The next morning, they both woke up early to a familiar nasty smell.

‘At least it’s Mars’ horse, so I don’t have to clean that up, Hehehe!’ Kit took off as fast as he could, so Mars couldn’t ask for his help. He went to find Iris and left Mars to his disgusting job. Kit found Iris in the kitchen preparing the days meals.

“Morning Iris, do you want any help today before Mars and I leave for Flower Field town?”

“Morning Kit. Oh, I did not realise you two would leave the village today. I thought you might stay for a bit longer. You both are welcome to sleep in the loft for free, as long as you like.” Iris had a hopeful look on her face.

“Sorry Iris, we will be heading to Flower Fields town after we gather supplies. I was hoping to collect the beer barrel this morning, so Pint won’t get stuck halfway there.”

Kit shuffled his foot on the floor. ‘I’m a little sad to leave Iris, she was the first one to help Mars and me. I’ll miss her even though she is an NPC, she feels like a real person I’m leaving behind.’

“Ok as much as I want to keep you boys here, I know I can’t. You two go and collect your supplies, then come back, I will organise some food for the both of you to take with you.”

Kit walked outside, Mars was washing himself under the hose outside.

“I’ll be done in a minute, I felt dirty after cleaning out the stall.”

Mars was currently shirtless. Kit felt a bit of envy gazing at Mars body. He had a six pack and muscular arms. He glanced down at his body, he knew under his shirt wasn’t as impressive. He was not fat, but he also didn’t have a rippling body like Mars. Kit wondered if he had adjusted his body in the login process. He had a feeling that wasn’t the case.

Kit handed Mars a towel that was hanging over a barrel near the hose.

“Thanks, I smelt a bit after cleaning up after that horse.”

Kits envy disappeared after he visualised the mess Mars had just cleaned. A grin spread across his face.

“No problem. Mars what do you think we’ll need to get for the trip?”

“I thought about what we will need last night. I wrote a list. I figured it would be just like camping so I wrote the things I usually take with me when I go.”

Mars was holding a piece of paper in his hand.

“I’ve never been camping before so I’m glad one of us has experience. Give me half the list, this way it will be faster collecting what we need.”

Kit held out his hand. Mars look at the list he had made then ripped a section off for Kit.

“Ok, you grab these. Then we can meet back here once we are done.”

Kit took his torn piece of paper and examined the list of items he needed to collect. It looked like he could gather everything he needed at the general store.

“Ok! See you soon.”

Kit waved goodbye to Mars then headed off to find the general store. He looked at what was written on his list.

‘I think I need to check my money balance. I don’t quite know how much I have.’

‘CAL open menu.’

Kit

Level: 5

Health: 200/200

Attack + 14 (30)

Class: Swordsman

Stamina: 15/15

Speed + 9 (5)

Sub class:

Magica: 50/50

Intelligence + 14

Money: 20 sliver 218 bronze crowns

Experience: 300/2000

Agility + 10 (5)

Defence + 7

Free Points: 10

Weapon: Beginner Sword

Clothing: White apron

‘20 sliver and 218 bronze crowns. I should have more than enough to get all the things on my list. The breakdown of money is a little different to what I’m used to.’ Kit went over the currency guide in his menu.

1000 bronze = 1 silver

1000 silver = 1 gold

1000 gold = 1 platinum

‘I think Mars was right we’ve been quite lucky with the amount of money that we’ve accumulated already. I need to start setting aside money allotted for my restaurant. CAL, can I set up a separate account for my restaurant funds, like splitting my money?’

Ding!

[Restaurant capital added]

Kit

Level: 5

Health: 200/200

Attack + 14 (30)

Class: Swordsman

Stamina: 15/15

Speed + 9 (5)

Sub class:

Magica: 50/50

Intelligence + 14

Money: 10 sliver 109 bronze crowns

Experience: 300/2000

Agility + 10 (5)

Restaurant capital: 10 silver 109 bronze crowns

Weapon: Beginner Sword

Defence + 7

Free Points: 10

Clothing: White apron

‘Ahh CAL that’s great I’ll split the money I earn between myself and the restaurant capital. That way I’ll know what money I can spend or if I feel I have excess I can transfer it into the restaurant funds.’ Kit stumbled over a bump in the road while looking at the screen.

’Ahhh right, don’t look at the screen while walking, or you will face plant Kit.’

Kit closed the menu and continued his walk to the general store. The general store’s sign read “Boots General Store”. Unlike the surrounding building Boots store was an eye catching bright red colour. Kit was a little excited at the sight of the red store until he noticed it didn’t have a star.

‘I thought because it was a different colour from the other stores it would be a level 1 store.’

Kit swallowed his disappointment and stepped through the door. He was immediately greeted by an old man with a hunched back. He had a grey comb over on top of his head and sharp squinted eyes.

“Hello young man what can old Boots do for you today?” His voice was raspy and low.

‘Well, that explains the sign.’

“Hello Boots, I’m Kit. I need a few items for traveling, I have a list here.”

Kit handed the torn list to the old man. He didn’t want to waste his time hunting for the items all over the store. He was eager to head to Flower Field town.

Boots looked at the list nodding his head while reading. He then, in a surprising sprightly manner, started to wander all over the shop collecting items, then placing them on the counter.

“I like lists lad. It makes things easier for this old man, won’t take long to finish.” Boots smiled a toothy grin and continued to busy himself.

