As we wander, a shop catches my eye.
It's a small one, and the door is open, but the rain has driven all but a few curious stragglers away.
Which means the shop is practically empty, and I can poke around in peace.
I walk over and look at the wares.
It's a bit of a hodgepodge, with items of various kinds - weapons, jewelry, accessories, and more.
But there's one thing in particular that catches my eye.
A set of knives.
The blades are sharp, and the handles are carved.
I pick one up and weigh it in my hand.
"You looking for knives, son?"
The merchant leans over the counter, and I can see his face is lined with age, his eyes bright and curious.
I shake my head. "No. Just browsing."
I don't have the coin to buy anything. But I can get an idea of what's in this world and what's likely to drop off of enemies we encounter in the future if I look at what's for sale here.
"Hmm." He doesn't seem convinced, but he doesn't press. "Well, you're welcome to look."
I nod and turn back to the knives.
The blades are made of a strong metal, and the edges are well-kept.
I'm not much of a knife or dagger user, myself.
I've used them on challenge runs, of course, but performative challenge runs have been less important to me than just playing the hardest mode without any cheese tactics, exploits, or cheats.
Well, it really depends on the game.
Seems like a sword is a better choice in a world like this if I'm not going to be practicing actually rolling around and dodging, but with my high defense it's probably not an issue.
This shop doesn't have any swords to look at, though. It's not a proper blacksmith or weapon's shop.
Kael is investigating...something. I'm not quite sure what, and it's not really my business.
But.
Knives are interesting.
There are a lot of different kinds, and a lot of different styles.
But, while the blades are sharp and the handles are sturdy, none of them have the...
Right kind of weight.
Which is a strange feeling. I played plenty of games with knives and weapons in them, but I barely even used knives as cutlery in my previous life. Yet, my hands seem to just...know what's balanced and not.
--I can't tell if it's because I'm in a new world where my body is meant to fight so I have a base level muscle memory for battle, or if it's to do with one of those inane abilities of mine.
"Master, you are a weapon's master! You're an expert at any weapon you hold."
I sigh.
She did say something like that before.
It's annoying, but if I'm being fair, there are games like that - no skill trees or points for weapons, just advantages and disadvantages to every kind of weapon and the ability to freely choose any weapon.
I suppose I wouldn't really complain about an ability like that.
If. It were alone.
But it's not.
So it just feels like another point driving in the metaphorical knife.
"You like knives, eh?" The merchant says. "They're a good, practical choice for a traveler. No need to get bogged down with a sword or a staff, you can carry them in a belt or a sheath. Good for sneaking around with a weapon, too."
I blink and glance up at the man.
"Sneaking around?"
...A shop keeper is not the one who I'd expect to say that, is all.
He chuckles. "You know, I was a bit of a traveler in my youth, too. Got into many a trouble."
...Okay, then.
I suppose it makes sense. He's that sort of merchant.
Kael looks up then. "How much for this?"
The merchant glances at him, and Kael lifts a small box.
It's a lockbox.
"You've got an eye for the rare."
"Do I?" Kael hums and rolls his shoulders. "I just thought it'd be good to keep things in on the road."
"Oh, you're right, son. That's a fine lockbox." The merchant chuckles. "But, well. I don't have the key for it."
He clicks his tongue. "So you'll give me a discount."
The merchant laughs again, more of a cackle. "Alright then, boy, what is the price you were dreaming of?"
Kael grins.
It's a little unsettling.
I've never been much for haggling even in games that have it, but Kael is almost more enthusiastic about it than I've seen him about anything.
"Alright, then, you'll give me a deal."
The merchant chuckles, and Kael hands him the coins.
I guess it's a good bargain.
Kael seems satisfied with it, at least.
And since the one of us who has money is done shopping, I guess there's no more reason to dally.
Next time we come across a dungeon of some sort - because I'm sure somehow we'll be dragged into one before we get to the demon king, that's just how this world has gone so far - I need to make sure to grab some valuables.
I'm not really interested in upgrading my equipment if I don't have to, but it's just bad practice to walk around completely broke.
If he's expecting my business, he'll be waiting a while.
I'm still polite enough to give him a nod before I leave.
I'm not as rude outwardly as I happen to be inwardly, after all.
But speaking of...
"What are you going to do with a locked box and no key?"
Kael frowns slightly as he pockets it. "It's elven."
"...Okay?"
"Remember, Master!" That annoying voice pipes up in my head, "Elven artifacts shouldn't be in this town. They're considered cursed, and there should be no way for them to end up in it! But in this case-"
"...I could sell the bracelet to him."
Kael coughs.
I think it might be a laugh, actually.
He lifts a hand and shakes his head. "No. I'm pretty sure that guy didn't know this is elven. It's not obviously so unless you're much more familiar with elves than these people would be."
...Right, he has mentioned having some personal connection to the elves before.
I'm still tempted to try, though.
Even if I did want to try, though, it would mean taking it back from Meera before she even got to use it.
She mistreats herself so much as it is, I'm not sure I could add to that pile with an extra kick of senseless cruelty.
...But maybe. If I were sure I could actually sell it.
"Master!"