Chương 36: Armor Set Part 1

Hekter leaned over the mountain of junk, his lone tooth gleaming like a trophy as he watched me finish my inspection.

"So, my sharp eyed friend, do these instruments of thunder meet the high standards of your soul?" Hekter asked, his voice filled with the hopeful rasp of a man who was seconds away from a payday.

"Do you feel the destiny vibrating within the iron?" I looked down at the assortment of scuffed metal and splintery wood. They weren't exactly museum pieces, but they were a hell of a lot better than the "not enough" I was currently packing for the second floor. Plus, they had that rugged, lived in charm that suggested they had already survived several previous owners, which was a good enough endorsement for me.

"They are perfect in a dirty, somewhat dangerous way," I said, offering him a satisfied nod.

"I will take the whole set. Wrap them up, or just leave them there, I am buying them all." Hekter's smile managed to grow even wider, which I hadn't thought was biologically possible without his head splitting in half.

"A wise choice! A magnificent choice!" he cackled, rubbing his hands together.

"For the complete quartet of destruction, the tribute to the house of Hekter shall be a mere forty gold coins. A pittance for the power to command the battlefield!" I didn't even hesitate. I flicked my wrist to summon the golden interface, watching the numbers shimmer in the dusty air before I reached into the digital ether.

One by one, forty gleaming gold coins manifested in my hand, and I piled them onto the wooden counter with a series of rhythmic, heavy clinks that seemed to make the old man's heart skip a beat. Hekter scooped up the gold with a burst of manic laughter, his fingers dancing over the coins like he was playing a tiny, expensive piano. I reached out and brushed my fingers against the cold iron of the guns.

One by one, the weapons dissolved into a flurry of sapphire blue particles, swirling like a mini tornado before being sucked into my private pocket dimension. It was the ultimate magic trick, and I never got tired of watching my inventory swallow up new toys. [Current Loadout: Your primary equipped weapon is the Revolver. Your secondary equipped weapon is the Flintlock. The Musket, Blunderbuss, and Hand Mortar have been transferred to your pocket dimension. These items may be swapped into your active slots by utilizing your unique skill: Rearm.] I felt the familiar weight of the system's knowledge settle in my mind, confirming that my new boom sticks were tucked away and ready for action. I stood there, feeling significantly more lethal and only slightly less bankrupt, ready to see what other "treasures" this glorious disaster of a shop had hidden in the corners.

I leaned over the counter, trying to look like a savvy consumer instead of a guy who was just happy to be wearing something that didn't have bloodstains from three different species on it. I still had eighty gold coins left, which in the grand scheme of Inizio probably made me a middle-class hero, or at least someone who could afford the premium bread at the tavern.

"Alright, Hekter, the bank of Arthur is still open for business," I said, giving my remaining gold a mental jingle.

"I have eighty gold coins left that are burning a hole in my pocket dimension. What else do you have in this glorious treasure trove that can keep me from becoming a monster's afternoon snack?" Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Hekter let out another one of those sharp, dust-triggering claps, his eyes bulging with the sheer thrill of a repeat customer.

"Aha! A warrior who understands that the boom of the gun is only as strong as the shield that guards the heart!" Hekter chirped, his voice vibrating with commercial glee.

"A master of the hunt must be draped in the finest protection to ensure his legend survives the night! Stay your feet, my golden friend, for I have just the thing to wrap your mortal frame in the safety of hide and iron!" The old man didn't just walk; he scrambled. He dove back into the chaotic landscape of his shop, his bald head bobbing through the sea of rusted gear like a buoy in a storm.

I watched as he wrestled with a particularly stubborn pile of leather and metal, muttering to himself about craftsmanship and destiny while tossing aside items that looked like they belonged in a museum of failed inventions. With a series of grunts and triumphant shouts, he began returning to the counter, his arms full of various bits and pieces. One by one, he slammed them down onto the scarred wood, each piece arriving with a heavy thud and a fresh cloud of vintage aroma.

"Feast your eyes upon these beauties!" Hekter exclaimed, stepping back and wiping a smudge of grease onto his already filthy apron.

"Do not merely look at them with your eyes, but feel the protection they offer with your very spirit! Go on, check these out and see for yourself why Hekter is the name on every survivor's lips!" I narrowed my eyes at the new mountain of gear that had replaced my weapons on the counter. I eased toward the scarred wooden counter, squinting through the hazy layers of floating dust to get a better look at the spread Hekter had laid out for me.

It was a collection of gear that screamed "I am on a budget but I really enjoy not dying," and I started my inspection with the meticulous care of a guy who didn't want to buy a jacket held together by hope and earwax. First, I picked up the Squint Guard Bandana.

••••• Name: Squint-Guard Bandana Type: Headgear Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Focus Fabric – The tight fit keeps hair and sweat out of the eyes, allowing the user to maintain sightlines slightly longer without blinking. Description: A simple piece of rugged cloth tied around the forehead. It offers no real defense against a strike, but it provides a clean field of vision for a Gunner who needs to stay locked on a target.

••••• It was a rugged strip of cloth that felt surprisingly tough, like it had been woven from the stubbornness of a thousand survivors. I gave it a little stretch, imagining it keeping my bangs from betraying me during a high stakes shootout. Next, I moved on to the main event, the Padded Gambit Jacket.

••••• Name: Padded Gambit Jacket Type: Armor Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Quick-Strap Buckles – The jacket uses simple friction buckles instead of complex buttons, allowing the user to adjust the fit for better mobility in a single tug. Description: A lightweight coat lined with thin layers of wool. It won't stop a bullet or a blade, but the flexible material ensures the user isn't restricted when aiming or reloading under pressure.

••••• It was a lightweight piece of work lined with wool that felt soft enough to be cozy but sturdy enough to keep the wind from whistling through my ribs. I toyed with the friction buckles, enjoying the lack of complex buttons that usually baffled my motor skills under pressure. I reached out and snagged the Scout's Breeches from the pile.

••••• Name: Scout's Breeches Type: Leggings Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Lightweight Weave – The thin, airy fabric allows the user to move their legs with zero resistance, making it slightly easier to reposition quickly. Description: Simple cloth leggings designed for maximum mobility. They provide no protection against attacks, but the sheer lack of weight ensures the user never feels weighed down while maneuvering into a better firing position.

••••• The fabric was so thin and airy that I was half worried a stiff breeze might make me indecent, but the sheer lack of weight was a Gunner's dream. These were definitely made for someone who planned on doing a lot of tactical retreating.