Riku closed the door to his modest room, his heart still racing from the harrowing events at the Nexus. Leaning against the wall, he took a deep breath, steadying himself. The weight of the storage ring on his finger felt heavier than its size suggested, a tangible reminder of the spoils he had risked his life to acquire.

Glancing around to ensure he was truly alone, Riku slipped off the ring and held it up to the dim light filtering through his curtains. With trembling fingers, he whispered, "Activate."

A soft blue glow emanated from the ring, and a holographic display flickered to life above it. Riku's eyes widened as he saw the numbers materialize before him - $65,000. He blinked, rubbing his eyes, but the figure remained unchanged. A grin slowly spread across his face, growing wider by the second.

"Sixty-five thousand," he murmured, savoring the words. It was more money than he had ever seen, let alone possessed. Deactivating the ring, he slipped it back onto his finger, feeling a rush of excitement course through him. Riku paced the small confines of his room, his mind racing with the possibilities.

This windfall was not enough to move out on his own, not in a city where rent prices soared as high as the protective walls. But it was more than enough to upgrade his equipment, finally allowing him to acquire gear befitting a proper Hunter, rather than the hand-me-downs and bargain bin items he had been forced to use.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Riku pulled out his phone and began browsing online catalogs. High-grade armor, reinforced with mana-infused alloys. A sword crafted from Fiend bone, capable of channeling his aura. Boots with built-in shock absorbers for enhanced mobility. His mind whirled with the possibilities.

With this new equipment, combined with the power of the Gaio Driver, Riku could take on higher-ranked Hollows. He could earn more, prove himself, maybe even join a respected clan. Flopping back on his bed, he stared at the ceiling with a smile. Tomorrow, he would go shopping, upgrade his gear, and take the first real step towards becoming the Hunter he had always dreamed of being.

As sleep began to creep in, Riku's last thoughts were of the adventures that awaited him. The dangers seemed distant now, overshadowed by the promise of what was to come.

Riku arrived at the mall early the next morning, his heart pounding with anticipation. The young man made his way to the Hunter's Emporium, a sprawling store that catered to Aethers of all ranks.

As he stepped through the automatic doors, Riku was hit with the smell of leather and oiled metal. The store stretched out before him, aisles filled with gleaming weapons, sturdy armor, and an array of artifacts. He felt a twinge of excitement mixed with nervousness - he'd never been able to afford anything but the most basic gear before.

Riku headed towards the armor section first, running his hand over sleek, mana-infused suits that cost more than he'd ever dreamed of owning. But he knew he had to be practical. His eyes settled on a set of simple plate armor. It wasn't flashy, but it looked sturdy and reliable. He checked the price tag and nodded to himself. It was a significant upgrade from his old leather vest, but still within his budget.

Next, he made his way to the weapons display, exotic blades and firearms lining the walls, each more impressive than the last. But Riku's attention was drawn to a rack of mass-produced sword artifacts. They weren't as eye-catching as some of the custom pieces, but he knew they were dependable.

One sword in particular caught his eye. Its hilt was wrapped in dark leather, the blade a matte gray that seemed to absorb light. Riku picked it up, feeling its weight. A small plaque beside it described its abilities: a slight boost to the user's speed and increased cutting power. He gave the sword an experimental swing, careful not to activate its abilities in the store. It felt good in his hand, balanced and responsive. Riku nodded to himself, decision made.

As he stood there, holding his new gear, a mix of emotions washed over the young man. Pride at being able to afford these upgrades. Excitement at the prospect of testing them out. But for now, Riku pushed those thoughts aside. He had come here with a purpose, and he'd accomplished it. He made his way to the checkout counter, ready to take the next step in his journey as a Hunter.

...

Riku approached the checkout counter, his arms laden with his new gear. The middle-aged clerk, her hair streaked with gray, eyed his selection with a raised brow.

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"First big purchase?" she asked, scanning the items.

Riku nodded, struggling to contain his excitement. "Yeah, finally upgrading from my old stuff."

The clerk gave an approving nod. "Good choices. Practical, reliable. You'll get your money's worth out of these."

As she rang up the total, Riku felt a pang of doubt. The number on the display was staggering, even though he knew he could afford it. He hesitated for a split second before reaching into his storage ring.

"Will that be cash or credit?" the clerk inquired.

"Cash," Riku replied, activating the ring and counting out the necessary bills. He felt the weight of each one as he handed them over, a reminder that this investment was most of what he had earned from his dangerous excursion. But he knew it would pay off in the long run.

