Chapter-10 · EP-149

Episode 149: Let's Look for Weapons at the Explorer Market

Today, we came to Shinjuku ostensibly to level up the three, but somehow I ended up being the one buying a lot of new gear for myself.

It felt wrong to be the only one shopping. I should also help the three with their purchases.

So, to find the weapons Sendo and Akaishi wanted, we came to the explorer market.

"Wow, there are so many different shops."

Murasakimura, visiting the explorer market for the first time, exclaimed innocently.

Each stall along the street had its own unique selection of items, making it fun just to browse.

"I've been here many times, so leave the guidance to me!"

"Ichinose-kun, you're so reliable."

"That shop looks like it has a lot of weapons."

I spotted a shop that dealt in weapons and guided the three over.

"Welcome. If you see something you like, feel free to pick it up and look. But if you want to swing it, do it behind the shop. If you swing a weapon out in the street, you'll get arrested, haha."

In a world where dungeons are common, weapons are sold openly on the streets, but that doesn't mean you can carry them around carelessly.

The law requires that when carrying weapons in the city, they must be kept in bags or covers.

Especially if you're carrying a naked blade, you'd get arrested immediately.

So, swinging weapons around outside a shop to test their feel would cause a commotion and cause trouble for the shopkeeper.

With that obvious warning, we began browsing the store.

Various weapons were on display. I looked around the shop.

In a large, casually placed barrel were various shapes of swords, and I was curious about what kinds there were.

Sendo began looking at spears lined up against a wooden frame. Murasakimura was looking with him.

Akaishi was looking at the heavy-looking weapons laid on shelves.

There were axes, hammers, maces, and other items.

Akaishi seemed interested in a mace; he picked it up to check its weight.

Seeing Akaishi, a shopkeeper called out.

"Oh! Choosing a niche item, are you? Maces are heavy, so they're not very popular, but on the other hand, they have outstanding destructive power against monsters."

"May I try swinging it?"

"Sure. Go ahead and use the back of the shop."

Akaishi was led by the shopkeeper to the back of the shop, so I followed to see.

When Akaishi swung the mace vigorously, the shopkeeper was impressed.

The sight of the well-built Akaishi swinging a mace was quite powerful.

"Nice! Being able to swing a mace like that is impressive strength. But if you swing it with just arm strength, you'll tire quickly. The weight of the mace alone is enough to deal damage. If you learn to use your strength only when necessary, you'll conserve energy."

"I see…"

Akaishi listened seriously as the shopkeeper lectured him on how to use the weapon.

He would probably buy it.

Turning my gaze back inside, Sendo and Murasakimura were exchanging opinions.

"This halberd looks like it has high attack power. Akaishi-kun could probably defeat a Huge Slime by himself with this."

"Yeah. But it looks heavy for me. Still, I didn't know there were so many different types of spears."

There were spears with long blades, short blades, single-edged like a dagger, double-edged and straight, conical, L-shaped with a side blade, cross-shaped – truly a wide variety. The shafts were also wood or metal, making it difficult for an amateur like me to judge which to choose.

So I couldn't offer any advice; I could only watch them choose.

Then Akaishi and the shopkeeper returned after checking the mace.

The shopkeeper now called out to Sendo and the others.

"Are you looking for spears?"

"Yes. We're planning to challenge the Huge Slime today."

"I see. By the way, do you plan to keep using a spear afterward?"

"No, actually, I haven't used a spear much. I'm more used to a sword, so I'm unsure what to do."

"In that case, how about this harpoon? It's lightweight and collapsible, so it's easy to carry. You could use your usual sword most of the time and switch to this for the Huge Slime fight."

"A harpoon…?"

The shopkeeper recommended a harpoon with five prongs at the tip – the kind used for spearing fish.

"Buying a proper spear just for the Huge Slime would be a waste if you don't use it afterwards. This harpoon is only 5,000 yen, much cheaper than buying a spear."

The academy recommended spears, but this shop seemed to have more practical know-how.

"I see. Then I'll take that harpoon!"

Following the shopkeeper's recommendation, Sendo decided to buy it.

Akaishi also bought a used mace for about 10,000 yen.

Both seemed satisfied with their purchases.

"Thank you, Ichinose-kun. Thanks to you, both of them got good weapons!"

Murasakimura thanked me on their behalf.

But I felt like I had just watched this time... Well, I decided not to worry about it.