1-29 Failed Weapon
In the inn's spacious common room, a rowdy drinking party was in full swing.
The subjugation team had turned back right after taking down the Zag, but it was well past midnight by the time we made it back to Goti.
The guards, having heard the full story, cheerfully opened the gates despite the late hour. But some of the merchants and their escorts—folks who wanted to head out first thing in the morning—decided that since they'd made it this far, they might as well party through the night.
And so, while divvying up the earnings from the subjugation, the bash kicked off right there in the common room.
Isn't this disrupting the inn's business? Well, maybe they'd cut us some slack just this once. The Zag's rampage had hit the merchants hardest, but the townsfolk had been on edge too, wondering when it'd strike locally.
"What a magnificent physique!"
"It's a full size—no, two sizes—bigger than a normal Zag. Impressive that you took it down."
Before I knew it, even the merchants who'd sat out the fight—sending only their escorts—had joined the crowd gawking at the Zag's corpse.
The MVP of the subjugation, hands down, was the old Water Magic User. He got first pick of the materials, as per his request.
I wasn't sure what I'd even done, but my emergency evasion and slash got rave reviews. Plus, the folks around me appreciated my subtle defensive magic. So, I earned a decent share of the credit.
I hadn't meant to shine or anything, but it left me with this weird feeling—like I was dancing on Dentor's palm.
Still, it got me picking rights somewhere in the middle of the pack, so I snagged one of the remaining claws. The beak would've been fine too, but it'd already sold.
I was grinning over my pair of claws when the old man called me over and handed me a cloth bag.
"What's this?"
"Keep your voice down. It's a magic stone."
"Eh!?"
I barely stifled my voice and peeked inside. Sure enough, a green magic stone.
"You picked the magic stone, old timer?"
"Aye. And now I'm givin' it to ye."
"Eh?"
This time, my voice nearly escaped for real.
"Wh-what's the idea?"
"Oh, nothin'. I'm retired. And from where I stood, you turned the tide. Figured you earned it."
True, my emergency evasion and single slash had created an opening. The thing only stopped moving after the follow-up attacks, so I hadn't pushed the point.
"Th-thanks."
"Honest lad, aren't ya."
The old man grinned and clapped my shoulder. Then he threw back his cup and let out a hearty laugh.
"Still, a Magic Swordsman spamming defensive spells? And that quirky wind magic? Quite the show."
"Ah."
He'd seen through the emergency evasion mechanic, huh. Probably sniffed out I wasn't really a Magic Swordsman either. Sweat trickling down my back, I chatted with him anyway.
"You weren't one of the escorts, were you, old timer?"
"Nah, just a retired geezer livin' easy here in Goti."
"That explains why you stood out from the pack... You used to run with a warrior squad or something?"
"Somethin' like that. The young'uns begged me to help with the subjugation, so I dusted this off for old times' sake."
He stroked the tip of his staff. Staff, huh...
"Old timer, you know anything about this sword?"
I drew my katana—scabbard and all—and handed it over. He took it, slid the blade out to inspect it, then sheathed and returned it.
"Looks like a magic sword to me."
"Magic sword..."
"This staff's a magic staff, in a manner of speakin'. Processed to channel magic easier. Ain't yours?"
"It is, but I just got it recently. Magic's been surprisingly smooth since."
"Lucky find. Plenty of magic weapons out there, but a Magic Swordsman stumblin' on a magic sword? Too perfect."
"Hmm, magic sword, eh. Yeah, lucky break."
Did Joysman know what it was?
Nah, probably not.
Likely some fancy blade he strong-armed off someone—made for a Magic Swordsman. Pearl before swine, basically. Joysman with a magic sword. Better I put it to good use. Not that I'm a Magic Swordsman either.
"Just mind the maintenance better."
"I do the basics for a regular sword. Magic swords need extra?"
"Aye. And get the magic circuits tuned at a magitech shop regularly. Safer that way."
Magitech shop, got it. With the magic gun too, I'd hit one up in the next big town.
"Thanks, old timer. You sure about the magic stone?"
"No worries. Should fetch a fair price—use it for maintenance."
"Will do."
What a solid guy. For every Joysman, there's an Elliott or this old timer. Maybe that's the spice of travel. I thanked him inwardly, pretended to pocket the bag, and stashed it in my interspace.
That night, uncharacteristically, I had just one drink—and quietly wished the old man long life.
Satellite, the trading city.
If Oguri Kyuresu was the hub for sea trade, Satellite was the land trade nexus.
Population wasn't huge, but it controlled the major arteries to the capital, south, and west. Pass through the gates, and a massive carriage depot hits you first.
Dozens of wagons parked, loading up and heading out. Like a hub airport back on modern Earth.
Here, we parted ways with Dentor's crew. Our contract was only this far.
I'd sensed him eyeing me for something exclusive, but no such offer came.
"Headin' west after all?"
"Yeah, monster hunting holy land's the goal."
"Shame. Would've loved your escort longer."
"Appreciate it, but..."
"Haha, no pressure. If you're near Tarstira, might post material-gathering quests. Hit us up then."
