For just a second, Eric found himself smiling with a certain fond warmth as he caught sight of people strolling from one clapboard building to another. It wasn't too hard to imagine everyone was just living their lives on set as the sound of laughter and play in the distance warmed his heart. Eric then caught sight of a handful of children running around a tiny park beside the lake as a couple men were fishing nearby, both with nets and line. His walking pace slowed as he gazed to his right, between a pair of widely spaced two-story buildings, noting that the entire region on the left side of the lake, opposite the odd-looking manor, was now filled with lush green foliage now being tended to be a group of young women radiating a certain something he could almost taste in the air.

“Eric?" Alice's suddenly concerned voice washed over him, but he had slowed down to gaze with wonder at what he saw in the farthest reaches of the vast cavern, a sight only clear to him, thanks to his heightened Perception.

Much to his awe, he could actually see the plants blossoming from the soil in real-time, reaching for the luminescent light emanating from the cavern rooftop above as he watched one young woman staring intently at her garden and slowly raising her hands. All of which brought tears to his eyes, appreciating that for all the struggle and hardship they were enduring, magic was now well and truly a part of this world.

One way or another, people would learn to adapt, endure, and survive. He was almost sure of it.

This wasn’t the end of their world.

It was just the beginning.

At that moment, he felt his heart swelling with a certain warmth for this town with its clapboard houses made out of whatever scraps people had managed to salvage and bring with them, wooden planks, aluminum siding, and sometimes more sturdy material as well. He even felt an abstract warmth for the people who only occasionally flinched or turned away from his scarred visage, many others giving him a polite bow even as they gazed at Alice with a certain reverence. She had achieved what every adventurer in every fantasy game secretly yearned for, Eric thought. Being recognized as the hero they so strove to be, among people who actually appreciated them.

“How many people did you save, do you think?” Eric asked out of the blue.

Surprisingly, this earned a flinch, wide brown eyes showing a flicker of shame before she shook it away with a wry smile. “Who knows. Several hundred?” She shrugged and sighed. “There are so damned many people trapped in Gilton, desperately hiding until they eventually get caught scavenging to feed themselves and their families.”

She sighed and shook her head, glaring at the largest clapboard building of them all. “But the mayor’s made it clear that the only one’s welcome, the only ones I’m permitted to bring, are those with practical skills. Which means single mothers just trying to survive day to day, and desperate white-collar families who are great at business management, but can't do shit in a shop or farm, well, we have to turn them away, no matter how much they plead, or how many worthless dollars they beg us to take.”

She shook her head and sighed. “I’d fucking blast the bastard too… if he weren’t 100% right. We're stretching it, even allowing the occasional impoverished straggler to stay for up to a week, on the off chance he can find someone who needs him for something. And even if traders are always welcome, serious traders with actual wagons full of goods and produce, the handful we trusted enough to reveal our location to, now almost never come."

Alice gazed thoughtfully at the handful of fishermen and the girls tending to the crops by the lake as they began to pick up their pace. “I know I’m pushing it, even with the handful of young mothers I do try to sneak in, from time to time. And those idiots have no idea how much I wanted to let them fend for themselves after bitching about the 20% tax. Because even with a few girls who survived the pods and came out with greenmagic and farming professions, and a few old hands who came out with an understanding of the lake’s bounty that’s totally beyond me, we’re at overcapacity as it stands. If we can’t get some more hunting and gathering parties, we’re going to have problems.”

Eric stopped in his tracks, earning a surprised frown, and one person bumping into Eric’s back, though the man’s glare turned to a pale-faced apology once he met Eric’s gaze, scampering off so fast it was almost a dead sprint.

“Eric, what the fuck?”

Eric swallowed his suddenly dry throat. “Let me get this straight. Your town’s short on supplies?”

Alice rolled her eyes. “Look, obviously. I mean we have almost a thousand people crammed in here, and the greenthumb twins are just now getting their farm started. And the men you see fishing who look strong and fit, but their eyes look like they’ve seen pretty much everything? Old geezers who listened to the government’s spiel about the pods curing all cancers, all diseases, even old age. They’re some of the very, very few over thirty who actually came out of the pods alive, and their gifts mean another ten or so pounds of fish a day, never mind that that lake shouldn’t have any fish at all. But shit, Eric, that’s just a couple ounces of protein at best, per person, and only for those who can afford it. We need food like you wouldn’t believe.”

