The city was quite enormous, he had to admit.
That day, when he returned with the demon, he had taken the most straightforward route toward the heart of the town, where the Legion office was located as well. He had made sure to keep witnesses around who could vouch for him and confirm his name to the Count.
However, now that he was walking from the guild toward the market, he realized just how difficult it would be to explore this place in a single day.
Fortunately, he had asked the receptionist where he could find weapons after paying for the map.
The cost had been rather ridiculous considering why he had purchased it in the first place, but Bran was perfectly willing to accept the expense. He had more than enough to spend, after all. Besides, obtaining a map of the eastern zone of the forest would undoubtedly prove useful later.
[Host, the system could scan and save the map, if the host wishes to.]
Bran hummed in surprise. "You can? Do that, then."
He raised the map, and moments later, a notification appeared.
[Map scanned. You can access it in the newly generated tab.]
Bran appreciated the convenience. This way, he wouldn’t have to physically carry maps around with him.
Better yet, he could simply find a map, have the system scan it, and be done with it. The system would preserve the information, saving him from having to spend coins on another copy. Quite an excellent feature, in fact.
’Speaking of that, system, I remember you mentioned something called Shop on Demand?’
[Indeed, host. You can demand anything to be purchased from the shop. However, only items that do not exceed the current era’s technological limits can be acquired.]
Bran inwardly grumbled.
He had been thinking about buying a gun and mowing down the goblins with a single magazine.
But now...
’Can I get an enhanced sword or something?’
Back in his previous life, Bran had practiced fencing and archery for a time. He wasn’t completely clueless when it came to weapons, at least.
But training against dummies and opponents he had never intended to kill was an entirely different experience from facing something that genuinely wanted him dead.
When he had fought the demon, he had managed to suppress the fear because of Hunter class. It was only afterward, once the effects of the job had worn off and the reality of what he had done finally settled in, that he had been shaken from head to toe.
So yes, this time, things were going to be very different.
[Enhanced weapons cost quite a high amount, host.]
[For example:]
[Name: Vibration Sword]
[Rank: Bronze]
[Price: 200 CP]
[Description: A sword enhanced by runes that vibrates rapidly, making it easier to slash through objects.]
[Note: Because the material used isn’t particularly strong, the sword’s expected lifespan isn’t very long.]
[Current Balance: 130 CP]
"..."
No wonder the system hadn’t recommended it. Even though the weapon was enhanced, the system itself couldn’t guarantee how long it would last.
As he continued through the market, Bran couldn’t help but wonder. If even a basic enhanced weapon cost that much, what would the price be for weapons capable of piercing the heavens or cleaving mountains in two?
’Yeah, I need to chill out.’
Shaking his head, Bran pushed those thoughts aside and finally stopped in front of a weapon store. It was time to see what this world had to offer.
"How can I help you?" the man asked from the other side of the counter.
Spread out before him was an assortment of weapons, crude in their craftsmanship but unmistakably forged from steel. Throwing knives, maces, swords, shields, lances, spears, and countless other implements of war filled the display.
"How much for these?"
Bran picked up a short throwing blade. It resembled a kunai, though it was considerably lighter than he had initially expected.
"Two silver for one," the man replied. "Take three, and I’ll let them go for five."
Bran placed five silver coins on the counter and took the three blades. He would need them later when it was time to deal with the goblins.
The shopkeeper grinned, apparently pleased that the transaction had been so simple.
"Why not take a look at the swords as well? Maybe you’ll find something that catches your eye..."
"No, thanks." Bran shook his head before looking back at the man. "Do you have poison?"
The shopkeeper hummed thoughtfully. "I do, but it won’t be potent enough to kill a human. Certainly not the magical kind."
Bran frowned. "What gave you the impression that I was planning to?"
The man chuckled.
"Nothing stays secret around here. You’re the Governor’s brat, aren’t you?"
Bran’s brows rose in surprise as he understood what the man was implying. So the news had already spread, huh?
Well, it wasn’t as though he cared.
Sooner or later, the matter was bound to become a source of entertainment for the public anyway. There was little point in worrying about it now.
Shaking his head, Bran said, "Just give me the poisons you have."
The shopkeeper shrugged before reaching beneath the counter and pulling out a collection of large pouches. He placed them in front of Bran.
"Go ahead and choose whichever one you want. This one is made from grey curl..."
"No need for that." Bran stopped him and picked up one of the pouches.
He activated his Assassin class.
The change was immediate.
The faint scent of poison reached his nose, and Bran’s brows drew together.
’Not enough.’
Somehow, he could discern its potency with remarkable clarity. He didn’t need to taste it or study its contents. His instincts simply told him that the poison in his hand was far too weak to serve his purpose.
Dissatisfied, he set it aside.
He picked up another pouch.
Then a third.
Each was placed separately from the others as Bran continued his silent examination. His expression shifted with each one, ranging from outright disappointment to the occasional quiet hum of appreciation.
Across the counter, the shopkeeper watched him in silence, his amusement gradually giving way to curiosity.
The boy certainly seemed to know what he was looking for.
Once he had gone through all eighteen of them, Bran selected three and asked, "How much for these?"
"The whole batch?" the owner asked, clearly surprised.
Bran nodded.
The man hummed thoughtfully. "I’d need to measure how many vials I could fill with them first, and each vial costs two silver. So..."
Bran rolled his eyes and tossed a single gold coin onto the counter.
"Hope this covers all of it."
The man’s face immediately split into a broad grin.
"More than enough. Please, visit my humble store again."
Bran soon left the market and walked a short distance away. Once he found an empty alley, he ducked inside and began mixing the poisons.
It was surprisingly easy to find such precise components. When combined in the right proportions, they could produce something considerably more lethal than any of them were on their own.
Once the mixture was ready, Bran dipped his blades into the pouch, coating their edges with the deadly substance.
When he pulled them back out, a faint greenish sheen lingered across the steel.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"Time for some goblin slaying."