Azure: Gunner

While I am no expert on pre-System technology, it would be remiss of me to omit some comparison of the ancillary capabilities provided to every person by the System with the options available to ordinary citizens before its arrival. Of course, considering Levels, Classes, and Spells makes no sense in this context, as these were nothing but fiction before the System’s arrival.

Instead, let us examine areas in which there was a technological alternative. The device most associated with these ancillary capabilities was known as a ‘smartphone’. It is unclear at this time as to what the ‘smartphone’ was once ‘smarter’ than.

- Rufus Veres, Level 37 Verbose Historian, A Brief History of the System

"You look great in purple! And Jayce too, of course!”

I desperately hoped my blush wasn’t showing, but it felt like my face was on fire in response to Tara's excited comments. She’s still a Gleason, Az, and you’re wearing Gleason’s blood money right now.

The thought drained the blood from my face and I forced myself to give Tara a bit of a smile, hoping it looked more natural than it felt. I quickly sold my removed Level 2 mod to Samuel for half an eagle, then escaped out into the bright sunlight of the square.

I soon discovered why Raylan hadn’t been using his Basic Camo mod very much. I thought I could just push in five mana all at once and then wait until it changed color. Instead I had to slowly trickle the mana in over the course of thirty seconds, which seemed like an eternity. Finally, it stopped, and I watched in delight as my armor shimmered slightly and then faded into a dusty grey-brown color that perfectly matched the shade of dirt-covered stone I was standing on.

It affected all of my armor components, from my boots to my helm, down to my new leather gloves that had come with the armor. Well, there’s no way I can do this during a fight, but it looks cool, and I’m not shiny and purple anymore! Not that there’s anything wrong with being purple and shiny, Jayce is both, but that’s their thing.

Within a few minutes, we were all gathered outside. Zaire’s new armor matched Jayce’s, providing better coverage than his old set. The orcs looked the same, of course, and so did Raylan, since he needed another Level to wear his new armor. Arlo and Tara hadn't even bought anything. I frowned. Sure, I get that they have very expensive armor and probably great mods for now… but shouldn’t they get something? Maybe some higher-Level mods for the future?

When I asked, they both shook their heads and explained that they had a few more mods of higher Levels already in their Inventory, ready to go. Apparently all the trainees did, at least as far as they knew. They didn’t have higher-Level armor components sitting around, since those took up too much space, but mods were small.

Our unusual group drew quite a few stares as we wandered around the square, finding a small inn, a couple of restaurants, a saloon, and a good-sized general goods store. The general store reminded me of the one in Sunland, though it had only a paltry few sets of what looked like cheap armor and the only weapons were daggers and utility knives. With the A–Z nearby they obviously didn’t get much business for that kind of stuff. Tara had the bright idea to ask the storekeeper if there were any other shops we should visit, and they directed us to a side street behind one of the restaurants.

There we found a small store with heavily-barred windows and a sign reading “Esther’s Enchanted Items and Magical Goods.” Esther herself proved to be a surprisingly young, very attractive redhead who was a Tier 2 Enchanter. She gasped in surprise when H’ruk ducked through the doorway to enter the shop, but recovered quickly and introduced herself with a smile.

She quickly latched onto Arlo, hovering quite close to him as she showed him – and us, but mostly him – around her small shop, starting with several bookcases on runes and magical theory. The Pistoleer seemed indifferent to the attention, despite her alluring figure. Without missing a beat, she shifted her attention to Raylan, where she found a more enthusiastic audience.

“Over here, darling, we have my personal creations – Tier 0 magical focuses, perfect for the new Delver!” She was pointing at a case displaying a dozen lengths of wood, about eighteen inches long and an inch or so thick. They each had a leather-wrapped grip at the bottom. Identify.