The streets of Orario were already bustling with life by the time Felis stepped out of the crumbling church. Merchants called out their wares, adventurers strode by in groups, and the morning air carried the scent of fresh bread and sizzling meat from the food stalls.
Felis adjusted his pouch, ears flicking as he weaved through the crowd.
'First, gear.'
He wasn't looking for anything extravagant—just something solid and reliable. A weapon that suited him, armor that wouldn't slow him down, and a backup dagger in case things went south. He had the Valis for it, but wasting money on overpriced equipment wasn't his style.
As he turned onto one of the main shopping streets, his golden eyes flicked across the various storefronts.
'Hmm… this place should have what I need.'
Just as he was about to step into a promising-looking shop—
"Felis-san?"
He halted mid-step.
That voice.
Turning, he found himself looking at a familiar half-elf standing just a few paces away, blinking at him in surprise.
"Eina-san," Felis greeted, raising an eyebrow. "Fancy running into you here."
Eina, dressed in her usual Guild uniform, adjusted her glasses, tilting her head slightly. "What are you doing in this area?"
"Shopping," Felis replied smoothly. "Gotta gear up before heading into the Dungeon."
Her emerald eyes immediately sharpened with a mixture of professionalism and concern. "You haven't gone in yet, right?"
Felis smirked. "Would I look this clean if I had?"
Eina sighed, crossing her arms. "I suppose not. Still, it's good that you're taking preparations seriously."
"Of course," Felis said, his tail flicking lazily. "Wouldn't want my precious advisor getting mad at me on my first dive, would I?"
Eina stiffened, her ears twitching slightly. "I—I'm just doing my job, Felis-san."
He chuckled. "Relax, I know."
She pursed her lips, eyeing him for a moment before adjusting her glasses again. "…Have you decided where to buy your gear?"
"Not yet," Felis admitted. "I was about to check out this shop, but if you know a better one, I'm all ears."
Eina hesitated, glancing at the small notepad she carried. "I do have some time before my next scheduled work at the Guild… If you don't mind, I can help you pick out your equipment."
Felis raised an eyebrow. "You're offering to be my shopping guide?"
"I am your advisor," she said firmly, though a small tinge of pink dusted her cheeks. "It's my responsibility to ensure you make the right choices."
Felis smirked. "Well then, I'd be a fool to refuse."
Eina cleared her throat, quickly regaining her composure. "Let's be efficient about this. Follow me—I know a good place that balances quality and price."
Felis watched as she turned, walking ahead with the kind of practiced grace that came from years of dealing with reckless adventurers.
'This could be fun.'
With a lazy flick of his tail, he followed after her.
---
The rhythmic clang of hammers filled the air as they stepped into the northwest district. Smoke curled from chimneys, the scent of molten metal thick in the atmosphere. Blacksmiths barked out prices, showcasing weapons and armor for passing adventurers.
Felis glanced around, golden eyes scanning the shops. One, in particular, caught his attention—its craftsmanship on display was clean and practical, without the excessive ornamentation that often drove up prices. The Hephaestus Familia emblem was visible above the entrance.
"Looks promising," he mused.
Eina nodded. "This shop caters to newer adventurers, so the prices are fair for the quality. Let's take a look."
Inside, the heat from the forge was noticeable but not unbearable. Weapons of all shapes and sizes lined the walls, from simple iron swords to finely crafted steel blades. Armor sets stood on racks, some light, some heavy, each tagged with a price.
Felis hummed as he approached a row of swords, running a finger along one of the hilts. "Decent balance," he muttered, testing the weight.
Eina watched him carefully. "You seem to know what you're looking for."
He shrugged. "Enough to know what suits me."
His tail flicked as he continued browsing, occasionally picking up a weapon, testing the grip, and setting it back down. A sword was his primary focus, but he also needed a good backup dagger—something small, lightweight, and easy to draw in an emergency.
"Not this… not this…"
Eina, meanwhile, was watching with a keen eye. "If you're looking for a primary weapon, make sure the weight and length are something you can wield efficiently. Don't go for anything too flashy—it'll just drain your wallet."
Felis smirked. "Eina-san, you make it sound like I'd go for the shiniest sword I see."
She gave him a look. "Wouldn't you?"
"…Fair point."
He eventually settled on a sturdy yet unassuming longsword. The steel was well-forged, the grip comfortable, the weight just right. Practical, durable, and most importantly—within budget.
