Scene 1: A Necessary Detour

The dense woodland stretched endlessly around them, the crisp scent of damp earth and rustling leaves filling the air. The trio trudged forward, their boots sinking slightly into the soft ground. Sunlight peeked through the canopy above, casting flickering shadows as they made their way along the barely marked path.

Mechan suddenly came to a halt, raising a hand to signal Xero and Claude to stop. His cybernetic fingers twitched slightly, as if calculating something. With a thoughtful expression, he turned to them.

Mechan: (firmly)
"Before we push forward, we’re making a detour."

Claude and Xero exchanged confused glances.

Xero: (raising an eyebrow)
"Huh? Where to?"

Mechan: (crossing his arms)
"Freaky Town."

The reaction was immediate. Claude groaned, running a hand through his hair, while Xero let out an exaggerated sigh.

Claude: (frustrated)
"Seriously? Why go back there? Maximus and Leonidas are probably still lurking around!"

Xero: (leaning against a tree, smirking)
"Yeah, you sure you wanna walk straight into their backyard?"

Mechan scoffed, shaking his head as if their concerns were trivial.

Mechan: (confidently)
"They won’t bother us. The place we’re heading to is on the opposite side of the Vanguard Association’s Outlet Office. No need to worry about running into Leonidas or his lackeys."

Xero narrowed his eyes, still skeptical.

Xero: (crossing his arms)
"And what exactly are we supposed to do there?"

Mechan: (gesturing towards them)
"Merchants are gathering there today—good ones. After the guild recruitment event, new members will be scrambling for equipment, which means high-quality items will be up for sale. We need to gear up."

Xero’s eyes flickered with interest. He glanced at the dull edge of his sword, running a finger along the worn blade.

Xero: (grinning)
"Well, my sword has seen better days. Guess it wouldn’t hurt to check out some fresh steel."

Claude tapped his chin in thought, recalling their last encounter in the wild.

Claude: (nodding)
"Now that you mention it… we barely held our own against those beasts on the way here. And those were just normal ones."

Mechan let out an amused chuckle, shaking his head.

Mechan: (mocking)
"You call those beasts? Please. Those were nothing more than wild animals. And you guys struggled? Tch. Are you really that weak?"

Claude’s expression darkened as he clenched his fists.

Claude: (irritated)
"It’s called experience, Mechan. Unlike you, we don’t have built-in weapons or cybernetic limbs."

Xero chuckled at Claude’s reaction but nodded in agreement.

Xero: (grinning)
"He’s got a point. We need actual practice. It’s not just about the weapons—it’s about how we use them."

Mechan exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck.

Mechan: (serious)
"Fine. After we get our gear, we’ll come back here and train. Sparring, battle strategies, teamwork—the works."

Xero’s grin widened.

Xero: (excited)
"Now that’s what I like to hear."

Mechan’s gaze hardened as he continued, his voice carrying an edge of unspoken regret.

Mechan: (low voice)
"If we ever hope to stand against warriors like Leonidas… we need synergy. We need to move as one, not as individuals."

His grip tightened around his cybernetic arm, the faintest tremor running through his fingers.

Mechan: (muttering)
"I won’t make the same mistakes again… not like the fall of Lethal Troops."

A heavy silence followed his words, as if the weight of the past had momentarily pressed down on all of them. Xero and Claude exchanged glances but chose not to push further.

Claude was the first to break the tension, rolling his shoulders and forcing a grin.

Claude: (lightly)
"Alright then. Let’s hit the market and find some gear. We’ll need all the help we can get."

With that, they made their way towards Freaky Town, the weight of their mission pressing on their shoulders, but with a renewed determination burning in their chests.

Scene 2: The Trial

The bustling marketplace of Freaky Town was a chaotic symphony of voices, clanging metal, and the scent of exotic spices mixed with the tang of freshly polished steel. Merchants eagerly displayed their wares under colorful canopies, each one shouting over the other to attract customers. Adventurers of all ranks moved between stalls, inspecting weapons, armor, and mystical artifacts, hoping to find the perfect upgrade.

Claude, Xero, and Mechan wove through the crowded pathways, their eyes scanning the endless tables of gleaming swords, reinforced armor, and enchanted accessories.

Claude: (grinning)
"Man, look at all these weapons! It’s like a warrior’s paradise."

His eyes locked onto a broad sword displayed on a wooden rack. The polished steel glistened under the afternoon sun, and the leather-wrapped hilt felt sturdy in his grip.

Claude: (excited)
"This one looks perfect for me!"

Xero, meanwhile, had his sights on a pair of sleek, curved swords resting on a velvet cloth. He picked them up, giving them a few test swings, feeling the balance.

Xero: (smirking)
"These would be perfect for dual-wielding."

Before they could even consider haggling, Mechan stepped between them and shook his head disapprovingly.

Mechan: (sternly)
"Those? You’re seriously considering those?"

Claude and Xero exchanged confused looks.

Claude: (frowning)
"What’s wrong with them?"

