"Woah, what the hell happened to you?"
Sitting inside a carriage again, a voice resounded inside Michael's head. The statement further added guilt on losing a hereditary trait—losing his most attractive feature, his ocean blue eyes.
But this time, they sat inside a more luxurious transportation. It was as if they had added wheels to a castle room—it was made of expensive materials one would see in the royal palace although he had only stayed there for a short while.
Mainly built of expensive stones and glistening wood, its quality obvious even to inexperienced eyes. Pieces of jewelry were even used as design…
"Haa…" Michael sighed. Regretting his decision of making that potion greatly. The potion he lost anyways…
"Don't worry, it was an accident. Even Celine said it was a common injury, some even paid for their eyes to be intentionally bleached!" Chase stated, softly smiling at him.
But it felt like Chase was looking at something else despite gazing at him in the eyes. Michael glanced back skeptically.
"I doubt it, she was probably just saying that to make me feel better." He refuted.
"You're flattering yourself, it must be real. Because if it wasn't, she'll probably drag you down even more—checkmate!!" Zack chimed in, exclaiming as he slammed a tower-like piece on a checkered board.
"I hate how true that sounds. Also, think again—-checkmate.." Michael knocked the piece to the side using a similar item, trapping another wearing a crown.
"Damn it!"
______________________
Name: Zack Grey
Age: 16
Race: Human
VIT: 99
STR: 130
______________________
[ Agh! How did he know?! ]
[ Frustrated, Irritated, Disappointed ]
"Hehe," Michael smugly grinned whilst Zack could only click his tongue in defeat.
"Good game." Chase clapped from the sidelines.
"There's nothing good with a ten-lose streak…" Zack retorted with a sigh.
Leaning back on his seat, Michael followed up an insult starting a back and forth banter.
They laughed, talked, and bickered. They looked like ordinary high schoolers living life. But beneath the glint of their eyes, lies the events they experienced that no kid should have…
Conversing, the carriage suddenly skidded to a halt.
"We're here!" Somebody in another carriage exclaimed, pointing towards the front. They followed and…
"Oh, wow."
Carved into the mountain, a settlement stood at its side, with a mighty wall surrounding the space. While its green area on the left was turned into a farm. Great contrast compared to the town filled with smoke, black and gloomy with dark stone and materials.
The kind of look depicted back on Earth associated with dwarves—a blacksmith city with a semi-steampunk look.
But what caught Michael's attention was the symmetry. Buildings were aligned perfectly, each row higher than the other because of the slope.
However, the scenery just screams 'Life is miserable!', an ironically familiar sight. And sure enough, the atmosphere was the same also once they entered—an industrial slavery.
After a quick security check, they were able to get it. In fact, they were excluded as soon as the guards saw the emblem. Some were annoyed when they cut lines but were soon silenced when they saw the royal crest.
Right next to the road, there was a stone path where travelers on foot would get checked. That was the first time Michael saw normal people from that world. But normal wouldn't exactly fit as various humanoid beings lined up.
Michael was astounded by the diverse life forms. However, the thought that came to his mind was rather…questionable.
'I wonder how racism works in this world.'
Which in paper, was understandable because of Earth's current state, but still, it sounds pretty fucked up.
Meanwhile, the residents felt shivers down their spine seeing him ogling at them from behind the window…
'Another perverted noble,' They thought. Unbeknownst to the students, the city was hiding something sinister…
Upon entering, the space looked…pretty normal? Yes, almost everyone had their weapons out in public, but other than that, it feels like an ordinary workday.
Everyone was rushing, holding bags, wearing formal attire, and more. It quite literally just looks like society a few decades older but with cosplayers running rampant.
Michael's teenage fantasies finally took off seeing the sight despite not turning out as he expected it to. But not from the thrill of adventure, he hates unnecessary effort, but from the food!
Watching, playing, and even reading fantasy stories all he could think of was the food. Saving the world? Let others do such repetitive and mundane tasks, Michael would rather cook and eat all kinds of food! Plus points if it was an achievement!
But so far, food has been rather bland in the dormitory so he was hoping to try some of the street snacks here.
Although despite his passion for food, cooking was the only hobby he had never tried.
He drooled through the entire ride until they stopped in front of a 3-story shop, "Clement's Smithery"
They all hopped down the carriages, getting envious and ill looks from others.
"I assume all of you at least know how to socialize," Celine said, walking out of the carriage with grace, catching the attention of every bystander. The previous ill intentions disappeared as quickly as they came, instead awestruck, stunned by the beauty in front of them.
Leaning on the carriage, she continued. "Ten minutes. Get everything you need."
"Only ten minutes?" Dave asked nonchalantly before cowering seeing her glare, "I-I, mean, yes ma'am…" His body did not match his meek personality anymore.
