Chapter Eighteen — The Preparations
The three of them next made for the Nira shop — the only store in the entire kingdom dedicated to selling Nira. It was hardly surprising, then, that the place was vast: a tall building with a vaulted ceiling that seemed to touch the sky. The walls were decorated and set with strange stones that glowed whenever someone passed. Inside, visitors bustled around the clock.
Mercenaries wandered between massive shelves searching for the right Eira, while others sat inspecting stones under blue magical lamps. Along one side were sealed trial booths used to test an Eira before buying it; a sign above read: "Using an Eira is your responsibility alone."
The three approached a clerk wearing a black jacket embroidered with silver along the edges and a pair of magical spectacles perched on his head that displayed an Eira's properties for anyone who wished to check. When he heard their request his face registered surprise — each of them wanted two Nira apiece, a rare demand; novice mercenaries usually managed with one.
(This was also Leon's advice: even if they couldn't use some Nira yet because they required many mana points, they should buy them as a deterrent. Of course possession can also invite trouble, so the three chose the first option.)
The clerk led them to the proper section. Nira appeared as various tools and weapons depending on the buyer's will. Each item looked like an ordinary tool, indistinguishable at first glance. Each of the three took the device or weapon that suited him. Leon had already warned them to favor tools over weapons: in close combat a Nira-shaped weapon might break before it exhausted all its uses, so it was safer to buy a regular melee weapon in addition to a Nira. Weapons-shaped Nira existed mainly to help those who could not afford both a Nira and a separate weapon — weapon-form Nira cost less.
Each Nira had only ten uses.
But the price… hit them like a blow.
Daniel read the silent sign the seller had hung and murmured, "Two hundred silver coins per piece…"
When he looked at the Nira displayed as weapons, he was shocked to see their price: one hundred and fifty silver coins.
They moved on to examine the Nira presented as tools. They were small, varied in shape and design, and lined the shelves in abundance — yet a casual observer would notice that most of these tools were rings. It was no wonder: rings were easy to carry, inconspicuous, could stay on a finger at all times without attracting suspicion, and were practical in combat — they didn't hinder movement or require a bag or belt.
Moreover, rings were ideal theft-prevention: they remained attached to their owner, so even if a thief stole them, the thief couldn't immediately use the Nira. Still, rings could be sold by crooked means, so many preferred them. Rings suited both men and women.
Naturally, none of them bought an original Eira — the price was laughable for their pockets. An original Eira could cost a hundred times a Nira. For example, a Level-One original Lightning Eira would sell for 20 full gold coins if it were on the market.
They all chose rings. Each ring looked simple but practical, made to blend into daily life or battle. These are the six rings they picked:
They all instinctively ignored original Eira because of their absurd prices; a Level-One lightning original Eira would equal 20 full gold coins if it appeared in the market.
Daniel's rings:
[ Nira: Lightning Strike ]
[ Mana: Lightning ]
[ Rank: D ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ Activation: Automatic (Modified) ]
[ More details » ]
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[ Nira: Neural Paralysis ]
[ Mana: Lightning ]
[ Rank: E ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ Activation: Automatic (Modified) ]
[ More details » ]
As soon as Daniel completed the purchase he glanced at the detail screen that had appeared before him to see what it contained. He didn't know exactly what "(Modified)" meant — Leon had mentioned it before and admitted he didn't know all of it; even those who studied the subject couldn't always reveal everything — so Daniel put the question aside for the moment.
Daniel also recalled Leon's words:
"In the properties of a Nira, there is no set value for attack power, nor a precise duration for paralysis. These things are all matters of probability, shifting from one strike to another depending on the monster. Some creatures may be paralyzed for five seconds, even ten, by a Level One Neural-Paralysis Nira, while others of the same rank, age, and strength might not be affected in the slightest. That is why a single skill can have entirely different outcomes depending on the monster it is used against. This is not a game, but reality itself — a reality where numbers cannot be trusted."
