"You want to buy an antique gun as a birthday gift for your father?"
The store manager was surprised, and so were the customers in the store.
But it's not surprising they reacted this way, as visitors to Gun Street usually have one target: to purchase a desired firearm with suitable firepower, be it a pistol or a rifle.
There are those who buy antique guns, but they are a very specific group of people.
At the very least, it's rare to see a high school student among them.
The reason is simple: most antique guns have lost their firearm functionality and are very expensive.
In some ways, they are luxury items, beyond the means of an ordinary high school student. Those who can afford them have other channels to obtain better firearms.
However, the reason Tang Qi gave was faultless.
A seemingly well-off "rich second generation" buying an antique gun for a father who has that interest, who could find fault in that?
Of course, Tang Qi wouldn't mention that his real father had already passed away.
His purpose in buying the antique gun was of course to find a weapon for self-defense.
With firearms available, Tang Qi naturally wouldn't resort to using knives or clubs.
But given his age, he was unable to purchase those powerful new firearms, so he turned his attention to antique guns.
The reason he didn't choose to take risks by purchasing real firearms through some shady channels was twofold.
First, he was unwilling to expose the identity he was currently working hard to maintain, and second, it hadn't reached a point where he had to risk everything.
Antique guns, as long as some could still function as firearms, were sufficient.
Perhaps the original owner had little knowledge about firearms, but Tang Qi himself had plenty.
In his previous life, he was a gun enthusiast who had even gone to the United States to experience guns firsthand, and he took a keen interest in antique guns, relying on the abundant information available on the internet.
Here, a high school student would absolutely not possess expert knowledge on repairing antique guns.
This was because the internet had not yet emerged.
The civilization of Origin Blue Star was currently stuck at this point in technological development.
Realizing these things, the burly Caucasian store manager immediately turned from solemn to enthusiastic, and his gaze towards Tang Qi became like that of a beloved… sucker.
"Selling an antique gun can cover half a month's income for this lousy shop."
Muttering this to himself, the store manager enthusiastically led Tang Qi inside.
At the far end of the counter, with a "snap," a thick catalog dropped in front of Tang Qi.
The cover featured an exceedingly ancient matchlock gun.
The store manager patted the catalog proudly and said, "I always appreciate people who show filial piety. Take your time to choose. In the entire Gun Street, no one can compare with me when it comes to collecting antique guns. Just tell me which one you like, and I'll give you a 10% discount."
While the store manager was speaking, Tang Qi had already opened the catalog.
The price of the first antique gun he saw nearly made him roll his eyes.
It was very expensive.
Although Tang Qi had only recently come into this world, he was already well-acquainted with the prices.
The prices of the antique guns in this catalog were more than ten times the cost of new firearms.
For less firepower, but at prices ten to even a hundred times more, no wonder Tang Qi felt like rolling his eyes, and no wonder the store manager was so generous.
Unfortunately, even a 10% discount couldn't mask the essence of ripping off customers.
But now, Tang Qi didn't have much room to be picky; he patiently started flipping through.
Just after skimming through a few pages, Tang Qi became somewhat immersed.
Like antique swords, antique guns also possess an enchanting artistic charm—an amalgamation of epochs and bloodshed, where steel meets gunpowder.
If he hadn't come with a specific purpose, Tang Qi would have truly enjoyed a thorough appreciation.
Especially since Origin Blue Star and Previous Earth were somewhat similar but still greatly different in many aspects, notably in firearms which are more exaggerated and wild on Blue Star.
Various enchanting antique guns, imbued with the aura of time, exude an irresistibly enticing fragrance.
After earnestly admiring a few pages, Tang Qi began to flip through them rapidly, pretending to pick a gift based solely on appearances, which further convinced the store manager that a big deal was about to be struck.
Soon, Tang Qi selected about a dozen antique guns.
Most of them still functioned, while a few that were meant as a decoy could only be displayed as art pieces.
"Store Manager, these are my choices; I'd like to see the actual items."
"No problem!"
The white robust store manager was very patient with a potential major customer.
He summoned two svelte waitresses from the store, and soon they placed over a dozen boxes in front of Tang Qi.
Upon opening the first box, Tang Qi immediately saw a shimmering, ivory-handled pistol with a gold-plated body, hinting at the lavish and powerful first owner from just a glance.
The store manager timely chimed in, "This is the Wake Lion Gold Pistol, custom made by the notable slave owner Earl William for his juniors and subordinates, with less than a hundred existing. It's the treasure of my store."
Listening to the presentation, Tang Qi didn't even flicker his eyelids and directly turned to the second box.
A gold pistol?
Tang Qi was buying for self-defense, not to attract thieves.
The second box was much more reasonable: a revolver full of Wild West charm with a simple, brutal design, wooden handle, and a well-maintained light body.
"Kid, this is the Corona Revolver—once the Western cowboys' favorite partner, the perfect combination of simplicity and strength. Every man is bound to like it."
Tang Qi suppressed his excitement and moved on to the third box.
This time, it contained two large-caliber short-barreled pistols.
The hefty caliber and silver body immediately conjured the explosive scent of gunpowder and pungent sulfur.
"Kid, you've spotted my prized possession. These are a pair of Silver Hunters, and from Silver Hunters Company, only a thousand pairs were made. You can't take them without offering a price that excites me."
Clearly, this pair of pistols was very eye-catching, as Tang Qi could hear the sounds of many around him swallowing their saliva.
Honestly, Tang Qi was tremendously tempted.
This pair of large-caliber short-barreled pistols, fully functional, didn't need testing to know their formidable power.
However, driven by the principle of not missing out on good things, Tang Qi painstakingly continued to the next.
Subsequently, box after box was opened, showcasing antique guns of various styles and eras.
The store manager displayed patient and detailed introductions that revealed a collector-level depth of knowledge, broadening Tang Qi's horizons.
But as only one last box remained, Tang Qi still hadn't found anything surpassing the "Silver Hunters."
Just as Tang Qi resolved to decide, the svelte waitress ahead opened the last box.
Tang Qi, who had been about to deal for the Silver Hunters, abruptly paused.
"Eh"
As the shock echoed in his heart, Tang Qi's breath momentarily lost its rhythm.
His eyes quickly narrowed, focusing intently on the special interface emerging within his pupils.
There, the sudden appearance of the word "Curios" was glaringly bright, bringing an excitement Tang Qi almost couldn't contain.