James stretched a bit and removed the potion vials from his mind.

"John, can I see what types of things you sell in the shop?"

It was time to invest some of his points. He needed to become stronger. He wasn't even sure he could confidently clear the 1st floor every time, much less climb to a higher floor.

John handed him a booklet. It looked like a menu, but when James opened it...he found a list food and prices. James cocked his head.

"Oh shit my bad. Sorry."

John handed him another booklet that looked identical to the first. This time, when James opened it, he saw things like weapons and potions. This was more like it.

Mike grabbed the food menu from James and started flipping through it. He ordered something, and John went to the back and started cooking.

"So, my top priorities would be weapons and armor. I think I'm good with armor. The Berserker's Armor protects my vitals and is good equipment. The knife is a good weapon, but I might want to get something with a little more reach. I definitely need potions, no question there."

James wanted to ask the expert sitting next to him, but was hesitating for a certain reason.

"Mike, is it rude if I ask you some questions? Are some things considered bad etiquette between dungeon explorers?"

"Then, can I ask you a more detailed question?" James was still a bit hesitant.

"I want to be able to clear the 1st floor consistently without worry. Currently, I have a decent armor and good knife. Other than potions, is there anything worth buying? Or should I get a weapon with longer reach? I want one because the mini-boss on the 1st floor had a spear."

James was surprised.

"Really? So then, the longer weapon isn't needed. How do I deal with it then? I guess I can dodge. Actually, I was able to dodge the berserk goblin's attacks for a while, so a regular goblin shouldn't be a problem."

Mike's accent spiked again.

"Other than potions, what should I get then?" James continued.

"220."

James didn't have any qualms against giving this information to Mike. He needed all the help he could get.

John arrived with the food that Mike ordered. Mike grabbed the two plates with sandwiches on them and passed one to James. Before James could even reject it, Mike shut him down.

"It's your money though. Why?"

Mike grinned as he spoke.

This sentence caused James to start thinking. He definitely had the opportunity to make tons of money in the dungeon. If he ever got to the third tier, each monster he hunted would net him $10,000. But, he had to get there first.

Halfway through their grilled cheeses, Mike spoke.

"Storage bag?" James didn't know the term.

James flipped through the booklet and found the item Mike was talking about. It was a classic in Japanese fantasy stories.

"The lowest tier storage bag can keep 100lb of objects. That's a lot of stuff."

"Hmm. It costs 250 points, but I only have 220. I also need some potions just in case."

James looked at Mike.

"Are you sure? I mean, there's a chance I might die. Also, can you even lend points?"

James took it out. His status was shown on the card, as usual. Then, a message appeared on the card.

[Add Michael Jacobson to your contacts list?]

James pressed "yes" on the card.

[Michael Jacobson has been added to your contact list.]

[Michael Jacobson has sent you 100 points.]

James nodded. Points were like the currency in the dungeon. This would make it easy to make transactions.

James finished his sandwich and asked one final question.

"Erm, how do I get out?"

He felt kind of awkward asking such a dumb question.

Mike tapped his own card.

Then he said: and his body began to glow. When the lights disappeared, he was nowhere to be seen.