Chapter 3
"Thanks as always!"
The first place I headed to after arriving at the shopping district was a clothing store.
That said, it wasn’t the kind of business where a list pops up like in a game, making it seem like you’re buying brand-new items.
It was more like a thrift shop, with second-hand clothes neatly hung on hangers.
The middle-aged shopkeeper, who assumed I was an orphan when I walked in, frowned for a moment, but when I showed her three large copper coins and asked for some used clothes, she picked out a decent-looking outfit for me.
Appearance matters.
If I looked like a vagrant, no one would hire me anywhere.
Fighting in this body would be beyond reckless—it’d be no different from suicide.
No matter how much knowledge I have, there’s only so much I can do about physical abilities.
With this frail body, I wouldn’t even stand a chance in a fight.
Especially since the "first battle" is crucial enough to impact my future life, so I need to prepare thoroughly.
Judging by my appearance, I seem to be under ten years old.
If that’s the case, I have plenty of time before the day of the fight.
That means I have enough time to acquire *that*.
To get *that*, I need to gear up properly.
The shopping district has everything I need, so moving around is easy.
What I bought from the clothing store earlier was a set of sturdy work clothes that looked decent and a leather pouch that could double as a wallet.
In total, it cost four large copper coins.
That leaves me with one silver coin and one hundred zeni.
According to my calculations, this should be enough to secure lodging and equipment.
If I couldn’t buy what I needed here, I’d have to find another way to earn income.
I set aside a hundred zeni as a buffer, but prices might not exactly match the game’s information.
"This must be the place."
I found my destination.
It wasn’t the weapon shop next door, which had swords and shields displayed, but the accessory shop beside it, which had bracelets and similar items.
In most cases, when you’re reincarnated, becoming an adventurer is the standard path, and buying weapons for that purpose is the usual pattern. But in FBO, you can’t get stronger unless you deviate from that pattern.
Weapons come second. Accessories are what you should prioritize first.
"Welcome! Oh, what a cute customer. Are you looking for a gift for your parents?"
Compared to my earlier vagrant look, I now appeared as a slightly skinny kid in work clothes and a bandana, looking like a child from some household who came to buy accessories.
It’s a relief I’m not being treated as suspicious.
Now, do they have what I’m looking for?
"No, I’m here because there’s something I want."
"Something you want? Ah, I see. You want to become an adventurer, don’t you? But unfortunately, the accessories adventurers use are quite expensive. Your allowance probably won’t cover it."
There were no display cases in the shop. Instead, all the items seemed to be stored behind the counter, and the shopkeeper would bring them out when asked.
"I want the Apprentice’s Bracer and the Mark of the Weak."
I stated what I wanted, but the shopkeeper’s eyes widened, and he blinked in surprise.
"That’s quite an unusual request."
"Do you not have them?"
From his reaction, I wondered if they weren’t available here.
It’s true that when FBO first launched, these items were overlooked, so maybe they’re out of stock.
"No, no. Both are commonly excavated from dungeons, so we have plenty in stock. Honestly, I’d rather not even buy them, but since they’re dungeon items, I have to. What do you need them for?"
But my worries were unfounded.
The shopkeeper bent down behind the counter and pulled out a box, then placed the items I wanted in front of me.
A rugged, gray bracer and a brooch-like item with the character for "weak" engraved on it.
They looked just like they did in the game.
"Let’s see, the Apprentice’s Bracer prevents you from removing it for 24 hours and stops your base level from increasing. In exchange, it doubles skill experience gain. The Mark of the Weak also can’t be removed for 24 hours, limits your base level increase to one, and reduces your level by one. In return, the Mark of the Weak is indestructible. Is that correct?"
"Yep, you’re quite knowledgeable. That’s exactly right. Oh, and if you attach this to someone with malicious intent, it’s a crime, and you’ll get arrested. If that’s your plan, I can’t sell it to you."
"Don’t worry. I’m using it on myself."
"That’s... concerning in its own way. Are you sure? No one’s bullying you into buying this, are they?"
The effects matched what I knew.
That means I can use *that* method.
The Apprentice’s Bracer is one thing, but the Mark of the Weak is essentially a bundle of disadvantages. It’s no wonder the shopkeeper is worried that a kid like me wants it.
He probably thinks I’m being bullied or planning to use it for mischief. But I can’t blame him—I do look like a scrawny kid.
"It’s fine. I really need this."
"Alright then. As a merchant, I’m happy to sell it, but if you end up not needing it, let me know. I can’t refund it, but if it hasn’t been equipped, I’ll buy it back at half price. Just be careful—once you equip it, you can’t remove it right away. Really, be careful."
It’s heartwarming that he’s so concerned for a kid.
"Thank you. By the way, about the price for those two..."
I’m grateful for his kindness, but the main issue is the price of those two items.
If they’re too expensive, I’m in trouble.
"Ah, right. You want these, huh? Hmm. Honestly, no one buys these, so they’re just taking up space. The bracer is three zeni, and the mark is one zeni."
"That cheap!?"
"Well, they’re just in the way. As long as I recover the purchase price, that’s enough."
But contrary to my expectations, both were cheap.
No, they were dirt cheap.
In the game, the Apprentice’s Bracer cost fifty zeni, and the Mark of the Weak cost five zeni.
Here, they’re being sold at a ridiculously low price.
For someone like me who needs to stock up, this is a huge help.
