow.
Effect:
Heals minor wounds
Stops bleeding even from deep cuts
Price: 5 silver
---
Mana Recovery Potion
Blue liquid with glitter-like particles inside.
Effect:
Recovers small amount of mana
Works on Bronze-1 to Bronze-4
Price: 5 silver
---
Raizen instantly made his decision.
He placed his hand on the counter.
"I'll take 5 strength potions and 5 healing potions."
The lady's eyes sparkled.
"T-That will be 50 silver!
But you're our first customer, so you get 50% off!"
Raizen raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Then can I get a Tier 2 weapon for 50% off too?"
The lady didn't even hesitate.
"Yes, sir!"
Raizen smirked.
He grabbed the Iron-Reinforced Sword (Tier 2) and handed it to David.
David's face lit up like he just saw a goddess descend from heaven.
"L-Lord…!"
His voice trembled.
"I will serve you till death!"
The shop lady giggled softly.
"You really do have loyal knights, sir."
Raizen smiled slightly.
But then, something clicked in his mind.
She's talking to me… kindly?
No disgust?
No mocking?
Does she didn't know me?
She must be new here.
Raizen tilted his head.
"Lady… are you new here?"
The shopkeeper pushed her glasses up and nodded brightly.
"Yes, sir! I'm from Mistral Haven, a small town near the eastern mountains!"
Then—
her smile collapsed.
Her lips trembled.
And tears started streaming instantly.
"B-But that bastard back home told me this place was PERFECT for opening a shop!"
She sniffed loudly—HOOONK—
then kept crying dramatically.
"He said warriors come here every day!
He said business would boom!
But… but I didn't get even ONE customer for a whole WEEK!"
She rubbed her eyes like a little kid.
Raizen blinked.
Then a small smile appeared on his face.
He raised his hand, waving gently.
"Calm down, calm down…"
His voice was soft, surprisingly gentle.
His body language relaxed— shoulders dropping, expression kind, hands raised slightly like he was comforting a child.
Inside his mind, Raizen sighed.
Well… whoever that bastard is didn't exactly lie.
There IS a warrior stay place near here…
But she had no idea the entire town hates me, so I could buy things without trouble.
He looked at the crying shopkeeper again.
The lady sniffed again, wiping her tears dramatically, completely unaware she was talking to the most hated person in town.