Chapter 18 - Gamer Receives a Death Threat After Showing a Gacha Result to a Friend and Asking, "Is This Good?"
Rubella left Parita to the elf team, who guided her over to their barrack. The six ladies huddled in a makeshift hut, which they temporarily occupied for the night.
Sparrow questioned Parita about what she had been doing, and she recounted everything that had happened.
"Lupus blackmailed you into this, I see." Sparrow understood everything.
"He meant well, though. Who knows what the governor's kid might do tomorrow when all the top adventurers leave town? He has been stalking us for years." Parrot voiced her thoughts.
Parita raised her hand. "And who is this governor and his kid I've been hearing about? Are they bad?"
The elf girls sighed. Parrot patted her shoulder. "They're the reason some of us are in disguise. Those bastards are womanizers, and elves like us are their prime targets. Tomorrow, smear some charcoal or dirt on your face and mess up your hair. That way, you won't stand out."
"…"
"Also, you said that you need some knives and equipment, right? Follow me. I'll show you the store." Parrot offered to be a guide.
"Sure, but do we have time? It's late."
All eyes were fixed on the sun as it descended in the west. According to their estimate, approximately two hours of daylight remained.
"Eh, we can make it if we rush. Let's go."
Consequently, Parrot seized Parita's hand and brought her to the eastern commercial zone, where they could acquire the best equipment and weapons, accessible only to the local soldiers and high-level adventurers.
* * *
Unlike the southern and central districts of Diddease Town, the eastern district was home to officials and those in the military. Local soldiers in their uniforms were more common than on the other streets.
Men sneaked glances at Parrot and Parita, ogling their body outlines. Teenage squares blushed as they walked past them.
Parita crossed her arms, covering her chest. She regretted wearing this outfit.
Parrot noticed it and teased her. "If you hate it, choose a priest's robe next time. It's more concealing."
"…I'll keep that in mind."
"But your movements will be very restricted. Are you alright with that?"
"You know what? I think I'll pick some thick knight armor sets. A good breastplate or bulky leather armor will do."
"…Suit yourself."
Because of Parita's choice, Parrot brought her to the army blacksmith shop, where they could purchase pre-made equipment for knights and melee-type adventurers.
Upon arriving at the store, the women saw an outdoor workshop where a group of twelve dwarves were busy crafting things. The area included a towering brick building where casual visitors could examine its merchandise. Parrot showed Parita the way to the building.
The moment Parita stepped inside, the mocap suit began controlling her movements. Her neck twisted fully, accompanied by a soft crack, as she was compelled to move her legs towards the area with weapons. A huge signboard was positioned behind it, with a giant paper displaying a written word.
TRY YOUR LUCK
Parrot grinned and followed Parita. She explained. "Ah, are you into lotteries?"
"Lotteries?" Parita managed to move her mouth. She was still in control of her voice.
"Yeah. You see the weapon racks and the barrels around here?"
The parrot indicated the wooden barrels filled with diverse weapons, and the racks displayed multiple tiers of metal plate armor.
"Yeah?"
"These are the lottery tickets. They are crafted by blacksmith trainees, but a select few are made by master blacksmiths. Most of them are evaluated as defective products. But sometimes, the store owner slips a good one in the mix to tempt customers like us."
"Isn't it better to pick something of better quality ourselves?"
"Pick your own gear? You're looking at around 1,700 gold for a whole set of B-tier leather armor. If you play the lottery here, you can get something for only 10 gold. It's a good price for disposable items. If you're lucky, you might snag an A-tier equipment!"
Parita's eyes widened. Even with everything she possessed, she couldn't buy all the equipment she needed.
"That expensive?!"
"Being an adventurer is expensive. We put our lives on the line for quick cash, and these greedy shorties know how to do business."
Parrot snorted and glared at the nearby storekeeper, who was also a dwarf. The latter smirked and mocked them.
"Hurry up, ya smelly elves! Ya don't know anything about armor, anyway. Pick something, pay, and leave! Ya're stinking up my store!"
Parrot's expression turned dark. She wished to retort, but Parita moved first.
The mocap forced her eyeballs to stare at a wooden crate, which contained a stack of leather armor. It forced her hand to reach out and dig into the pile. Her fingers seized an item and pulled it out.
The armor looked like coarse, black leather, and it only covered the front torso. The crucial regions, like the back and shoulders, were left unprotected.
