Chapter 95 – Eris

Chapter 95 – Eris

I tried not to let the meeting with Aqua and Kazuma get in the way of my plans. But when I took a closer look at the other adventurers in the hall, I noticed something. Almost everyone was armed to the teeth, even those who seemed to be of a lower level. I looked down at myself and realized that as much as I had Ddraig, I hadn't brought any weapons with me. Well, I'd better find a way to not need Ddraig's powers, because my intention was to no longer be completely dependent on the Dragon Empress's powers.

So, after accepting the task from the receptionist Luna, I asked her:

"Pretty receptionist, can you direct me to any weapon shops around here?"

She blushed for a moment.

[You got +1 heart with Luna.]

"Of course! There's a shop just around the corner from the guild." She said after tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "The owner is known for having good equipment for novice adventurers, so I'm sure you'll find something that fits your budget."

I nodded my thanks and followed her instructions. I walked a few meters until I easily found the weapon shop Luna had indicated.

In front of the entrance was a wooden sign that read "Frantz's Weapons & Equipment".

The wooden door creaked slightly when I pushed it, and a small bell announced my entrance. Inside, weapons of all kinds were displayed on the walls and on shelves: swords, axes, spears, shields... In the back of the shop, a short, stocky man with a slightly burnt gray beard was polishing a long sword. He looked up when he heard the bell and measured me from top to bottom with an analytical gaze.

"Can I help you, boy?" he asked in a serious tone.

"Yes, I need a sword," I replied, approaching the counter. "Something... decent for a beginner."

The man let out a deep laugh. "Well, we have a few options here that might suit you." He gestured to the swords hanging on the wall, showing the wide range of varieties. "What do you have in mind? I'll see what I can do for you."

There were indeed some very attractive options, but one in particular caught my eye. It was a sword with a black blade and red detailing. The design was both intimidating and elegant, something that suited my aesthetic well.

I approached the wall and removed the sword from its holder, feeling its weight in my hand. It was perfectly balanced, heavy enough to be deadly but light enough for me to handle with agility.

The dwarf was visibly surprised. His eyes alternated between the money and me, obviously not believing what he had just seen. But after a moment's hesitation, he took the money and smiled. "Looks like I underestimated you, kid. Deal!"

With the sword now officially mine, I attached it to the belt that came with it, along with two whetstones. The salesman was very pleased.

"That's it. Time to go hunt some giant frogs." I said as I left the shop.

Arriving in the fields, the scenery changed abruptly. The sound of the city disappeared, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves in the wind. In the distance, a vast plain stretched out, punctuated by small hills and a few scattered trees. I knew that somewhere out there were the infamous giant frogs.

I continued along a dirt road until I finally spotted a giant frog. It was impossible not to notice its presence - the thing was gigantic, at least three times my size. Its sticky skin glistened in the sun, a pale green that contrasted with the surrounding fields. Its large, glassy eyes seemed uninterested as it devoured a plant, but I knew that if it noticed me, it would become much more aggressive.

I approached slowly and drew my sword from my belt. This was my first hunt with this weapon, and I was eager to test its quality.

The frog was slow, very slow. Every movement it made seemed awkward, even lazy. Suddenly, the frog stopped chewing and turned slowly toward me, and then I knew I had been noticed.

"Let's see what you can do," I muttered to myself and tightened my grip on the sword.

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