Boots finally stopped wandering around and settled behind the counter. Some items didn’t fit on the counter so were piled on the floor. ‘I think I’ve underestimated how much I’ll need to spend. I hope I can leave with some money.’

“Kit. Right?” Kit nodded

“I take it you didn’t write the list, you look a little overwhelmed.”

“That’s right my friend wrote it for me. I have no experience camping.” Kit glanced at the large pile of items.

“Ok, I don’t have a large range of camping gear and it’s not five stars but it’s good starter equipment. So, let’s start from the top of your list. This tent can fit four people at a push and has an awning. It will keep you dry and the bugs out. The best bit is, this one self-assembles and self-collapses. I have a cheaper tent but it’s manual.” Boots looked at Kit to see if he wanted to change his options.

‘I LOVE magic. Self-assembly? Yes please! Why would anyone want to manually set up a tent if they don’t have to.’

“Nope that sound great. How much?”

“500 bronze crowns, next is the camping kitchen.” Boots didn’t pause to see if Kit would change his mind after hearing the price. Kit gathered his excited expression told Boots all he needed to know.

Boots motioned towards a large wooden trunk on the floor.

“This wasn’t on your list, but I just thought you might like it. The basic camping kitchen folds out with two cupboards either side of the oven. It comes with basic accessories that were on your list plus a few more.”

“The oven is made from heat resistant stone, so you don’t have to worry about the cupboard catching fire. There is also a stove on top of the oven for more cooking options. The top of the cupboards double as chopping boards.”

“The basic accessories are pots, pans, utensils, cutlery, and tableware. It really is a portable kitchen. It also assembles, cleans itself and collapses with magic. It costs 1 silver crowns. Do you want this as well?” Boots had a knowing look on his face, as if it was a done deal already.

‘Ahh he is a sly old fox, how can I say no to a portable kitchen now that I know of its existence. I can never be happy grilling over a fire. I hope Mars doesn’t think poorly of me because I can’t say no to magic items, especially kitchen items.’

“I’ll take it as well Boots. I’m almost out of money now.” Kit put on a pitiful look.

‘Hopeful this stops him from showing me more magical items or I’m screwed. I’m going to have to leave shopping to Mars in the future, I really can’t be trusted.’

“Don’t worry lad, the rest is cheap. The two sleeping bags, fishing gear, light stone, rope and two camping chairs all come to a total of 200 bronze crowns so in total your purchases today are 1 silver 700 bronze crowns.”

‘Even though I overspent with purchasing the camping kitchen. I’m happy all I need now is an alcohol barrel, I wonder if Boots has any?’

“Boots do you have any alcohol barrels for sale?” Boots gave Kit a wide grin.

‘Yep, he has some. He looks extremely happy to be taking my money right now. I can practically see coins emitting from his eyes.’

“I only have your basic one it costs 100 bronze crowns, do you want it?”

Kit nodded his head and passed over the money with an ache in his chest. While Boots was getting the alcohol barrel, Kit started to collect his purchases and put them into his pouch.

While Kit was placing his items in his newly acquired pouch, Boots was giving him a funny look. ‘Do I have something on my face. There was nothing out of the ordinary about the transactions, so why is he looking at me like that?’

“Kit, that’s a mighty fine pouch you have, is it a family heirloom?”

“Umm, no I actually found it.”

‘Damn it, will he try to rob me. It looks so plain how did he recognise its value.’ Kit started to get nervous at the sharp look in Boots eyes.

“Ahh, I like you little Kit. You brought so much from me. I can tell you’re new to travelling. That pouch you have is quite valuable, as I’m sure you already know. Don’t worry most people wouldn’t recognise who made the bag. The only reason I know is I have one from the same maker.”

Boots took off his pouch and started to unpick a patch sewn onto the bag.

“See here this is the symbol of the bag maker.”

Boots pointed to what looked like a familiar cluster of Mould. Boots taped the cluster three times then said “reveal.”

A gold symbol appeared. It was like the one on the map, but the animal inside was different. A glowing gold ring surrounding a brown winged bird with a white underbelly was inside the symbol.

“My great grandfather was lucky enough to meet Credula when he passed through his farm in Spartan Fire Hamlet on one of his adventures. My great grandfather helped Credula with a task and received a pouch as payment. This was how I could recognise yours.”

Boots taped the symbol three times and said “Conceal.” the symbol returned to the brown blobs.

“There aren’t many people who would recognise the arrangement of brown dots. It will be safer for you to cover them like I do.”

“Thank you for your advice, Boots. Could you please sell me something to cover the brown blobs?”

“Mmm, I have just the thing.”

Boots mouth split into a grin once again he went behind the counter and pulled out a little metal tin and a stack of cloth pieces.

“An assortment of needles and threads are in the box and these pieces of cloth should match the material on the bag. 5 bronze crowns please, I’ll sew it on for free if you don’t know how.”

Kit handed over the money.

“It’s ok I’m pretty good at sewing things. Thanks for all your help Boots, I’ll be off now.”

‘That was lucky. It could have ended badly. Lucky I can hide the symbol. I’ll fix it tonight when we stop to make camp.’

Kit tucked the items in his pouch. Waved goodbye and left. He wanted to leave as fast as possible in case Boots changed his mind and decided he wanted to try to rob him.