[F1:PP] The First Step Forward <<Earning a Living>>

[Stoic 0]

Enough time had been wasted and running away wasn't solving his problems anymore. Although Cecil wasn't thrilled to finally start his journey, at the same time it wasn't something he was completely opposed to either. Becoming more well-rounded was just another necessity in order to survive and survival was what he needed most right now.

Combat was still out of the question. Setting foot outside the Town of Beginnings would mean his end as he was now, he at least knew that much. Without equipment he wouldn't last a minute against monsters. Not without some help anyway. He didn't want that.

***

“Hey! Care to view some of my wares?”

The voice came from a woman leaning against a cart on the side of the road. After turning to address her she followed up with an inviting smile, although the gesture was of course lost on him. It seemed strange she’d reach out like that, but then again this was the marketplace of one of the largest cities available in the Aincrad. It only made sense from a business standpoint that many players would set up shops around here to garner the highest amount of traffic. Cecil only shrugged in response before moving a bit closer to glance over the items on display. A few weapons, armor pieces, and various other items. Nothing looked particularly useful though and even they did, his wallet was feeling a bit too light lately.

“All this stuff looks like junk though...” He stated in his usual flat tone and to the dismay of the now upset vendor. Her once cheerful expression twisted as she tried to restrain herself and ultimately she just waved off the critic before folding her arms.

“Yeah? Well being a merchant isn't easy. If you aren't interested in this then I can also appraise anything you already have for a small fee. Maybe you'll get lucky and get a unique enhancement. How's that sound?”

“Unique enhancement.” A hand rose to hold his chin in thought while mumbling the words beneath his breath. He had heard about there being special pieces of equipment, but only that they were most common as drops from floor raid level battles. If what she was saying turned out to be true their meeting might have been more advantageous than he originally hoped. By becoming a merchant he'd be able to discover special equipment and earn a decent living too.

“You're a merchant, right? What do I need to do to become one?”

She blinked rapidly as the question caught her off guard then started to examine him from head to toe with her eyes. it must have been hard to believe he never sought a profession till now. Cecil didn't think so though; they were trapped in virtual world so not much would surprise him anymore.

“If you keep going down this street you'll find a two story building with a sign on the door that says ‘Untold Truth’. That's the name of the shop ran by an NPC merchant. He'll give you a quest to do if you talk to him and afterward you can open your own shop.”

It all sounded perfect. He would need to start looking for the shop at once, so a nod was all he could provide as a form of thanks. Things were never resolved so easily though. As he turned to leave the woman spoke again.

“Next time you come here you'd better buy something or I might not be as nice.”

What could she have meant by that? He wouldn't dwell on it for too long. The odds of them ever meeting again were slim at best, especially if he was going down the same career path. Now he just needed to focus on the quest and not the idle threats of strangers.

[Seul 1]

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