MIII fiddled with the shield in her hands, quickly switching modes back and forth.
"And you say this is a prototype?"
"Yep," Alex admitted, "the real thing will be a lot more impressive, just wait"
"And it works fine?"
"Well, it may jam if you change modes too often, but other than that, it's fine"
As if on queue, an angry clicking came from the shield, and the spines would not go up.
"So this is a usual problem?" MIII asked looking thoroughly unimpressed.
"I've heard performance issues can be quite a common problem" Alex said with a smirk.
"Oh, hah hah, very funny, so now it's broken right?"
"Nope," Alex said casually while grabbing the handle and cranking it back, causing some more clicking to occur and the spikes to stand straight up.
"A user manual would be nice though" Alex commented.
"Consider it done" MIII said casually, "but I'm sure you promised me an ego weapon as your first product"
"Just had to make sure you approved of the model, salvaging something with a soul is a bit moralllyy... dubious"
"I see, well I have things to do, here's the address of your new shop, you said you didn't need to use the inside, but it still looks better if anyone looks into you, best not to add to the growing list of spotlights to put on yourself"
"See you later then" Alex called after MIII as she left, before turning to the weapon in his hands, a small green pearl in his hands, "lets get started then"
[Beginning ego enhancement
materials:
Lesser guardian porcupine bone (metal), dormant material attributes:
Durability enhancement
Green guardians blessing
Stone armour
(no more skills are available due to a lack of material use, skill level, Int and Wis)
Lesser guardian porcupine flesh (wood), dormant material attributes:
Natural regeneration
Wall of nature
(no more skills are available due to a lack of material use, skill level, Int and Wis)
Lesser guardian porcupine skin (leather), dormant material attributes:
Stone bunker
glade of healing
(no more skills are available due to a lack of material use, skill level, Int and Wis)
Lesser guardian porcupine Needles (metal), dormant material attributes:
Spikes of earth
Natures spears
Wall of thorns
(no more skills are available due to a lack of material use, skill level, Int and Wis)
Lesser guardian porcupine mana cords (string), dormant material attributes:
Root bind
Stone support
(no more skills are available due to a lack of material use, skill level, Int and Wis)]
Alex made some quick choices and finalised the design, his first product, ready for sale.
...
Alex found a small building on the edge of the town centre, clean and pristine, as if brand new, completely untouched.
Alex found it a bit odd that no door was on the building, but it seems that MIII had expected me to do something about it and had blocked off the door.
Alex brought out the key and a small panel opened up in front of him.
[Your bound item 'The crafter's inter-dimensional key ring' has 1 unused 'room unlock token'
do you wish to use it?]
Alex quickly accepted,
[Listing options:
Key to the design room
Key to the jewelers workspace
Key to the factory
Key to the artificers lab
Key to the lounge
Key to the kitchen
Key to the bathroom
Key to the bedroom
Key to the armoury
Key to the store front]
Alex quickly picked the key to the store front, causing a small little 3D model of a small room to appear.
Many little icons of different furnishings and furniture where gathered around the model, Alex found that by grabbing them, he could place them anywhere in the store, and thought the options where scarce, he had a lot of fun messing with the layout for a few minutes.
He had a sister that worked in furniture and interior design industries, she had always had an eye for interior design and loved it to, so quite a decent chunk of Alex's child-hood was spent playing this kind of game with his sister.
After a few minutes of fiddling, Alex turned the new key into the buildings wall, and a welcoming little door sprung into being.
[You have opened your first store front door
Would you like to make this a permanent door?
If this door is made permanent, non team members will be able to enter, and the door will remain unless removed, only one permanent door may be placed at the moment]
[Permanent door has been confirmed
Type: Store front
Due to the type 'Store front' a brand logo can be created, would you like to create the logo by hand, or have the system take care of it?]
Alex elected to leave the logo out of his hands, he was never that good at art, much to his eldest sister's lament.
[Please input your brand name]
[Brand name 'Nature's Treasure' has been assigned
Beginning brand logo creation, please stand by
...
...
...
Brand logo completed, please give your validation for the design]
The logo depicted a slightly simplified deer skull at the bottom, with a circle of vines, thorns and roses circling the perimeter of the logo, the antlers of the deer skull forming a weaving web in-between.
Alex approved the design, though he knew it would be a bitch to engrave on any of his works.
[Logo had been approved
Brand logo seal has been gifted
Brand logo will now be displayed in front of the permanent door]
Alex watched as a small hanging sign appeared above the door, proudly displaying the logo of Alex's new brand.
Giving the board a quick slap, just for fun, Alex entered into the store.
All around, areas to hang weapons and other items where scattered about in a rather pleasing arrangement if Alex said so himself, he decided not to display armour yet, as it would have to be made to order, and all of his items where one of a kind, so a display model would see little use.
for now, Alex placed the new ego weapon on a display pedestal, and placed all of the useable prototypes in a box off to the side, making sure to price them at a very affordable rate.
Finally, he took out the necklace MIII had given him and placed it around his neck.
Immediately, his appearance changed, his height diminished, his back straitened, his limbs retreated into his body, and his skin returned to that of a normal human, for the most part, he looked like a completely average man, except for the massive deer skull stubbornly clinging to his head.
Alex shrugged it off, it went well with the logo.
For now, he sat down, and waited, and waited, and waited some more.
After a solid two hours of nothing, Alex was bored out of his mind, maybe he should invest in a marketing campaign.
As he started drafting a basic flyer to throw from the rooftops, the door swung open.
