Ryan let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his neck as he processed the information. After a moment, he glanced at Hank, his expression shifting from curiosity to something more serious. "So, what exactly is your plan?"
Hank grinned, all teeth. "Well, on regular Huntsday, I'm just another hired hand for the Wildhunter Corps. But today?" He tilted his head toward the horizon. "Loneflame Hunt & Fight Academy recruits are out for their graduation trials. Whole different game."
"Loneflame Hunt & Fight Academy? Graduation what?"Ryan's brow furrowed.
"It's a school where they teach all kinds of combat techniques and how to fight Wild Beast," Hank said, turning into a narrow alley. "Every graduating class has to complete their graduation trial out in the wild."
Ryan caught onto the key point. "So, what exactly is their graduation trial? And how does your plan fit into it?"
Hank nodded."They're graded on Lumin Cores—how many they bag, and how tough the kills were."
Ryan thought for a moment. "So their focus is just the cores. They're not bothering with the carcasses, which means we..."
"Scavenge!"Hank's grin was all teeth.
Ryan hesitated. "Then why bring me along?"
"Because you're my buddy. I told you I'd look out for you." Hank clapped his shoulder. "If there's money to be made, we make it together."
"Is it dangerous?"Ryan pressed.
Hank shrugged, thinking. "There might be some beast attacks along the way. But don't worry—I should be able to handle the usual ones."
Ryan narrowed his eyes. "Should? Have you actually fought a Wild Beast before?"
Hank scratched his head. "Nope."
Ryan's expression darkened. "Yeah, I'm out."
"Relax,"Hank snorted."We'll tail the academy kids at a distance—let them handle the real threats.If shit goes south?"He patted the Overload Juggernaut's flank."This fat bastard runs faster than you'd think."
Ryan considered it. The plan made sense—sticking close to the academy students lowered the risk, and his Another World mission required a Lumin Core. This could be his chance to get one.
He exhaled. "Fine. But... shouldn't we at least grab some weapons first?"
Hank smirked and pointed at a row of shops ahead—straight at a weapons store. "Already ahead of you, brother."
The sun had barely started to crest the horizon, painting the sky in hues of amber and violet, yet the weapon shop was already open for business. A wooden sign bearing the image of crossed swords swung gently above the entrance, its worn edges hinting at years of service to adventurers and mercenaries alike.
A designated tethering post stood out front, built sturdy enough to hold all manner of mounts—hoofed, scaled, or clawed. Hank expertly secured Overload Juggernaut's reins to the thick wooden beam, giving the beast a reassuring pat before striding inside with Ryan close behind. A small bell chimed as they pushed through the heavy wooden door.
The shop smelled of oiled leather and polished steel. Racks of weapons lined the walls - everything from daggers to two-handed battleaxes, with a particularly fine collection of longbows displayed behind the counter. It was a warrior's dream.
Behind the counter stood a wiry, middle-aged man with a mustache so grand it nearly had a life of its own. The moment they stepped in, he was already in motion, hands rubbing together, a wide grin splitting his face.
"Ah! Customers! Welcome, welcome! What can I do for you fine gentlemen today? Looking for something sharp, something deadly? Or maybe you just want to look intimidating when you walk into a room? I got just the thing for that too!Oh, and the name's Tobbs—the best weapons merchant in this city!"
Hank gave Ryan a glance before turning back to Tobbs. "Two swords."
Tobbs eyes lit up. "Ah, now that's what I like to hear! But what kind of swords, my friend? Are we talking iron, steel, high-grade refined steel? Maybe you're after something a little exotic—dual blades, broadswords, short swords for a more... personal touch? Or how about something made from beast parts—fang-blades, bone-sabers, horned greatswords, or even a scalesword? I got 'em all! Just say the word!"
Ryan and Hank stood frozen for a second, processing the verbal barrage. Finally, Hank cleared his throat. "Uh… just two plain iron swords."
Tobbs's face fell for a fraction of a second before his grin snapped back into place. "Ah, the classics! Reliable, sturdy, no nonsense! You want a sword that says, 'I'm here to do a job, not impress a bard.' I respect that. Give me one second!"
He turned and snatched two iron swords off the rack with practiced ease, spinning back around and offering them up like a magician revealing a grand trick. "Here you go! Solid craftsmanship, well-balanced, sharp enough to make a grown man cry if he's not careful. Give 'em a swing, see how they feel!"
Ryan took one, testing its weight. It felt good in his grip—balanced, lethal. He gave it a few test swings, nodding approvingly.
"Will this cut through a Galebeast?" he asked absently.
Hank, flicking his sword with a skeptical look, scoffed. "Doubt it."
Tobbs sucked in a breath through his teeth. "Ohhhh, my dear customer, my brave, brave foolhardy customer… let me put it this way: it doesn't matter what sword you use…"
Both men turned to look at him.
"If you go up against a Galebeast, you'd be dead long before you got close enough to swing!"
Hank's face darkened instantly. Silence fell over the shop, the kind of silence that made a man reconsider all his life choices.
Hank exhaled through his nose. "…Right. Just these, then. And two scabbardsl."
Tobbs, unfazed, beamed. "Scabbards!Now we're talking!Do you want leather, wood, gold-trimmed, silver-inlaid, gem-studded? Because let me tell you, a sword's only as good as the scabbard it sleeps in! A fine scabbard says a lot about a man!"
Hank rubbed his temples. "Leather."
"Ah, yes, good ol' reliable leather! But do you want Wild Beast hide or domesticated beast hide?Wild beast hide has—"
"Cheapest one." Hank cut him off.
Tobbs blinked, his mouth hanging open mid-pitch. He forced a chuckle. "Ah… yes. Right. Cheapest one it is."
A moment later, he slid two plain leather scabbards across the counter, his smile never faltering. "That'll do the trick. But remember, if you ever want to upgrade, I highly recommend the gem-studded—really makes a statement!"
Hank's expression darkened. "That's it. Give me ten more Bloodveil bags."
Tobbs' enthusiasm didn't waver. "Ah!Bloodveil bags come in extra-small, small, medium—"
"Three of each—small, medium, and large," Hank cut him off.
Tobbs blinked. "That's nine, not ten."
"Nine then," Hank snapped. "Stop nitpicking."
"Right away!" Tobbs chirped, spinning toward the back shelves.
Ryan lowered his voice."What's a Bloodveil bag?"
"Same principle as Bloodveil powder," Hank muttered. "If you stuff a Wild Beast's carcass into a Bloodveil bag, it'll seal the blood stench, preventing it from leaking out and thus avoiding attracting more Wild Beasts."
Hank had just finished explaining when Tobbs returned with a stack of neatly folded leather bags. Ryan eyed the odd texture—probably best not to ask what hide these are made from, he decided, sparing himself a long-winded explanation.
"Three of each size!" Tobbs sing-songed. "Wanna open 'em up and check?"
Hank waved a hand. "No need. I trust you. Just tally it up."
Tobbs' fingers flew over an imaginary ledger. "Bloodveils: two silver for small, two-fifty for medium, three for large—" Hank's eye twitched. "—plus iron swords at eight silver apiece, scabbards at one…"
Ryan instinctively touched his meager coin purse,feeling the mere five silver coins inside.Hank caught the motion and smirked. "Relax. This one's on me."
Tobbs finished up with a bright grin. "That's forty silver, fifty copper… but let's make it an even forty."
Grimacing, Hank counted out the coins from his belt pouch like each one was a tooth extraction. He slid the payment across the counter, sheathed his sword with a snick, and hooked it to his belt.
Hoisting the bundled bloodveil bags over one shoulder, he clapped Ryan's back. "Let's move."