I stepped out of the elite district at a slow pace, still remembering the weight of the two bags I had carried earlier—now empty.
All the loot from the The Green Serpent hunters had been sold.
Fast. Clean. No questions asked.
"Total sales: 3,159 Nexbit," Reina's voice echoed in my head.
I paused for a moment.
"…how much do we have now?"
Reina answered immediately, a hint of pride in her tone.
"4,168 Nexbit."
I stared blankly at the busy streets of Firmament City.
That number… felt strange.
Big.
Too big for someone who couldn't even afford bullets yesterday.
"…that's a lot," I muttered.
Reina immediately replied,
"Objectively? No."
I let out a long sigh.
"Of course you'd say that."
"Because it's true," she said casually. "We're just used to being poor, so it looks big."
I rubbed my face slowly.
"…you don't have to explain it."
Reina chuckled.
Before I could respond—
grrrkkk…
My stomach growled.
I froze.
Reina paused too.
Then—
"…that was pretty loud."
"Shut up."
I immediately turned toward a cheap roadside food stall—30 Nexbit per meal.
But—
"Stop."
My steps halted.
"What?" I asked flatly.
"Try somewhere else."
I glanced at her slightly, raising an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Reina answered like she was explaining something obvious.
"Food affects mental condition. You almost died yesterday, fought again today, and suddenly have money. Your mindset is still in survival mode."
I stayed silent.
"So?"
"And I recommend upgrading your dining experience."
I looked at the cheap stall.
Then down another street.
"…are you serious?"
"Just this once," Reina said lightly. "Call it an experiment."
I exhaled.
"…fine."
I turned.
Changed direction.
Toward a busier—and clearly more expensive—district.
—
The restaurant already felt different from the outside.
Cleaner.
Brighter.
And the people inside… dressed far better.
I walked in.
Silence.
No greeting.
No welcome.
Only—
stares.
Everyone looked at me.
From head to toe.
My clothes.
My wounds.
My prosthetic arm.
I ignored them.
Walked straight to a table and sat down.
The chair was soft.
Too soft.
A few seconds later—
a waiter approached.
Slow steps.
His gaze… clearly unfriendly.
He stood beside my table, looking down at me.
"…"
I looked back.
He finally spoke.
"…do you even have money to eat here?"
His tone was flat—but clearly condescending.
I didn't answer immediately.
"Give me the menu."
He paused.
A few seconds.
Then sighed lightly and placed a holographic tablet in front of me.
I picked it up.
The menu appeared.
A lot.
Too much.
The prices—
high.
I didn't hesitate.
Picked one immediately.
Pressed confirm.
Reina reacted instantly.
"Arche—"
I had already aimed my A.R.M at the device.
Payment complete.
"610 Nexbit."
Silence.
The waiter froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…ah."
His attitude changed instantly.
"I apologize for my earlier behavior."
His tone became polite.
He bowed slightly.
"I will prepare your order immediately."
I didn't respond.
He left.
Reina sighed in my head.
"…you didn't hesitate at all."
"I'm hungry."
"That was 610 Nexbit."
"I'm hungry."
"…you're annoying."
I leaned back in my chair.
Waiting.
A few minutes later—
the waiter returned.
Carrying a tray.
He placed the food carefully in front of me.
The aroma rose immediately.
Warm.
Rich.
Very different from what I usually ate.
I stared at it briefly.
Then picked up the utensils.
First bite.
…
I stopped.
The taste—
smooth.
Different.
The seasoning wasn't harsh.
The texture wasn't messy.
I swallowed slowly.
"…this doesn't compare to food in Evernoir Castle."
I said it without thinking.
Reina responded immediately.
"Oh? Now you're comparing?"
I continued eating.
"But this… is way better than 30 Nexbit meals."
Reina sighed.
"And you say that like it's normal."
I didn't respond.
Kept eating.
My stomach slowly warmed.
My body… felt lighter.
Reina spoke again, softer this time.
"610 Nexbit is expensive."
I nodded slightly.
"But we still have enough."
"For now," she added.
I paused briefly.
It had been a long time… since I last ate like this.
After I finished, Reina suddenly spoke again.
"…we go to a weapon shop next."
"Yeah."
I stood up without another word and left the restaurant.
The air of Firmament City felt different on a full stomach.
My steps were lighter.
But my mind… still heavy.
Reina continued.
"If possible, go to a higher-end shop. Equipment quality determines survival rate."
I didn't answer.
Just kept walking.
Past several large shops.
Displays filled with heavy weapons.
Expensive armor.
People fully equipped like it was nothing.
I kept walking.
Past one.
Past two.
Past three.
Until—
I stopped.
In front of a shop that felt… familiar.
Gun and Greed.
Reina stayed silent for a few seconds.
"…why are we back here?"