A young man, no older than 16 stepped through the door, followed by a heavily armoured knight, clad in pure white, with wings etched over his armour, giving him an imposing, yet righteous aura, it was odd for Alex, to not to be taller than someone was something he had not yet experienced in the game, though he was still smaller than his regular appearance.
"What a quaint little shop, would you not agree Dormot?" The young man asked the armour clad man.
"Yes my lord," Dormot replied in an exhausted tone, "but it is time to return, your mother will be worried, I think it is time we return"
"Just one more shop, besides, this store doesn't have much in it, it'll only take a moment"
Dormot let out a sigh, "fine, ten minutes"
As Alex watched the duo, a window popped up.
[The title 'Ego master' is reacting strongly
A near perfect match has been found for the ego weapon 'Noble guard'
Name: Theodore Veron
match rating: 90%]
"Weird" Alex thought to himself, "didn't know it could do this"
[Explanation: The title 'Ego master' can detect when an ego weapon has an affinity of 90% or more, the title will inform the holder immediately]
Definitely a useful feature, Alex would make sure to remember it, for now though, he turned his attention back to the duo to find that Theodore was in front of the counter, a beaming smile on his face.
"What can I do for you today?" Alex asked in his friendliest tone, the kid was minted, Alex could tell, the perfect first customer.
"Well met shop keep," Theodore replied with a radiant smile, "I am currently searching all the local smiths to find a suitable personal weapon, as my training will begin shortly, do you have an recommendations?"
"Sorry to say," Alex began, slightly regretting making only one product, "but all we have for sale is currently on display, though I do take commissions"
"No that's fine," Theodore replied with a dejected look, eyeing the shields on display, "I was looking for a weapon, seems we shall have to return home"
"H-hold on dear customer" Alex said quickly, "are you sure you don't wish to at least have a look, I mean, you are here after all, why waste the trip"
Dolton let out a snort of disdain, but Theodore seemed to perk up a little.
"So what kind of shields are these?" Theodore asked, picking a random prototype from the crate.
"Don't have a name yet" Alex commented, "but I wouldn't advise that one, it's a cheap alternative for less financially stable customers, but if you wanted to buy one for a test before buying the actual model, it may be worth it"
"Ah," Theodore's forlorn look returned as he stared at the shield, causing Alex to panic slightly.
"But, but, we do have the *mostly* finished product right here"
Theodore examined the shield with great interest, and he had to admit, it did look a lot more impressive than the one in his hands.
"So how much is it?"
"five thousand gold"
At these words, Alex suddenly felt as though his life was about to end, and turned to see Dormot seething with rage, a blade drawn from somewhere Alex could not see pointed at his neck.
"I have tolerated your disrespect long enough, and now you dare to try and rob my master" Dormot roared, "I will not stand for this, I will make sure to run your business into the ground"
"Now, now Dormot," Theodore said with a calm chuckle, "I'm sure there is a perfectly valid reason for the ridiculous price"
Alex smiled, while the blade was still pointed to his neck, it was no longer held in a very threatening manner, it was just held rather casually.
"Explain" Dormot growled.
"Ever heard of an ego weapon?" Alex asked with a smirk.
After saying these words, Alex's entire being screamed at him to run, in a miniscule fraction of a second, two heavy purple boots appeared on Alex, and a light pink energy coursed throughout Alex's body.
Teleporting to behind the counter just in the nick of time as a heavy sword thrust struck his previous position.
"What was that for?" Alex yelled.
"I have nothing more to say to a scoundrel such as yourself," Dormot spat, retracting his blade, "you would try to cheat my master of his earnings by filling his head with your deluded fantasies, nothing more needs to be said, on my honour as a knight of house Veron, I shall make sure your filth is cleaned from my masters town"
Alex suddenly became rather relaxed at these words, not really caring too much at the blade pointed at his chest.
"And what if your wrong?"
"What?" Dorton scoffed.
"What if that is an ego weapon? Not only have you stolen your master's chance at a lifetime partner, but you will have killed an innocent man, not very knight like"
Dorton was about to retort, when Theodore raised his hand to stop him.
"I can make my own choices Dorton, now, shop keep, can you support your claim, I have perused the trading centre for such items, yet yours is a mere fraction of the price, I hope you can explain this"
"How about this," Alex responded with a smile, "If it isn't an ego weapon, I'll pay you back double, deal?"
Theodore stretched out his hand.
"I will hold you to that promise" he said, griping Alex's hand a bit too tight, making Alex feel as though his hand was being shattered.
"Will that be all?" Alex asked, trying his best not to show the pain he was in.
"Indeed, we shall take our leave" Theodore said, taking the shield as Dormot placed a bag of gold on the table.
Theodore froze for a minute, and Dormot looked at him with concern, but went to open the door, he knew Alex couldn't really do much.
As Dormot opened the door for Theodore, a rather dishevelled looking male office worker stumbled through the door.
"Are you Jack Aubrey?" he asked hurriedly.
Alex nodded in conformation, causing the office worker to sigh in relief.
"I was told that you needed these ASAP, they're a bit rushed, but they should work" he said, handing Alex a small stack of booklets.
"You'll probably want one of these" Alex said, tossing one to Theodore.
"Thank you"
"Safe travels Theodore" Alex said as they made their way down the street.
"Dormot" Theodore suddenly said as they made there way back to the inner city.
"Yes young master"
"Did I ever give that shop keep my name?"
Dormot thought for a minute.
"I don't think you did"
"Odd"