Mathew thought back to the duffle bags full of items in his room. “I see, well when I come back, I will have several of those things. Now, let’s focus on some more shopping shall we?”

“Of course, is there anything else that interests you? What about armor?”

Several military styled pieces of armor were put on display. “I am no soldier Di, do you have anything a bit more stylish, or perhaps something for a caster?”

“Yes we do. I should warn you, armor that looks dashing is more expensive. It’s hard to hide plates to stop a monster's wrath in a business suit.”

Mathew nodded understandingly. “Of course, let’s focus more on keeping me alive but nothing heavy, something I can wear all day and not feel overburdened. Nothing too tight either, I want mobility.”

Di waved a hand and the shelves moved to display a mixture of robes and leather armors. “We have robes used by a majority of spell casting focused people. Along with a mix of cloth and leather armors. And lastly, leather focused armors, with some harder paddings.”

Mathew thought of something important. He had no idea what would be best for him. He really wished he had Zack right now, or someone else who used to play video games. Yet, he couldn’t turn down this opportunity.

“Let’s do something basic. Cloth mixed with leather sounds right up my ally. Something that can help protect me from more beastial creatures rather than magical or other people.”

Di nodded. “I think I have something that fits your criteria.” a single outfit that looked like a mix of monk style robes and egyptian clothing was singled out. It’s primary colors were browns and blues with a few spots of green. Even with the color choices, it looked well made.

“This outfit is used primarily by traveling merchants. It’s light and breathes well enough that hot climate areas won’t cause you to overheat, yet has enough clothing where you won’t freeze in cold environments. With padding in the important areas to keep biting and slashing monsters from killing you. It isn’t very durable, but if you return here, we can repair it easily. Much cheaper than buying a whole new outfit.”

Mathew was impressed. “How much?”

“1,600 Currency.”

Mathew was hard pressed to find something wrong with that price. You couldn’t put a price on something to protect your life. “What about upgrades, or improvements?”

“Ah, well we can enchant it to give bonuses to stats or skills. Those prices vary however.”

“What about something to help with movement?”

Di stood silent for a moment once again. “We can add a speed boost enchantment for an additional 400 Currency, or we can improve the Dexterity ability by four points for 700 Currency.”

“In your professional opinion, which would be better for a man like me, who has no Dexterity currently, and no skills related to movement?”

“I would suggest applying points and learning skills in both if you want them. However, the speed boost will serve you well in the long run. If you only plan to use the bonus to Dexterity for the speed, then you are over spending.”

Mathew started to like Di. He balanced well on the line between underselling and keeping Mathew interested in his wares. “I’ll take the movement upgrade then. I will also take a staff, I don’t care for the damage type currently, one under 400 Currency.”

“I shall add both to your cart. Is there anything else I can interest you in?”

Mathew nodded. “Anything that is limited or restricted to my profession by any chance?”

Di paused to think. “Yes and No. We have items that are popular for your profession. Paper, Inks, writing utensils. Along with books, bags, and information documents.”

“What sort of information?”

“It depends. Information on cultures, races, laws, current job offers, the list is seemingly endless, though it is limited for another 38 days.”

That number was eerily familiar. “You mean when the Dungeons unlock?”

Somehow, Mathew could see Di wince. “I apologize, let’s pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“And how much would it cost to not pretend?”

“Information packets related to the tutorial portion of your world will be 500 Currency.”

Mathew instantly added that to his cart. “What about information on classes, or how about magic?”

“Those are very vague requests. We have packets related to each class and how to earn them for all ratings. The cheapest of which is 10,000.” Mathew again winced at the price.

“Information sells I suppose?”

“Knowledge is the most sought out thing in the world.”

“I have to ask, why is knowing about classes extremely more expensive than information on my own world?”

“Ah, that is because what you requested is public information. Anyone can access it, from any shop terminal in the universe. Class information is a safely guarded resource, something other families, sects, or clans do not want others to know about. So they pay to keep the prices high.”

“Even for the common ones?”

“Even for the common ones, yes, the information document includes how to earn the class, and all available skills, spells, and abilities it comes with over time. Excluding unique variants earned through unique situations.”

Mathew nodded and added that to his ever growing pile of information. “Well I am out of money. I promise to be back soon.”

“I had a pleasant experience with you, sir. I will wait for your return with patience.”

Mathew was about to leave but stopped. “Oh that reminds me. Do you kick people out if they upset you? Apparently some military people have come in here and never returned.”

Di nodded. “My shop is not the only one available to purchase from. You ended up here by a slight random chance influenced by your profession. I can establish mine as your default so you don’t have to return here without worry of ending up somewhere less accommodating.”

Mathew smiled. “I would love that. I don’t suppose you take tips do you?”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you don't have enough to tip me properly. Any amount you do would be seen as an insult.”

“Ah, then when I return, I’ll be sure to have enough. You are a good...man Di.”

“I have no gender sir, but I accept the compliment nonetheless.”

Mathew nodded and confirmed the purchases, seeing the items appear on a table in front of him. He then realized he had no way to carry anything. “Di, I don’t suppose you have a bag I can carry these out with, do you?”

