In search of an inn, I asked some locals for directions. After some time, I finally managed to reach one, which was located a few kilometers away from the tower.
It's a good location!
Staying too close to the tower could be a problem. It's very busy there, and I prefer quieter and calmer places.
After paying for a one-week stay with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included, I received the keys to my room. I went inside and headed straight to the bathroom.
I took a cold shower to cool my head and think about my current situation.
"Something I've always wanted to happen... Traveling to another world. The world of Danmachi isn't my favorite, but I guess it's fine. Fortunately, I got a system, just like all those protagonists from Korean novels."
I would be in serious trouble if I had come to this world with a useless skill.
I would have to explore the dungeon and slowly grow stronger like everyone else.
Fortunately, the system will make things easier.
I left the bathroom and put on the same clothes I had been wearing since I didn't have any clean ones. After that, I lay down on the bed.
The room is quite cozy. It has a bed, a desk, and a small wardrobe. The mattress is very comfortable—slightly more comfortable than the one I had in my old world.
I sighed and looked again at the system's window.
"I can't increase my status by using points or something? That's how it works in all the novels I read. The first work that comes to mind is Solo Leveling." It was pretty popular before I got transported, thanks to the anime airing weekly.
In it, the protagonist earned points by leveling up and could allocate them to his stats, but I don't have that option.
"Hmmm, so I'll probably have to evolve by gaining Excelia like other adventurers. The advantage I have is that I can create clones. My growth will be much faster."
But since my clones are very weak, I need to get some Excelia first and improve my status so they can be stronger.
"I'd better make use of the remaining daylight and get myself a weapon—preferably a sword. But I think there's a problem... Don't I need to be in a Familia to explore the dungeon?"
I don't know that much.
I'm sure I need to be in a Familia to register as an adventurer.
"Well, why bother registering, right? I can go straight into the dungeon. I'm sure no one will stop me."
I got up from the bed and left the inn.
I asked around for directions to Welf's shop. He's a character I know.
I don't know all the characters, but at least I can remember the main ones like Hestia, Bell, Freya, Hephaestus, Welf, and Liliruca… I can recall a few more, but their names escaped me.
Minutes passed, and no one could tell me where Welf's shop was.
Then, half an hour went by.
After asking countless ordinary people and adventurers, I finally found the place.
It was a small, cluttered shop.
And very empty, too.
"Excuse me."
"Huh?" I heard a man's voice—deep, much like mine. "Who are you?" A man appeared from behind the mess: short, spiky red hair and sharp blue eyes.
"You're Welf, right?"
"Who's asking?"
"It doesn't matter. I need a sword. A short one is fine, and it doesn't have to be of high quality. Anything will do."
"..." Welf stared at me for a few seconds before sighing and scratching his head. "Come with me." He didn't ask any questions and led me to the back of the shop. "Look for something here. You don't have to pay—just take one."
"What? Do you think I'm broke and can't afford a sword? This stuff is junk; some of them are even broken."
"You said anything would do. Take one."
"I changed my mind. I want a better sword. Got anything a bit nicer?"
"Sure." Welf went to fetch a few swords and placed them on a counter. There were three in total, all short swords with beautiful blades. Each was very sharp.
They're high-quality swords.
'Well, I've never seen a sword like this in person, so I can't compare… But they look extremely well-made.'
"So, what do you think?"
"Hold on a second." I picked up the three swords and swung them one by one. I didn't know how to handle a sword, so I swung it randomly. After testing all three, I concluded they were identical.
There are no noticeable differences.
"..." Welf watched me, looking tired.
"All right, this one will do." I grabbed a random sword and handed it to him. "What's the price?"
"Just give me 5,000. That'll do."
"All right, here." I handed the money to Welf and took the sword.
"Is that all? You don't need armor?" Welf asked, smiling. Now that he knew I had money, he wanted to sell me more.
####
After a bit more time, I purchased new armor and was already wearing it. It resembled Bell's armor but was larger since I was much taller than Bell.
"It suits you. But it's getting late. Are you sure you want to go to the dungeon now? You should rest."
"Nah, I haven't done anything today. I arrived in the city this afternoon."
"You just arrived? You're not part of a Familia?" Welf's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you crazy? Are you trying to die!?" Welf shouted.
"You're overreacting."
"Are you an idiot? You just arrived in the city, you have no experience, you're not in a Familia, and you're planning to enter the dungeon? Are you trying to kill yourself? You don't need armor or a sword if that's your plan!"
"All right, all right, I'm going."
"..." Welf let go of me and scratched his head. "Tsk, don't say I didn't warn you." Welf didn't know me, but he was worried.
I walked out of his shop. But before leaving, I said, "I'll be back in a few days. Prepare an even better sword for me."
"..." Welf said nothing.