Legacy of the Tarot (Laoyon)

Old Rurik (Merchant), Jenna the Quartermaster (Supply Expert)

The streets of Veyne were already bustling as the trio made their way to Goldscale Way, the district known for its adventuring gear and travel supplies. The sun reflected off rows of polished steel buckles, enchanted pouches, and reinforced leather armor displayed outside various shops. Among them stood The Gilded Chest Supplies, a well-known establishment that catered to adventurers, merchants, and explorers alike.

The moment they stepped inside, the scent of oiled leather, parchment, and a faint trace of alchemical herbs greeted them. Shelves were stacked with rucksacks, enchanted canteens, reinforced boots, rope coils, climbing hooks, and portable shelters—everything an explorer could ever need.

Behind the counter stood Old Rurik, the elderly yet sharp-eyed merchant with a neatly trimmed beard, and beside him was Jenna the Quartermaster, a woman whose expert eye scanned every piece of gear that passed through the shop. She carried herself like a seasoned traveler, her belt lined with small utility pouches, and her posture always alert.

Rurik grunted as he leaned over the counter, scrutinizing the trio with a knowing look. "Ah, the Wyvern Slayers finally grace my shop," he chuckled, stroking his beard. "Word travels fast, you know. Even the merchants at the harbor are talking about you lot."

Arden smirked. "So we're famous now?"

Jenna scoffed, crossing her arms. "More like infamous. You lot really went and fought that thing?"

Dominic, ever calm, smirked. "It was a minor inconvenience."

Leigh sighed, placing a hand on her hip. "They wanted the fight. I was just trying to survive it."

Rurik let out a wheezing laugh. "Well, I hope you're planning on surviving the next one, lass." He gestured to the shelves. "You're in the right place for that. What are you looking for?"

As they browsed through The Gilded Chest Supplies, Leigh's eyes caught something interesting—a Traveler's Utility Belt a sleek, reinforced belt lined with small utility pouches strapped around Jenna the Quartermaster's waist. Unlike bulky backpacks, this setup seemed far more convenient for combat, allowing quick access to essentials without the hassle of rummaging through a bag.

Jenna noticed her interest and smirked. "Good eye. This is a Traveler's Utility Belt (3,500 Gold)—lightweight, durable, and each pouch is enchanted with an 4 utility pouches with 8-square-meter storage slot each. Keeps your hands free and your gear accessible."

Leigh ran her fingers over the sturdy leather, nodding in approval. "This is perfect," she said, fastening it around her waist. "Much better than a backpack in a fight."

Arden peered over. "Wait, how come she gets something that cool? My backpack's just a glorified sack."

Jenna chuckled. "Yours is practical. Hers is efficient."

Dominic, ever the strategist, nodded. "Smaller profile, faster movement. It suits her."

Leigh smirked. "And it looks good too."

Arden leaned over. "And I'm the reckless spender?"

Leigh shot him a glare but handed over the gold without hesitation. "I don't want to hear it."

Dominic hummed. "Finally investing in proper storage? I'm impressed."

She adjusted the belt snugly, already thinking about how best to organize the pouches. "Alright," she said, turning back to the group.

Rurik and Jenna watched the exchange with amusement before Jenna gestured to the rest of the shop. "Anything else?"

As they browsed through The Gilded Chest Supplies, Jenna the Quartermaster stepped forward, her sharp merchant instincts kicking in. She sized up Arden and Dominic immediately, a confident smile spreading across her face.

"You two look like serious travelers," she said smoothly, placing her hands on the sturdy wooden counter. "But tell me, are you really prepared for the long road ahead? You might have strength and magic, but what about the essentials? Because trust me—muscles and spells won't keep you hydrated or sheltered in a storm."

Arden folded his arms, smirking. "Alright, I'll bite. What do you recommend, oh wise merchant?"

Jenna's eyes gleamed as she turned, reaching beneath the counter and pulling out three sleek Enchanted Canteens (3,000 Gold). She placed them on the table one by one, their metallic surfaces reflecting the warm torchlight. "These beauties are more than just water bottles. They purify any liquid you put in them. Whether it's murky river water, melted snow, or even rain collected in a storm, by the time you drink it, it's fresh and clean."

