Chapter 32: Waiting for the GATE

"Are you sure you want that? I suggest you to choose another item. Even though it was being held in here in bronze-tier weapons, I heard that was a cursed Brass Knuckle was a Gold Tier but degraded to bronze-tier due to its curse. People who tried it met accidents and misfortune and all of them said that this weapon cannot be easily controlled by its owners. It was said to be a sentient weapon, so I suggest to avoid this one."

However, I didn't bother what Godou said. I grab it and brought it with me. The sales keeper of the brass knuckles sighed in relief when I grab the knuckles. This might be a true cursed item and if it was said to be sentient weapon then I can subdue and tame this weapon to be my personal weapon. It is a bonus. Godou slumped in disappointment and shook his head before we returned to the shop.

Godou persuaded me one last time but I did not listen. I left the magic store after that and headed to the Convenience Store where I saw Erina being assaulted. The cashier is still Erina but she was busy this time around because there are customers so I didn't bother much. I still have a little bit amount of money left in my wallet. Because I don't know how long I will be staying inside the GATE, I decided to buy food and energy drinks. What will a warrior do if he goes hungry in the battle? If there is no food and the enemies are not edible, they would either lose their strength to fight, they will be ambushed by enemies and then, dies pitifully. That was the lamest way to get yourself killed by enemies I must say.

I made sure that my budget is equal to the food and drinks so that I won't get short in money. The energy drinks and colas are for energy revitalization in case I ran out of energy. If this is a game, these things would count as revitalization medicines. When Erina saw me again, she was shocked to see the amount of food and drinks in my cart.

"Are you going to a slumber party or a movie watch?" Erina asked as she grabs the items and scan them one by one.

"By myself? No, I am just using them as snacks for future use. Don't you do that sometimes?" I asked as I helped her put the items to the counter.

"Sometimes but I don't do that on energy drinks and a cup of ramen noodles. This is a very unhealthy lifestyle if you ask me."

"Well, I didn't ask you," I sarcastically said.

"Hmph, oh well, it's your food, so it's not my care to criticize you on what to eat," Erina pouted.

"Yeah, so don't judge me, besides, noodles taste great if cooked."

"So what are you saying, that I eat my noodles raw that is why I don't like the taste of it? You stinky brat!"

...

After chatting a bit with Erina as a way to pass time, I made my way back home. I have to bring a sleeping bag and a few necessities for the GATE. I already asked Miss Asuza to excuse me in my classes because I want to train. She allowed me as long as it won't exceed a week's time so there is no problem if I skip the classes. And since our homeroom teacher won't be there, it will take a bit of time for our classroom to return to the usual flow of classes. Also, my classmates won't be surprised if I go absent for a few days. They might think I am still in despair after being humiliated by many students which works for me as an advantage.

The bag that is being used to contain all the items in the Advanced Kit is a dimensional space bag that has the same type of magic that Moonlight uses. It can store lots of items in a bag and I bet you can store a car here if you really want to. But I don't want to waste the space in my bag with a car and besides, I don't have a car so that was unnecessary. I grabbed many necessities like medicines and a flashlight. I am not sure how bright it was inside the GATE so this is for an emergency.

Since it is still early, I ate my dinner first band I made sure that I won't go hungry in there. I am a bit excited and afraid of the unknown but if I want to be strong this is the way for me to get strong as a magician. But now I have a problem and that is about the money. I don't have enough money to last for a month. I may be strong but I will have no more money at the end of the month which will be a major problem for me. Then, the mechanical voice of the phone started talking. I am getting used to this phone that will talk all of a sudden so I am no longer shocked to it.

"The Quest log in the Anonymous can earn you money, Kazuma. Because there will be magicians who want to earn money, the quests in there are now rewarding money or demon shards depending on your needs and since you need both the demon shards and money, I suggest that you would look at it once in a while. If there is a quest you would like to take, you can file one. You take their quest and fulfill it, then turn in the necessary items and bam, you are good to go. It's a win-win situation."

"Thanks for informing me. I will check it later."

That was convenient. After checking everything, I venture out and move towards the shrine.

...

Toyosaka Inari Shrine.

It's 2:50 in the morning and the air is cold since it started raining midway around 12 midnight. The air is chilly and I never expected that to happen. In the end, I was holed up in one of the sheds in the shrine and covered myself with a jacket. Still, I am freezing since the rain is not letting up yet. It was like you will freeze to the bone if you continue to stay here in the shed in the middle of this rain. I didn't use my flames because I am preserving my mana in case I ran out of it so my only choice is to brave myself on this cold.

Gritting my teeth, I persevere and waited. I sympathize the homeless people since they can experience this type of sh*t every day and yet they still live on. I think I would help one in the future once I get enough money. But for now, I need to persevere a lot. While I was trying to get used to the cold, the mechanical voice of the phone started talking.

"Congratulations to you Kazuma. Due to your affinity of magic to all element, and undergoing a harsh situation that is new to you, you managed to comprehend the way to learn a new magic. If you want to learn it, pull out the phone and push yes."

"What now? Are you trying to become a system for me?" I said as I pull out my phone from my pocket even though I am struggling.

"I may not be a system but I am already helping you for your sake so be grateful, you stinky brat, or you don't want to learn this magic? What now?"

"Alright, alright, I will learn it."

"Too bad, the time limit is up. Keke."

"You motherf*cker."

"Joke, its just a joke."

"Yeah, its a joke, don't worry, I will burn you alive."

"I am a great soul of the app, you can't defile me!"

"It's a "joke", don't worry."

"..."

I pushed yes on my phone and all of a sudden, all sorts of memories about me comprehending the new skill appeared on my mind. I closed my eyes and let the knowledge flow in my body.

"Congratulations. You managed to get a new Magic. Freezing Wind. Also, Kazuma, the GATE is now open. Are you going in now?"

"Finally, time to enter and gather materials here!"

"Good luck Kazuma. May the force be with you!"

"This is not Star Wars you sh*tty piece of crap!"

[ol][li data-annotation-id="5f0d2dec-7382-588b-5ddf-e1d4171c0cab"]Toyosaka Inari Shrine is located within walking distance of Shibuya Station, and it is easy to find because it is opposite the Golden King Hachimangu Shrine. It is a very small shrine, but it is characterized by its many Jinshin Pagodas in the precincts.[/ol]