Mechan: (crossing his arms)
"They’re standard-grade. Basic craftsmanship, mass-produced, and overpriced. You’re letting these merchants fool you. A real blade isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about how it’s forged."

Xero raised an eyebrow.

Xero: (curious)
"And you’d know that how?"

Mechan smirked and tapped his cybernetic arm against his chest.

Mechan: (proudly)
"I’m a blacksmith practitioner. I used to forge my own weapons—well, mostly from scrap metal since I didn’t have the rare materials or a proper mentor. But I know quality when I see it."

Claude and Xero blinked in surprise.

Claude: (impressed)
"You? A blacksmith? Huh. Didn’t see that coming."

Xero: (grinning)
"Alright, expert. Lead the way then. Let’s find something worth our money."

For nearly an hour, they scoured the market, but Mechan kept rejecting every weapon they picked up. Some were decent but overpriced, others were flashy but weak in durability.

Xero: (frustrated)
"Man, are we ever gonna find something? Feels like we’ve looked at every stall!"

Claude: (sighing)
"Yeah, and I don’t feel like getting swindled anymore."

Just as they were about to give up, they stopped at a particular merchant’s stall. Unlike the others, this one wasn’t flashy or loud. The wooden stall was simple, and the weapons on display weren’t laid out in an enticing manner. But the moment Xero laid eyes on one of the swords, his breath caught in his throat.

A beautifully crafted pair of swords rested against a stand, their blackened steel shimmering with a faint bluish hue. The craftsmanship was undeniably superior—sleek, well-balanced, and radiating an aura of deadliness.

Xero: (awed)
"These… these are the ones."

Claude’s gaze then shifted, and he spotted a broad sword that seemed almost tailor-made for him. The weight distribution was perfect, and the blade gleamed with an unspoken promise of power.

Before they could grab them, a voice interrupted.

Merchant: (calmly)
"Careful, kid. Those aren’t just any swords."

The merchant, Chisu, leaned on his counter, scrutinizing the trio with sharp, knowing eyes. He wasn’t like the other salesmen, who desperately tried to push their merchandise onto customers. Instead, he carried an air of confidence, as if he already knew the worth of his items and didn’t need to convince anyone.

Chisu: (tilting his head)
"You three don’t look like the kind of people who can wield these properly."

Xero’s excitement flickered into determination.

Xero: (firmly)
"I can wield them just fine."

Chisu smirked but remained unmoved.

Chisu: (amused)
"Really now? And what makes you so sure?"

Xero tightened his grip.

Xero: (serious)
"I’ll give you all the money we have for them."

Claude and Mechan snapped their heads toward Xero, eyes widening in shock.

Claude: (shouting)
"Are you insane?! That money is for our travels!"

Mechan: (gritting his teeth)
"Xero, think before you speak, damn it!"

Chisu, however, simply chuckled.

Chisu: (intrigued)
"How much do you even have?"

Xero stood tall and declared with unwavering confidence—

Xero: (determined)
"400 Ves (₴)!"

A beat of silence. Then—

Chisu: (deadpan)
"…Hah?"

Mechan, Claude, and Chisu all stared at Xero like he had just claimed he could slay a dragon barehanded.

Chisu burst into laughter, holding his stomach.

Chisu: (laughing)
"400 Ves?! Kid, that’s barely enough for a rusted dagger, let alone these blades!"

Xero clenched his fists, his face turning slightly red.

Xero: (frustrated)
"But these swords— I need them!"

Chisu’s laughter faded as he observed Xero more closely. His amused expression shifted into something more thoughtful. There was something about the boy’s eyes—raw determination, unwavering resolve, and an almost reckless desire to improve.

Chisu: (smirking)
"You’re really that desperate, huh?"

Xero nodded without hesitation.

Xero: (firmly)
"More than you know."

Chisu exhaled sharply, shaking his head in disbelief. Then, after a moment, he straightened up and crossed his arms.

Chisu: (grinning)
"Alright, alright. I’ll tell you what… I’ll give you the swords. For free."

A stunned silence fell over them.

Claude & Mechan: (simultaneously)
"WHAT?!"

Even Xero was taken aback.

Xero: (blinking)
"Wait… seriously?"

Chisu chuckled, nodding.

Chisu: (warmly)
"As a merchant, my items are my treasures. But I don’t just sell to anyone. I look for those who truly understand the worth of my weapons, those who will wield them with respect. And I see that in you."

He gestured toward the weapons.

Chisu: (smiling)
"So take them. But promise me one thing—don’t let them go to waste."

Xero and Claude, still stunned, hesitated before slowly reaching out and grasping the hilts of their new weapons. As soon as their hands made contact, a strange feeling washed over them—like these blades had been waiting for them all along.

Mechan, arms crossed, exhaled with a small smirk.

Mechan: (muttering)
"Guess the kid got lucky."

As they secured their new weapons, a new fire burned in their eyes. They came here to find stronger gear—what they left with was something far greater.

And this was only the beginning.