Chapter 19: Money Talks

The shops in the Capital are just as spectacular as I expected. Each one is filled with the most high quality products the kingdom of DuSud has to offer. Through the colored glass windows we see jewels, lavish clothing, weapons, magic items, you name it! Guille gives us our payment for escorting him. 3,000 gold each just as promised. Our first stop is at a tailor. We each get our measurements taken by a tall wiry man with large round spectacles. It tickles as he measures the width of my chest. The tailor must have some magic abilities or sewing minions in the back because he produces three outfits for each of us in little less than an hour! A formal outfit for court, a casual but fancy outfit for parties and events, then lastly a leisure outfit for… leisure I guess.

Our next stop is a shop with a sign out front that says ‘Claw and Fang’. Kizzik stops me at the entrance to give me some advice.

“Grab a sturdy weapon. Don’t go for any of that flashy stuff. Focus on dependable, lightweight blades for those scrawny noodle arms. Maybe a short sword?”

I try my best to listen but there's just so much to choose from in the weapon shop and they all look so cool! There are battleaxes with gems embedded in the hilt and ornate great swords that would put excalibur to shame. Then my gaze falls on a giant hammer with dragon heads at the bludgeoning end. My eyes go shiny as I reach for the dragon hammer. I must have it!

Whack!

“OWW!” I yelp as Kizzik smacks my hand away.

“Were you even listening to me!? This is the flashiest thing in here! You’d be dead before you could swing it once!” Kizzik scolds me.

“Not if I’m using the suit.” I pout, rubbing my sore hand.

“Uh huh. And where are you gonna put it when you’re not wearing your fancy armor?” Kizzik asks.

Ah. Okay maybe they have a point. I put it back reluctantly. Still, I’ll always remember you, dragon hammer. I opt instead for a sturdy looking short sword. It’s nothing special but it feels really well balanced and very light. I also grab a small dagger that has a little stretching cat as its handle. The weapons merchant throws in a nice leather back scabbard as well. All told, It costs about 200 gold.

After the weapon shop, we head over to ‘Dungeon Gear and Supplies’. Armor, dungeoneer packs, tents, bedrolls, that kind of thing. I’m able to pick up a nice set of leather armor that’ll fit well beneath my exo suit. The cuirass, greaves, and vambraces altogether cost 150. I get my own bed roll and tent for another 55 gold.

Our last shopping destination is a magical item shop called ‘Maria’s Moon Gems’. Rina and I go together while Kizzik heads for the casino rubbing their scaly hands together maniacally. I could practically see the dollar signs in their eyes.

The magic store owner is a bigger bodied woman with soft purple hair. She sits behind a large counter filled with all kinds of bobbles I can’t identify. The shop is stuffed with strange and interesting looking artifacts, crystals and incense, like a thrift store for the arcane. She gives us a warm smile as we enter.

“Hello there travelers! Welcome to my store, I’m Maria. What can I get for you today? We’re having a sale on wolf’sbane if you’re interested!”

Rina greets her graciously. “Well met, Maria. My friend and I are looking for a few items. I’d like a new staff and he would like to look at your mana crystals. Pure ones if you have them.”

She handles Rina’s request first, leading us over to the back wall that holds several beautiful staffs. Some are wood, some metal. Some have figureheads on the top while others hold colorful crystals. The woman directs Rina to a silver staff. The head is a sculpture of a bird of prey, wings outstretched.

“This is the Staff of Bennu. It amplifies the power of fire type magic cast with it.” Maria says.

Rina’s eyes light up immediately. It’s as if she’s magnetically drawn to the silver. She plucks it off the wall and holds it against her forehead.

“It’s warm. I can sense its spirit. Wild, powerful, wanting to break free.” Rina whispers.

“You’re already in tune with each other. Impressive. I’ll part with it for 1500.” The woman says with a nod.

“1200.” Rina counters.

“1350.” Maria counters back.

“Done.” They shake hands

The store owner turns her attention to me now and my request. I figure now is a good time to stock up on extra mana crystals. I’d love to get back to full power mode soon. Being that strong was a little addicting if I’m being honest. Maria shows me to a glass case filled with crystals of all sizes, shapes and colors.

“If you’re looking for mana crystals, you came to the right place. I have all affinities and can guarantee at least 95% purity for all the ones you see here.”

The multicolored stones are each conveniently labeled with their mana type. I consult Minerva before I pick out the ones I want.

Does it matter what kind of crystal I use to power the suit?

[The more important factor for power supply is purity. However, If you wish to utilize elemental based attacks, you will need to absorb mana of the intended type. Additionally, you can feed different types of crystals to the photon blade to change its attribute.]

Whoa, awesome!

[That statement is accurate.]

I pick out three lightning, three earth, two wind, two fire, and two ice crystals for a total of twelve. That should work for now.

“Excellent choices! That’ll be 1,500 gold total.”

Geez that’s more than double what I paid for everything else. Rina wasn't kidding about these things being expensive. I pay up and she hands me the crystals in a wooden box, each one wrapped in velvet.

“Thanks for shopping with me. Hope to see you again soon!” She says cheerfully. We meet back up with Kizzik and Guille and make our way to the grand hotel.