The sun hangs heavy in the sky, casting an oppressive heat that makes it a particularly humid day. I find myself strolling through the merchant district of our province, driven by a singular goal—to secure gear and magical artifacts before my training begins. Most of all, I need a weapon. According to the handbook, the Awakener Cards given to us also serve as debit cards approved by the Guild Hall. When I checked the balance on the card, I found it already had a significant amount of cash I could withdraw. It seems the Guild takes care of its recruits, though whether that is out of genuine concern or a calculated move to boost our loyalty is a question with no clear answer. It is likely both.
As I navigate the district, the streets are lined with every kind of establishment imaginable, from skill scroll shops to apothecaries and busy smithies. The rhythmic pounding of hammers from the larger forges sounds more like a collective heartbeat than a place of industry, while the nearby apothecaries emit a faint, ozone-heavy scent which is the unmistakable smell of distilled mana. Rather than joining the crowds at the main shops, I turn away from the noise and head toward a smaller smithy tucked into a secluded corner of the district.
Stepping inside, I am immediately met by the sight of various weapons and armor sets on display. Several mannequins stand like silent sentinels, clad in full-plate armor that gleams with metals ranging from common bronze and silver to alloys I cannot even name. The air inside is sweltering, and thick steam billows out from a door behind the counter, making the small shop feel more like a sauna.
"Damn, this building needs more ventilation," I mutter, wiping the sweat from my brow.
As I approach the counter, a man emerges from the back room. He is a sweaty, bald, middle-aged figure wearing nothing but trousers and flip-flops. Despite his age, his build is remarkably bulky, leaving me to wonder if he was once a brawler-type Awakener or if his physique is simply the result of years spent at the anvil. He leans against the counter, eyeing me with a gaze that is both questioning and curious.
"A customer?" he asks, his voice filled with surprise. "My apologies. I don't get many people in here, let alone someone as young as you. So, what are you looking for? Swords, spears, or even armor? I have it all."
I began to scan the different types of weapons before finally focusing on my choice—the saber. There were ten on display, each with varying weights and blade lengths, and I took the time to test every one of them. Eventually, I settled on the lightest of the bunch. Now that I had my weapon, it was time to secure the gear I needed to kickstart my plan. I turned back toward the middle-aged blacksmith, who I could tell had been scrutinizing my every move from the moment I walked in.
"Do you have masks for sale?" I asked.
"Masks?" The blacksmith eyed me with suspicion etching across his face. "What would you need those for?"
I kept my silence under his interrogation. Suddenly, I felt an immense pressure emanating from the man as he released a heavy aura of mana. There was no doubt now that he was Awakened. Seconds passed, then a full minute, yet I stood my ground and endured the crushing weight of his presence. Finally, the pressure dissipated. I clutched my chest, breathing heavily as I tried to recover.
"Fine. If you won't spout it out, I won't force you," the man muttered, though he still glared at me as if he were ready to strike and end me on the spot. "But leave me out of it."
I looked at him and approached, still catching my breath from the pressure of his aura. "Don't worry. I am no rogue Awakener, nor am I a brigand. It is simply to hide my identity in case of emergencies," I lied. I knew I needed a mask to kickstart my plan, and for what I intended to do tonight, I might very well be classified as a rogue Awakener. The man still eyed me with a lingering suspicion, but he finally relented his pursuit for answers.
"Fine. Wait here. I will bring a chest," he grunted. He disappeared through the back door, returning a minute later holding a small, reinforced box. He set it on the counter and opened it in front of me. Inside lay a smooth, white mask carved with a spiraling, swirling black tribal pattern that converged on a single central point. At the very heart of that spiral sat a prominent red jewel.
"This is the only mask I can offer. It was sold to me not too long ago and I was about to put it on display, but then you came along. It is no ordinary mask. It is a magical artifact said to have been looted from an Aethelgardian camp. As for its functionality, you can see there are no holes, yet you will still be able to see, breathe, and speak clearly. From your perspective, the mask becomes transparent, but to others, your face remains hidden even if they use a low tier scanning skill. It can even emit black smoke from the gem in the middle if the need arises. It is the perfect piece of gear."
I stared at the design, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't enamored by its capabilities. It was exactly what my plan required.
"I will take it, along with the saber," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Alright. That will be 10,000 regalias. 2,000 for the saber and 8,000 for the mask."
When I heard the price, my heart sank. The cost was staggering, and I still needed to buy more gear for later, yet the mask was too perfect to pass up. I had to try my luck.
"5,000 regalias," I offered, shamelessly haggling in hopes of securing my gains.
"Are you insulting me, boy?" the blacksmith growled, a vein beginning to throb in his forehead. "I paid more than that for the mask alone. The lowest I can go is 9,500."
"7,000," I countered. He glared at me menacingly, his large hands clenching as if he were contemplating strangling me right there.
"8,900, brat. Any lower than that and I am going to smack you out of this establishment."
Recognizing that I couldn't push him any further without testing his patience, I decided to close the deal. "Deal."
I paid the agreed amount and quickly left the shop with my new items, not wanting to find out what would happen if I stayed a second longer. With my remaining funds too low to purchase any more significant gear, I headed toward a nearby inn. I rented a small room to wait for nightfall, which is when my true plan would finally begin.