With the transaction complete, Riku gathered his new equipment. The clerk pointed him towards a nearby dressing room. "You can try everything on over there if you'd like. Make sure it all fits properly."

Riku made his way to the dressing room, closing the door behind him and setting his new purchases on the bench. For a moment, he just stared at them, still hardly believing they were his.

He started with the armor, strapping on the cool metal plates one by one. As he secured the last piece, Riku stood up straight, feeling the weight distribute evenly across his frame. He turned to the mirror and barely recognized himself - the gleaming armor made him look like a proper Hunter for the first time.

Riku flexed his arms, testing the range of motion. It was more restrictive than his old leather vest, but he knew it would offer far greater protection. Next, he picked up his new sword, unsheathing it and admiring how the blade seemed to drink in the light. He gave it a few experimental swings, careful in the confined space.

As he re-sheathed the sword and attached it to his belt, Riku caught his reflection again. The transformation was striking - gone was the uncertain F-rank Hunter in hand-me-down gear, replaced by a warrior ready to take on greater challenges.

Riku took a deep breath, feeling the armor expand with his chest. It was more than just new equipment; it was a symbol of his growth, the risks he'd taken, and the power he'd gained. For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine the future - tougher Hollows, greater rewards, the respect of his peers.

Carefully packing away his new gear, Riku's mind was already planning his next steps. He'd need to find a secluded place to train, to get used to the weight and feel of the armor, to practice with his sword. But for now, he allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. It was a big step, just the beginning.

Riku made his way home, the weight of his new gear reassuring on his finger as it rested in his storage ring. The familiar scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries from the Serenity Brew Cafe eased his nerves as he approached. His uncle Kazuya, a warm smile on his face, greeted him from behind the counter.

"Welcome back, Riku," Kazuya said. "How was your shopping trip?"

Riku's hand unconsciously fidgeted with the storage ring. "It was good, Uncle. I, uh... I got some new gear." He activated the ring, and in a shimmer of mana, his gleaming new armor and sword materialized on the counter.

Kazuya's eyes widened as he examined the high-quality equipment. "Riku, this is incredible. How did you afford all this?"

Riku swallowed hard, his prepared explanation feeling flimsy. "I've been saving up for a while," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "And I got lucky with some good finds in my last few Hollows."

Kazuya picked up the sword, testing its weight. "This isn't just good gear, Riku. This is top-quality stuff. You must have done more than just get lucky."

Riku felt a bead of sweat form on his brow. "I... I took on a tougher Hollow than usual," he admitted, deciding a partial truth was better than an outright lie. "It was risky, but the payoff was worth it."

Riku's chest swelled with a mix of pride and guilt as Kazuya examined the new equipment. The boy lowered his eyes, admitting, "I know, Uncle. But I was careful, and now I have proper protection for future hunts."

Kazuya fell silent, his gaze shifting between Riku and the gleaming sword. Finally, he set it down and placed a hand on Riku's shoulder. "I worry about you, you know," he said softly. "But I'm also proud. You're growing up, taking risks, making your own decisions." He squeezed Riku's shoulder. "Your parents would be proud too."

Riku felt a lump form in his throat at the mention of his parents. "You really think so?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

Kazuya nodded, a sad smile on his face. "I know so. They always believed you were destined for great things." He gestured to the armor and sword. "And now look at you. A real Hunter, with gear to match."

Pride swelled in Riku's chest, momentarily overshadowing his guilt. He stood a little straighter, feeling the weight of his uncle's approval.

"Thanks, Uncle," Riku said, his voice thick with emotion. "I promise I'll be careful. This gear will help keep me safe."

Kazuya nodded, then picked up the sword again. "Well, don't just stand there. Put it on, let me see how it looks."

Riku grinned and began donning the armor piece by piece. As he strapped on each plate, he felt his uncle's eyes on him, filled with a mixture of pride and lingering concern. When he finally stood fully armored, sword at his hip, Kazuya stepped back to admire the sight.

"You look like a true warrior now, Riku," Kazuya said, his voice filled with admiration. "Just remember, the gear doesn't make the Hunter. It's what's in here," he tapped Riku's chest, right over his heart, "that truly matters."

Riku nodded, feeling a swell of emotions. His uncle's praise meant more to him than he could express. Despite the secrets he was keeping, in this moment, he felt truly seen and appreciated.

"I won't forget, Uncle," Riku promised. "Thank you for always believing in me."