KON POV

“This place is so huge desuwa!” Elizabeth gaped.

“You’ve never been to a hardware mall before?” I asked.

“I have never been to any sort of mall desuno. Necessities are always delivered straight into our home in the highest quality possible, so this is the first time I ever visit places with so many people desuwa.”

Considering Elizabeth’s upbringing, it’s not surprising that she tends to avoid crowded places. While I wouldn’t exactly label her as sheltered, her preference for establishments of higher standing does make sense. It makes me wonder though, has she ever really spent time hanging out with friends? I guess it might come off as a bit rude if I were to ask her directly about that, huh?

“Yo Eliz, you ever hang out with friends at this kind of place after school?” The guy without tact said.

“No, I had been too busy with studies desuyo. I had a couple of acquaintances back then, but I guess we don’t see much eye-to-eye desuno.”

“Heee… so Ojou-chan is bad at making friends.” Tactless guy number 2 said.

“What? N-no desuno! It’s just that I had been busy studying and…”

“Don’t worry Elizabeth, now we are a team, and by extension, friends who share the same interests.” I gave her a lifeline.

They better not push their teasing any further than this. I can totally relate to Elizabeth, you know? I don’t have a ton of friends either, aside from these two troublemakers. Middle school was rough for me too, dealing with bullies and all that jazz. So, yeah, I feel for her.

Elizabeth nods her head going un-un with a bright smile on her face. “Good,” I think to myself. Elizabeth seems like the first genuinely relatable person in this group. I’d rather not scare her off with Zack and Venti’s shenanigans this early on, lest she decides to bail.

The Mineba district’s Konbeki Hardware Mall has stepped up its game since my last visit. The place is buzzing with activity, filled with all sorts of enthusiasts and professionals alike. It’s like a hive of productivity. Rows upon rows of stores showcase their impressive array of power tools, from your everyday screws and bolts to high-powered electric drills and saws.

Towering shelves boast sections dedicated to everything from carpentry to electrical and plumbing essentials, each illuminated by vibrant neon signs. And if that wasn’t nerdy enough, drones are zipping around, delivering packages, and hauling heavy materials like something out of a sci-fi flick. It’s like a bustling metropolis of DIY dreams.

Konbeki Supermall is a haven for the industrious.

Besides hardware, the mall is a one-stop shop for all sorts of general utilities. We have convenience stores, restaurants serving up tasty treats, and entertainment services to boot. There’s even a karaoke bar tucked away on the third floor. We’ve got plans to swing by there later once we’re done shopping for our gear. Our karaoke session got cut short yesterday, so today, we’re itching to see how Elizabeth holds up in the singing department.

“Is that the SpeedGear shop on the top floor desuka? So big! They almost have the entire floor for themselves desuwa.”

“Yep, that’s because Konbeki’s Gear channel isn’t just for SpeedGear. They also specialize in PowerGear.” I clarified.

“PowerGear desuno?”

“It’s like SpeedGear but more for heavy duties.”

PowerGear is a bit of a mystery to me beyond its hefty price tag compared to SpeedGear. Since heavy-duty tasks like bouncing, guarding, and heavy engineering aren’t my cup of tea, I’ve never felt the need to explore it further.

I’ve heard The Bulls are big fans of PowerGear. If there’s a chance we might cross paths with them in the future, it might be worth looking into their gear and tactics a bit more. Hopefully, we won’t end up butting heads, but it never hurts to be prepared. I’d rather study their characteristics and PowerGear usage as a precautionary measure.

As Zack led us into the SpeedGear shop entrance, he wasted no time flagging down a nearby shop assistant with casual ease. But as soon as the lanky assistant caught sight of Zack waving at him, his face darkened noticeably. Did they know each other? “Sup Chiwa, I’m here for the goods.”

“Oh god, you are here. Venti too. My day can’t get any worse.” The guy palmed his face.