Arden picked one up, tilting it slightly. The runes along the surface pulsed faintly, a sign of active enchantment. He raised an eyebrow, impressed. "So, no more boiling water or worrying about getting sick?"

"Exactly," Jenna said with a wink. "And in the middle of nowhere, trust me—you don't want to waste time purifying water when you should be watching your back."

Arden tested the weight of the canteen before grinning. "Alright, I'm sold. This is way more practical than I expected."

Jenna clapped her hands together, shifting her attention to Dominic. "And for you, wise magician, I have something that might just save your robes from getting soaked in the rain or freezing in the cold." She stepped around the counter and pulled out a Portable Shelter (5,000 Gold), unfolding a small, rune-inscribed fabric bundle that barely took up any space.

Dominic frowned slightly. "A tent?"

Jenna scoffed, shaking her head. "Not just a tent—the tent. This is a fully enchanted shelter that expands to fit up to four people, stabilizes itself on uneven ground, and resists extreme weather. Wind, rain, snow—you name it, this bad boy keeps you warm and dry. It even has mild barrier reinforcement against unwanted guests."

Dominic's frown disappeared, replaced by interest. "A self-stabilizing shelter, you say?" He ran a hand over the smooth fabric, feeling the enchantments infused into it.

Jenna nodded. "You mages might have spells, but are you really going to waste mana every night creating a wind barrier or heating up the air just to sleep? This saves energy for when you actually need it."

Leigh crossed her arms, smirking at Dominic. "She makes a good point."

Dominic exhaled through his nose, nodding as he lifted the shelter bundle. "Fine. I'll take it."

Jenna grinned victoriously before sliding a Roll of Arcane Parchment (1,500 Gold) across the counter as well. "And since you're a spellcaster, let me guess—you need somewhere to store all those incantations of yours without worrying about ink fading or paper turning brittle?"

Dominic picked up the parchment and examined it closely. The material was smooth yet sturdy, designed to resist age, moisture, and magical interference. He gave Jenna a knowing look. "You're good at this."

Jenna winked. "I am the Quartermaster."

Leigh, who had been watching with amusement, adjusted her Traveler's Utility Belt and let out a laugh. "I think we just got expertly scammed, and I don't even mind."

Arden counted out his 3,000 Gold for the canteens, while Dominic handed over 6,500 Gold for both the shelter and parchment. As they packed their new items away, Jenna leaned forward, resting her elbows on the counter.

"You three are an interesting bunch," she mused. "I'd say 'good luck out there,' but something tells me you'll be just fine."

Arden slung his Leather Backpack over his shoulder, smirking. "Well, if we survive long enough to make more gold, we'll be back."

Jenna grinned. "I'll be waiting."

Selva chuckled, shaking her head. "Well, at least you're thinking ahead. Now, let's see how much you spent."

Leigh pulled out her notepad, flipping to the section where she meticulously tracked their expenses. With a sigh, she tapped her quill against the page before reading aloud.

"Alright, here's the damage. Arden, you spent 3,000 gold on the enchanted canteens, which brings your new total to 33,950 gold."

Arden stretched his arms behind his head, grinning. "Clean water is a necessity. No regrets."

Leigh ignored him and turned to Dominic. "You, on the other hand, spent 5,000 gold on the portable shelter and 1,500 gold on the parchment, which leaves you with 34,800 gold."

Dominic tucked the parchment into his robes and glanced at his remaining gold. "Efficient spending."

Arden scoffed. "You always say that."

Leigh exhaled, shaking her head before flipping her notepad shut. "I still have 36,900 gold, so I remain the least reckless of us."

Arden raised an eyebrow. "You say that now, but we still have more shops to visit."

Leigh shot him a warning look. "And I will make sure we don't go broke before we even leave the city."

Selva smirked, watching the exchange with amusement. "You three really are something else."

Jenna, who had been listening in from behind the counter, leaned in with a teasing grin. "If you ever do go broke, you can always come back and work off your debt here. I could use some extra hands."

Arden laughed. "Tempting, but I think we'll stick to adventuring."

Leigh tucked her notepad away. "Alright, next stop before Arden finds something else to 'invest' in."

Dominic smirked. "Efficiently invest in."

Arden groaned. "I swear, you two are conspiring against me."

Selva chuckled. "You're just realizing that now?"