“I can give you a simple bag for the book and armor, yes. The staff would be a bit too awkward for it. So you will have to carry that yourself.” Di waved a hand and a simple canvas bag appeared on the table as well.

Mathew put the armor and book inside and held the staff like a walking stick. It was mostly wood with a blue crystal at the top. He felt a little weird carrying it, but knew it would be his new weapon of choice for a long while.

He exited the void and appeared back in front of the Hearth Crystal. He saw the General was gone, along with Franks, but the fat man was still there. “Good, glad to see you return. I hope you have good information for us?”

Mathew smiled. “Yes I do. However, I will only talk to the General.”

He reluctantly nodded. “He’s in his office, I can take you to a meeting room and he will be there soon. You better have something worthwhile.” He eyed the staff as they walked away.

Mathew skimmed over the information booklet. Each new page of information caused him to not only worry, but grow excited. Currently the monsters that spawn in the world are only mutations or growth of ones already found on the planet, or manifestations of other creatures caused by the ambient magic of Dungeons.

It was a true Tutorial. Passive healing is increased, Experience and Skills are easier to earn. Titles existed to be claimed, but none were listed nor how to gain them. There were also certain protection zones created by Hearth Crystals. Each one to be claimed. Once done, the area around it was protected from having monsters or dungeons appear within or near the safe area.

More shockingly was all the information that pertained to what happened after the tutorial. The Dungeons would unlock, allowing the creatures within to roam the world. This would be the Phase One integration. Some limitations on the planet apparently existed, such as space travel. Which means Earth couldn’t be attacked or imprisoned by larger powerful entities in the universe.

Reading this made Mathew feel very small. He might be the highest level on the base, but he was nothing in the grand scheme. Less than a drop in the metaphorical bucket that was the universe. To some he wasn’t even a drop. Power was everything in this new wave of life. Those who fight apparently earned more experience than those who didn’t.

Experience was the only way to gain levels, and levels were how you became stronger. Other important facts applied, such as numbers within your group, or having bigger guns, yet Levels and stats seemed to be the end all be all.

Who cares if you have a gun, when you can run faster than the bullets. Who cares if you have a wall, when someone can just break it down with a single blow of a hammer. Mathew wanted to never be in such a position, he hated to admit it, but he would have to continue fighting and grow stronger to survive.

Once he finished talking with the Commander, he would head straight to find Zack, or someone else who knows more than he did, or could understand everything better.

A door opened up and interrupted Mathew’s train of thought. Entering was the General and the fat man.

“Mathew, I hope you bring good news.”

Mathew threw the manual on the table. “Don’t suppose you picked one of those up yet, have you?”

The General nodded. “We have, along with a few other information missives. What type of salesman did you find?”

“Name is Di. Four arms, and was a real gentleman, but apparently his kind don’t have genders.”

“I had the same. A few others as well. I see you bought a fancy stick, I hope it wasn’t too expensive.”

“It’s a very fancy stick, and it was not. I suggest looking into these types of weapons actually. Cheaper than guns, and can be used by anyone with mana apparently.”

“Do you have mana?” The fat man asked.

“I - I’m sorry, I don’t think I ever got your name. Referring to you as the ‘bearded man’ over and over is a bit rude.” Mathew slightly lied.

“I am Mr. Melton.”

“Right, so Mr. Melton, I would assume I do. I didn’t think to question if I did or didn’t. Di would be a horrible salesman if he sold me something I couldn’t use.”

“Or a good one.” The General added.

“No, he was far too professional to try and earn a quick one over me. He was a great help in understanding the shop. I highly recommend him now.”

“So all you brought to me was this book that we already have? What about professional based items?”

Mathew nodded. “It’s implied such things exist. For myself it’s very basic. Paper, ink, books, and other similar items.”

“And what is your profession?” Mr. Melton asked curiously.

Mathew was tempted to lie, but a deal was a deal. “Contract Scribe. It was listed as Rare. I had five options: Scout, Warrior, Sage, Scribe, and Contract Scribe. I believe my life as a Lawyer influenced those two later choices.”

Both men seemed surprised. “Interesting, can you write down each detail?”

Mathew nodded and wrote down each profession and what they provided. He did leave out the last line of his profession. Mathew did not want them to know that he was restricted by anything, even if he felt it was minor. “I attempted to gain information about classes and professions, but they would be extremely expensive.”

“Yes, I too realized that, but I had hoped you could find something cheaper somehow. 10,000 Currency. The six I owe you is more than I have currently, let alone what I had when I last went in there.”

“Did you ask about selling things to him?”

The Commander paused and seemed to get slightly angry. “Of course I didn’t think of that. What are they buying?”

“Earth culture based items, and information on our people. I have some stuff I plan to sell once I return.”

“If you return, Mathew.” Mr. Melton said.

“Yea, I will be back there, I promise Di I would be back. You wouldn’t want to make me a liar would you?”

The General held up a hand to stop the squabble. “Enough, we have one more important matter to resolve.”

“And what is that, Sir?” Mr. Melton asked.

“Mathew here has a spell, and I want to see it.”