“Gahaha, why the sullen face? Come, let me introduce you to the team. Elizabeth, Kon, meet the Konbeki’s Gear guide. He knows the ups and downs of any distribution channel and information related to Gear news and trends. If you want the latest Gear scoops he is your guy.”

“Don’t try to flatter me you dipshit. I still haven’t forgotten the mess you created a couple of months ago. The Bulls almost wanted your head on a plate for the crap you pulled.”

“Sorry, not sorry. I did them a favor by taking out the broomsticks from inside their colon. Let’s be real here, I bet you were smiling when it happened too, am I right?”

Elizabeth tilted her head, a blinking question mark practically hovering above it, while Venti burst into laughter, clearly amused by whatever Zack had just mentioned. As for me, my mind started racing, trying to piece together the implications of Zack’s revelation.

Did he pick a fight with The Bulls?

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

As if being associated with Seika, who’s already on bad terms with The Bulls, wasn’t enough, Zack just had to go and fan the flames further by getting his mug shot plastered on The Bulls’ wanted poster.

Is it too late to bail on the team now?

“Well looks like someone on your team has some common sense at least.” Chiwa directed his gaze at me.

“Uh, thank you for the vote of confidence. May I know what Zack did to The Bulls?” I asked him.

“He-”

“Leave the tiny details for later. We are here to shop. Let’s get to it chop chop!”

Zack threw an arm over Chiwa’s shoulder, practically dragging him into the store with Venti on the other side. They looked like the angel and devil perched on Chiwa’s shoulders, but I knew better – it was more like the Satan and Devil.

Prompted by both Zack and Venti, Elizabeth and I followed suit, strolling past rows upon rows of SpeedGear display shelves. Flashy neon screens adorned the walls, showcasing dancing and singing advertisements featuring SpeedGear Idol Stars – colorful, stylish, and boasting the latest cutting-edge footwear parts designed for comfort.

The ambiance of the place pulsated with the energy of sportsmanship, echoing the brands that those SG stars always flaunted on TV. While Elizabeth was awestruck by the glittering display of product promotions, Zack and Venti didn’t even bother to cast a glance at any of the products in front of them.

They just kept on walking, engrossed in their conversation, until we were guided into the lower part of the shop and ushered into a corridor where four elevators stood in the hall, awaiting us. Inside the elevator, as we descended a couple of floors, Elizabeth finally voiced a question that had been on my mind ever since we were guided here.

“Where are we going desuka? Are we not going to buy those gears?”

“Nah, we are not. We are going for a better place. Chiwa yar up. Do your tour guide thingy.” Zack patted his shoulder.

“*Ahem*, Elizabeth and Kon, is it? If you want to purchase a SpeedGear, you have certainly come to the right place. For casual purposes, the floor above would have sufficed. They are the standard factory setting renowned for their durability and capacity for external customization. There are various accessories and attachments you can install on the SpeedGear to make them look stylish.”

“Yep, in other words, they are for a bunch of pansy idol stars that care about looks and trends.” Venti interjected.

Chiwa, the tour guide, shot him a harsh glare for his interruption. In a way, his explanation was incredibly professional – he listed out only the pros, without delving into any drawbacks. I had glanced at their website before coming here and was impressed by what I saw. They even have a 3D model creator for the SpeedGear, allowing users to customize their gear according to the accessories in stock before purchasing them online and having them delivered straight to their doorstep. It’s pretty slick, I must admit.

I should know, considering I’ve already delivered a couple of them during my time working as a courier.

As the elevator stopped and the doors opened, we were greeted by a scene entirely different from the previous shop we had entered.

“Ahem, As I was saying. While the Floor Above features SpeedGear products for the casual customer, the floor below caters to SpeedGear users who want to take it a step further and delve into the more serious facet of SpeedGear. Access to the lower floor can only be granted through referrals and memberships. First-time customers tend to get rejected. As much as it pains me to say it, I know Zack. So, there should be no issue granting access to you guys.”

