The market in Eridon was a busy and noisy place. Ren was very excited. Lyra knew a lot about weapons and armor, so she was his guide.
They first went to a fancy weapon shop. The swords on the wall were beautiful and shiny. They looked very powerful.
Ren pointed to a strong-looking steel sword. "How much for that one?" he asked.
The shopkeeper looked at Ren's simple clothes. "Four gold coins," he said.
Four gold coins was a huge amount of money. Ren only had 50 silver. One gold coin was 100 silver coins.
Ren smiled. "For that price, I hope it can also sing and dance." He and Lyra left the shop.
After visiting a few more expensive shops, Lyra took him to a small, old forge. It was run by a big, grumpy man. "Bargains are in that barrel," the man said.
The barrel was full of old, broken, and unfinished weapons. Ren looked inside. He found a simple, plain longsword. It was not pretty, but it felt good in his hand. It was well balanced.
When he held the sword, a new message appeared on his blue screen.
[Talent: Conceptualization has found a target.]
[Object: Unfinished Steel Longsword (Common)]
[Ideas inside: [Sharpness], [Durability], [Balance]]
[Note: You can make ideas stronger with a special item. Show special items?]
Ren's eyes went wide. Yes! he thought.
[Idea: [Sharpness]. Special Item needed: Glimmerwasp Stinger, Gryphon's Talon...]
Ren was shocked. This was his true power. He could make items better. He could make them evolve. This was a power no one else had.
"How much for this one?" Ren asked the grumpy blacksmith.
"That piece of scrap? 50 silver," the man said.
"Sold," Ren said, and gave the man all his money.
Lyra was confused. "Are you sure, Ren? It's so plain."
"It has potential," Ren said with a secret, happy smile.
Now Ren had no money left. Lyra felt bad for him. "Come on," she said with a smile. "Since you are broke, lunch is on me."
They went to a tavern and ate roasted chicken. Lyra told Ren all about the Adventurer's Guild and the most dangerous monsters. Ren listened and made her laugh with his funny stories.
As they were eating, Ren heard two adventurers at the next table.
"—a whole swarm of Glimmerwasps," one of the men said. "Their stingers can go right through armor."
Ren's ears perked up. Glimmerwasp Stingers. The special item he needed to make his sword sharper.
He leaned forward, a new, excited look in his eyes. He looked at Lyra.
"So, Lyra... what do you know about Glimmerwasps?"