Alex Volff appears in the middle of the large open square in Beginner Town. He starts moving to the west part of town where the center of commercial activity is situated. The central square was bustling with people, but this commercial center is even more full with people. The side of the road is filled with multiple storied buildings. There are also a huge number of Defenders opening stalls in front of the buildings.

Countless number of people crowded the stalls, looking for items and negotiating with the stall owners. The stalls generally sells the lower ranked, cheaper items, while the more expensive, higher ranked items are generally sold in the store buildings. Hence why the number of traffic entering and exiting the store buildings is less than those in stalls.

Alex enters a store that says "Schmidt's Equipment Store". From the outside, one can see that the store has 3 floors. Alex enters the first floor where there are a few other people browsing the items on the shelf and a female store clerk who are negotiating with other Defenders. The store clerk gives Alex a glance as he enters the store, then continues her negotiation.

Seeing that the store clerk is busy, Alex helps himself and starts browsing the items on display. The stores in this town are under the protection of UDA, so nobody dares to try and rob them. After going around the first floor and seeing all the items on display, Alex can't find the items he's looking for. The items in this floor are all items with a price range of 100-200 credits, so it's normal that Alex can't find what he's looking for.

Alex decides to ask the store clerk whether they have the items he's looking for. He queues behind the Defender that is finishing his transaction. When Alex's turn comes, he steps forward and starts talking to the store clerk.

"I need to buy some equipment," Alex says to the store clerk.

The female store clerk takes a look at Alex's beginner clothing and immediately assumes that he's looking for cheap items.

"You can find them on the shelves. We have everything you can buy in this store," she replies with a cold tone and forced smile.

Alex frowns at her attitude, but he doesn't want to make a mountain out of a molehill so he ignores her rude attitude.

"I can't find what I'm looking for on the shelves," Alex replies coolly.

The store clerk frowns at Alex and asks, "what are you looking for?"

"{Black-steel Katana}, {Iron Leather Shirt}, {Iron Leather Trousers}, {Iron Leather Boots}."

The store clerk displays a shocked and disbelieving expression hearing the names of the items coming out from Alex's mouth.

"Do you have them?" Alex asks, a bit impatient and annoyed by this store clerk's attitude.

"Ah, pl..please wait minute," the store clerk was woken up from her shocked state and answers Alex's inquiry.

The store clerk then starts to be silent while making various flustered and apologetic expression. Alex just waits there as he knows that she is contacting her employer through the [Magic Chip]. Soon, she gives an answer to Alex with a much more polite attitude.

"Ah.. Sir, please head to the 3rd floor using the elevator in the back. You can discuss about the items with my employer."

"Okay," Alex replies.

"Please forgive me for my rudeness earlier."

The store clerk bows and apologize to Alex while he's heading to the back to take the elevator to the 3rd floor.

"It's okay," Alex waves his hand and replies coolly.

The other Defenders in the store displays a surprised expression seeing a Defender in full beginner clothing heading to the back of the store. Usually only those F-rank 4-star Defenders and above gets this treatment, and they don't wear beginner clothing.

After riding the elevator to the 3rd floor, Alex comes out greeted by a blonde Caucasian man wearing a lab coat.

"Welcome, my name is Harold Schmidt. I'm the owner of this store. You can call me Harold," Harold Schmidt introduces himself with a smile and extends his right hand.

Alex shakes his hand and introduces himself.

"I'm Alex Volff. I believe your employee already told you about why I'm here."

"Yes. Please come into my office first to talk."

Harold Schmidt leads Alex into his office at the end of the corridor. After arriving inside his office, Harold lets Alex takes a sit in front of his desk.

"You are lucky you come into this store first, otherwise you might get ripped off by other stores for those items you're looking for," Harold starts the conversation.

"Ah, what do you mean? Those items are available in the system store with a fixed price. How can I get ripped off?" Alex asks confusedly.

"Yes, you would still be able to get those items at cheaper price than the system store, but they will still charge more than my store. You see, in this Beginner Town, you can only find F-ranked items, and the items you're looking for are the highest grade F-ranked items. Stores usually don't have these items in stock. That's why they will order these items from other stores such as mine and sell it to you at a more expensive price."

"Ah.. is that so?" Alex nods at Harold's explanation.

"Yes. That's why I said you're lucky to come to my store," Harold replies with a smile.

"Then, I assume you have these items in stock? How much for these 4 items?" Alex asks the important question.

"Ah, you misunderstood. As I said, stores usually don't have these items in stock. They are expensive to make and not many Defenders will buy them. These items are usually made to order,"

"Oh, then do you mean you can make them?" Alex asks with a surprised expression.

"Yes, I can make them. In fact, in the whole Beginner Town, there are less than 10 people who can make these items. You are lucky that I'm one of them," Harold replies with a slightly smug smile on his face.

"Then, how much for crafting these 4 items?"

"Usually it will be 1,400 credits, but seeing that this is your first transaction and it's such a big transaction, I will personally give you a promotional discount and only charge you 1,300 credits," Harold replies while flattering Alex using his merchant tricks.

"Oh, thank you. And how long would you need to craft these 4 items?"

"I will have them ready by noon tomorrow. If you're okay with everything we can sign the contract. Oh, you need to give me 500 credits as down payment and for me to buy the materials. You can pay me the rest when you come to pick them up tomorrow."

"That's okay with me," Alex replies.

"Pleasure doing business with you," Harold Schmidt smiles and shakes Alex's hand.