Colm shook off the lingering strangeness of receiving such an incredible gift as he walked down the bustling street. After initially passing by a few weapon shops earlier in the day, he decided to revisit them now. It really was pure luck walking into Quinn's shop, he thought, reflecting on the opportunities the free storage ring presented. This will give me the chance to buy a proper weapon and maybe even a couple of spares to keep in the ring, just in case.

His thoughts began to form a list of priorities. I should also revisit the alchemist and stock up on some potions for emergencies. Survival is key, and I'll need every edge I can get. The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the streets as the crowd thinned. It looks like the day is winding down. I might just have enough time to finish these last two errands before it's too late.

As he walked, he considered his plans for the evening. What should I do tonight? He didn't need to sleep thanks to the Morvyn body, nor did he particularly want to. Maybe I'll run the Dusk Caverns a couple of times. It'll help me get a better feel for the place and make things smoother when I delve with Luke and Tessa tomorrow.

With his plan set, Colm made his way to a shop down the road that had caught his attention earlier. Its display boasted rows of beautiful and elegant swords and spears mounted on the walls, alongside intricately carved staves that practically shimmered with craftsmanship. He stepped inside and found the store buzzing with activity—adventurers browsing the wares while clerks moved between them, enthusiastically discussing the finer details of various weapons.

Colm took it all in, the energy of the store igniting a spark of anticipation in him as he browsed through the wares finding something to suit him.

I'm really making some guesses here, Colm thought to himself. Would a staff really be helpful? I mean, in all the games I played as a kid, wizards and staffs went hand in hand. But I'm not exactly a pure magic caster—I have summons. Though, I guess that sort of falls into the same category. Maybe I should ask one of the clerks.

With that, Colm approached the desk. Behind it stood a young elf, her sharp features and graceful demeanor catching him slightly off guard. He realized he hadn't interacted with an elf yet since arriving in this world. She noticed him and greeted him warmly. "Hello, sir! How can I help you today?"

Amy (Level 46) - Elf

Colm cleared his throat, feeling a bit awkward. "Hi, I'm hoping to purchase a weapon to complement my class, but I'm not exactly sure what to get. I'm just starting out as an adventurer and trying to figure out what suits me best."

The elf raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You're just starting out? That's surprising, as you're a rather high level for a beginner."

Colm shrugged. "Yeah, I had some unique circumstances that got me to where I am."

"Ah, I see. Well, I'd be happy to assist you," Amy said with a professional smile. "Let me preface this by saying that our goods here at Locklin's are of the finest quality around. We work with only the best crafters in Brimhope, and as you can see—" she gestured to the neatly displayed weapons and staves lining the walls, "—we have a rather large selection for you to choose from."

"Might I ask, what kind of combat style are you focusing on?"

Colm nodded, considering his answer. "I've been using a spear for a while, but I'm thinking about shifting my focus to casting spells and staying out of the thick of things."

Amy listened carefully, nodding as she assessed his response. "Do you see yourself wanting to fight up close at all?"

Colm hesitated for a moment before replying. "Honestly, I'm not against it, but I'd prefer to use spells to deal most of my damage and avoid relying on a physical weapon unless necessary."

"I understand," Amy said thoughtfully. "Might I make a recommendation, then?"

"Absolutely," Colm replied, intrigued.

"I'd recommend a staff. It's a popular choice among our magic-focused clientele. Staffs are particularly beneficial because they increase ability damage potency, which makes them one of our most sought-after options."

She paused before continuing. "Alternatively, you might consider a grimoire."

Colm raised an eyebrow. "A grimoire? As a weapon?" he asked, confused.

Without missing a beat, Amy explained, "Yes, a grimoire. While it's less common than a staff, a grimoire offers an excellent utility effect. Although it provides slightly lower damage potency, it reduces ability cast time, which can be incredibly useful for a caster."

Colm nodded slowly as her explanation sank in. "That's interesting. This might sound naïve, but I didn't realize weapons could have these kinds of bonus effects."

Amy followed up, "Absolutely. Any weapon crafted by someone with a crafting class can be imbued with bonus abilities. That's why you always want a skilled crafter for your weapon, and here at Locklin's, we only employ the finest. Continuing with that—if you didn't know about weapon bonuses, I'm guessing you also don't know about weapon abilities?"

