The Rising of the Shield Hero Volume 01 Read Online Free PDF Page B

was fearing a fat, pudgy type of owner. I really was in a whole new world…
    “So this is a weapon shop…”
    “I see this is your first time in one. Well, you sure know how to pick ‘em.”
    “Actually, my companion here told me about your store.” I pointed over at Myne, in response to which she raised a hand and waved it in greeting.
    “Why, thank you very much… Miss… Hey, haven’t we met somewhere?”
    “I’ve been here before, sir. Also, your shop is very well known around here.”
    “Well, isn’t that kind of you. By the way, if I may ask, who is this strangely-dressed friend of yours?”
    I guess that only made sense. In this other world, they would think my clothes looked strange. I probably looked like a bumpkin touring the kingdom, or just a crazy person.
    “I think you already know the answer to that, sir.”
    “You mean… you’re one of the… the Heroes? Wow!”
    The man began to look me over carefully.
    “He doesn’t really look that strong.”
    I couldn’t believe my ears!
    “Tell me how you really feel! Geez!”
    But the old guy was right. I really didn’t look like I would do anyone much good. That’s why I needed to get stronger.
    “Listen up, Hero-Boy. If you don’t get yourself some decent equipment, the other adventurers will wipe the floor with you.”
    “I suppose…”
    I kind of liked the guy. He seemed honest.
    “Looks like you got the short stick?”
    I felt my face twitch in recognition. How did gossip spread this quickly? Whatever. I shouldn’t admit loss before I even got going.
    “I am the Shield Hero, Naofumi Iwatani. Things might get rough from here on out, so I’ve come for your assistance.” It was an aggressive way to introduce myself, but I had to convince myself too.
    “Mr. Naofumi was it… Well then, here’s to hoping you become a regular of sorts around here. Let’s see what we can do!”
    He was an amicable guy, to be sure.
    Myne walked over and spoke up. “Hey, sir, don’t you have any good equipment for my friend here?”
    “I’m sure that I do, but how’s your budget looking?”
    “Well…”
    Myne was looking me over in some sort of appraisal.
    “We could probably spend up to 250 pieces.”
    We only had 800 to start with, and we were preparing to spend 250 on equipment. Was that going to leave enough for inns and food, and for recruiting other party members?
    “That much, huh? Well then, you should start looking over here,” said the owner, as he walked around the shop and pulled various weapons from their spaces on the wall.
    “Tell me, kid. You have a favorite kind of weapon?”
    “Not yet.”
    “If so, then I’d recommend a sword that is light enough for beginners.” He proceeded to set a number of swords out on the counter. “All of these are coated with Blood Clean, so they’re pretty easy to handle.”
    “Blood Clean?”
    “Gore and blood on a blade will erode the edge, making upkeep more difficult. These swords don’t have that problem.”
    “Wow…”
    I was surprised, but thinking on it for a minute, I realized that even in my own world people spoke of knives losing their edge after cutting through meat. I suppose he meant that these swords would stay sharp for a long time. I stared at the swords for a short time. They were much higher quality than any of the replica swords I’d seen before. They looked like serious weapons.
    “Those are, in order: Iron, Magic Iron, Magic Steel, and Silver Iron. They get more expensive as they go, but the increase in quality is tremendous.”
    Were they hardened to different degrees based on the ore used in their production? It seemed they were all made from iron.
    “There are also weapons of higher quality, but in the 250 range, this is really what you’ve got to pick from.”
    I’d heard of things like this before. It was just like a video game, how the weapon shop in the first town does have very good weapons available. This shop, however, seemed to have a really wide