Everyone gathered in a circle to evaluate the item before them.
"Is this the shield made from Carter-senpai's blueprint?" Kazuma looked at the enormous shield, imagining Darkness lifting it, and shuddered.
"It's so heavy — can she even lift it?" Megumin's face was full of doubt.
As an 「Arch Wizard」 with physical strength even lower than the high school boy next to her, Megumin couldn't help but wonder if Darkness could actually lift such a heavy shield.
"She should be able to..." The impulsive Aqua squatted down, attempting to lift the large shield, "Heave-ho, heave-ho... heave—ho—!"
Despite her efforts, the giant shield didn't budge an inch.
"I... I can't! Huff…" Aqua panted heavily, "It's too heavy. I can't lift it."
"Hey Aqua, some goddess you are! Can't even budge a regular ol' shield." Kazuma's snarky comment made her face scrunch up like she'd bitten a lemon.
"Oh yeah? Well, excuse me for not being a muscle-head!" Aqua yanked on his shirt, jabbing a finger at the massive shield, "I'm a High-Priest, not a tank like Darkness, duh!"
Not one to back down, she decided to spice things up.
"Tell you what, smarty-pants. You lift it, and I'll hand over my cut from today's quest. But if you can't, I get your share. How's that sound?"
Kazuma's eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store, "Ooh, throwing down the gauntlet, are we?"
"You bet I am!" Aqua stuck her nose in the air, "What're you gonna do about it, huh?"
"Pfft, challenge accepted!" Kazuma rolled up his sleeves like he was ready for a brawl, "But let's kick it up a notch!"
"That fancy-schmancy bubbly you splurged on? If I can lift this bad boy, it's mine to chug!"
"Fine! Then I want the steak tonight!"
Aqua eyed his scrawny frame and smirked, "Ha! As if noodle-arms here could budge it. Bring it on, weakling!"
"Oh, it is SO on!" Kazuma crouched down, looking like a grumpy frog ready to pounce.
"Um..." Darkness was utterly bewildered.
Wasn't this shield custom-made for her? How had it suddenly become a betting tool between these two?
"Hmph, foolish Aqua." Kazuma revealed a sinister smile as he prepared to lift, "I'm in a class that can learn all skills. Guess how many skill points I've put into Body Enhancement?"
"W-what?" Aqua stammered, clearing her throat to hide her surprise, "You... you're truly despicable."
Kazuma ignored her. In a rare display of chuunibyou, he shouted!
"Maximum physical ability!"
Nothing visibly happened, as 〔Body Enhancement〕 was a passive skill.
"Lift—! Lift, damn you—!" Kazuma's face turned red as he strained to lift the giant shield.
Despite his efforts, he couldn't budge it an inch.
"Give it up, young man." The weapon shop owner, hunched behind the counter, rested his chin on his right hand and said mysteriously, "You won't be able to lift it."
Hearing this, Kazuma immediately deflated, collapsing onto the shield and panting heavily.
"Why?" Megumin, ever curious, asked the owner.
"Judging by your equipment, you must be newcomers." The weapon shop owner chuckled, "And based on what you said about your class earlier, your strength and stamina stats must be quite low, right?"
"That's... right, indeed."
"Well then, young man, do you know how heavy this shield is?"
"200 kilograms?!" Kazuma cried out in shock, "How on earth is such a cumbersome shield supposed to be used?!"
After hearing the weapon shop owner's words, a sense of foreboding welled up in his heart.
You know that typical scenario: an arrogant newcomer tries to show off, only to be scolded by the weapon shop owner for not knowing their limitations, told they have much to learn, and so on.
Sure enough, that routine had arrived!
"Hey, young man, are you looking down on me?" The weapon shop owner suddenly seemed angry, "When a customer spends a fortune to craft equipment, of course I'll dedicate my best skills and materials!"
As he spoke, he stood up from behind the counter. His body was extraordinarily large — at least 2 meters tall! His muscles bulged all over, powerful and strong, like a man made of iron. Compared to Kazuma, the high school boy looked like a little chick.
He walked up to them, his eyes blazing with insulted fury. Kazuma closed his eyes tightly, bracing for impact, but no blow came. When he opened his eyes, he saw the weapon shop owner squatting down.
Lifting the shield, he assumed a defensive posture.
"Such... such a powerful presence!" Darkness exclaimed sincerely.
A master's skill was immediately apparent. The tower-like owner holding the giant shield gave the impression of a human fortress.
"Look! This is the Magna Lo Giant Shield, forged over 70 hours using very expensive refined iron ore and magic stones!" The owner wielded the giant shield with ease, demonstrating various defensive postures and angles flawlessly. The shield seemed completely at home in his hands.
'His level must be at least thirty, and he's definitely in an advanced knight class.' Kazuma thought to himself.
The weapon shop owner shouted, "This is how you use this shield!"
While the ladies were all giddy with excitement, Kazuma's reaction was about as enthusiastic as a wet blanket.
He hadn't forgotten that this shield was meant for Darkness. While the weapon shop owner could use it effortlessly, would she be able to wield it effectively? If she struggled to lift it like they had, they'd be in trouble.
"Little girl, this shield is for you, right?" The weapon shop owner looked at Darkness, "That's right, with that knight's outfit, you're the only one who could use it. Here, take it."
He handed the shield to her, as if passing on the torch of his adventuring spirit.
"Oh!" Darkness took the shield and mimicked the weapon shop owner's earlier poses.
To everyone's surprise, she looked quite competent. The shield didn't seem heavy for her, and she used it with apparent ease.
"Little girl, you've got quite a talent!"
"Oh no, no, I'm far behind you, sir."
"Hahaha, keep working hard! You're the last line of defense protecting your teammates — never let them get hurt."
"Yes, I'll heed your advice!"
Seeing the two chatting so amicably, Kazuma covered his face and muttered, "I forgot, our Crusader isn't just a pervert, she's also a physical monster."
"Oh right, let me give you another gift!" The weapon shop owner, impressed by Darkness, decided to offer her something extra.
He turned back to the counter, rummaged around behind it, and finally pulled out a pitch-black object. He wiped the dust off it with a nostalgic look.
Suddenly, the black object began to emit a unique, magnificent glow — it was a silver helmet!
"This was my equipment back in the day, but I don't need it anymore, so I'll give it to you." He reminisced about the past as he passed on his 'memories'.
"Thank you so much for your gift. I'll accept it with gratitude!" Darkness didn't refuse, but thanked him and accepted it.
She knew that between kindred spirits, there was no need for polite words. Taking it was enough.
The weapon shop owner waved his hand wearily, indicating they could leave.
With that, Darkness and the others departed.
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