He was no longer thin and frail, he had a chiseled physique just slightly smaller than Michael.
"This is also one way to test your eyes for weapons and time management," She stated before scoffing, reminding them of their statuses. "Hmph!"
Immediately, Steve and his gons rushed inside, arrogantly shouting. "Give me your best items!" Clearly heard from outside.
Michael swiftly followed as to not get left out on high-quality weapons and saw the scornful looks of the blacksmiths change into a beaming smile within split seconds gazing at the royal emblem Steve proudly flaunted.
"Erg…" Michael couldn't help but cringe seeing the hypocrisy. Looks like human nature is the same anywhere…
He ignored the blacksmiths kissing up to Steve's arse and assessed the shop.
The store was rather big, approximately 10x10 meters. Well, all buildings in the town were the same. Just varying in height depending on the location; the further and higher you go, the higher the buildings were also.
Racks of weapons were arranged like a general store with categoried aisles. But most of the products were at the back while the blacksmiths' workstations were at the front. Michael assumed it was for easy and accessible commissions.
As for the materials, the walls were made out of black bricks, same with the floors of the workstations before transitioning into light wood in the aisles.
Michael didn't have any particular weapon he wanted so he figured he could just restock his equipment; the broken sword, blunt ax, lost spear, and the bow that snapped from his fall. And get some light armor to avoid unnecessary wounds like the arrow that stabbed him in the stomach.
He entered the sword section first and quickly walked through it, finding two swords to his liking. Both had a total sum of 13 gold so he decided to take the pair.
[ Migthy Iron Falchion (Good) {99.98} ]
[ Steel Scimitar (Great) {98.99} ]
Next, he reached the ax section and just took a sharper, longer ax than the one he had.
[ Copper Sagaris (Normal) {87.99} ]
"Hopefully this is enough to bash someone's head with," Michael mumbled which made a shop assistant flinch on the other side.
Entering the spear compartment, he decided to get one that could also slice in case of a situation that needs him to hack at something far-away.
[ Silver War Scythe (Great) {91.90} ]
Unfortunately, there weren't any bows in the smithy so he had to settle with just the arrows since his previous ones were made out of stone.
[ Tin Arrows (Normal) {68.40} ] x32
As for the armor, he took a simple and basic set.
[ Hardskin Gauntlets (Normal) {56.90} ]
[ Hardskin Boots (Normal) {67.12} ]
[ Hardskin Cuirass (Normal) {87.09} ]
[ Hardskin Shoulderpads (Normal) {75.32} ]
It looked like a beast's fur from the brown color, presumably from a bear Michael recognized from the texture.
Which he knows after he daringly reached inside an enclosure and touched a bear for five seconds. It did not end well for him when he got scolded by not only his parents and employees but the crowd also.
He won't be forgetting that for the rest of his life.
Well, maybe. Since starting from now, he'll be doing things even crazier.
In total, he had bought 102 gold worth of items. Half the money Celine had given them.
At the end of the shopping, Michael was wheezing for air. He had pushed himself using Thorough Analysis.
"Time's up! Get out right now!" Celine called out shortly after he finished paying.
Everyone started scurrying outside hearing the signal.
Supporting himself on a shelf, Michael huffed when he heard familiar footsteps behind him.
"What did you get?" Zack asked, nudging him from behind.
Michael turned around to reply but saw something glinting at the corner of his eyes, surprising him greatly.
"Holy…"
"What's wrong?"
Hidden on a corner, a weapon shone brightly. Covered by other poor-quality armaments to hide the beauty.
[ Titanium Glaive (Epic) {100} ]
Michael rushed to the item and looked at the price tag, 80 gold.
He grinned from ear to ear gazing at the item. He could totally buy this!
It would blow out the money Celine gave, but he still has the 50 monthly gold allowance of the king!
With a beaming smile, he asked, "Sir, can I buy-"
But suddenly, he was shoved to the side by someone—Steve wearing a condescending smile. "I would like this,"
"Great choice sir! It is our best creation! You indeed have great eyes." A shop assistant cajoled with a clap.
"But I-" Michael tried to compete but was glared at by the personnel viscously.
Michael felt his knees weaken from the scowl.
He could only bite his lips bitterly as Steve stole his weapon…
Even to the inexperienced eyes, the differences were obvious. Not only in how they present themselves but also in confidence.
In a world where strong devours weak, people would naturally assume that those who lower their heads are weak.
He wanted to believe he was stronger, but during the training, the differences were revealed—the difference between the slow and fast growth speed...
Despite his efforts, he was overtaken in all aspects.
The grim reality that would be brought to light as soon as they return to the castle and see their stats.