"You got it."
Social nicety or real? Either way, connections with merchants—even small-scale—were welcome. Dentor paid well and seemed sharp.
"Here's your pay."
"Oh, right."
The cloth bag held 50 silver coins.
"Base pay: 10 silvers. Success bonus: another 10. Bandit hazard pay: 10. Zag subjugation quest: 20."
"Checks out."
Base was half a silver per day. Full days, mortal peril—5,000 yen daily might sound cheap, but nah.
They covered food and travel costs, so you profited pure. Solid deal at 5,000 yen.
"But 20 silvers for the subjugation? Honestly, they'd have won without us. Straight loss, no?"
"Nah, perfect. We split materials and rewards, lost coin-wise. But gained fame and trust for cooperating. Can't buy that with gold later."
"Buying credibility, eh... Respect."
Merchants got their angles. I didn't pry, just stashed the silvers in my pack—for show—into interspace.
Dentor hadn't said it, but the subjugation netted more than cred: parading a Magic Swordsman.
Noble favorite job. Not exclusive, but hiring one screamed noble ties.
Other merchants might think he was babysitting some noble's runaway heir. Dentor steered 'em that way. Boosted his rep among eastern traders as "noble-connected"—maybe.
His call how to play it.
He'd weighed fencing me in: risk of noble backlash, or me dying. Couldn't commit. I'd have refused anyway.
Complex feelings in tow, Dentor watched me go.
"Fits the trading city hype—bustling as hell~."
"So many carriages."
"Kyu!?"
Sasha and I wandered like tourists. Don, thrilled by the new city—or too noisy to sleep—poked from my pack, chirping away.
But no time for sightseeing. Merc guild first...
"Hmm... Nothin'."
Sword-marked merc guild had solo quests at reception. Scanned for westbound escorts: zilch.
"Lookin' for somethin' specific?"
The young guy behind the counter piped up.
"Uh, thought I'd take a merchant caravan to the monster hunting holy land."
"Escort? Tricky."
"Yeah?"
"Yup. Teba, right? Big merc bands contract those runs. Small caravans hire in the capital or Teba itself."
"Teba... No one hires here?"
"Rare, unless emergencies. Locals head to Teba if free. Few wait in hub Satellite."
"Got it."
Escort-hopping plan busted. Should've checked Oguri Kyuresu for Teba-bound gigs.
"How do folks normally get to Teba?"
"Shared carriages run regular. That's the way."
"Any escort quests for those?"
"Nah, warrior squads or contracted merc bands handle 'em. Unofficial cheapos? Self-defense only, no hires."
(Like illegal cabs, huh.)
"...So, pay as passenger's safest."
"Yup. Walk if you want, but shared carriage for safety."
"Roger. Need funds—any short-term gigs here?"
"Short-term? One sec."
He snatched a quest sheet, flipped through, humming.
"How 'bout this? Rare one. Herb gathering assist."
"Ho?"
Game-y as hell. Cliché, but whatever.
"Interested? Shallow mountain run, escort from monsters/beasts, plus porter duty. Base: 30 coppers/day."
"Cheap!?"
"No? Try this: new wall construction help."
"Wall?"
"Outside walls, needs self-defense. Mercs wanted. Temp: 60-80 coppers/day."
"Labor, huh. 60 coppers cheap?"
"Market for temp manual."
Hmm.
"Believe it or not, I'm a magic user. Any magic-friendly quests?"
"Magic user?"
He eyed me skeptically. I get it.
"Don't look the part? Aware, but true."
"Sorry... Make magitech?"
"Magitech? No."
"Pity. High-pay magitech craft/repair was floating around."
"Merc gig?"
"Probably not originally. Solos got odd skills, so it looped here."
"Ah... Wall work then? Magic user could negotiate up."
"Really?"
"Yup. Earth magic?"
"Earth? Decent-ish."
"Hardsoil—earth that hardens with magic. Shape it for work? They'd love ya."
"Ho."
Hardsoil... Good earth practice. Worth a shot?
"Can I bring a follower?"
"Bringing one? No pay for 'em, but fine."
"Cool. Run it up."
"Come tomorrow morn. Not locked yet."
"Gotcha. No sweat if it flops."
Westbound then. ...Oh, he'd answer.
"Library in town?"
"Don't think so. Might be tiny one somewhere."
"Magitech shop? Magic sword stuff."
"Yep, Tere's Blade Shop. Flashy sign. Full weapon magitech."
"Sweet, thanks. Headin' there."
Craining necks down the main drag, spotted the gaudy sign.
"...Gaudier than expected."
Tere's Blade Shop gleamed with neon-like lights, pink vibe heavy.
My Earth bias? Probably high fashion here.
"...Whoa, flashy..."
Sasha recoiling said otherwise.
"Gii."
Don dove back in the pack like his eyes hurt. Yeah, let's enter quick. Inside, no eyesore.
Spacious, walls lined with magitech. But sparse—gaps everywhere.
Clerk busy with customers, so I browsed.
...Each spot had one magitech piece, pop-sign explanation, detailed sheet. Samples, got it.
