It Looked Insanely Expensive, Though.

“So, what did you come here for today… nah, asking that would be tasteless. What did you fight?”

“An anomalously evolved goblin.”

“I see. You were lucky it ended with just this.”

Hearing “anomalously evolved,” Mirgu seemed to grasp everything at once, and he stroked the scratches on Kikori’s armor.

“That was one hell of a hit. If this had landed just a little off, you’d have been cut clean in half along with the armor.”

“…So I was right?”

“Yeah. Well, that breastplate is done for. Buy a new one. Or better yet, buy something nicer.”

“I’ve been thinking the same.”

“Good. Then put the money you can use right there. I’ll pick something for you.”

When Kikori set down his entire wallet, Mirgu grinned. “Oh?”

“Pretty bold, aren’t you?”

“I nearly died.”

“Thought so. Hey—what about you?”

“Me? For me… hmm. If you’ve got a good breastplate. My budget is within fifty thousand yen.”

“Yeah, got it.”

With that, Mirgu placed a gleaming white breastplate on the counter.

It apparently belonged to Kuon; several small mana stones were set into it.

“You’re a priest, right? The mana stones aren’t top quality, but it’s got ones built in that boost power for that kind of thing. Material’s white metal.”

“Huh—this is fifty thousand?”

“Seventy. If you’re running your mouth about a fifty-thousand budget, you’ve got it. If you pass this up, it’ll sell fast.”

“Ugh… true. But seventy thousand just because it’s white metal…”

“The previous owner died a pretty nasty death. This is what they were wearing. They said it was sitting in a pool of blood and the armor didn’t have a single scratch…”

“Ah, if it’s that kind of thing, I’m fine with it. I’ll take it.”

“Good.”

Kuon, apparently pleased the deal was already done, started fitting the armor—but even then, Mirgu kept browsing the shop’s stock… and eventually beckoned Kikori over.

“Hey. Come here.”

“Yes… wait, what?”

“How about this one?”

“How about it… It looks insanely expensive, though.”

What Mirgu pointed to was a partial-armor set displayed on a mannequin.

The armor—apparently made of black metal—looked fairly sturdy… and there were what seemed like mana stones set into it, especially around the chest, making it look absurdly expensive.

“Black metal, with mana stones added. Price is two hundred thousand yen.”

“That’s way over budget…”

“I know that. But you guys—going by what you just said, you beat an anomalously evolved one, right?”

“Yes. But there were… circumstances, so I don’t know if they’ll acknowledge it—”

“That won’t be a problem. Bounties tied to anomalously evolved monsters are pretty huge. When you get paid, come back and buy this. Then I’ll tell you just how amazing it is—and just how good a deal it is.”