Chapter 14: Shopping
Shopping
"Right. System, is it possible to hide my strength?" Christopher asked the system. It would be far too suspicious if Christopher disappeared for only a few hours only to come back a few ranks stronger.
"That's perfect, keep it at the peak of the Orange rank." Christopher said.
"That's exactly what I needed. Well, now that I've settled that, let's go shopping." Christopher thought and decided to exit the dimension.
***
In a dark room that wasn't too big or too large, a robed figure could be seen sitting cross legged on a cot, his expression impossible to make out from the misty dark energy that swirled around him.
The figure stayed in that position without moving a muscle. In fact, they didn't even seem to breathe as they remained perfectly still.
At that moment, another robed figure entered the room and bowed respectfully to the one on the cot.
"Eminence, there is something of note to report." The one standing said respectfully.
The one referred to as Eminence didn't move for a few seconds, and then like an un-oiled robot, his head nodded up and down as an indicator for the one standing to proceed.
"The mission to obtain the Legend's Sword Shard was a failure. There was an unaccounted possibility which caused the plan to fail." The robed figure explained.
The Eminence didn't reply and instead tilted his head for a moment.
"Show me." The two words were filled with ancientness and coldness that didn't seem possible for a human being to express.
Regardless, the one standing nodded and brought out a black ball before tapping on it. Then, a holographic image appeared above the ball showing a certain scene. It was the scene of Christopher blocking the beam attack from Idris before having Silver completely decimate everyone there in an instant.
The one on the cot watched the video and said nothing as they considered for a moment.
"Find out who this individual is and who he is affiliated with. If he is unaffiliated with anyone, try to make him join us. If he refuses, kill him and everyone related to him. We cannot have such a wildcard interfering with such important tasks." The being said coldly and the one standing nodded.
"What about the Legend's Sword Shard?" He then asked.
"It should have reached the head of the Darius Family by now. Trying to retrieve it at this moment would be foolish. Leave it for now and focus on retrieving the other Shards. You are dismissed." The being said.
The other one nodded and left the room, leaving the being to himself.
***
"Gasp!" In a unique bed chamber that seemed to be within a massive tree, a very beautiful girl who seemed to be in her twenties sat upwards with his shocked expression, sweat covering her body as she panted.
Her hair was pure white and her ears were long and pointed, indicating her status as an elf.
"Princess!? Is everything alright?" Not a moment later, guards suddenly burst into the room and went to tend to her. And behind them, a beautiful,. elegant elf wearing luxurious attire strode in with a serious expression. However, when she saw the girl, her expression turned to that of worry.
"Aisha. Is all well?" She said as she held the girl's face in her hands.
Aisha took a few breaths to calm herself and nodded before looking at the woman.
"I am fine, mother. However…" Aisha seemed to hesitate and her mother nodded.
"You know you can tell me anything." She said gently and Aisha nodded.
"I… I had a vision." Aisha said and her mother's eyes widened.
"Everybody out, now." Her tone was low and authoritative and the guards didn't hesitate as the left the room leaving just the mother and daughter.
"Tell me everything." She said seriously and Aisha nodded.
"It was vague and quite distorted. Like trying to piece together a shattered frame." She started and her mother listened patiently.
"It was strange. There was a man, a human to be exact. I didn't get his name or anything else, just his face. And then…" Aisha's brows furrowed as she recalled the remainder of her dream.
"There was a darkness. But not like what one would see from darkness magic. No, this one was different, more sinister. Even as I remember it now, it feels like my very existence is getting swallowed with nothing being left behind. That same darkness seemed to be swallowing the whole world." When she said this, her mother's eyes widened.
"The whole world?! You mean a human will be responsible for this?!" She asked in shock, but Aisha shook her head.
"It's hard to explain, but it is as if he has a choice. Like he could have chosen to stop the strange darkness, or he simply didn't care and let it be. Either way, I believe that darkness will bring about total destruction to our world. And that human is the only one that can stop it." Aisha said seriously and her mother looked at her with an unreadable expression.
"This must not be known to anyone else. Can you clearly recall his features?" Her mother asked and Aisha nodded.
"Good. Draw a portrait of him and I Will have him found." She said seriously.
***
The market in the Empire's capital was located in the northern part, with it being between the upper and lower class area.
Christopher walked around and looked at everything with curios eyes. The previous owner of this body had only gone into the market a few times, and he never went far as he never had enough money to buy anything more than the basic necessities.
Christopher on the other hand had two hundred stellar coins which easily made him one if the most wealthy individuals in the entire Empire, and he planned to spend that wealth properly.
'I first of all need armour. I may be somewhat strong with a good weapon, but if I encounter someone the same level as me and I'm not geared properly, I'd get injured unnecessarily. Moreover, I plan to use a different persona when I become an adventurer. So I'll need a good mask. Thankfully, I don't need to buy anything insane since I can just use the Dimension.' Christopher thought.
He then noticed a very luxurious looking shop that had multiple levels. It was named Tyrant's Armoury and judging by the large number of guards that were around the place, it was clear that this establishment was one that was very renowned.
'Guess I'll try this place.' He thought and decided to make his way there. Luckily, while the clothes that the butler had given him weren't too fancy, they weren't shabby either and looked like something a noble would wear if they didn't wa t to show off. So no one gave him a second glance.
When he did enter, he was greeted by the sight of all sorts of weapons, armor, and other equipment like enchanted necklaces and so on.
"Good day sir. How may I be of assistance?" Immediately, a very pretty woman wearing a formal shirt and a knee long skirt came in front of Christopher and said respectfully.
"Good day to you too. If it's no problem, would you mind helping me find armour and a mask? Preferably ones useful to those at the Blue Rank." Christopher decided to to waste time and stated his needs after returning the greeting.
"It's no problem at all, please follow me." She bowed and turned and started walking. Christopher followed after her and they went up a set of stairs to the next level. She then took him to an area that was filled with all sorts of armours that gave off unique auras.
"Are any of these to your liking?" She asked and Christopher looked all of them over.
Rank: Blue
Affinity: Darkness, Poison
Abilities →
Description: An Armor set designed to aid the wearer speed and well as protect them.> Christopher saw the specs and was immediately satisfied.
With his weapon choice and combat style, he decided that something that wouldn't impair his speed but still protect him properly would do him well. And this Armor was exactly what he needed.
"I'll take this." He said and the woman nodded before raising her hand. The ring on her finger flashed purple before the whole armor set vanished.
She then took Christopher to another area that was filled with all sorts of masks. Christopher looked all of them over before stopping on a plain white mask that had a gold line run across the left eye.
Rank: Blue
Affinity: Illusion, Light
Abilities →
Description: A mask geared specifically towards hiding the identity of the wearer.> Christopher was once again satisfied and indicated it as his choice.
The woman nodded and brought him back to the first floor and to a counter before laying the things he bought on it.
"The armour set and the Mask will cost you a total of 180 gold coins." She said and Christopher nodded. Then his expression turned strange.
"Would you guys happen to have change?" He asked at the woman looked at him in confusion.
"Change?" She asked and Christopher nodded before bringing a Stellar Coming out.
"Don't freak out please." He said and placed the coin on the table.
She stared at it and her brain went blank for a moment causing Christopher to sigh.
'I should've seen this coming.' He thought.
"S- Stellar coin." She said absentmindedly before snapping out of it.
"Wh- We'll get your change soon sir!" She said realizing that the person in front of her was someone who shouldn't be messed with and quickly ran towards the back.
"Well that was an oversight on my part." He sighed.