"No actual stock... Like cell shops."
Skimmed: mist makeup tool, fridge bag? Weapons where?
"Interesting."
Sasha fondled some. If she wanted makeup, cheap one's fine—got temp cash.
"Oh, customers! Someone assist~!"
Backroom voice: draggy "Yeees~," apron gal hustled over, panting.
"Haa, haa... Sorry for wait. Seeking?"
"Combat magitech where?"
"Upstairs. First floor: merchant new magitech showcase."
"Rare."
"Owner's idea... Stairs there. Follow!"
Upstairs: rugged combat gear galore. Messy discount bin vibe.
"Chair here. Requests? I'll fetch."
"Nah, mid-range. Defense magitech?"
"Defense. Checking."
"We browse? No breaks."
"Fine. All have anti-theft—try downstairs, alarm blares."
"Ho, handy. Noted."
Anti-theft smart. Rough world—prevents theft, hypes gear. Sharp owner.
Wait-time: scoped rumored magic blast staff—not gun.
Consumes magic stones for gun-like shots, right?...
Staff-like magitech aplenty, no stone slots. Old timer's magic staff type?
Blast staffs commoner than magic guns here—must stock.
Sasha sat still. Not into weapons. Normal girl.
"Sorry~! Browsing? Small defense here."
"Heard blast staff's handy. Curious, not buying."
"None here—separate for volume."
"Ah."
"Later? Defense first."
"Sure."
Apron brought: will-activated magic shields varied. Neckband stat boost. Auto-magic intercept bracelet.
Prices climbed rearward. Budget-blind assortment.
"Magic shields famous~! Rings, bracelets, chokers, necklaces, combs—accessory types. Slot magic stone, auto-activates."
"Any stone?"
"Depends—size/shape. Near-perfect spheres best. Pricey or polished."
"Polishers, huh. Rough stones get shaped..."
"First time? Standard."
"Ho."
News to me. Self-sustain with drops? Tough. Good stones sell; polish here?
"We polish~! Not specialists, some no."
"Cool. Prices?"
"15 silvers up."
"...Cheapest defense?"
"Yup. Practical sweet spot."
Hmm, magitech pricey inevitable.
"Cheapest form?"
"Bracelet? Unpopular as accessory, plain ones linger."
"Makes sense. That one."
"Right away~!"
Silver plain bracelets for Sasha's size.
"...Master, for me?"
"Yeah. I got magic, you need emergency defense. Perfect."
"Present~! Wonderful!"
"Th-thank you."
Sasha blushed faintly. Surprise gift: success.
"Inner side opens to stone slot. Sphere any attribute works, but shrinks with use—watch output."
"Any attribute? Nice."
"Yup, versatility sells it. Bracelet durable, lasts lifetime if cared."
Solid. Faux-pocketed stone pouch from interspace, tested sphere fit.
Small monster rough spheres needed polish. Old timer's Zag stone praised but no—too big.
"Prime stone! Yours?"
"Kinda. Group subjugation share. Selling later."
"Ooh~! Wait! One min!"
Hyped apron dragged back the first bro.
"Sorry, sir. Daughter overstepped~."
Polite, refined—ruined by swishy flair. Isekai norm? O-nee types nice template? Trustworthy?
"Apologies, sir. That stone—sell to us!?"
Apron bowed, spoke. Ah, that.
"Buy stones too?"
"Free trade here. May I see...?"
Swishy demanded. Handed over; he raised to light, intense stare.
"Ho ho, gooorgeous~! Gem-quality sheen!"
Raised like offering, ecstatic. Nope, disengage urge rising. What now.
"40 silvers minimum... We do 55! Deal!?"
Ditched polite, haggling.
"R-really? Uh, lemme think."
Sasha for help: demure "Up to you." Damn, yamato nadeshiko backfire. Judge?
"Appraise at stone center first? Return if good."
"Fine~! Smart's attractive. Come sell!"
Straight shooter—no lowball. Still, appraise.
55 silvers huge. Thanks, old timer. Watch from heaven...
Not dead.
"Oh, right. Maintenance on these?"
Handed magic gun, magic sword. Swishy's appraiser vibe.
"Ooh, magic sword. Simple, quality make. This... blast staff? No."
Muttered inspecting gun—near disassembly. Stop.
"It's a magic gun, apparently. Fluke get, rare here—no maintenance spots."
"Magic gun... Heard of 'em. Eastern island nation's failed weapon, right? But this magic crystal, clean mana lines~! Heavily used?"
Sharp eye.
"Spot on? Secret weapon. Fixable?"
"Probably... Time? Show craftsman."
"Lend it? My secret."
"On our name, no steal. Hour, check."
Hmm, flush shop, stone verify anyway. Lend, grab food.
"Leavin' it. No breaks."
"More trust~! Fine. Break it, pay gold. Shoo~!"
Booted by swishy.
Tech too? Gun lit him up.
But "failed weapon"? Handy gun fail? Joke.
Back in an hour?
End-of-year update.
Got baited by comments elsewhere like "Special update for New Year's, right...?" and here we are.