Weapon of Choice

In the middle of the Grand Bazaar, a certain item attract the attention of Ranata. It's a long crimson whip covered with ominous aura. The dark aura it emanated is so thick that it can be seen by everyone in the vicinity, who obviously keeping their distance and avoiding that whip which is rolled and hanged on a white stand owned by a shady person who covered his body in a black robe. Even that person's head is hooded and a glimpse on their face showed that they wear a white bone mask so their face can not be recognized.

Seeing that spectacle, Ranata can't help but make a retort in his mind.

[A shady, suspicious person selling an ominous item in the midst of the crowd like this.... Is this a flag of some event or something?] - Ranata

Seeing the other items sold on that stand, Ranata can see that other items also has ominous design or giving strange vibe. It seems like this stand is a witch store which sells magic items with questionable effects.

[One thing can be sure.... Those items will surely invite disasters to their users....] – Ranata

And yeah, seems everyone in this place also thinks the same. No one can be seen approaching that stand. Even other peddlers opened their stand with quite a distance from that stand, making a vacuum area in the middle of the crowds in this Grand Bazaar. That make it feels more like a forbidden area or danger zone in this place.

[But that whip.... It's interesting.... I want to know more about it.] – Ranata

Hearing that in his mind, Celes quickly give her appraisal about that whip. A stream of information flow in Ranata's mind.

[Ifrit Whisker : A powerful whip made from fire demon leather and other demonic materials. The lash has a length of 20 feet (over 6 meters) and its handle is a feet in length, overall length is 21 feet. STR+69, AGI+69, SPI+69. Has a baleful aura that enhances the power of Fire Magic, Shadow Magic and Intimidate Skill by 16%. It is a cursed item.]

[As expected, it's a cursed item. But its effect is strong. Not only it adds 3 out of 4 status by a decent amount, it even enhances the power of three skills at once. And its length.... It's close to the bulllwhip I used back there in my world. It has a long range and can attack multiple enemies. If the curse can be lifted, I must have this by all means.] – Ranata

[The curse can be lifted by casting Holy Magic with 255 SPI on it.] – Celeste

[That easy!? Well, after taking 104 SPI from that adventurer, my SPI has raised from 206 to 310. Surely it's more than enough to smite the curse? But if the curse is lifted, won't the aura also diminished? In that case, this item's effect will be reduced?] - Ranata

[No, don't worry about it. After the curse is lifted, its baleful aura would still remain, but it will be tamed under your control so it won't harm you and your allies. On the other hand, that aura will release all of its ferocity to the enemies, so the effects won't be reduced.] – Celeste

[That's very good to hear. So I don't have anything to lose, eh? Sweet! I must have this item!] - Ranata

After this conversation in his mind which make him seems like he is dazed for a full minute, Ranata walked over to that stand. Althea and Lumina exchanged glances with each other, pausing for a bit before they come to follow him. They seem to be a bit worried about him.

And not only them, all other people who see him walk to that stand after standing idly for a while also think that this youth must have been bewitched by an ominous item. Oh, such a poor little lamb! To fall victim for a cursed item sold in that suspicious stand, this beauty in front of their eyes surely will have a miserable fate!

Some kind hearted gentleman can't stand to see the tragedy that will be unfolded and about to step out to prevent this youth from approaching that suspicious stand, before they see the Two Goddess followed this youth with expression of concern. Finally, everyone choose to let their two top beauties who is also famous for their strength and intelligent to deal with this situation while they are watching over it.

"Master, Is there something that interests you there?" – Althea

"That whip is a good stuff. I want it." – Ranata

"That whip? But, didn't Master already have a good weapon? Why would you.... Ah, I see...." – Lumina

Lumina actually wanted to give advice to Ranata, but remembering something, she stopped her attempt and make a face full of understanding. Seeing this, Althea become curious and asked her.

"What did you see?" – Althea

"Remember how He subdue us?" - Lumina

"With.... Ah! I see!" – Althea

Blushing for a bit, Althea finally understood what point Lumina talked about. Well, thinking back again, this Master of theirs subdue them with a whip of his tenta.... ehem, his shadow, yeah, his shadow. He subdue them with a whip made from his shadow. Remembering the unspeakable sensation and overflowing profound power behind that single whipping, it's clear that their Master has extraordinary proficiency with whip! So their Master wanted to make this whip his favored weapon!

Seeing the youth approaching, the black robed person gives their greeting.

"Welcome, Nyaa~ Is there anything you want in here?" - ????

Looking at the peddler, Ranata pry about his general information.

[Chloe (Cait Sith - Male)]

[Skills: Darkvision, Polymorph, Intimidate, Shadow Magic]

"Hooo~ A Cait Sith? It's first time I see one. Ah, I wanted to buy this whip. How much is it?" – Ranata

"Oh, you know my race despite it's the first time you meet one? Interesting. My name is Chloe. May I know of your name sir?" – Chloe

"Mine is Ranata. I only read a bit so I know a little about it. So, how much you will sell that whip?" – Ranata

"This whip? You sure you want this? Aren't you scared of its aura? Look, everyone here is obviously avoiding it." – Chloe

"Yes, I am fated with this whip. So I want to have it at all cost. So, how much?" – Ranata

"Fated? You feel a bond with this whip? Hmhmhmhm..... Interesting, interesting. In that case, I will give it to you for free." – Chloe

"For free!? Really? Surely you know this whip is an artifact class magic item, aren't you? Why would you give it for free?" – Ranata

"Hehehe, if what you said is true, that this whip is truly fated to be with you, then I would be glad to give it to its rightful owner...." - Chloe

With an evil laughter like a typical villain, it's clear that this peddler is taunting him to take the offer. However, Ranata is unfazed and instead contemplating whether this offer is real. After all, it's truly too good to be true. An artifact weapon for free! Where in the world would you find such an unbelievably wondrous offer! One thing he doesn't know, though, that this Ifrit Whisker is actually a very vicious item. The source of "curse" in this item is a strain of demonic consciousness which lay dormant inside it, ready to corrupt the soul of its possessor and turned them to be the host of this demonic will.

But of course, after he lifted the curse on this item, the demonic consciousness will vanish and its remaining baleful aura will be completely under his control, so there is no danger in it. Celeste, who realized this, decided not to give this unnecessary information to her Master. After all, she deemed this issue as "not worthy for his attention". Such is how much she looked down on this puny strain of demonic will.