Eina inspected it with a critical eye. "This is a good choice. Not too heavy, not too light. And the craftsmanship is reliable."
Felis grinned. "Glad to have your approval."
Next, he picked out a dagger—simple, sharp, and compact. Nothing extravagant, just a reliable tool for emergencies.
After that, light armor—reinforced leather with metal plating in key areas. Durable enough for protection, flexible enough for movement.
By the time he finished gathering his essentials, he did a quick tally of the costs.
'Sword, armor, dagger, basic gear… total comes to about 90,000 Valis.'
Perfect.
He handed over the money, the blacksmith nodding in approval. "Good choice, kid. Take care of your gear, and it'll take care of you."
Felis equipped his new gear right away, adjusting the straps of his armor and securing the sheath of his sword at his waist. He shifted his stance, testing the fit and feel. The armor was snug but flexible, allowing for ease of movement, while the sword rested comfortably at his side, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice.
Eina let out a breath. "Well, that went smoother than I expected."
Felis raised an eyebrow. "You doubted me?"
She hesitated, then adjusted her glasses. "…I wouldn't say doubted. Just… concerned."
He chuckled. "Admit it, you were worried I'd blow all my money on something stupid."
Eina pursed her lips. "…I'll neither confirm nor deny that."
Felis smirked but let it slide. He had what he needed, and with Eina's help, he'd ensured he wasn't getting ripped off.
As they stepped out of the shop, the streets of Orario buzzing around them, Eina crossed her arms. "Now that you're properly equipped, you'll be heading into the dungeon soon, won't you?"
Felis adjusted the strap of his new gear. "Yeah. No point in waiting around."
She sighed. "Just… be careful, alright? Even with good equipment, the dungeon is dangerous."
He tilted his head, amused. "Eina-san, you almost sound like you're worried about me."
She turned away quickly. "It's my job to worry!"
Felis chuckled, but this time, he didn't tease her further. Instead, he exhaled lightly and gave her a small nod. "Seriously, though. Thanks for helping me out today. I probably would've spent twice as long wandering around without you."
Eina blinked, looking slightly taken aback before adjusting her glasses. "…Well, as your advisor, it's only natural that I make sure you don't make reckless purchases."
Felis smirked. "Still, I appreciate it."
She hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to say something more, but instead, she simply nodded. "...If anything happens, don't hesitate to come to the Guild for advice."
"I'll keep that in mind," Felis said with an easy grin.
Eina nodded again, then turned on her heel, walking briskly back toward the Guild. Felis watched as she took a few steps, her pace steady—then, for just a brief moment, she slowed. Her fingers adjusted her glasses, a small pause barely noticeable, before she glanced back—only for a second—then continued on her way.
Felis watched her go, his tail flicking lazily.
'Well, well. That was almost cute.'
With a small grin, he turned toward his next destination. Properly armed, and with some good advice to carry forward.
---
With his gear properly equipped and a sturdy utility belt strapped around his waist, Felis adjusted the weight of his new belongings. The pouch of Valis at his side was considerably lighter now, but he had no regrets. Every piece of equipment served a purpose, and there was nothing wasted.
He tugged at the straps of his armor once more, ensuring a snug fit. His tail flicked lazily as he exhaled, eyes glancing toward the towering walls in the distance—the ones that enclosed Babel, the entry point to the Dungeon.
'No more delays. Time to see what this world's famous Dungeon is all about.'
With a steady stride, he made his way through the bustling streets of Orario. The main plaza near Babel was as crowded as ever, adventurers of all levels passing through its gates, some chatting idly, others focused and serious.
Felis blended into the flow, his golden eyes flicking over the various groups. Solo adventurers, parties of two or three, even large teams geared for deep explorations. Most looked stronger than him, at least on the surface—but he wasn't concerned.
He reached the towering entrance and stepped through.
The air shifted the moment he entered the massive underground structure. The temperature dropped slightly, and the lively noise of Orario faded behind him, replaced by the faint echoes of adventurers moving ahead.
Before descending further, Felis paused. He tightened his grip on his sword's hilt, rolling his shoulders to loosen up.
No more city streets. No more shop browsing.
This was it.
His first dive into the Dungeon.
With a smirk tugging at his lips, he took his first step forward.
'Let's see what this place has to offer.'