Chapter 91 | Purchasing Equipments
Chapter 91: 91 | Purchasing Equipments
John turned back to Andrew, his tone softening. "I know equipment isn’t cheap. If money’s a problem, you can ask us. We should be able to gather enough to get you some decent starter gear."
Andrew shook his head on reflex. "No, it’s not like that—" He paused, then smiled. "Alright. If I’m short on cash, I’ll ask."
John nodded, pleased. "Good."
A few minutes later, the team stepped out of the academy gates. Andrew stopped dead in his tracks. Parked right there was a beast of a vehicle—something ripped straight from a post-apocalyptic war movie.
A giant off-road combat machine, every inch of it covered in heavy black alloy plating.
The wheels were so massive they nearly reached his waist, and metal spikes jutted from the front bumper like jagged teeth. Steel armor layered the windows. The whole thing looked less like a car and more like a moving fortress.
Andrew stared, a single word slipping out. "...Damn."
Beside him, Michael let out a booming laugh and slapped his shoulder. "Impressive, right?"
"...Very impressive," Andrew admitted.
The others grinned, but before Andrew could say more, Jasmine grabbed his arm and tugged him toward the passenger side. "You’re sitting beside me." She pouted dramatically. "I absolutely refuse to sit next to these stinky men any longer."
Michael shouted, "Oi!"
John rolled his eyes. Lucy sighed. Klen just chuckled quietly. Michael smirked, shooting Andrew a mischievous look. "Well, well... looks like Jasmine found herself another plaything."
Andrew’s eyes narrowed. Plaything? That word carried a dangerous edge. He silently prayed it wasn’t what he thought.
They piled into the vehicle. John took the driver’s seat, and the engine roared to life, deep and rumbling. The armored beast began rolling through the city streets. For a while, no one spoke. Then Andrew leaned forward. "So... where exactly are we going? Where’s this dimensional zone?"
John smiled faintly from behind the wheel but didn’t answer directly. "Don’t worry. When you see it, you’ll know."
Andrew raised an eyebrow at the mystery but let it drop. He had trump cards in his sleeves. Even if things went sideways, survival wasn’t out of reach. So he settled back and relaxed.
Thirty minutes later, the vehicle rumbled to a stop. Andrew peered out. Before them stood a massive store. Sunlight glinted off enormous glass windows, and bright holographic advertisements spun slowly above the entrance.
A giant sign hovered overhead:
IRON VAULT EQUIPMENT STORE.
John turned to him. "We’re here." He smiled. "Let’s buy you some gear. We need a few supplies ourselves anyway."
They stepped inside, and Andrew understood immediately, this was no ordinary shop.
The customers walking around all looked powerful, some wearing expensive combat armor, others carrying weapons that radiated dangerous energy.
Weapons hung on the walls, different grades and types, all of them absurdly expensive.
But what snagged Andrew’s attention most was the center of the store.
There, floating silently in midair, was a single sword. Its blade gave off a faint blue glow, and it was encased in thick reinforced tempered glass with shimmering energy barriers around it.
Andrew stared. "That..."
John followed his gaze and smiled. "That is the only Gold Rank weapon in this shop." He paused, a smirk playing on his lips. "Price? Ten billion dollars."
Andrew nearly choked. "...Ten billion?" He looked at the sword again, then frowned. "With it displayed like that, wouldn’t someone try to steal it?"
The whole team burst out laughing. Michael bent over, howling. Klen adjusted his glasses, grinning. Even Lucy allowed a faint smirk. John shook his head, still chuckling.
"Steal? From this place? You know why nobody dares try?" He pointed upward. "A Powerhouse personally protects this store. Trying to steal from here is basically suicide."
Andrew nodded slowly. Made sense.
John added, "Oh, and one more thing. We’ve got a permanent five percent discount here. So feel free to pick out what you need."
Andrew started browsing. After several minutes, he made his choices. First, a Black Iron Grade sword—simple, balanced, reliable.
Then, a Black Iron Grade combat suit.
Unlike normal armor, this looked like a tight body suit, almost like something out of a sci-fi film.
It was meant to be worn under ordinary clothes, fitting directly against the skin. Its job wasn’t external defense.
Instead, it absorbed kinetic shockwaves, reduced damage impact, protected internal organs, and lessened internal bleeding from blunt force trauma.
Estimated damage reduction: five percent. Not flashy, but in battle, five percent could mean the difference between walking away and bleeding out.
Andrew stared at the suit quietly. This world really had turned survival itself into an expensive luxury.
After picking out his gear, Andrew handed everything to the store assistant.
The young clerk carefully carried the items to the main counter. His purchases were simple: a Black Iron Grade sword, a Black Iron Grade combat suit, and a pistol.
Unlike regular firearms, mana pistols ran on compressed mana cells. Against big, powerful beasts they weren’t exactly deadly, but against weaker monsters, or for blasting open a quick advantage in a fight, they were handy tools.
The assistant set everything on the scanning counter.
A holographic display flickered to life above the desk as the system registered each item. She smiled politely. "Sir, may I see your Ultra Identification Card for verification?"
Andrew nodded without thinking much of it. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the black card.
The moment it appeared, silence slammed down like a door. The clerk’s smile froze solid.
Nearby customers stopped mid-step and turned their heads.
Even John and the rest of Devil Rage Team stiffened where they stood.
Every eye in the room locked onto one thing. The card. Black surface. Gold engravings. The unmistakable mark of an S-Rank Ultra License Holder.
The clerk’s pupils trembled violently. An S-Rank? Her breathing stuttered.
Andrew stood there calmly, completely unaware of the earthquake he’d just caused.
Inside the minds of Devil Rage Team, they were all stunned. John pupils constricted as he saw the black card.