A Weapon Shop in Another World

After crossing the drawbridge connecting the castle to the city, they left the solemn fortress with its knights stationed everywhere and entered the bustling streets near the foot of the royal palace.

An astonishing sight unfolded before them: paved stone roads, brick buildings, and streets bustling with traffic. As the breeze swept past, the signs hanging beneath the shops' eaves swayed and knocked against the chains around them, producing a distinctive, charming clatter.

Walking down the street, they were greeted by a cacophony of vendors' cries and tempting aromas wafting in from every direction. Even though they had already eaten breakfast, the smells were still irresistible.

Should I just chalk it up to this being another world?

It was completely different from the medieval streets of Western countries he remembered from history. Roads that should have been covered in shit, where passersby needed high heels to avoid stepping in it, were remarkably clean in this otherworldly medieval kingdom. He could not call them spotless, but at a glance, there really was hardly any rubbish. And the delicious aromas constantly drifting into his nostrils suggested that this world's cuisine would be nowhere near as limited as that of medieval countries in history.

"Woof, woof!!"

Once they were out of the solemn castle, Bruce was finally free after suppressing his natural instincts for so long. His tail spun like a propeller as he wiggled his big rump and trotted eagerly behind Chuan Wenwu, his head constantly turning this way and that. He excitedly surveyed the unfamiliar, novel buildings around him while searching for the sources of those enticing smells.

"Hahaha, Dahuang, you look pretty happy too! Relax, relax, we're not going back to the castle... at least not for quite a while. I know you weren't comfortable in there. Neither was I. Now it's time for our adventure in another world. Just thinking about it gets me a little excited!" Chuan Wenwu ruffled Bruce's head while taking a deep breath of the air outside the castle, privately marveling at how much fresher it felt out here.

Having left that castle and its oppressive atmosphere behind, Chuan Wenwu could not help feeling more at ease himself.

"Ahaha, you really do get along well with your pet, Sir Hero," Myne said from beside him, covering her mouth as she laughed.

"Dahuang isn't a pet. He's my partner, my brother!" Chuan Wenwu corrected her seriously, then smiled faintly. "But we really are close. After all, Bruce has been with me since I was little. We grew up together. Once, when I was playing by the river as a kid, I nearly drowned, and Bruce saved me... after all these years, our bond isn't something I can explain in a few words. Isn't that right, Dahuang?"

Bruce answered without fail: "Woof, woof!!"

"Haha, good boy, Bruce!" Chuan Wenwu continued rubbing his head.

Myne looked a little envious, but also a little troubled as she said softly, "Oh my, I'm so jealous of your relationship. I can't help feeling like I don't quite fit into your little circle, Sir Hero."

Chuan Wenwu glanced at her, his expression relaxed. "There's no need to force it. Good relationships are maintained and built little by little over time. We're a team now, so we'll have plenty of chances to develop trust and grow closer."

"Yes! I'm sure I can be a worthy companion to you, Sir Hero!" Myne was brimming with enthusiasm.

"Good. That's the spirit."

"By the way, Sir Hero, there's something I don't quite understand..." Myne said hesitantly. "Why do you sometimes call him Bruce, but other times call him Dahuang?"

Myne pointed at Bruce, who was following at Chuan Wenwu's feet with his tail wagging.

"Hmm... good question!" Chuan Wenwu thought for a moment, then answered casually, "Because Bruce has two names. His full name is Bruce Dahuang. Dahuang is the name he had when he was very little, sort of a childhood nickname. He only responds to it when I call him that. It's a symbol of how close we are. As for Bruce... uh, that's the official name I gave him later. It's also the one I've used the longest, and the one I use most often."

A dog needed to save face when he went out, too. Call me Dahuang at home, and I'll come running. But call me Dahuang outside, and just see if I answer!

When we're out, call me Bruce, Psycho, Scar...!!!

"I never knew there was such a thing. Then I'll call him Bruce from now on too. Is that all right, Bruce?" Myne looked at him with a bright smile.

"Woof..."

Bruce's response was much cooler. He gave a low bark, which counted as permission.

The two people and their dog continued on their way. With Myne leading them, they soon arrived outside a shop with a huge sword-shaped sign hanging over its entrance.

"All right, here we are. This is the weapon shop I recommended!"

"Yeah, it looks pretty good."

Peering through the doorway, he could see all manner of weapons hanging on the walls, along with armor stands displaying different styles of armor and protective gear. It had every kind of weapon and armor one could need, and the decor certainly suited a weapon shop.

"Welcome."

As they pushed the door open and entered, the shopkeeper greeted them in a strong, resonant voice.

Chuan Wenwu looked toward the voice and saw a muscular, middle-aged man who was practically the dictionary definition of "a burly fellow." He stood behind the counter, still polishing a sword.

From the look of it, he was both the shop's owner and the smith who forged its equipment. Making and selling his own wares certainly fit the medieval style of commerce.

The owner glanced over his visitors, noticed Chuan Wenwu's incongruous clothing, and said with a smile, "You're an unfamiliar face, sir. First time here? A customer who knows to visit my shop must have quite a discerning eye. Looking to buy anything? I have every weapon and piece of equipment you could need!"

Just like any ordinary shopkeeper, he started by flattering the customer, then talked up his own store. But wasn't that tone a little much for a weapon shop in town? He made it sound as though he could even produce divine artifacts for sale.

Chuan Wenwu said, "I wouldn't claim to have a discerning eye. I don't know much about melee weapons. My companion simply recommended your shop to me. I'm looking to buy a set of equipment and a weapon... a sword will do."

The owner said, "Oh, so a regular customer recommended me! No wonder the young lady beside you looks familiar. I feel like I've seen her somewhere before..."

"That's because I've shopped here a few times. Besides, your shop is quite well known around here. Whenever someone needs to buy equipment, yours is naturally the first shop I recommend!" Myne explained.

"Hahaha, you certainly know how to flatter a man, miss. But you're only telling the truth. The quality of my goods is second to none, of course. Now, young man, what's your budget?"

At that, Chuan Wenwu took out the pouch of coins the king had given him.

"For now, I only have these eight hundred silver coins. That's all the king gave me, after all. I'm not sure what quality of equipment that can buy..."