The Namilian night was a tapestry of soft lights and distant murmurs as Sunday drew to a close. Tomorrow was the Adventurer's Exam, the culmination of a grueling week of training under Edward's relentless tutelage. Adam felt a mix of anticipation and a familiar, cold determination. Their new skills were sharpened, their teamwork seamless, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing, a lingering vulnerability.
He looked at his companions, asleep in their cabin. Edward, ever watchful, was meditating by the window, a silent, imposing figure even in repose. Adam knew they were strong, but the image of his dead meta pistol still gnawed at him. It had been a potent weapon, a demon's bane, and its loss felt like a missing limb in the chaos of battle.
He quietly slipped out of the cabin, leaving a brief note for Tom. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of night-blooming flowers. He headed towards the city's commercial district, a place he'd briefly glimpsed during their initial sightseeing. He needed to find a weapon shop.
The one he found was unassuming, its exterior made of dark, polished wood, with a single, glowing lantern hanging above its door. A stylized crossed sword and shield emblem, different from the Adventurers' Guild, was carved into the lintel. The sign above the door read: Jojo's Armory: Forged in Fire, Tempered by Fate.
Adam pushed open the heavy wooden door, a faint chime signaling his entry. The interior was a marvel. Racks lined the walls, laden with an astonishing array of weaponry. There were gleaming swords of every conceivable size and design, from slender rapiers to massive greatswords. Intricately carved spears stood tall, their tips glinting.
Heavy axes and brutal maces hung alongside elegant hammers and long, slender lances. Overhead, various types of bows were displayed, from traditional longbows to sleek, compound designs, with quivers full of finely fletched arrows.
But what truly caught Adam's eye were the guns. Not the archaic, gunpowder-based firearms, but sleek, futuristic energy weapons: plasma rifles, laser carbines, and compact handguns, all displayed with quiet dignity.
As he walked past the display of energy pistols, his hand instinctively went to the empty holster on his right hip, the one that had once held his meta pistol. He pulled out the familiar weapon from the other holster, its dark, ergonomic form feeling strangely light without the power to fuel it. He wondered if this shop, with its impressive array of advanced weaponry, might hold the key to reactivating it.
He approached the counter, where a burly, bearded man with surprisingly kind eyes and calloused hands was polishing a finely crafted hunting knife. This was Jojo, the proprietor.
"Can I help you, friend?" Jojo rumbled, his voice deep but friendly. He took in Adam's rugged appearance, his gaze lingering briefly on the meta pistol in Adam's hand.
"Good evening," Adam replied, placing
his meta pistol gently on the counter. "I was wondering if you sell power cells here, sir? This gun… its power cell died. I was hoping to find a replacement."
Jojo picked up Adam's meta pistol, turning it over in his hands, his brow furrowed in concentration. He ran a thumb over its smooth, dark casing. "Hmm. This is… an interesting piece. Not common. High-grade energy projection. Very efficient design. You don't see many of these outside of… specialized circles." He looked at Adam, a knowing glint in his eye, but asked no questions. Namil, true to its neutrality, had a strict 'don't ask, don't tell' policy for its clientele.
"Yes, yes we do sell power cells here," Jojo said, placing Adam's meta pistol back on the counter. He reached under the counter, pulling out a large, heavy case. With a click, the case opened, revealing a dazzling array of glowing energy cells, neatly compartmentalized.
"Here comes the different kind of power cells," Jojo announced, carefully placing a selection of glowing cells onto the counter. There were small, cylindrical cells, flat, rectangular ones, and even a few irregularly shaped ones, all humming faintly with contained energy. "We stock various universal chargers and adapter kits, but it's always best to match the specific energy output and interface of the weapon for optimal performance."
Adam picked up one of the cells, a cylindrical one that seemed to hum with a particularly potent energy. It had the same connectors as his meta pistol. He connected it, a satisfying click echoing in the quiet shop. The meta pistol instantly hummed to life, a faint, almost imperceptible blue light emanating from its barrel. It felt alive again, a reassuring weight in his hand.
