Luke woke him up early for them to go to the Market Place; the premier Equipment and Weaponry market in City Zero. They stopped infront of a plain store with no store banner, nor outdoor equipment displayed, unlike the other stores gleaming with new equipment. It had only a sticker posted on the door says “Lootboxes sold here.”

“According to one of my customers, Jimmy dearie, this is the cheapest store in the Market Place.” Grandma informed them. “Let’s go in.”

A bell made a sharp ringing sound as they went in.

“Welcome! To the Gamer’s Haven! The premier gaming –“ The person stopped talking and looked carefully at their group.

Mark looked at the person behind the counter. The person looked like an egg; a cool egg. That was the first thing that went to his mind when he saw the person. It had a gleaming head with a beard that was curled at the ends. His vein almost popped from his arms. The flowery apron that the person was wearing didn’t hinder any of his manliness.

The guy had a name “MrKrabs2.0 Lvl 62” inscription above him.

“Welcome guys. I’m Camrin, the shopkeeper.” The person with MrKrabs2.0 greeted again. “What’s up with your group?”

We’re being judged eh?

“What’s wrong with our group?” Alek asked while recording the whole shop.

“You are making these two poor oldies work?” The person pointed at Grandma and Grandpa.

“We’re not that old.” Grandma said sadly. “We can still do this.”

They all looked at the shopkeeper who immediately put both of his hands up.

“I’m sorry.” Camrin apologized, extended his arms. “Welcome to our store, Grandma.”

“So, this is gamers store eh? It’s so different in real life. Wait, I know those” Luke said while looking around the shop. He walked to the swords hanging on the walls. “Monsters drop these?”

“Yes.” Camrin said to Luke. He looked at their world names. “You haven’t gone to the first Kingdom?”

“We haven’t, but now we’re ready.” Alek said proudly.

“It’s my fault.” Mark admitted. “I got lost. But at least, we can do it now.”

They all scattered around the store. Everyone had marveled at the different kinds of equipment. There are bangles, swords, potions, shields, to see within the store.

He was looking at the pieces of equipment. Checking if there are things that can help them with their Quests.

The descriptions were showing whenever there is an equipment near him.

A Chieftain’s Cursed Briefs

This is one of the most treasured items of a goblin. A goblin only wears one brief in its lifetime. Having been worn for years, the brief gives off a distinct smell that never been smelled by anyone before. Can be used to attract female goblins.

It will repel any low level non-goblin monsters when worn.

Cost: 15 Gold

“The hell.” He said looking at the dark stained briefs in front of him. He can smell the disgusting mold stench that was coming from the briefs. “Someone grabbed these smelly pants to display it here.”

“Oi! We used thongs.” The shopkeeper shouted at him. “You don't know those are one of the best sellers here. Well, if you wear it in the Goblin Kingdom you can thread through the first five levels. The Goblins will think you are one of their comrades. Well, with that face-”

Camrin looked at Luke, but he was distracted by the smell of the briefs.

“So, they equip these?” Visible disgust filled the face of Luke.

“Never underestimate gamers. Some do everything like er… yes by wearing those. But, those people are especially skillful. They have the skill to be transparent. Goblins can’t detect them.” Camrin stated. “So, don’t underestimate anyone. Some are still searching for every nooks and cranny of this new world. Some really hones their art. Some says war is their craft.”

Grandpa looked at the counter when he heard the “war.”

“Some don’t take a break playing- I mean- living in this world.” Camrin fumbled at his words.

“So, basically incels?” Alek asked with wonder.

“Insolence!” Camrin said angrily. “Don’t call it incel!”

“Why?” Alek said.

“Because I’m one of those, damn it.” Camrin said it with a straight face. “We have feelings, you know. If we weren’t at home playing games all day. You wouldn’t have a shopkeeper today.”

Camrin pointed at himself, proudly. “As we say it: Gamers today, Heroes tomorrow.”

It’s true that they have huge advantage in here compared to me. Mark thought eyeing the underpants.

“Let me give you a tip: Somebody might even buy the knowledge about you. You never know how the others how detailed their world knowledge be.” Camrin continued. “Afterall, knowledge is….”

“Power?” Luke interjected.

“No.” Camrin disappointedly said. “People already settled in the idea that Power is Power. A demonstration of a queen solidified that, man.” This world only knows that knowledge is money and money means better equipment. Better equipment means faster on leveling up and beating this world. Stick those to ya’ minds. Lads!”

“Yeah, I watched that. You are man of culture as well.” Luke said.

“Huh?” Grandpa asked, visible confusion in his eyes.

“Don’t mind them, Gramps.” He said to him.

He has a pretty good guess as to why few people goes in here.

He kept looking at the items while listening to the shopkeeper’s voice.

Though, how would they level up that way? Maybe, for scouting that would be a good idea to use the said item. But, I won’t be wearing those for sure.

“But here my dear, knowledge is money. For example what kind of monsters that you are going to encounter. Where are the hidden chests, things like that, fetch for real gold.” Camrin continued.

“How much for the knowledge though?” He asked, his interest piqued. Now, he could ask where the error quest was.