Eric held her gaze. “How good are you guys at salting, smoking, or otherwise preserving meats?”

Alice’s brow furled “That’s a damn good question, but what does that...” her eyes widened, her gaze turning to one of incredulity and Eric could see she instantly understood.

“No way, Eric. No fucking way!”

“This stays between us, alright? Do I have your word?”

“That's why you shrugged and smiled like we didn't know shit when the boys were stressing about the bats and other damned critters swarming the carcasses, and we all thought that the corridor wouldn't be safe to travel for weeks!" She shook her head, chuckling throatily. "You looked so damned smug back then, acting like you could just dig a quarrel right out of a four-ton carcass in the dark, surrounded by carrion bats. Like it was nothing. I so wanted to smack your ass! Or, well… anyway, are you serious right now?"

Eric took a deep breath, knowing he was taking a huge risk revealing himself, walking in a direction from which there was no going back. “Yeah. You know what? I am.”

Her gaze turned solemn. “Eric, if you really managed to… fuck yes, you have my word. I won’t tell anyone shit about how you managed to do whatever the hell it is you did, so long as you don’t give it away yourself. But I’m not sure if you appreciate just how fucking poor most people are, here. There’s no way the city can afford to...”

Eric snorted. “Who said I’m asking for anything?”

She blinked. "Wait, seriously? Isn't there a badass mercenary code we all have to follow where we squeeze every coin we can from everyone, even from our friends? That power and wealth are everything, and everyone else is lucky just to bask in our presence?”

Eric laughed. "Yeah, actually, I loved reading that apocalyptic series as much as anyone, but I’m just not the ruthless with a friendly smile type.” His gaze turned hard and cold. “I’m more a help my friends and blast my enemies to oblivion type. Because if anyone hurts me or mine...” Memories of a certain producer with movie-star looks and a too charming smile who loved giving the darkest of sweets to up-and-coming starlets in return for desperate favors later, flashed upon Eric's mind. "Things won't end well for them. I promise you that."

Alice paled. "I believe you," she said before turning back around. "If you’re actually serious… let’s hit Velvet’s before we head to the mayor, because we sure as shit are extracting a favor or two, boy scout, but not before we squeeze whatever we can get from Velvet and his lord the blacksmith, and best we do that before they think you’re loaded.”

Eric couldn't help smirking at that. "Makes sense," he said before stepping into a clapboard shop that almost made him think he was back in a Victory Sporting Goods store before the shift, the insides looking eerily similar with even the displays, racks, and tiles clearly lifted from at least one of the branch stores. The only thing different was the beefy man with his nose in a tattered paperback with a battle axe-like weapon resting casually at his side.

The weapon itself was comprised of a five-foot haft with a long thin crescent-moon blade stretched over two and a half feet, double mounted to the shaft, with plenty of room between the raised blade and the pole to grip one's hand quite comfortably between them. Such that the blade itself would protect the hand while lashing out with vicious draw cuts at in-your-face range. Or, one could switch grips and use it just like the cross between wide-bladed battle axe and a two-handed sword that it effectively was, delivering devastating slashes well beyond a saber's reach.

Eric whistled, more than a bit impressed by the clearly well-forged weapon resting casually at the man's side. Quite a contrast to the armor, which definitely fell into the crude-but-effective category. A full set of pvc plastic trooper armor, but with rectangular pieces of sheet steel bolted onto it.

All in all, Eric thought it practical serviceable armor that would probably stop most sword blows and arrowheads just fine, even if it looked a bit absurd. Much like the front gate guards, in fact, though their backing had been rawhide. Of course, in this day and age, hybrid patchwork armor like this was probably the easiest and cheapest to make with the most bang for the buck. A modern version of a jack of plates, only using repurposed sheets of steel riveted to pvc plastic, as opposed to pieces or recycled armor sown between two canvases, as had been the norm for many soldiers, centuries ago.

