One Pice: A Game Blue System.

"What's the catch?" I whisper back.

Jorgen chuckles. "Well...obviously since it's a Marine operation you wouldn't be entitled to any of the bounties at the meeting but hey at least you get to help put the big boss behind bars."

"Please sir! Allow me to participate as well!" Mori speaks up abruptly. "It would be a privilege to be part of a major operation like this."

Lt. Jorgen looks back at Mori oddly for a moment, as if he hadn't realized the man was following and listening in, but quickly nods yes anyway. "Absolutely Chief. Happy to have you along."

The officer turned backed to me and extended his hand. "Philridge is only three days trip away. What do you say?"

Ding!

New Quest Alert!

Quest: Don Masserida is determined to see you put down for capturing his underlings and disrupting business. You've gotten wind of an important meeting going down in just under a weeks time and the big man himself is planning to be there. Join Lt. Jorgen's operation and do not let any member of the 'Masserida Crime Family' escape.

Reward: 3,300 Exp and [Skillbook]: Rokushiki Technique #5 of 6

[ACCEPT/DECLINE]

'OH HELL YES!'

I don't know which one the [Game] considers #5 but it really doesn't matter. I snap my palm into Jorgen's and complete the handshake. "Count me in."

Jack Parker, The Gamer, Lv. 27 Health: 2,020/2,020 Exp: 2,000/2,700 Money: 11,722,390 Beri STR: 118 VIT: 101 DEX: 101 INT: 45 WIS: 43 LUK: 15 Points to spend: 0 Click here to see list of [Skills] -Current number of [Skills]: 36 Click here to see list of [Perks] -Current number of [Perks]: 3

I exited the tailor's and straightened my tie with a satisfied smile. 'Much better. The tightness on the sleeves was bothering me.' The Dandyman would rise from his grave if he heard I wasn't doing his outfit justice.

It's been one hectic afternoon as I bounced from place to place getting all my errands done. First I resupplied my [Inventory] with all the food I'd used up on my two week excursion and then made a stop at a general store for some more mundane items. Now that I've finished up fixing my suit there's only one item left on the list.

Time to fix that pesky little oversight.

I entered the humble little storefront and my eyes widened appreciatively as it turned out to be much larger on the inside. "Welcome to Frederick's Fantastical Firearms!" The clerk behind the counter speaks up with glee. "Famous home of the first-rate, the fiery, and the formidable. What finery are you looking to find today?"

Rows upon rows of rifles and pistols lined the walls, glass display cases were housed in every corner, and a pair of decorative cannons hung from the rafters. At least I assumed they were decorative that is.

I force myself to stop gawking and turn to the employee with a grin. "I'm leaving on a trip in the morning and I'm looking to invest in some personal protection."

"Well you've come to the right place!" The man says with arms spread wide. "Please feel free to browse around and let me know if anything strikes your fancy. There's a practice range out back if you want to test a product out and for this week only, the first three shots are free!"

"I'll keep that in mind..." I softly murmur as I walk down a row of rifles, gently caressing their handles as I pass them by. I am by no means an expert on guns, as I've said before, they've never been my style. But even an amateur like me can tell that the firearms of this world took a different path of evolution then they did back on Earth. Everything here seemed to be some variation of a breechloader, each with their own little quirks and foibles.

Some of the designs I passed by looked to be 'one and done' models who needed new ammo after every shot whereas others had innovations that stored extra ammunition in the handles. All without ever sacrificing the aesthetic of weapons that look like they belong in the 1700's.

I'm not exactly sure how that works out mechanically but once again, I'm not an expert. Especially not of fictional guns.

My foot pauses mid-stride as my peripheral vision catches sight of something decidedly different from the rest of the wares in the shop. My head slowly turns to the bronze-rimmed display case and I can actually feel my eyebrow start to quirk.

'What exactly am I looking at here?'

There were two of them. A pair of bastardized offspring between a modern revolver and a carribean-style flintlock. I didn't think wheel-guns even existed in this setting.

I stare at the weapon and there's something...familiar...about them. Some deep memory that's been long forgotten...wait a minute! Isn't this the gun Mr. 5 uses on 'Little Garden'?

The clerk notices my interest and springs like a predator on the possible sale.

"I can see you have an eye for quality sir!" The salesman compliments with his hands clasped together. "The 'Flintlock .44 Caliber, Six Shot Revolver' is our newest model! It features a six-chambered swing-out cylinder and a rapid-fire trigger. They're a bit on the high-end price wise but you won't find a better pistol in all of South Blue!"

"Sold."

"Of course sir! I'll open the case and get you one right away!"

"No no no. You misunderstand." I say, waving a hand about. "I want both."

The trip to Philridge was wholly uneventful. Caravans traveled to and from the kingdoms capital every day so it was easy enough for Mori and I to hitch a ride in the back of a wagon. Gotta travel incognito for an operation like this after all. Taking an official Marine transport 'opens the possibility of someone noticing' according to Jorgen. 'Not a large possibility, but one that's greater than 0% nonetheless. Masserida could have eyes spread all over the country.'

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