Back in my room at the White Flower Pavilion of the Labyrinth, I activated the TSS. To continue my activities as an adventurer, I needed to quickly assess how the VMB system worked in this other world. I need to know what was possible and impossible here.
“As expected, it’s just as it was in Myral Village. The inbox is still inaccessible; you can’t log out, but avatar customization is available.”
Avatar customization allowed me to change the design of the powered suit and my avatar’s hairstyle. My fashion wasn’t limited to the powered suit; I could also change into outfits that were distributed during events, or clothes I had bought. It was even possible to wear nothing but underwear.
I discovered this on my first night after falling into this other world, during my stay in the village. I needed to pee, but I didn’t know how to get out of the powered suit. It was a one-piece with no zippers or buttons. You didn’t pee in the game, so why would the suit be designed to be taken off? Unable to hold it any longer, I panicked as I fiddled with the TSS but found the issue could be resolved through avatar customization. It allowed me to successfully remove the powered suit, just in time for me to avoid the disgrace of becoming a twenty-four-year-old man who pissed himself.
“Equipment changes and ammunition replenishment are possible,” I mused. “But I probably shouldn’t summon support weapons here.” I planned to change my sub-weapon when I knew tomorrow’s schedule.
I chose the FN Five-seveN. This handgun, developed by Belgium’s FN company, is a sub-weapon with a magazine capacity of twenty rounds, compared to the Colt M1911A1’s seven rounds. It uses 5.7 × 28mm ammunition, which is known for its superior penetration.
I selected the handgun and its three spare magazines. Particles of light shimmered before me and formed a black supply box.
“Looks like the way to the supply box is the same.”
I opened the box and retrieved the gear from it. I stored the MP5A4 and M1911A1 in their place. When I closed the box, it dissolved into particles of light and disappeared.
Upon checking the TSS, I confirmed that the guns were added to my inventory. The inventory was akin to the game’s item box and was where I viewed and managed all the equipment and items I acquired.
“Good, they’re all there. At least I can change equipment and replenish ammunition when needed. I guess I’ll call it a night.”
I used avatar customization to remove all my equipment and change into my skivvies, then jumped into bed and said good night to my second evening in this other world.
Knock, knock.
“Are you awake, sir?”
Someone was at the door. What time was it? The voice sounded like Mirana, the innkeeper.
“Yes, I’m awake.”
“Good morning, Schwarz. Here’s your morning wash water and towel. You can return the bucket to reception when you’re done. It’s already seven o’clock, so breakfast is ready.”
Oh, right, there’s a wash water service. “Thank you. I’ll be right down.”
This inn had delicious food and excellent service—Remi’s recommendation was spot-on.
I planned to use today for errands. I needed to buy various daily necessities and supplies for completing requests, but my funds were limited. I’d have to ask Mirana to recommend some good shops later.
I’d always thought of breakfast as a light meal, but it was not so in this world. Here, two meals a day were standard, and breakfast was quite hearty. It was going to take some getting used to this diet. I sat back, completely stuffed, and was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere when I saw Ashley approaching from the reception area.
“Good morning, Ashley. Are you here for breakfast, too?”
“Good morning, Schwarz. You’ve become quite fluent in Orland Common Language. Your learning speed is impressive.”
I’d constantly been hearing Orland Common Language and its translations since we embarked. Even so, I was impressed at how fast I was picking it up.
“Thank you. It’s still a bit awkward, but I think I can speak it well enough for shopping without too much trouble.”
“Good. And yes, I did come here for breakfast. What’s your plan for today, Schwarz? I have the next two days off, since I’m still an apprentice, and because of the incident from the day before yesterday.”
“Me? I’m planning to stock up on adventuring supplies.”
“Why, that’s perfect timing. Can I join you? The Fortress City of Balga is vast, and searching for the right shops could take all day. I can take you where you need to go.”
“That would be great. I’ll just run up to my room to get ready while you eat.”
Back in my room, I used the avatar customization to change my outfit into a marine-style military jacket and pants. I holstered the Five-seveN in a shoulder holster, inserted spare magazines into the magazine belt, and concealed a combat knife inside the jacket. Once dressed and armed, I rejoined Ashley as she finished her meal. We then headed out to the shops.
“What should we buy first?”
Ashley wasn’t wearing the leather armor from when we first met. Instead, she wore a turtleneck dress over pants, tied with a leather belt. She seemed dressed for a date.
Is this a date? No, probably not.
“Let’s start with daily necessities, then move on to adventurer supplies,” I said.
“All right, let’s go to the sundries shop ahead. A dwarf woman runs it.”
Inside the store, the shopkeeper made me blush when she joked about us looking like we were preparing to live together. The shopping trip did feel almost like a date, especially after we bought skewered meat from a street vendor selling snacks made for adventurers.
This store sold adventurer tools. It was quite large, and several groups of adventurers milled around, inspecting products and asking the staff questions.
“What else do you want to buy?” Ashley asked.
“I want a bag for storing tools and proofs of extermination. Kinda like the one your weapons were in when we traveled from Myral Village to Balga. I want something with no size constraints.”
“A tool bag, huh? But can you use it, Schwarz?”
“Huh?”
“What?” Ashley seemed surprised.
What did she mean could I use a tool bag that ignores the size of items? Did it require something special?
“I’m sorry, Ashley. I’ve never used a tool bag before. Is there a skill or something you need to use it?”
Ashley glanced around, unsure how to respond.
“Hey, kid,” a gruff voice called out from behind. “You came to an adventurer’s shop and can’t use a tool bag?”
I turned around and found a large man, about six and a half feet tall, with cat ears on his head. Behind him stood two guys—one was mouse-faced, the other raccoon-faced. Were they an adventuring party?