The man’s legs weren’t nearly so well armored, just a skirt of butted mail that Eric was halfway sure was aluminum over pants that actually looked like part of the Victory Sporting Goods dress code, as did the work shoes.

The man grunted in surprise, lurching out of his plastic chair as he tossed aside his book and leveraged to his feet with the help of his polearm, Eric's perception pinging the axehead as being of high-quality spring steel. And something else, Eric noted to his surprise. A certain resiliency he hadn't sensed from any of his swords or equipment since he had awakened.

It was as if the steel had been molded into its ideal shape, the essence of its chosen weapon, and was all the stronger for it.

His mind flashed back to the furrowed brows of the nature mage making crops grow before his very eyes. He couldn’t help but wonder if, just maybe, this town had access to a lucky soul who had grabbed a smith class. Maybe one who was actually able to enhance his weapons just like the nature mages could enhance the town's crops.

“Nice bardiche, and that is some kickass armor,” Eric quickly said when the startled man flinched and glared, after getting a good look at his face. “Did the blacksmith make it?”

The man smirked, his initial grimace of distaste quickly turning to a friendly nod. “That’s right, buddy. Last trade caravan brought some quality steel salvaged from the city ruins nearby, and this is the best of his latest batch! Why bother trying to pattern weld a decent blade yourself, when you can find so much steel in the ruins above? That’s what Smith says, and I couldn’t agree more. Anyway, welcome to Velvet’s emporium! If you got silver or, ha ha, gold, or other valuables to trade, you’re more than welcome to check out our supply of goods. But we don't take town credits, and if you're lookin' to steal anything, I'll chop your goddamn' hands off!"

He said the last with a chuckle, but his cold eyes meant every word as he met Eric’s own. Before his smile widened with genuine pleasure upon catching sight of Alice.

“Alice, girl! How the hell are ya? Heard you played the good Samaritan again, and brought some more hungry mouths to our little piece of paradise. Don’t suppose you put in a good word for old Velvet, did ya?”

Alice grinned. “Hey, Fat Sam, good to see you. As a matter of fact, I did put in a good word for your employer, which is why this cat here is looking to do some business with Velvet. Is he in?”

The burly guard chuckled. “As always, Alice. You guys want to browse first, or hear his spiel? He’s been practicing it, convinced he’ll have everyone trying their hand at fishing and archery by the end of the week.”

“Oh, we’ll definitely be browsing first.”

“Can’t say I blame you,” Fat Sam said, sitting himself back down in his plastic chair with an audible squeak and giving Eric a nod before resting his bardiche back against the wall and cracking open his Lee Grisham novel once more.

Alice tugged Eric’s arm. “You wanted bolts, right? He stocks them in the back of the store, along with the arrows and lawn darts… Eric?”

Eric abruptly stopped when his eyes caught a flash of something just past the longbows and compound bows on display, catching sight of a wonder that caused his breath to hitch and his heart to race.

He was hardly able to believe the prizes now before him.

He had hoped he would be able to scrounge up a few, maybe, whenever he found any trace of civilization. He had even been prepared to brave the perils of the ruined city above in the hopes he might be able to track down one or two. Somehow.

But here before him, casually stacked in neat rows, were not just a couple, but several dozen crossbows, most still in their original boxes, with a few already assembled for display. Everything from compound to recurve to reverse limb draws, just like the pair he valued above almost all his other possessions.

A veritable fortune of possibilities resting sedately on their shelves. An incredible bounty that not one refugee had thought to claim for themselves. And sitting on an adjoining shelf, like its own throne, were three Twinstrike crossbows, one of the very few models that could reliably shoot two bolts, with two separate barrels and triggers. Of course that might mean less for him than others. But there was still almost a full two seconds delay before he could summon a fresh object from storage into his hands, at least at his current skill level, even if storage was instantaneous.

And a split second could make all the difference.

Regardless, the absolute staggering fortune in crossbows, weapons that would make him a true force to be feared by at least the lower level horrors out there, was finally in his sights. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than a chance to make them all his.

“Careful, sport, or Velvet will read your desperation like a book, and clean you for all your worth.” Alice’s teasing smile turned to a speculative frown. “But don’t you already have a crossbow?”

