AHA!" King exclaimed

"I’ve got it!"

"What is it Master King?"

"We’ll revisit the Merchant’s Hall soon," King said. "I know just what you need."

Eli bowed slightly. "I trust your judgment, Master King."

___________________________________________________

King and Eli stepped outside the mansion, mounted their horses, and rode back toward the Merchant’s Hall.

The terrain had shifted even more overnight.

More of the games architecture jutted from the earth at odd angles. Trees that hadn’t existed before now stood tall , their bark etched with various scripted patterns. The overlays were becoming more dominant than reality with each passing hour.

King’s phone buzzed in his pocket.

He pulled it out, glancing at the notification.

VI: NUMBER ONE IN BOTH RANKINGS??? You absolute beast lol

King looked at the text and smirked.

KING: Just doing my thing.

VI "Just doing my thing" he says. Meanwhile the rest of us are out here playing in survival mode.

KING: lol, how’re you doing though?

VI: Yeah, I’m good. Stocked up on consumables. Gathered a bit more runes, and I’ve Leveled to 3. Not bad right?.

KING: yeah that’s alright. Stay sharp and see you soon.

VI: yeah, you too.

King closed the chat, nudging the horse to pick up the pace.

__________

In a few minutes they arrived at the Merchant’s Hall.

The number of players present was noticeably smaller compared to the packed chaos from the first day. Most had probably gotten their starter gears and concluded dealings with the merchant Hall, It was more exploration and interaction at this time in the game. The few who were there maybe had returned a second time or had unfinished business.

King and Eli dismounted, tying their horses to the iron posts outside. They turned around, studying the environment before proceeding into the hall.

King led the way.

They navigated through the rows of merchants, weaving between stalls selling potions, armor, spell scrolls, and enchantments. The air buzzed faintly with residual mana, the scent of iron and leather filled the space.

Finally, they found him.

The Merchant Kirth.

A stocky man with a grizzled beard and arms covered in old burn scars. His stall was lined with firearms. Rifles, shotguns, pistols, crossbows. All of them crafted with artistry and efficiency, some were enchanted, others were simply mechanical.

King stepped aside, letting Eli take the lead.

"Looking for something specific?" Kirth asked in a rough voice.

A grid of weapons materialized in before them. Showing various range weapons grouped according to their types.

[Bow-Type]

[Rifles]

[Pistols]

[Launchers]

[Siege]

[Exotic]

"There, the ’exotic’ tab" king said, pointing at the tab.

Eli tapped it and I expanded. Several unique and hybrid weapons flooded their display.

- Gatling Crossbow

- Air Rifle

- Killshot Eye Patch

- Clockwork Repeater

And at the far end...

[CALAMITY LONG-SHOULDER]

GRADE: Rare

DESCRIPTION: A six-foot-long exotic rifle with three adjustable barrels.

SKILLS:

- Precision Shot: Fires a single shot from the top barrel, functioning as a proper sniper rifle (long range).

- Scatter-Shot: Fires a scatter-shot from the two bottom barrels, functioning as a shotgun (short range).

- Precision Scatter-Shot: Fires from all three barrels simultaneously. Bullets scatter across multiple targets. Can cover a wide range across long distances (All ranges).

COST: 10,000 Runes

___________________________________________

Eli’s eyes traced the weapon’s length, studying every detail.

"It’s quite expensive, pretty much everything I farmed," Eli said quietly.

King nodded. "Yeah, but trust me, it’s worth it."

"Buy it."

Eli didn’t hesitate. He tapped the interface, confirming the purchase.

The runes drained from his inventory.

[Purchase confirmed]

[Item: Calamity Long-Shoulder]

The rifle materialized in Eli’s hands, and he lifted it carefully, testing the weight. It wasn’t so heavy , and it was crafted with perfect balance.

"Good choice," Kirth said, like he said to every single customer that made a purchase.

King and Eli left the stall, moving back toward the entrance.