"Perfect," Adam breathed, a wave of relief washing over him. "I'll take this one."
"A fine choice," Jojo said, smiling. "That's a Class-Alpha power cell. Top-tier. Holds its charge longer, and provides a cleaner, more stable energy flow than most standard cells." He paused, then reached under the counter again, pulling out something wrapped in dark cloth.
"And while you're here, sir," Jojo said, his voice dropping slightly, a hint of genuine excitement in it, "take a look at this. It almost the same as the gun at your holster, sir. A personal project, you might say."
He unwrapped the cloth, revealing another energy pistol. It was remarkably similar in design to Adam's meta pistol – sleek, black, ergonomic, with subtle, almost artistic, lines. But this one had a faint, almost imperceptible crimson glow emanating from deep within its casing, giving it a menacing, yet beautiful, appearance. It was clearly a twin, a sister, to Adam's weapon, crafted with the same design philosophy, but with subtle improvements.
"This is… incredible," Adam murmured, taking the second gun. It felt perfectly balanced in his hand, a natural extension of his arm. It hummed with a quiet power, a stronger, more focused energy than his original.
"It's a custom-built piece," Jojo explained, a touch of pride in his voice. "I based its design on some schematics for… experimental demon-slaying weaponry. Improved energy conduits, a more efficient cooling system, and a slightly higher power output. Takes the same Class-Alpha cells."
Adam looked from the original meta pistol to the new one, then back to Jojo. This wasn't just a replacement; it was an upgrade. A significant one. Having two of these, one for each hand, would dramatically increase his offensive capabilities in a firefight.
"I'll take it," Adam said, without hesitation. "Both the power cell and this gun."
Jojo's smile widened. "An excellent decision, sir. You'll find it a reliable companion in… challenging situations." He carefully packaged the Class-Alpha power cell and the new crimson-glowing energy pistol.
Adam paid a substantial sum, but the expense was negligible compared to the treasure they had brought from Kazakhar.
He secured the new gun in a second, empty holster on his right hip, its crimson glow a silent promise of power. His original meta pistol, now fully charged, rested in the holster on his left hip, beside his sword. He now possessed not one, but two formidable energy weapons, complementing his melee skills. The feeling of vulnerability had vanished, replaced by a surge of renewed confidence.
He thanked Jojo and stepped back out into the Namilian night, the new weapon a comforting weight at his side. The city was quieter now, the late-night revelers having mostly dispersed. He walked back to the cabin, the sounds of his own footsteps echoing softly on the peaceful streets.
He quietly opened the cabin door, slipping inside. The faint glow of a nightlight, left on by Astrid, cast soft shadows. He saw his companions fast asleep, their forms huddled under blankets, the peace of Namil finally allowing them true rest. Panchenko snored softly. Astrid, curled in a tight ball, seemed less burdened by the day's weight.
Julian was utterly still, a warrior even in slumber. Tom, surrounded by his scattered notes, had fallen asleep leaning against a stack of salvaged data-pads. Edward, surprisingly, was now also asleep, seated upright by the window, his form as unmoving as a statue, but his breathing deep and even.
Adam felt a surge of warmth, a quiet tenderness for this strange, unlikely family. They had endured so much, lost so much, yet they clung to life, to hope, to each other.
He moved silently to his own cot, located in a quiet corner of the cabin. He carefully removed his new guns, placing them on a small bedside table within easy reach. He unbuckled his sword, setting it beside the weapons. The feeling of being armed, of being ready, was a deep comfort.
He lay down, pulling the thin blanket over himself. The day's events, the meeting with Natasha, the grueling training, the quiet hum of Namil outside, and the powerful new weapons at his side, swirled in his mind.
He closed his eyes. He knew the true battle was still far off, but tonight, he felt a little more prepared. He felt the exhaustion from the week, the lingering ache from training, and the deep, profound peace of being free.
Slowly, surely, Adam too drifted off to sleep, the promise of the Adventurer's Exam looming, and the silent, deadly hum of his new pistols whispering of the fights to come.