Eric jerked a nod, not denying it. “I do.”

“Then why...”

Eric grinned. “It never hurts to have backup, right? In this case, I’d love to have a hell of a lot of backup.”

“Fair enough,” she said. “And someone just made an appearance. Now pick your jaw up off the floor and try to look like you couldn’t give a shit one way or another while I have a little chat with him, okay?”

Eric nodded, painfully tearing his eyes away from those prizes to browse the longbows with an irritated expression, which he didn’t even have to fake, since he’d much rather be looking at the Excaliburs. Much to his surprise, he did find himself getting pulled in by the compound bows, even practicing slowly pulling back and easing the tension on what turned out to be an 70 lb draw weight Blue Dragon hunting compound bow, surprised by how comfortable it felt in his hand, even more surprised by how dead certain he was that he could shoot it, and comfortably, with just a little bit of practice. "That's what 14 Strength and 17 Finesse gets me, I guess. And the fucker's a hell of a lot more comfortable than my old mentor's longbows to draw. Too bad I never got a chance to enjoy archery with any weapon that wasn't historically accurate," he muttered under his breath so softly not even Fat Sam was distracted from his read.

The guy looked absolutely engrossed in his paperback, and Eric didn't blame him. He had been riveted to that book for a good chunk of an overnight flight when he grabbed it from a newsstand before rushing for a plane to Tokyo for the premier of his fully recovered and looking absolutely fantastic sister's second movie, all the while trying to ignore his mother's helpers hurrying him along like a pampered lapdog.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head.

If only that old version of himself dreaming of living a whole new life while gazing down from his first-class seat at a brilliantly lit Tokyo before chowing down on lobster bisque and sipping champagne could see himself now.

“How long til your brother’s ready to move out to Freetown, Alice? You said he’d be ready weeks ago!”

“Chill, Velvet. The help we were expecting never came. Odds are he’s in some damned orc’s cook pit.”

Eric froze, surprised to find himself hearing every word of Alice and the shopkeeper's tense discussion, before realizing he shouldn't be, after putting in the hard work and points that earned him a 16 Perception. But standing there stiff and guilty was a great way to earn unwanted attention himself, so he immediately relaxed, put down the bow before inspecting an Anaconda, much like the Dragon, but with slightly more draw weight, which hopefully meant it could actually pierce thicker beast hides. Or at least, the hide of anything not the size of those lizards.

“It's dead here, girl. No one has silver to spend. My inventory hasn't moved since I got here! Three silvers is more than a fair trade for any of the bows, but Tim's the only one who could afford a single piece, and only after he talked me down to two!" said a clearly agitated Velvet.

“A lot of people would be more than willing to buy things on credit, Velvet, you know that. And god knows this town could use some more hunters. And once they start bringing in fresh meat and pelts, you’d be getting a nice stream of copper and silver in no time.”

“Meat, maybe, but not silver. And all the junk town credits in the world won’t be worth shit in Freetown. I need silver, or beast cores, or something besides credits, random scrap, and IOUs!”

Alice sighed. “It’s a tough world out there. You know that as well as anyone. But if you were to actually fork out some of your bows for the common good, you’d earn a shit ton of goodwill. Our defenses would be that much stronger, and you’d never grow hungry, with a steady cut of meat being sent your way.” Her voice hardened. “Because you know as well as anyone that once things heat up, the mayor won’t just be asking for spare bows out of the goodness of his heart. And if you actually expect Fat Sam to stand up to them, you’re either an idiot, or you’re trying to get your sister to hate you for life, if you actually manage to get her husband killed.”

“Fuck, girl, don’t you think I know that?” Harsh, bitter laughter filled the back of the store. “And this is why you didn’t formalize any oath with me about when we’d leave or how much you’d charge, just stringing me along… alright, you win!” he hissed. “I’ll give you ten Silver Eagles. Twice what you asked! Assuming that covers the cart and mule I managed to coax from a farmer who actually got down here in one piece, and with a Profession! How the hell did he do that, and how the hell did he know to squeeze me for a doubleshot? Those things are priceless!”