But when they stepped outside...

Three figures stood near their horses.

One was tall and slender, with a weird curled moustache and greasy hair slicked back. The second was huge and chubby, his gut hanging over his belt. The third was small, wiry, with darting eyes that never stayed still.

The tall one had his hand on King’s horse, brushing its mane slowly.

"That’s a nice horse you got there," he said, his voice oily.

King tilted his head downward, that his hood completely covered the upper half of his facials.

"What do you want?"

The man grinned. "Let’s just say we really like yer horses here. And we wan ’em."

King’s tone stayed flat. "Starting conflict right outside the Merchant’s Hall wouldn’t be wise."

The man’s grin widened. "Well," he placed one hand in a pouch that hung on his waist "that totally depends on you."

King paused, looked at Eli, and then back at the man.

"Fine, take it."

The man jerked slightly, his grin faltering.

"Huhn?"

"I said take it."

The man blinked, clearly thrown off. He’d expected a bit more resistance. A fight, or something.

Not this simple surrender.

Was this guy really just going to hand over the horses without conflict? It didn’t make sense.

He was either faking it or he was just a coward.

The man’s grin returned sharper.

"Wise choice boy."

He mounted King’s horse while his two companions mounted the other.

The slender man turned back one last time, staring at the with dead seriousness.

"I’d advise yer don’t follow us."

He kicked the horse.

"Hyaaa!"

The three figures galloped into the distance, disappearing down the broken highway.

King stood still for a moment, watching them ride away.

Then he turned to Eli.

"Mr. Eli?"

"On it."

Eli dropped to one knee, drawing the Calamity Long-Shoulder from his back. He lowered himself onto his stomach, setting the rifle down expertly.

The weapon stretched a full six feet in front of him. The stock and handguard were carved from dark, polished ironwood, etched with silver filigree that shimmered faintly in the light. The barrel.. no, barrels were reinforced black steel, stacked in a triangular formation.

Eli unfolded the silver bipod integrated near the midpoint of the barrel, stabilizing the weapon firmly.

Then he clicked the side-lever upward.

The three barrels rotated smoothly, locking into parallel alignment with a soft click.

[Precision Scatter-Shot mode].

By now, the figures had already ridden far into the distance, well outside the range of direct sight.

But neither Eli nor King was bothered.

Eli then activated his skill.

[THREE-EYED EAGLE]

A spirit eagle materialized from his eyes, its translucent form barely visible as it took flight. It soared upward, wings flapping silently as it cut through the air with impossible speed.

It was airborne, and within seconds, the eagle’s eyes locked onto the three figures.

[TARGETS ACQUIRED]

Eli’s vision split.

He could see through the eagle’s eyes now. The three men riding and laughing. Completely unaware of their impending doom.

He exhaled slowly, calming his breath and steadying his hands.

Then, his finger pulled...

BLAST!!!

_____________________________________________

Gallop. Gallop. Gallop.

The three figures were still riding, grins plastered across their faces with utmost satisfaction.

"Boss, that was way too easy," the chubby one said laughing (he has a typical bozo lackey voice), .

"Right? Guy just gave them to us. What a..."

"Uhm... boss?" The chubby man’s voice was tinged with fear.

The tall man turned his head.

"What is it...?"

"!!!"

His eyes widened.

Both of his companions were still riding.

But there were holes in their stomachs.

"What the..."

GUrGLE.

His mouth filled with blood.

He’d been shot too.

He just hadn’t realized it.

"How... when...?"

All three slumped off the horses, crashing to the ground in hard thuds. Their visions blurred, their consciousness fading.

Moments passed, and just as the slender man’s eyes closed shut.

Step. Step.

King and Eli arrived on foot, taking the horses by the reins.

King mounted his horse calmly. Eli followed suit.

"I see you spared them," King said.

Eli adjusted his rifle, slinging it back over his shoulder.

"That I did, Master King. That I did."

They kicked the horses forward.

And rode into the distance.