"Weapon abilities? What?" Colm asked, his surprise evident.

Amy nodded, a small smile on her lips. "Yes, each crafted weapon bonds with its user and develops an ability tuned to their class and attunement. That's another reason why high-quality weapons are so invaluable. The better the crafter and the materials, the stronger the bonuses and the potency of the weapon ability."

Holy shit, why didn't anyone tell me about this? This changes everything—I can get another ability? Colm thought, feeling his excitement building. He quickly followed up with a barrage of questions. "Wait, so can I have multiple weapons at a time? How does the weapon's ability work? Do I have to be holding the weapon for the ability to work, or if it's a grimoire, can it just be on me? What happens if I lose the weapon, or it breaks?"

Amy chuckled, unfazed by his enthusiasm, and began answering in stride. "You can have multiple weapons, but only one bonded at a time. Attempting to bond with a new weapon will automatically break the previous bond. The weapon abilities function just like your class abilities or skills—you'll see it listed in your status sheet. However, the ability won't level up through use. Its strength, once learned, is determined by a combination of your class, the crafter's skill, and the material quality. To improve the weapon ability, you'd either need a crafter to upgrade the weapon or you'd need to bind with a stronger weapon.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"No, you won't know what the ability is until the weapon is bonded, which is why all weapon sales are final. You do need to have the weapon on your person to use its ability. For example, staffs are popular because they're always held. For grimoires, we offer latch mechanisms that can attach to armor, keeping your hands free for other weapons if needed. And if your weapon gets destroyed or broken, the ability is gone—simple as that. That's why investing in the best materials you can afford is so important."

Colm stood there, processing everything. So a weapon could completely shift how I fight, and it's all tied to its quality?

Colm's head was spinning with all the new information. This is a lot to take in.

Amy chuckled, noticing his expression. "It sure is confusing isn't it? I'm honestly surprised you didn't know any of this."

Colm sighed. "Yeah, me too," he admitted. He mulled over his options and found himself drawn to the idea of a grimoire. I can keep it securely attached to me, and I don't have to worry about it breaking in a fight like my spears did. Plus, I'd always have the weapon ability at my disposal with no need to wield it constantly.

With that thought in mind, he asked, "So, for non-bonded weapons, what's the catch? Say I get a grimoire for the ability and bonuses but still carry a standard spear—what's the downside?"

"There's no real problem with that," Amy replied. "You could absolutely get a high-quality spear to use as needed. It would still have the strength and durability of the materials used in its crafting. The only drawback is that it wouldn't come with a weapon ability. That's one reason grimoires are a popular choice—they allow you to keep your hands free while benefiting from their bonuses and abilities allowing you to use another weapon of your choice."

Colm nodded, feeling more confident in his decision. Yeah, I really like the idea of a grimoire. He looked back at Amy and asked, "What's the typical price range for these weapons? I think I might want a grimoire for the ability and bonuses, and maybe a spear to use as a backup."

"Excellent choices," Amy said with a nod. "We have a wide selection here at Locklin's, covering all levels and tiers. May I ask what your level is? My Analyze isn't high enough to tell."

Colm nodded. "I'm level 61."

"Ah, at that level," Amy began, "you'll be looking at grimoires made from Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3 creatures. For Tier 1's the highest those will run you is a couple silver. For Tier 2 grimoires, the price ranges from a few silver to around a gold, depending on the features and bonuses. Tier 3 grimoires are pricier—they start at a gold and can go up rather high.

"One more question," Colm asked, tilting his head. "You mentioned weapon levels earlier—how does that work exactly?"

Amy nodded again, gesturing as she explained. "Weapons are assigned a level and a tier when crafted. The level primarily reflects the quality of the material and the skill of the crafter. Both the level and tier are static unless the weapon is refined by a skilled crafter to bolster its strength. Many adventurers opt to upgrade their weapons over time, especially if they've grown attached to their weapon ability. Others prefer to switch to new weapons entirely, often chasing fresh abilities."