“Because farmers aren’t idiots, Velvet, and neither are you. You’ll need that mule and cart far more than he will. But I’m letting you know now, if that fucker’s loud, brays, or shit hits the fan, we’re leaving it without a second look, so you better pray for a smooth exit out of orc territory.”

“Yeah, fine,” Velvet grumbled. “I don’t suppose you have any good news for me?”

"As a matter of fact, I do. My friend's a bit of an archer and was looking for quarrels and maybe a backup crossbow. Don't try to fuck him over..."

“Alice, you know me!”

“I do. And don’t comment on his face. Poor kid’s been through hell and back, and he doesn’t need you or anyone else rubbing it in.”

“Shit. Is he another adventurer? Town sure could use some more. Hell, you could hire him as added muscle when your brother finally gives us the green light to bugger the fuck out!”

“Don’t you think I’m planning on doing just that? So try not to piss off the guy who might just be guarding your back a week from now, if everything works out.”

Eric took a deep breath, doing his best to dispel his excitement and tension with the exhale, just like his coach had taught him. Calm, cool, a bit contemptuous was the role he was going for. More than anything, he was a man who could walk away without a second glance, if he thought he was being overcharged.

"Hello there, my name's Velvet of Archer's Emporium! Alice has already told me so much about you. How may I help you today?" said the man suddenly at Eric's back, who only flinched for a half-second, more a tightening around his eyes than anything else, as his smile turned to a grimace upon catching sight of Eric's scarred face. But he didn't hesitate to shake Eric's hand, with just the slightest tremble in his grip.

Eric nodded as the man let go, rubbing his hand only for a moment.

It had been a while since Eric had gone for the firm handshake, and never before with 14 Strength forged in battle, which meant a hell of a lot of that potency was centered around his grip. "Velvet? Cool. Name's Eric. You got any bows with more than an 80-pound draw weight?"

Velvet blinked at this. “But I thought you were looking for a backup crossbow? Some quarrels?”

Eric shrugged. “Sure, if the price is right, but I already have both. Might go for a backup crossbow, might go for a backup bow. Depends on what you got, how much you’re charging.”

Velvet flashed a relieved smile. “Certainly we can work something out, Eric. This here is a Dragon XVI, as fine a compound bow as you'll find in our stock, which I'm selling for only… four silver."

Eric couldn’t help smirking at that, recalling how Velvet despaired of no one even biting at three.

"For a 70-pound draw weight? I think I'll pass." Going for maximum effect, he turned around and headed for the crossbows, pretending to be utterly oblivious of the proprietor's surprised blink.

“But sir, this fine quality...”

“Overpriced, and you know it. You think I’m that easy to hustle? I know three locations in the city where I can grab bows just like these. Hell, I even know where you got them.” Eric gave a nonchalant shrug when the man visibly blanched. “Just so happens that I don’t feel like dodging orcs for a backup weapon so… yeah. Let’s try this again.”

“Excellent,” said Velvet, who couldn’t quite hide his relieved smile. “I also have a number of longbows you might be interested in...”

“Too late, stow it,” Eric said, raising his hand. “You tried to fuck me over on the bows, so were done there. Let’s try this again with the crossbows.” He gazed at the selection with the jaded look of a man forced to accept turnips for dessert. “How much are you charging for the recurved, the compound, and the double shot?”

Velvet’s face lit up with the last query, before he coughed politely upon seeing Eric’s bemused smirk. “If you try to fuck me over with a shitball offer, you’ll never see me again. So give me a fair price this time, okay?”

Velvet paused, clenching his jaw, his expression a weird mixture of frustration and uncertainty, before covering it up with a warm chuckle. "I see I have a discerning customer used to the days when shopping online served as a fantastic negotiating tool. Sadly, those days are long behind us, I’m afraid, and you might just be walking away from the only bows you’ll ever see.” Velvet paused, letting the words sink in, furrowing his brow when Eric just stared. "But fine. In a show of good faith, and in the hopes of fostering a long-term relationship… 3 silver eagles for the recurves, two and a half for the compounds, 6 for the double shots.”

Eric crooked an eyebrow, but before he could say a word, Velvet hastened to speak on.

