Locus was led into a dim-lit and, aside from the two of them, empty shop that appeared to be run by Mr. Vullos.
"By the way, you can call me Daren."
He smiled. Even though there was no real way of knowing for Locus, it looked like a genuine and nice smile.
"I've got everything your heart might desire in here. However, most items in here are weapons."
"That's fine with me."
Locus closely eyed the walls of the shop. Every meter was covered by swords, daggers, axes, spears, and much more that Locus couldn't quite identify.
"So what exactly are you looking for? More on the site of weapons, you said, right? You got any idea what kind of weapon? As you can see, I've got quite the selection, if I may say so."
On the way to his shop, Daren had told Locus that he often hung out at the guild to advertise his products and sell goods to adventurers. Locus figured that Daren must have experience with people like him.
"I don't know yet. What would you recommend?"
Daren's smile got brighter.
"Ah, right, you're a new adventurer. Have you ever held a weapon before?"
Locus thought for a second. From time to time, he had chopped some wood with an axe and, of course, cut food with a kitchen knive. But he had never actually touched a real weapon before.
"Not really, no."
"I see, then how about we try some options on you?"
He walked from one side of the store to the other and took some weapons, always one of a kind, out of the different shelves and laid them out on an empty table. Then he beckoned Locus to said table, which was now buried under an arsenal of weapons.
"These are some weapons for beginner adventurers. I wouldn't recommend a morning star to someone who has never even touched a sword."
Daren laughed. Then he took weapon after weapon from the table, handed them to Locus, and asked him to swing them while closely watching his every move.
After Locus took two or three swings, Daren would always say "No, that's not it." and hand him the next one. There were just a handful of weapons that he'd take and lay aside for the final selection.
In the end, the only weapons left were a machete, a one-handed sword, and a katana. Daren immediately removed the machete.
"If someone sees you with this, you'll be the subject of every adventurer's mockery."
Locus took a look at the two swords that were left.
"Take your pick. I doubt that you want to carry both of them around with you."
"What can you tell me about these two?"
Dave frowned.
"Well, the sword is the more basic option. There isn't any trick to it. You just swing the thing, and that's it. The katana, on the other hand, is a little more tricky to handle since it requires a certain level of skill and technique.
In return, the cuts and slashes are a lot sharper than any swing you could ever take with the sword."
Locus pondered.
"How long would it take me to acquire said level of skill?"
Daren put on a big smile.
"Well, that depends entirely on your training. With the right guidance, even beginners can efficiently use it."
In that moment, a thought that, for some unknown reason, never occurred to Locus crossed his mind. He should find himself a teacher. Even if he didn't have one yet, he needed all the strength he could get.
"I'll take the katana, please."
"Don't you want to see the other katanas I have in store?"
"Oh, right!"
Locus had forgotten; this was just a test to find out his preference. The real selection was just beginning. Daren led him to a part of the store that was stuffed with katanas of different sizes, colors, and materials.
Locus wondered how a shop with a collection as considerable as this could not be overflowing with customers.
"Any wishes?"
Locus thought about how holding and swinging the katana had felt.
"It should be as light as possible, and it should also be pretty durable."
Daren paused for a second. Then he scanned the displayed katanas and, after careful consideration, took two of them out of a big, wooden chest.
"How about one of these two?"
He handed one of them to Locus. The katana was lighter than the one he held before. He took a swing. Even though it was a rather slow swing, Locus could hear the katana cutting through the air.
He unconsciously smiled. Then he gave the katana back to Daren, who then drew and handed him the second one.
This katana was also pretty light, but it felt different. The blade was reflecting the dim light as though it were bright daylight.
The dark, black handle sucked in Locus' hands and then stayed completely still.
When Locus swung the katana around, he felt as though he heard a silent humming.
"This katana feels a little weird."
Daren's expression changed. Locus wasn't sure of it, but he identified it as fascination.
"I'm impressed you noticed. This is an enchanted katana you're holding."
Locus was surprised. He had heard of people with abilities that allowed them to apply certain attributes to different objects, like intense heat, enhanced durability, or high adhesion. But he had never actually seen such an item.
"The katana you're holding vibrates at an altitude so low that most people don't even notice it. The purpose is to make cutting a lot easier, but if you do notice, it might feel a little weird."
Locus took some more swings.
"It feels amazing."
He was fascinated by the thought of owning an enchanted sword; plus, it felt great and, supposedly, made cutting a whole lot easier.
"How much?"
"Hmm, let's see. As you can see, there isn't really anyone else I could sell it to, and I like you, so how about 70 gold?"
Even though Locus was shocked for a second, it stood to reason that the price for an enchanted katana was pretty high. When he began looking for a weapon, he had already expected a price like that. In the heat of the moment, Locus agreed.
"I'll take it."
Daren's eyes lit up.
"All right, it's a deal."
With 29 gold left, Locus didn't really want to spend more money. The first job he took would be an F-rank anyway, so he surely wouldn't need any real armor.
Still, he bought some nice-looking accessories, including a belt to hold the katana, some basic adventuring gear, and some leather protection for four gold.
After they thanked each other, Locus left Daren's shop. The ladder looked after him when a man who seemed to have been just passing by approached him.
"Mornin' Daren, did you curse yet another innocent guy once more?"
Daren sighted.
"He doesn't look like much, but if I'm lucky, he might be the first adventurer to survive with gear from my shop."
"You always say that, but still, we both know that your shop is always empty because everyone who buys something from you dies shortly after. It will be the same with that guy. It's just a matter of time before he bites the dust."
Daren looked at Locus, who had just disappeared behind a corner.
"His fate is sealed. He is going to die."