Gearing up

"How do I look?"

"Like fresh monster food."

Naaza and I are currently in the guild affiliated smithy. Which basically means we were in the store buying apprentice made gear.

"Yeah but do I look tasty?"

"Nah, more like a cracked egg that hasn't been cooked."

"Well thank you for that fine commentary. but seriously do you think this will keep me alive?" My current gear while simple covers most of the body. A large chest piece with shoulder pads, some well protected boots with greaves, two arm guards going from my wrists to below the shoulder pads, and topped off with a helm that left most of my face open; all made of leather of course. All in all very plain and boring but serviceable enough in case of taking a hit.

"Yeah it'll do, but that really depends on how you fight. What kind of weapon were you going for with this. If you want to be speedy then this is a little much."

"Since I'll be going solo for the foreseeable future, I figured I'd use something heavier like a spear or large sword. Sure it might be harder to use, but I'll need that extra heft when I start going after bigger monsters." Yeah soloing in monster hunter always was harder with the smaller weapons. I mean sure staying alive was easier but then you run out of time before you can kill it.

"Plus, I'm planning on tanking a lot of hits in the earlier floors in order to raise my defence. I don't want to wind up as a glass cannon once I'm down in the lower floors."

"Well that sounds good, but hold off on getting it till you can pay for armor repairs okay. Were not going to fund you getting yourself beat up so no potions either."

"Sure thing scrooge."

*sigh* "You know we can barely afford another loan so you'll have to start earning money quick to pay this off."

"Got it, now lets look at the spears. Anything you know that could help?"

"Not really, I use a bow so I don't know as much about melee weapons; however, you need to make sure that you can use it properly in the dungeon. There are plenty of stories of people getting some huge weapon and dying to goblins when they can't swing the thing in narrow dungeon halls."

"So looking for something not too big but big enough I can get a good swing in if necessary right."

"That sounds right, but why a spear anyway?"

"Well you know how spears are compared to dragons when wielded by masters right? That makes me feel a little fate with spears. Also I can use it as a walking stick in my downtime."

"You just like sticks don't you."

"Hey! Sticks have taught many a hero in their youth I'll have you know."

At that both of us start chuckling as we head to the spear racks. There are three of them one for short throwing spears, one for regular spears, and one for long spears, and I say rack but it looks more like a box they just threw everything that fit in pointy end up. The long spears are way too much for me while the throwing spears are just that so for now I focus on the regular spears. Ruffling through the many pieces I pull out a few every now and then to get a feel for them but nothing seems to leap out. Then again this looks like a reject pile anyway. Sure they work, but they also won't win any prizes.

"How long are you guys gonna take!" The shop clerk yells at us for taking too long. Geez where's the customer service? Focusing on length I finally pick a spear about 1 3/4 meders long making it just a little taller than me. Naaza appraises me as I thrust it out a few times.

"Well you won't slay any dragons with it, but it'll kill some goblins." Agreeing with her I head to the counter to check out, and after convincing the store clerk to let me wear the armor out we head back to the Blue Pharmacy.

"So how does the new equipment feel?"

"Feels pretty good. I can move around easily enough in it and the spear feels right though I'm not used to the length yet. Almost can't wait to go into the dungeon, but I'll probably take tomorrow to get some practice in. Like you said don't wanna die to some rookie mistake."

"Smart, don't want you dying after getting us deeper in debt now."

"Is everything about money with you."

"Hey! I just don't want you causing more trouble for Lord Miach."

"Fine, fine, but speaking of trouble. Could you keep our talk about the Soma familia quiet. I don't want to drag Lord Miach into it if I can."

"Alright I guess I can agree on that, but make sure to come to us if you need help. And you better watch out while in the dungeon. Pretty much anything goes in there despite the guild. You'll be okay for the upper floors, but once you start getting deeper there will be more chances for 'accidents'."

"Yeah I can imagine, but they are the ones that better watch out."

"Anyway enough about that. What did you want to keep in the guild by the way. It's not like you have much on you."

"Oh, that would be my box. I'll explain tomorrow but it's related to my secrets."

"Great more secrets. Is everything about you some deadly secret that will destroy the city or something."

*HaHa* "Well maybe, but hey when I find something that isn't you'll be the first to know."

"Ah, welcome back you two. Did everything go well?"

"Yes, Lord Miach and it's good to be back."

"Yep, good to be back now lets celebrate!"