“And I’m giving you lower quotes than I have every other refugee to step through this door! Look, I have to charge more for the recurves, even if they’re simpler in design with just a hair less momentum in the shot, because they’re also less likely to break, and are far easier to maintain, which means they, at least, are in demand. Now if you want killing power like no other, and will actually take the time to inspect and check your weapon, and I do offer regular maintenance at very, very reasonable prices, nothing will beat the compounds, especially the reverse draws!” he said the last in a rush, as if afraid Eric would discount it out of hand.

“Sure, these may look unusual with the limb design. Downright high tech and futuristic, am I right? But the pulleys assure the bolt hits your prey quicker and with more penetrating power than any other bow out there, including my entire stock of longbows! It’s also easier to load with the longer draw stroke, and holds like a dream. Here, hold this one, already assembled. Tell me you’ve held anything nearly as comfortable!”

Eric frowned thoughtfully, pretending he didn’t have two of that very same model, ignoring Alice’s smirk. “Alright, two and half for each of the compounds, and three for any of the recurves. I assume that comes with a good twenty quarrels each?”

Eric's gaze hardened, and Velvet actually paled. "That's..." he gave an angry shake of his head. "No, sorry. As much as I’d love your business… ten. I can give you ten quarrels for any crossbow you buy. At the rates I offered, no further discount!”

Eric gave a thoughtful nod. “Alright, I can work with those prices. But the doubleshot. You’re selling it for double the recurve?”

“Because it's a doubleshot!" Velvet hissed, a dash of fire in his gaze. "Those things cost almost triple a quality compound, even back when things were sane. A double shot today? 350 fps of streaking death when no foe has a gun to match, and two shots to make sure the bandit or raider charging you is done?" He gave a cold chuckle. "Even if this whole town comes crashing down, I'm taking every single damned doubleshot with me, with one fully loaded in my hand for the trip out of here. If you think I'm going to discount those… I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint."

“Fair enough,” Eric smirked. “But at double the price, does that come with double the quarrels?”

Velvet’s hard gaze turned to a rueful chuckle, before giving a shrug. “Sure, why the hell not? 6 silvers for the doubleshots, 20 quarrels each, free of charge.”

Eric gazed at the man for long moments, feeling the tension build. “Sure, why not?” he said. “Alice?”

Alice’s eyes were twinkling as she dipped her head. “Offer witnessed and accepted by both parties. Which means no takebacks, kids. Neither of you. So, see anything you like?”

Eric grinned. “As a matter of fact I do. By the way, what’s the exchange rate on one of these?” Eric flashed a gold Krugerrand, and both parties grew absolutely still.

“Shit, that’s a hundred silver eagles right there, Eric.”

Eric nodded. “You accept that, Velvet?”

Velvet swallowed, jerking a nod. “Of.. of course. But there’s no way I can break that...”

Eric smirked and shook his head. "No need," He said, grabbing every single recurve, compound, reverse draw, and double shot crossbow the man had in stock. "Let's see. Twelve compounds and six reverse draws come to 45 silver… 10 recurves are another 30, that’s 75… 3 doubleshots another 18… we’re at 93 Silver.”

Eric grinned and picked up the compound bow he had eyed earlier. "You know what? I did like the feel of this toy. It was a hell of a lot smoother and more comfortable in the draw than my mentor's old longbow. So, 3 more silver for the compound bow, and let's call it 20 broadheads… hey, do you have any crossbow maintenance tools and kits in stock?”

A stunned Velvet gave a wordless nod. “Excellent, let’s say I buy the bow, arrows, and sets with the last 7 silver?”

A stunned Velvet just blinked, before his lips seemed to speak of their own accord. “Ten, and I’ll show you how to use both the repair kits, and the bow.” The shopkeeper furrowed his brows. “I thought you said you weren’t interested in me selling you any bows?”

Eric grinned, flipping the golden coin catching the lamplight with a brilliant lustre as it spun through the air. "You aren't pitching it, I'm offering to grab it to square us on the gold. And I meant what I said. I'm not touching the longbows. But I will up your ten silver counteroffer to twelve, if you'll help me sight the crossbows and make sure they're all in tip top shape."

Velvet shook his head, chuckling softly. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that? But sure. Done and Done, kid. Now hand over the coin.”