The nearest town wasn't particularly large, but it was already one of the biggest in the region.
I headed straight to the commercial area, ignoring most of the shops.
Before anything else, I needed to solve a basic problem: transportation.
I stopped in front of a simpler shop, with some tools and wooden structures displayed outside.
My gaze immediately fell on a wheelbarrow… that clearly wasn't a wheelbarrow.
It was a large, sturdy cart, with wide wheels made of reinforced wood.
I approached the vendor.
"How much for the cart?" I asked, pointing at it.
The shop owner looked up, studying me for a second before giving the price.
It wasn't cheap, but it wasn't outrageous either, considering the size.
I nodded.
Minutes later, I was already pulling the cart down the street as if it were just another object.
I went to a more secluded corner away from the main street, positioned the cart near a wall, and locked one of the wheels.
Even without that, it would be hard for someone to just walk off with it, but it didn't hurt to be safe.
Without wasting time, I entered the furniture shop right in front.
The smell of treated wood and light varnish filled the air.
My eyes quickly scanned the interior.
I began walking slowly among the furniture, carefully analyzing each piece.
I wasn't going to furnish the other three bedrooms, that would be too much to carry and would require too many trips.
A wooden chest, a large table for the kitchen, a low table for the living room, useful both for guests and meals.
Chairs, some for the veranda, others spread throughout the house.
A tatami mat, a sword stand, and floor cushions for the living room.
Cabinets and shelves for the kitchen.
After gathering everything, I went to the counter.
Before I could speak, I felt a heavy hand rest on my shoulder.
I glanced to the side.
The shop owner was staring at me with an expression… of compassion?
"Young man…" he said, in a solemn tone.
"You just got married, didn't you?"
"Uh…" I didn't have time to answer.
"Let me give you some advice."
His expression changed completely, his face turned serious.
I stayed silent.
"If you want your marriage to last and be prosperous… follow this." He paused dramatically.
"Your wife is ALWAYS right."
"Even when she's wrong?"
His gaze deepened even more.
"Especially when she's wrong, boy."
"…"
I stared at the man for a few seconds.
Then nodded.
'Today, I have received wisdom.'
Shortly after, I finished the payment, with a nice discount.
I dragged everything outside the shop and began organizing the furniture in the cart.
I tied the larger pieces with ropes, adjusting the weight so it wouldn't tip over.
When I finished, I pulled the cart again.
I passed by a few other shops, stopping to buy what was necessary.
Brooms, cloths, utensils, lanterns, and some clothes.
As well as non-perishable food to keep on the shelves for emergencies (laziness to get fresh food). Basically rice and dried meat.
I kept going through the shops until something caught my attention and made me stop.
A music shop.
My gaze lingered on it for a few seconds.
Without thinking much, I took the cart to a nearby corner, locked the wheel, and went inside.
There were several instruments hanging on the walls, others arranged on stands.
But my attention didn't wander over them for long.
My eyes fixed on the flute section.
I walked over.
Most of them were shakuhachi, made of bamboo, a traditional Japanese instrument, like all the others in the shop.
'…' My gaze softened as I looked at the instruments, some memories from my past life surfacing.
At the orphanage, there were some recreational activities, and I had chosen music.
That was where I learned to play, specifically, the flute.
'It was nice…' I stood there for a few seconds.
'I wonder if I still know how to play…'
"Hello, young man."
The voice pulled me back.
I looked to the side.
The shopkeeper approached with a polite smile.
"Interested in a flute?"
I shook my head slightly, still observing the instruments.
He seemed to notice my indecision.
Even though they were flutes, they were somewhat different from what I knew.
"Actually… a shipment from some talented craftsmen just arrived."
"I haven't had the chance to put them on display yet," he said, leaning slightly forward.
"Want to take a look?"
I nodded, and he guided me to the back of the shop, entering a small storage room.
There were open crates, some with instruments identical to those in the shop, and others more unusual: metal instruments.
Some are quite familiar, like a saxophone and a trumpet.
"I got these from a military band," the shopkeeper commented, scratching his head.
"Honestly, I don't really understand how they work… and I don't have the manuals."
"But they were so interesting I couldn't resist," he shrugged.
I kept observing the various instruments until I found a silver transverse flute among the crates.
With a nod of approval from the shopkeeper, I picked it up.
In my previous life, this would've been a luxury instrument, impeccable.
'…'
The shopkeeper approached, curious.
"That's also a flute," he said.
"But it's played sideways… and it's made of metal."
"Strange, isn't it?"
"Mm-hm…" I held back a smile so I wouldn't ruin the deal.
"I'll take this one."
It was a transverse flute, the same type I used to play in my previous life.
"Are you sure?" he asked, somewhat skeptical.
"Like I said, I don't have the manuals."
I nodded.
Shortly after, I completed the purchase.
I also took a small padded wooden case to store the instrument, and a cleaning kit.
The price was high, more than the other flutes, but still acceptable.
I returned to the cart, unlocked the wheel, and started heading out of the city.
─── ◆ ───
Some time later.
Already far from the city, with no one around, and likely no one for the rest of the path either.
I crouched slightly and lifted the entire cart, placing it over my shoulder.
And then, I started running.
'If I dragged it while running like this, I'd end up breaking my things.'
Thump! Thump! Thump!
My footsteps sounded heavy as I continued running.
Then… I felt something change, a familiar sensation of a sudden increase in power.
I stopped abruptly.
My feet slid across the ground, dirt piling up ahead as I braked.
I stayed silent.
The information formed in my mind.
[ "Ever Forward"
Grants even more movement speed;
Previous out-of-combat movement speed buffs become standard movement speed;
Once per day, allows teleportation over a certain distance.
*With each evolution, the buffs and effects of previous evolutions are inherited by the new form of the boots. ]
'…'
A wide smile spread across my face.
My "Boots" had finally evolved.
Without thinking, I dashed forward.
The ground practically vanished beneath my feet and the wind exploded around me.
The trees blurred past at an insane pace, proving the increase in speed.
"AMAZING!!!"
And best of all, I could now move like this in combat!
But then, I remembered something.
My eyes widened.
'The cart… damn it.'
I immediately reduced my speed, forcing myself to slow down until I stopped.
I took a deep breath.
"…"
I carefully lowered the cart and checked its contents.
'Nothing broken…'
"Sigh…" I exhaled slowly.
"Everything's here… good thing I tied it all down."
I ran a hand over my face.
Then I adjusted the cart back onto my shoulder and continued the way back at a more reasonable pace.
─── ◆ ───
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