"Interesting," Colm muttered, considering the information. After a pause, he added, "Could you show me some Tier 3 grimoires? I have 2 gold to spend, so let's focus on the lower-end options."

"Certainly," Amy replied, motioning for him to follow. She led Colm through the store, weaving past adventurers admiring longswords and racks filled with other weaponry. After several turns, they stopped at a shelf lined with neatly arranged grimoires.

"Here we are," Amy said, gesturing toward the middle row. "These are the lower-end Tier 3 grimoires. For 2 gold, these four would fall within your budget," she explained, pulling them off the shelf and laying them out in front of him. "Feel free to Analyze them and let me know if one stands out to you. And, of course, if you change your mind and decide to look at another type of weapon, just let me know—I'd be happy to assist."

Colm nodded at Amy and then focused on the four grimoires before him as he used Analyze.

Tome of the Tempest (Unbonded) Tier 3, Level 3

Reduces cast time by 12% and increases damage by 8%.

Designed for those who harness the chaos of storms, this grimoire amplifies both the speed and impact of elemental magic, channeling untamed energy into precise devastation.

Infernal Codex (Unbonded) Tier 3, Level 3

Reduces cast time by 10% and increases damage by 10%.

A favorite among fire-wielding mages, this grimoire emphasizes raw power, enabling faster cast times and more destructive spell outputs through its smoldering pages.

Mystic Chronicle (Unbonded) Tier 3, Level 3

Reduces cast time by 15% and increases damage by 5%.

Crafted with clarity and focus in mind, this tome is ideal for casters who prioritize seamless spell execution, enhancing the rhythm of combat while delivering consistent damage.

Abyssal Ledger (Unbonded) Tier 3, Level 4

Reduces cast time by 10% and increases damage by 12%.

This grimoire is sought after by those who wield dark and arcane forces, offering a balanced increase in spell efficiency and potency, perfect for overwhelming enemies with sheer magical force.

Colm scratched his head as he spoke to Amy. "There's actually a lot of information when I used Analyze."

Amy chuckled. "Yeah, the crafters who make our items like to add some flair to the Analyze descriptions. Some even go for a mysterious tone—it's a perk of the craft for them. Don't pay the descriptions too much mind; they can be misleading. The real value is in the bonuses each item provides."

"That makes sense. Honestly, I'd probably make mine corny if I had the chance," Colm said with a smirk.

"You're not the only one," Amy replied, laughing softly.

Colm returned his focus to the options before him, trying to weigh which grimoire best suited his needs. Based on percentages alone, the Abyssal Ledger offers the largest increase, leading the others by 2%. But do I want to prioritize faster casting instead? He shifted his attention to the Mystic Chronicle, considering its efficiency.

Scratching his head, he thought through his decision. I don't cast too often right now with my phantoms, though that could change in the future. But more damage is never a bad thing, and the Abyssal Ledger's 12% boost to damage feels significant. With his mind made up, he looked at Amy. "I'd like the Abyssal Ledger, please."

"Excellent choice," Amy said, smiling. "That one's the most expensive of the bunch, priced at exactly 2 gold."

Colm winced slightly at the cost, knowing it would drain the rest of the funds he'd earned from selling the Claw of the Grove Stalker. Still, he felt a strange pull toward this grimoire, almost as if it was calling to him. I want this one. It's more of a gut feeling, but it feels like it speaks to me.

"Okay, perfect," Colm said, handing over two gold coins from his inventory. I'll pass on getting a spear for now. Maybe I'll come back for that later.

Interrupting his thoughts, Amy spoke again. "Thank you for your purchase at Locklin's. I'm happy we could assist you today. With all of our grimoire purchases, we include a custom latch for free." She handed him a small device. "You can use this to keep the grimoire securely on your person. When you're ready to bond with it, I recommend doing so in a safe space. Bonding can feel draining since you'll need to channel some mana into it."

"Thank you," Colm replied, taking the latch. He quickly affixed it to his waist, where it securely connected to his armor. The grimoire clicked into place, feeling snug and stable.

With his new weapon secured, Colm thanked Amy for her help and left Locklin's. He made his way back toward the Adventurer's Guild, eager to return to his room and bond with the grimoire to uncover what ability it would grant him.

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