Parita's vocal cord automatically moved. The mocap suit spoke for her.
"I'll take this one."
Parrot frowned and shook her head in disappointment. "That thing? It's even dirtier than my used armor. Should we head back home and fetch my used stuff instead?"
Parita got her body back in an instant. Pausing, she glanced at the system message screen with a look of protest. Annoyed as she was, she followed through.
"Yeah, no. I'll rock with this one."
"Suit yourself." Parrot shrugged and turned to the dwarf. She was then taken aback.
The dwarf's cocky expression earlier was pale. His lips and braided beard trembled as though he was having a stroke. He pointed at Parita and asked.
"A-Are y-you sure? T-That doesn't look nice."
Parita caught the hint and smirked. "Wrap this up for me, will you?"
"Y-Y-You… YA'RE JUST LUCKY! THERE WILL BE NO NEXT TIME!"
Parrot's eyes opened wider. She stared at Parita and the dwarf, back and forth. A few seconds later, she understood everything and grinned. She mocked the storekeeper.
"Don't forget to get it appraised, too! Kekekeke!"
The dwarf was fuming with rage. He snatched the leather piece from Parita and sprinted to the back office.
"I WILL REMEMBER THIS!"
Parrot cackled while Parita sighed.
However, that was not the end. Parita's mocap suit forced her arms and legs again. This time, she moved toward a barrel section full of random weapons. She reached into the bottom of a barrel and pulled out a rusty gladius.
Parrot noticed it and warned her. "Kestrel, you can only purchase one item per day from this store."
Parita tilted her head and smirked. "Then, use your quota and buy me this one?"
Parrot snickered. "Well, I don't plan on buying any crap from that fart, but are you sure you want to settle with… a rusty short sword?"
"Wanna see that fart's surprised face again?"
"…"
Parrot's grin widened, so wide that the corners of her mouth almost reached her ears. She nodded, and Parita gave her the gold coins.
The dwarf soon returned. He shoved a piece of paper and the leather armor to Parita.
"Now! Gimme ya money!"
Parita shoved 10 gold coins into the dwarf's thick hand. Meanwhile, Parrot followed her cue and gave him 10 gold coins as well.
"I'll take this one too. WRAP IT!"
The dwarf sneered. "A rusty knife? Ya have no eye or what?"
Parrot was slightly disappointed by the reaction. However, she trusted Parita's eyes and pressed on. "I'll pay extra if you scrap the rust out. Now, appraise it, cave-digger!"
"Fine!"
The dwarf snatched the rusty gladius and went back to the storehouse to appraise the item.
Meanwhile, Parita checked her leather armor and the paper, which detailed the item.
* * *
Blessed Basilisk Hide Breastplate (A)
- Possesses a 10% probability of petrifying the attackers.
- Wearer is immune to earth element spells.
- Bestows the passive skill "Stone Skin" upon the wearer.
* * *
Parita raised an eyebrow and passed the note to Parrot.
"Senpai, is this good?"
Parrot received the note and skimmed through it. She froze on the spot as though she had become a statue.
The dwarf returned and noticed Parrot's reaction. He clicked his tongue and gave the gladius and a leather scabbard to Parita instead. He also warned her.
"My master will be pissed if he learns of this. Now, get out! Go home before he kills you!"
The dwarf kicked both ladies out of the store and stomped back into the workshop area. He picked a hammer and pushed a worker aside to work on the item instead.
Parita and Parrot stood still outside the store. The former checked the paper and read the appraisal result.
* * *
Worn-Out Gladius of the Paladin King (B)
- Can pierce through drake scales.
- Automatically dispels dark-element magic of the target.
- Has been extensively used. Limited durability. Should not be used as a primary weapon but as a secondary weapon.
* * *
Again, Parita passed the note to Parrot and asked her.
"I just got this. Is this good?"
"…"
Parrot stared at the note for several minutes. Her eyes were bloodshot. Finally, she turned to Parita and asked her.
"Can I kill you?"
"No."
"That sword can be sold for 3,000 gold coins in any market! The armor's real worth is over 10,000! JUST HOW?! How in the goddess's name did you know?! Do you have an appraisal skill?!"
"Umm, I'm just good?"
"How can I have good eyes like you! Teach me, Master!"
Parita smirked. "Umm, git gud?"
Parrot gave her a meaningful look while she tilted her head. "…Can I kill you?"
"No."