After a hearty meal that left him nearly asleep, Zephyr found his way back to the mall and began to scroll through the options for weapons.
This time, he wasted no time, swiping straight to the Weapons section and selecting the Scythe category.
"There sure are a lot of choices," Zephyr muttered, finding it hard to choose from the vast selection.
"I can help you find one. Just give me any specifications," Elden's voice rose to the rescue.
"Hmm, first give me a rundown of how the weapons work. My memory's a little blurry," Zephyr said cautiously. He wasn't sure if the Academy would teach him these things, and he didn't want to sound too clueless and he also didn't know if his conversations with Elden were monitored.
"Affirmative. All Hollow Artifacts are made from the bodies of Riftspawn. They are evolvable materials that are limited to the Aether level of the wielder," Elden explained.
"Wait," Zephyr cut Elden off. "So you're saying if I were to wield a scythe, it would be limited to my level of Aether, which is Zeta. But if a Delta-ranked individual wielded it, it would advance to Delta?"
"Affirmative. Should I continue?" Elden responded.
"No, that's enough," Zephyr said, processing the information. The idea of weapons evolving based on the user's Aether level was both thrilling and terrifying.
"Should we continue with the selection of your weapon?" Elden prompted.
"Hmm... I want a scythe that has a chain that's connected to my hand, and also a way to make it invisible," Zephyr specified.
"Affirmative," Elden replied.
The screen picked up speed, scrolling rapidly until it settled on a sleek black model with jagged edges and faint red etchings—a weapon that looked like it was made for pure devastation. The handle was pitch black along with the blade, but the inner part of the blade shimmered with shiny silver. The rugged outer edges were lined with thin crimson streaks. It was a weapon bred for calamity.
"Requiem," the label read. "Cost: 15,000 Credits."
"First of all, that's beautiful. Secondly, the price is ugly, and lastly, where's the chain? Or is it already invisible?" Zephyr asked, puzzled. The scythe projected on the screen lay bare, devoid of any chain.
"That's because I could not find any scythe pre-attached to a chain. However, this is the most suitable for customization. The cost of customization is 5,000 credits. Would you like to place your order?" Elden asked.
"Keep spraying out prices from your mouth as if money is easily made..." Zephyr muttered under his breath. He glanced at the Confirm Purchase button with hesitation before tapping it. He watched his credit balance drain painfully, but the thought of wielding something like Requiem made it bearable.
"Customization details?" Elden asked.
"A chain that connects to my wrist and a way to make it invisible when not in use," Zephyr specified.
"Customization added." Elden confirmed.
Zephyr leaned back, catching his breath. "Okay, next on the list… I want a ranged weapon. Show me options."
'Am not gonna try a long-bow but a cross-bow will do'.
"Affirmative," Elden replied, instantly switching to the Ranged Weapons category. Dozens of firearms, crossbows, and even enchanted bows filled the screen, each with its own attributes and Aether capabilities.
He started to scroll through the interface himself, looking for something that would catch his eyes.
Zephyr scrolled until he landed on something sleek and futuristic—a metallic silver rifle with thin lines of sapphire-blue light running through its barrel. The label read—Luminara Rifle.
'They have a gun here'. His excitement shot through the roof, who wouldn't want a gun in a fantasy world.
"Give me a rundown on this one," Zephyr requested with barely concealed excitement.
"Affirmative," Elden replied. "The Luminara Rifle is an energy-based firearm that channels concentrated light into a focused beam. It was originally developed by the vermilion clan to recreate their royal bloodline power, but it was deemed a failure due to some complications. It is now used to combat Riftspawn and Shade-type entities. Its core is powered by Aether-infused light cells, and its beam is highly effective against Shades."
"How effective is it against people?" Zephyr asked.
"Not effective," Elden replied bluntly. "The light-based energy is absorbed or reflected by standard Aether shields and reinforced clothing, rendering it almost useless in human combat. However, it excels when it is in contact with bare skin and against void creatures due to its light-piercing capabilities."
"Any drawbacks?" Zephyr raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Its charge indicator is fully visible. If the indicator is dim, even a novice would know it's not loaded. The rifle also takes three seconds to fully charge before firing. If interrupted, the charge is wasted," Elden explained.
"That's terrible. Can't it be hidden?"
"Not by standard issue. However, a cosmetic modification is available for 4,000 credits to make the loading point appear fully charged at all times," Elden suggested.
"Of course, it costs more..." Zephyr grumbled. He thought about it for a moment. It would be useless against people, but when he could provide an illusion of it being charged, someone was definitely gonna get scared. That could be useful. "Fine, but do you have it in a smaller size."
"Affirmative".
"How small are we talking about". Zephyr wanted to confirm.
"Small enough to be comfortable in you waist band".
"Nice give me that one and add the customization".
"Customization added." Elden confirmed.
Zephyr leaned back in his chair, a hint of satisfaction on his face. "Alright, just one more thing. I need something small—like a dagger, just in case things get close."
Elden quickly pulled up the Blades category, and Zephyr picked a sleek, thin blade with serrated edges—Kryon Dagger. It was overpriced at 3,000 credits, but he added it to the cart anyway.
"Do you want the sheath". Elden suddenly popped the question.
"What do you mean, doesn't the sheath come with the dagger".
"Not at all. It costs 850 credits do you want to purchase it".
Zephyr stared at the screen for a while before sighing out. "Am afraid to ask but do I have to buy both the sheath of my scythe and hostler for the gun".
The dreadful voice of Elden rang out, giving an equally dreadful answer. "Affirmative".
"Damn you money gobbling piece of—
After raging for a minute straight he finally gave in. "Fine put it in the purchase".
"Done. Purchase delivery in next week".
"And why will the purchase be delivered next week?". Zephyr asked confused. He assumed they already had it done the instant he dropped his purchase.
"The customization is the main cause of the delay. Sorry for the inconveniences".
'i need it right away, they is no way I am going back to that dorm without a life insurance'.
"But you can help us speed up the process". Elden voice seems to have an hunting undertone in his ears.
"And how can I help exactly". Zephyr asked suspicion in his voice.
"By paying a fine of 3000 credits, the smith will definitely be encouraged and place your orders first". She spoke like a shewd business person, choosing her words like a surgeon would in a surgery. But she wasn't skilled enough as her patient almost coughed out blood and died.
"Y-y-you". Zephyr couldn't get his words out due to anger. After calming down he said to Elden. "Put it on the credit card"
"Expedited delivery added. Total cost: 32,550 credits. Remaining balance: 9,390 credits," Elden announced.
Zephyr's eyes twitched at the number. "Damn I was too greedy". As soon as he got the check of 50,000 credits he went back to the cafeteria and unknownly spent 8,060 credits on food and drinks. But who could blame him, everyone do at a certain point in time get carried away by either food or money.
"And now the last order of business Hollow Art".