“It depends on what kind of knowledge do you need.”

“Do you know where the “Dark Area of Existential Crisis “ is?” He asked.

“1 gold. And I’ll tell you.”

Mark opened the pouch that the spider gave him and hand him 1 gold.

“That’s DLC.” Camrin answered. “You need to pay the Mayor 100,000 Gold for access.”

“100,000? That’s too much.” He said. Guess that Quest is a no go.

“There’s DLC too?” Luke asked his eyes twinkling in excitement.

“Yeah. It’s a DLC for horror gamers if I’m not mistaken.” Camrin said.

Luke eyes saddened when he heard that.

“Did someone say horror?” Alek asked. “Tell me more.”

Mark stopped listening and kept on looking around the shop for useful items for their adventure.

A Goblin Slayer’s Sword

Once there lived a boy that hated Goblin so much that he used this sword to kill them all.

+5 Strength

+10 Agility

+1 Harem

Cost: 1,000 Gold

That looked cool but pricey. He thought while inspecting the short sword. What’s with this harem anyway?

“I’ll buy this.” Luke said.

“Ah. A Fine purchase.” Camrin praised while looking at the book Luke was holding. ” The Ultimate Monster Nope-Fest Guide Volume I: It’s the best guide book for newbies. The gaming community gave it 5 stars.”

“Aren’t we all gamers? So, we can rate it too then.” Luke asked.

“Nope. Not in this world, lad. You need to be at least level 50 to review our products.”

“Ahhhh gaming supremacists they’re everywhere.” Alek stated.

“Thank you. But I don’t like the sound of that. It’s called Gamers’ Privileges. It’s just how this world works.”

“Oh this is perfect.” Grandma exclaimed while grabbing a thermos.

“Do you have food rations? And water for the journey ahead?” Mark asked.

“We have 5-day ration for newbies. Here try this.” Camrin offered. “We have different kinds too. We have the healing kind too which is our best seller.”

“How much for the healing kind?”

“5 Gold each.”

“I’ll buy five.”

“Do you have something for water?”

“We have an Enchanted Drinking Leather Bag. Here.” Camrin put it on the counter with the other items.

“How much?”

“Free. It’s for newbies given by the Mayor.”

“Thanks.”

Camrin put 5 of it on the counter. “That will never go out of water. It’s magically enchanted by the City to connect on the water drinking depot.”

“Toothbrush? Toothpaste?”

“We have the basic adventurer’s essential here.” Camrin put a bag in front of him. “7 Gold each. Will last for three weeks. It already Toothbrush, toothpaste, facial wash, and soap.”

“I’ll buy five.”

“I’ll pay.” Grandma offer.

“Thanks, Grandma but I’ll pay.” He said declining grandma’s offer. “We need to save it. We might need it later.”

“What else do we need?” Grandpa asked.

“A blanket?” Luke offered.

“Yeah. I think we need those.” Grandma said satisfied.

“You guys need equipment too.” Camrin said. “This is not a camping after all.”

“What’s your cheapest sword?” Alek asked.

“That one.” Camrin pointed the rusty sword on the wall.

A Shoddy Sword

A trashy sword that thrown by a Student Swordsmith.

Attack: +2

Cost: 2

“We’ll take 4.” Mark said.

Grandma don't need one. She already have a shinobi sword. He thought glancing at the short sword on Grandma's hips.

“That’s 80 Gold in all. Including the blankets and the book. The thermos free. Courtesy of the store”

“Thank you. We’ll buy here again, young man” Grandma said.

“Should we buy a bag?” Grandma asked while looking at the things they bought.

“No need, Grandma.” Luke said. “We have an item in Menu where we can store things.”

“Observe.” Luke told them. “Menu. Item.”

A brown Menu appeared in front of him. He grabbed one of the swords and put it in the Menu. The sword disappeared.

“Wow.” Grandma exclaimed in amazement.

They opened their Menu and put the things away.

“Now, we are ready.” Luke shouted in excitement.

“Hooooray!”

“Banzai!”

“Whoopie!”

Camrin looked at the new adventurers with a smile on his face.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Don’t let yourselves be captured by the Goblins Assassins or you are going to face the Goblin Supreme King - the first kingdom boss.” Their Kingdom Instructor said.

“Where’s the Kingdom?” Alek asked while zooming in and out his camcorder.

“Not every Kingdom has a Castle, you know.” The Instructor said. “That’s the Kingdom.”

He pointed at the Cave Entrance.

“Please come back before dark on Friday. We’ll give you this, so that you’ll know the time.” He had given them a watch. “We make head count every time if you don’t go back it means the Goblins got you. Kill a mage goblin and it will drop a save stick.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s like a save point. Activate it by saying this word. “Gulagu Surhsdhsfk!” and dance while you say that. When I say you; I mean all of you.”

Mark understood the words. “Thy cave lord will grant us magic.”

“Can you-“

“No demonstration. Just do it.” The Kingdom Info guide cut them off. “Now, go on. You guys are already late from the rest.”

I hope this goes well. He thought while on the way to the entrance of the cave.