I didn't answer immediately.
My hand tightened slightly.
"…I'm already a member here."
Silence.
Reina looked at me.
I could feel it… even though she floated beside me.
That stare.
Too long.
"…is that all?" she asked quietly.
I avoided it.
"Yeah."
She stayed silent.
A few seconds.
Then—
a long sigh.
"…I know your reason."
I tensed slightly.
"But whatever."
I didn't respond.
Just opened the door.
—
The shop bell rang softly as I entered.
And just like before—
I was immediately greeted.
"Ah, Arche! You're back!"
Her voice was light.
Friendly.
Lana.
She stood behind the counter, smiling like yesterday.
"How were the pistol and baton you bought before?"
I felt a bit awkward.
"…the pistol broke in Sector F-02."
I paused.
"…the baton too."
Lana raised an eyebrow slightly.
Then smiled.
"I see… so you actually used them."
Her tone sounded… faintly impressed.
"So? What are you buying this time? I have some recommendations."
I took a slow breath.
"I'll buy. Show me."
"Okay!"
Reina immediately cut in.
"Arche, don't spend all your money—"
I ignored her.
Lana was already moving to the weapon racks.
Taking several.
Placing them one by one.
"For you…"
She pointed to one.
"This fits best."
I stepped closer.
She lightly touched the weapon.
"KX-12 Assault Rifle Splitfang."
"Two modes: burst and auto. Not too big, manageable recoil for beginners."
I picked it up.
The weight felt right.
I raised it.
Aimed slightly.
Adjusted grip.
My prosthetic arm… felt more stable than before.
"…comfortable," I muttered.
Lana smiled brightly.
"Right? It suits you, Arche."
I looked at it again.
Then set it down.
"How much?"
"689 Nexbit. Comes with one ammo clip."
Reina spoke immediately.
"Good. Take it."
I nodded slightly.
"And… a sidearm?"
Lana nodded quickly.
"Of course!"
She grabbed another one.
Placed it down.
"OWN Standard Sidearm Cinder-9."
"Standard issue from the Old World Network. Light, practical, stable."
I picked it up.
Lighter.
More familiar.
"…this is good."
"229 Nexbit, also includes one clip," Lana added.
I glanced slightly toward Reina.
"What do you think?"
Reina sighed.
"Now you ask?"
I stayed silent.
"…good. Take it."
I nodded.
"I'll take this too."
"Great!"
Lana looked even more excited.
"Anything else?"
I paused.
My eyes scanned around.
Then—
stopped.
A jacket.
Inside a glass case.
I walked closer.
"…what's that?"
Lana followed.
"Oh, that?"
She smiled.
"Scrapweave Jacket. Reinforced metal thread. Resistant to pistol bullets and knife slashes."
I stared at it for a few seconds.
"…I'll take this too."
Now Lana looked genuinely happy.
"Seriously? Alright!"
Reina spoke again.
"Don't forget mobility."
I nodded slightly.
"And jamming tools."
I turned to Lana.
"I need something for climbing ruins. And something to disrupt heat tracking."
Lana thought for a moment.
"Hmm… give me a second."
She ran to the back.
Returned shortly after.
With several items.
"This is a magnetic wire hook, 122 Nexbit."
She lifted another.
"And this is a thermal scrambler. Creates fake heat signals. One-time use."
I answered immediately.
"I'll take ten."
"Alright!"
She smiled widely again.
While she prepared everything, Reina spoke quietly.
"…strange."
"What?"
"Someone like her… in a place like this."
I glanced at Lana.
"…I don't know."
I paused.
"But she looks like she enjoys it."
Reina stayed silent.
"…maybe you're right."
A few seconds later—
"Arche!"
I turned.
Everything was neatly arranged on the counter.
Weapons.
Jacket.
Tools.
Ammo.
I looked at them.
"…add more ammo."
"How much?"
"Three clips for the rifle. One for the sidearm."
"Got it!"
She added them immediately.
Then—
"Total: 1,549 Nexbit."
She raised her A.R.M.
I raised mine.
Transaction complete.
Fast.
Clean.
Lana then handed me a bag.
"Bonus. Same material as your jacket."
I accepted it.
"…thanks."
I started packing everything.
Mounted the rifle on my back.
Put on the jacket.
Warm.
Heavier.
But… safe.
Lana looked at me.
Her eyes slightly sparkling.
"It suits you."
"…like a veteran scavenger."
I felt slightly awkward.
"…thanks."
I turned.
"Then I'll go."
"Okay! Come again!"
I nodded slightly.
Then walked out.
—
As the door closed behind me—
I let out a long breath.
Reina immediately spoke.
"…you realize?"
"What?"
"You just changed."
I looked ahead at the street.
My hand tightened slightly.
"…not yet."
Reina stayed silent.
I kept walking.