"So, one bracer and one mark, right?"
"No, I’ll take two bracers and twenty marks!"
"Twenty!?"
Could it be that in this world, people don’t understand the value of these two items?
Back when FBO first launched, the bracer was one thing, but the mark was completely ignored.
The shopkeeper asked if I was sure about buying so many, but I nodded and handed over my last silver coin.
That leaves me with seventy-four zeni.
"Also, can I get a basket to carry these?"
"Sure. A bamboo basket is four zeni."
"Please."
I didn’t expect to have this much left over.
Maybe I can take things a step further?
No, it’s better not to push my luck.
I asked the surprised shopkeeper for a container and received the Marks of the Weak and bracers, which clinked noisily in the basket.
I took the change—seventy zeni, or seven large copper coins—and put it in my leather pouch.
"Excuse me, do you know of any safe inns where a kid like me can stay?"
"...Where are your parents?"
"I don’t have any."
Considering food and lodging costs, this should last me two days at most.
I’ll need to find a stable source of income by then.
"Wait here for a moment."
"? Okay."
As I was thinking about my next moves, the shopkeeper told me to wait.
Huh? Was there some event at this shop?
There might have been an errand event, but I think you had to complete a few other events to unlock it.
"Hey!! Teresa, come here for a second."
"Sure, what’s up?"
Was there a quest I didn’t know about?
I’m confident I know the game inside and out, even compared to hardcore players.
As I started to worry that I might have missed an early-game quest, a woman with reddish-brown hair and a hood came out from the back of the shop.
"I’m going to the back for a bit. Can you watch the shop?"
"Sure, but why?"
"Just feeling a bit charitable."
After glancing at me, the shopkeeper smiled and beckoned me to follow.
Should I really go with him?
If this were a game, I’d assume it was an event and follow, but this is reality.
"I’m not going to eat you."
I must have looked suspicious when he suddenly tried to take me to the back of the shop.
The woman chuckled and nudged me forward, so I decided to follow the shopkeeper.
He led me to the back of the shop.
"Back when I was a traveling merchant, I used to keep horses here. But my old horse passed away, and no one uses this place anymore."
It was a stable behind the shop.
"From the looks of you, I’m guessing you’re in some kind of trouble? And it doesn’t seem like you have much money."
It was well-worn but didn’t look like it was about to collapse.
Since there were no horses, it didn’t smell too bad either.
"Besides, a kid like you can’t stay at an inn. If you’d like, you can use this place for a while."
It had walls and a roof.
It was a bit cramped, but there was even a well on the side.
From the perspective of someone who’s lived in modern times, it’s only slightly better than camping out, but for a vagrant kid, it must feel like heaven.
The gap between Japanese common sense and this world’s common sense is confusing.
"You’re making a face like you’re wondering why I’m being so nice."
Misinterpreting my expression, the shopkeeper patted my head.
Through the scarf, I couldn’t feel much since I don’t have hair, but there was genuine kindness in his gesture.
"Well, I’m not lending this out of pure goodwill. As a merchant, my instincts tell me it’s better to be on good terms with you."
His words made it clear he was trying not to worry me, a kid.
He’s saying he’s a great merchant and that I have potential.
"...Thank you. I’ll definitely repay this favor."
It felt like I was progressing through a tutorial—getting money, equipment, and now a base.
Is this a coincidence, or is it something predetermined, like fate?
I won’t find an answer by thinking about it.
All I know is that I can’t afford to take this situation for granted.
"Alright, alright. I’ll look forward to it. Now, let’s get you some blankets and stuff!"
As I watched the shopkeeper skip away in high spirits, I revised my plans in my head.
His kindness deserves more than just words of gratitude.
Even though this is the world of a story I love, I’ve been thrown into an unfamiliar body.
I started with zero connections.
And now, he’s extended a helping hand that’s a huge first step for me.
That’s a big favor in my book.
I’ll repay it while finding my way in this world.
"Huh?"
Just as I was solidifying my resolve, I noticed a small child near the shop’s back entrance.
Hidden in the shadow of the door, a girl with the same hair color as the shopkeeper’s wife was staring at me—no, at the shopkeeper.
The difference was...
"A beastman?"
The girl had two triangular ears on her head.
She must be a dog or fox-type beastman.
Does that mean the shopkeeper’s wife is a beastman?
Her hair color matches, and she was wearing a hood earlier, so I couldn’t see her ears. Her skirt also hid her tail.
In FBO, there were many different races, so it’s not strange for her to be here.
"Oh, what’s wrong, Nel?"
"Dad, who’s that kid?"
She looks about my age.
"Ah, this kid is... Come to think of it, I didn’t ask for your name."
The girl must be the shopkeeper’s daughter.
Her gaze, fixed on me, seemed half suspicion and half curiosity about the unexpected presence of another kid.
Thinking calmly, it’s kind of weird to let a kid you don’t even know the name of stay in the stable.
"I’m..."
But when she asked for my name, I realized something.
What name should I give?
I thought about using my name from my previous life as a Japanese person, but this body belongs to someone else.
Using that name felt wrong.
So...
"Liberta."
That’s the only name I can give.
It’s the name I always used in FBO.
"Liberta, huh? That’s a nice name."
"Liberta?"
"Yeah, nice to meet you."
This is the beginning of my adventure in this world.
Let’s take the first step from here.