New Equipment

Time passed by quickly as Callie and I stood enraptured at the reforging of my sword and knives. The mystery liquid made them shine with a slight blue hue as he held them up to the light of the forge. It was like magic as the previously damaged equipment became like new.

Soon Dyno moved to another part of the room where he began sharpening the blades. His expression remained focused even after Callie made squeals of excitement. We remained in the doorway, but her voice echoed off the tall ceiling of the room. I tried to remember the last time I had been able to stay that completely focused.

The closest I could come up with was when my life was in danger in the dungeon, but that was a life or death situation. It seemed even more impressive that Dyno could keep up that kind of concentration in a setting like this. Well, we did come in when something exploded, so maybe it was a life or death situation. I probably shouldn't enter the room then.

"Callie, let's take a look at some of the other goods in the store. We shouldn't bother a professional while they work." I pulled Callie away from the doorway and we explored the store until Dyno came out with my equipment.

"I fixed up your weapons and added some elements to make them stronger. I insist you bring it back here if another chip or other damage happens to the blade. Monster materials can be fickle without maintenance. That being said, don't abuse the blade too much." He handed me my sword and knives.

They felt lighter somehow as I gripped them in my hands. I did a test thrust to the side and it felt reliable again. A breath of air escaped my lungs that I had unknowingly been holding. Truth be told, I had been afraid to enter the dungeon with a new weapon that would be heavier than what I was used to.

"How much do I owe you for servicing and strengthening the equipment?" I held out my hand to shake Dyno's hand in thanks.

"Don't worry about it. As long as you bring your equipment to me in the future then this one is one the house. It would be enough payment if this equipment saved your life in the future."

Dyno gave me a soft smile and I knew he had a truly gentle heart. I wondered where Dyno had been in my past life. Had he been in Silver City back then as well. Or did he die in the aftermath of the many outbreaks? No, it would do no good to think about that time. I needed to focus on the here and now.

"Now, what will it be for the lil missy there?" I turned around to see Callie drooling over the different types of weapons again.

"Callie is a healer so if you happen to have any mediums for increasing mana or something along those lines as well as armor to protect her weak constitution, I would be grateful." I laughed as I saw Callie's face turn a bright pink as she realized we were discussing her now.

"A healer… I know I made a staff not too long ago. It would be a bit much for a beginner, but healers are so rare so she can just grow into it." Dyno pulled out a staff from behind the counter that I had not noticed before. It had a green gem that seemed to be fused with the wood of the staff. He handed the staff to Callie and it glowed briefly before going back to normal.

"Seems like a good fit. Now armor…" Dyno walked over to the opposite side of the room and sorted through some of the goods there. He kept glancing back at Callie as he decided what would be best for her. After rummaging for some time, a leather set of armor was placed on the counter for Callie to try on.

"I don't have much that would fit this one. Let us have her try it on and, if you bring materials back for me, I can make her armor made to order next time." It was true that Callie was small, even smaller than me. It was already hard to find armor in my size.

"As for you, I think that this would be best." Dyno held up another set of armor that was made of some kind of monster materials. "I picked something light so you can move around more easily." He held up another more complete set of armor for me. It was made out of a similar material to the armor that got shredded by the tiger in the dungeon.

"Truth is it will be difficult to find armor that fits you without doing special order as well. I only made this set because I didn't have a lot of materials on hand. I don't really have time to go into the dungeon anymore to collect materials you see."

"No, I understand. I will bring my materials to you next time. I have been selling them to the association recently. You can have the first pick from now on." I really wanted to create a good relationship with Dyno. He seemed like a good and reliable guy, despite the explosive greeting earlier.

Dyno smiled and rang up our armor and the weapon for Callie. I paid him quickly while Callie was not paying attention. She was too busy inspecting the staff that Dyno had given her. I had a feeling she had watched one too many magical girl anime as she was flourishing the staff and making flashy noises. Anyone would think she was a small child if they did not know her real age.

"Let's meet in front of the dungeon tomorrow. Take this armor and staff and be ready to hop into the dungeon by ten, ok?" Callie snapped out of her strange dance and stared down at the armor I handed her. "You mean it?" Her eyes looked watery and I was afraid she might start bawling in front of Dyno.

"Of course. The dungeon is a dangerous place so we will be taking it easy. See you in the morning." I waved to Callie and exited the small shop. Tomorrow I would have to make sure I taught Callie everything about hunting in the dungeons. Even if it took 100 times on the first floor to help her it would be worth it if she became a reliable healer.

It worried me that we did not have any real stout fighters on the front line, but I would have to just make up for it somehow. Even if I didn't have a lot of strength, I could at least make up for it with speed. Even with the tiger, I managed to get injured. I would have to be very careful not to expose Callie to any danger.

I watched as Callie exited the building and ran down the street happily clutching her new armor and staff. I wanted to take her into the dungeon today, but since the second floor had changed and the strange figure had used the system to message me last time I wanted to investigate the first floor again.

I stepped into the line at the dungeon and waited my turn to enter. The line was not very long so it wasn't long before I entered the familiar white room.

[Welcome Player! Would you like to enter the dungeon?]

I watched the cursor blink as it waited for me to operate the screen. It was in the strange blue text so I already knew it was not the usual system speaking to me.

"I know you are not the system."

[Players should be more observant like you. I think I made a good decision.]

"Stop talking in code. What kind of decision are you talking about? Who are you?" I was getting more frustrated by the second. I felt like whoever this person was that they were toying with me.

[Now, now. What fun would there be in telling you. Even if I could reveal that information I would not tell you.]

"Fine! Can you at least tell me something? What is the point of even speaking to me directly?"

[Boredom, I suppose…]

I felt like breaking the screen in front of me, but I knew that my hand would just pass through it if I tried. It wasn't even a screen in the sense that it was more a projection that let me select things on it. I could not understand why sometimes it was solid and other times my hand passed directly through it.

"The system said that I could bring back Kei. Can you tell me how to do that at least?"

The screen cleared itself and I watched as the cursor blinked. It was a big ask. Not even the system would allow me access to the answer to that question. I held my breath in spite of myself. Finally, words began to spread across the screen. Fear flooded my veins as I read the answer the figure gave me.