He had, however, been told by Leon that the preparation time tends to be longer at first when you try to activate a skill until you get used to it.
A brief silence fell over the three. Heavy, strange looks passed between them; despite the gold they had recently received, for a moment they felt as if they were approaching the poverty line. High prices and the reality of their new life likely caused that odd sensation.
Daniel then took Sanjay's and Lucas's rings into his hands and scanned their details, growing more astonished.
Sanjay's rings:
[ Nira: Burning Fist ]
[ Element: Fire ]
[ Rank: E ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ Activation: Automatic (Modified) ]
[ More details » ]
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[ Nira: Fire Orb ]
[ Element: Fire ]
[ Rank: D ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ Activation: Automatic (Modified) ]
[ More details » ]
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Lucas's rings:
[ Nira: Earth Wave ]
[ Element: Earth ]
[ Rank: E ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ Activation: Automatic (Modified) ]
[ More details » ]
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[ Nira: Rocky Skin ]
[ Element: Earth ]
[ Rank: D ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ Activation: Automatic (Modified) ]
[ More details » ]
The skills varied in power and nature, which reassured them somewhat about combat balance among the three and made them look to the future with cautious hope.
After finishing their purchases they decided to rest. They went to a small eatery in a corner known for hot meals for mercenaries and travelers. The smell of spiced meat filled the place, mixed with fresh bread and a stew boiling over an old brass cauldron.
They sat in a quiet corner and ordered a light meal: slices of grilled meat covered in a green herb sauce, thin round bread, and a cup of the local juice — sweet and sharp at once. After eating their fill, they bought some ready food to take with them for dinner, assuming they wouldn't go out late again.
They finished their meal exchanging small talk about prices and the skills they had bought. Daniel stood up thinking of something else that worried him: he decided to find an apothecary to buy some basic medical supplies. He began asking here and there, moving from street to street, stopping passersby and listening to directions with anxious eyes, but had little success — the word "pharmacy" was unfamiliar to most.
After a long search, he finally found a small herb shop at the end of a side alley. The place smelled of dry earth and bitter plants; glass bottles and bundles of herbs hung from the ceiling and filled the shelves.
Daniel entered cautiously and inspected the goods. He selected some herbs with mild but useful healing effects: the "Green Qaf Herb," known for easing headaches, and the "Drowsing Leaf," used to calm the nerves and relieve tension before sleep.
Lucas and Sanjay were surprised by his purchase. Sanjay stepped closer and mocked, "Have you become sick without us knowing?"
Daniel smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry — it's only a coming headache."
Lucas looked at him skeptically. "Strange… do you feel the pain before it comes?"
Daniel replied, "Yes!! Listen, I'll tell you a serious secret of mine."
The two were drawn in automatically and leaned forward to listen.
Daniel said in a solemn tone, "In truth, I have possessed a supernatural power since I was born, and I kept it dormant to keep the world safe."
Lucas and Sanjay regretted their earlier teasing; they fell silent and retreated without commenting on this wild claim. Daniel then laughed and asked jokingly, "Do you want me to tell you about my life's adventures before this?"
Sanjay advanced and said, "How about a punch to add to your adventure?" Lucas chimed in, "Make it two punches and let's see if your supernatural power is real."
"Wait — I'm joking, I'm joking," Daniel protested, backing away.
After that they went to a clothing shop. They needed clothes to match this new world so they wouldn't draw stares. The outfit consisted of a long gray linen shirt with faded hems and sleeves reaching the wrists, embroidered at the edges with fine blue thread; rough dark woolen trousers tied with a worn leather belt from which hung a small pouch for herbs or mana shards; a heavy mud-colored coat lined with old wool and stitched inside with traditional symbols said to warm the body; and high leather boots dusted with the road, decorated with a feather tied by a red thread. The clothes weren't luxurious, but they were good enough — and everything cost one silver piece.
They returned to the house they had recently rented. Each went to his room to work quietly and focus.