Chiwa then proceeded to hand us his name card before guiding us through the entirety of the underground mall complex. It was massive, like a mini-mall within the mall itself. The space was slightly dimly lit, with techno beats echoing from the speakers, creating an ambiance that enveloped the entire area.

Compared to the floor above, the hustle and bustle down here was more subdued, with people casually milling about in their SpeedGear, enjoying a moment of relaxation. The hum of machinery and the clacking of metal were softer too, reflecting the specialization of the products found here – mainly consisting of smaller parts catered to by the SpeedGear Artificers.

“Most of the stores listed here have little in terms of shop display. They only take commissions and direct orders from the clients themselves. Purchasing a readymade SpeedGear is rarely the norm here since client specifications can differ from the slightest core parts down to the foot measurements. Depending on the Artificer, the order completion can take between a week to a month. Zack, have you contacted an Artificer?”

“Nah, don’t be coy with me. Bring us to Dongu.” Zack cheekily grinned

“Sigh….. Very well. But I hold no responsibility for whatever happens.”

“Haha, stop trying to scare the newbies. Dongu isn’t that bad.”

“No, it’s not him who I’m worried about.”

My stomach sank to another level. Why did everything suddenly feel so ominous in the mere four-minute walk from the shop entrance to the underground floor? Was I about to encounter yet another unpredictable character to whom Zack owed something?

As we neared the end of the shopping corridor, we were greeted by the sight of a rundown store with faded signs and worn-out paint. The sign outside read “Dongu’s Dong.”

It took a moment for my brain to process what I was seeing. We were going to get our gear from Dongu’s Dong.

“Ara, what a sleek catchy name desuwa.” Elizabeth smiled.

I dared not even comment on that. I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we were about to meet an Artificer who named his storefront after a male reproductive organ. Amidst my internal battle of whether to enter or walk away, Chiwa gently dropped a hand on my shoulder and gave me a pitying look, while Zack and Venti were cackling like a couple of evil wizards.

I want to cry.

“Anyway, this is where I stop. I will leave you guys to it. Elizabeth, and Kon, Good luck and Godspeed.” Chiwa said with a two fingers salute.

“Thank you for your guidance desuwa.”

“S-sure, see you later.”

“See ya, dude. Don’t forget about the last one.”

“Ciao.”

With that, the gear guide Chiwa departed, leaving just the four of us standing outside Dongu’s Dong before Zack and Venti took the lead and ushered us into the shop.

To my welcomed surprise, the inside of the store looked vastly different from the worn-out impression given by the exterior. The interior exuded a high level of professionalism, with gears and various accessory parts sorted and displayed meticulously. In stark contrast to the weathered exterior, the store interior was clean and polished. There were even several clean-looking sofas and chairs for people to sit on and wait.

“Who’s there? Zack is that you!? About damn time!”

A shout emanated from below the stairs, presumably leading to the owner’s workshop. It was deep and robust, carrying a sense of authority. When he emerged from the stairs and revealed himself, he looked like something straight out of a fantasy tale – resembling one of those dwarfs you see on TV, albeit slightly taller. His black hair and twirled mustache added to the impression of a character from another realm.

However, I dare not call him out on it. If he is a dwarf, then what am I? A hobbit?

Zack and Venti struggled to suppress their laughter as the Artificer confronted me. Meanwhile, I maintained my composure, donning my intent mask to conceal my Arcanum and prana circuits, just in case someone knowledgeable enough might detect them. After a brief moment, the Artificer snorted and flashed me a smile.

“Not bad. Anyway, you guys are here for orders aye? Come in, I will take the measurements inside the workshop.”

The owner was merely gauging my expressions and intent. I glanced back at Zack to see him happily shrugging his shoulders and beckoning Elizabeth to follow them inside. Meanwhile, Venti just ruffled my hair and ushered me to go inside too.

The day just started and I was already tired and hungry.

I want some sweets.