Alexander’s time in Scouts was being put to good use. His check lists were meticulous and his hiking boots perfectly broken in. He had his choice of backpacks, internal or external frame. Potable water purification systems, MRE’s, emergency fishing supplies, Vaseline to protect rub spots, and excellent moisture wicking socks. He would just need to swing by the camping supply store for propane.

  It was all within his 40lbs limit for long hikes. The problem was there was potential to be attacked at a moments notice. He opened his menu thinking through what he might do in an emergency situation.

  ^

  Alexander Brewton - Human - Wizard (apprentice)- Level 9

  Level progression: 12%

  HP: 82/82

  MP: 106/103

  Stat bonus available: 2

  Strength: 11

  Endurance: 13 (+1)

  Dexterity: 11

  Intelligence: 20 (+1)

  Wisdom: 14 (+1)

  Charisma: 9 (locked)

  Luck: 14

  Alexander had been pleased to see his dexterity increase as he had been doing some old exercises from his days fencing. Seeing the swat team with older armaments made him consider getting a saber or rapier at some point. It seemed redundant as he could cut posters apart with wind, but the Scout motto was ‘Be Prepared’ after all.

  “Luck?”

  To Alexanders surprise, his luck had jumped. No explanation by any prompts. He knew you couldn’t add to luck with skill points and his two unspent point were still there. He doubted he had done anything to exercise luck, but Alexander wouldn’t complain.

  Squeak. Flick chimed in from the corner.

  “You think you are lucky do you?”

  Squeak.

  “Luck incarnate is a bit grandiose, but I will say you are quite handy for a reptile.”

  Are dragons reptiles? I’ll have to check when I get the encyclopedias upgraded.

  Alexander moved on to look at his spells, as he looked he noticed a tab that was a shade different than before.

  ^

  Spells | Job Skills | Skill Tree | Quests | Status | Shop | Inventory

  The shop tab was no longer greyed out. Not wasting any time he clicked on it. Not knowing what to expect, he certainly didn’t think a list of addresses would pop up. Much less one he recognized.

  “Well this is lucky.” He said, before glancing over at Flick who looked smug somehow.

  ^

  Handy Hikers Outdoor Supply

  Clicking on the single listed store all that appeared was a map with the location of the store which he was already intimately familiar with. The owner was an old friend from his boyscout days who had done quite well for himself. Not bothering to make a shopping list he hopped in his car, excited to scope out the new development. As he drove out of his lot Flick popped out of his shadow and perched on the dashboard.

  “Asking forgiveness rather than permission? You’re getting more clever aren't you.”

  Alexander was in a good mood so he spoke in a fond tone to his dragon. Flick chirped happily and wagged his tail.

  “Maybe I should get a booster seat for you.”

  Pulling up to the building after a ten minute drive, he pulled up to the store which sported a wood cabin facade with a canoe hanging next the red painted sign. Alexander got out and wondered how this was different from his ever reliable supply store he had frequented in the past. He stepped forward and grabbed the handle.

  ^

  Would you like to enter the Magic Supply section of the store?

  “Yes?” Alexander said hesitantly.

  He opened the door and… it was the same store, only he stood on the ceiling of the building. It made Alexander a bit dizzy at first, but as long as he looked straight forward or down he was okay. Moving to the checkout area he saw a second counter on his level, which like him was oriented to be on the ceiling.

  Alexander heard a noise and looked up to see the owner, Levi, working inventory.

  Levi looked up in surprise when he spotted Alexander. Immediately he dropped the flannel shirts he was hanging and bounded over onto to the closest wall. He put a foot on the wall and began running vertically. His thick beard bouncing with enthusiasm, partially hiding a childish grin. The man had the build of a mountaineer—tree-trunk legs, broad chest—and looked a decade older than his thirty-odd years in a weathered outdoorsman way. He ended his display of gravity defying jogging behind his second checkout counter.

  “Alexander! Been far too long since I’ve had the pleasure. What grand adventure brings you in today?” He said casually.

  Alexander looked about and asked, “Did you get a remodel done? This would make for an odd proposal for a contractor.”

  “Haha! Imagine my surprise and delight when I was offered an upgrade for my shop by a magical floating computer screen! I always promised magical results from my wears, but now, I have some real toys for the outdoorsmen.” He said ending with a delighted knowing whisper. “And here you are! A regular is now my second extra natural customer!”

  “I am honored. I won’t ask about your first customer as I would appreciate my patronage on this upper floor be kept anonymous. Would that be ok with you?”

  “Of course! No point going out of my way to upset an old friend.”

  “I have to say. This is rather convenient timing Levi. I’m being sent on a business trip tomorrow with strangers. Unknown hazards, unknown terrain. I need to prepare for everything. My standard setup is ready but maybe you could lend your advice as you always do.”

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Josh whistled. “Sounds like one of those kidnap expeditions people sign up for. You know when you have to pack a bag, they blindfold you, and drop you off somewhere to return on your own? Reckless, but in the best way! At least tell me you know how long you’ll be gone.”

  “Unknown. And yes, reckless, but it’s for work. So what can I do?”

  “Quit, and work for me! Ha!”

  Alexander smiled placatingly. Levi always made discussions of the great outdoors more appealing

  “Then we gear you up as if you’re crossing the alpine loop with detours through desert and swamp. Starting with checking your boot situation—you leave tomorrow, right?” He said sucking in breath.

  “Correct,” Alexander said, raising a hand, “and before you say it: only an idiot breaks in new boots on a death march. I have a perfect broken-in pair at home.”

  “Music to my ears. I know you are a man to care for his gear. Let’s go over accessories for those then.”

  “I have frog toggs, a full spectrum of sock weights, extra laces, the works.”

  “Sun hat?”

  “An ugly workable one yes. Though I would like to disguise it if possible.”

  Alexander pulled his wizards hat out of his backpack where he kept it for emergencies.

  “Oh, I see. Covering this purple up would be difficult. Let me see if I can try something for the shape. May I?”

  Alexander handed him the hat. Levi took it and looked it over, feeling the materials in his hand, experimenting with its flexibility.

  “The material is remarkably pliable. I assume there are uh, extra natural benefits to this hat?”

  “Too good to ignore, yes.”

  Levi had an expert hand at shaping hiking and cowboy hats. He put a slight bend in the brim. As you would to the front of any hat that may catch wind. He took the protracting top and tucked it in with several folds. In the end it looked closer to a cowboys ten gallon hat than a wizards. Ignoring the hideous purple.

  Looking over his work he nodded before saying, “Mosquito netting.”

  “Oh?”

  “Unknown terrain, unknown disease. Lets put a mosquito net on it to cover your face. Some magnets and weight at the bottom.

  “Brilliant.”

  “It’s still going to be ugly.”

  “Yes, well I’ve reconciled with that affliction.”

  As an entry door opened a small chime sounded near Levi. A woman and her teenage son walked in and looked about.

  “Oh.” Levi looked up over his head down to the retail floor. “Look at this neat trick.” He smiled at Alexander.

  As Alexander looked up he saw a clone of Levi appear near the back of his store. It waived at the customer and said, “I’ll be with you in a minute, please look around and be over to help you shortly!”

  The customer waived back and moved to look at the sleeping bag display.

  “Did you decide on internal or external frame backpack.?

  “I was leaning external…”

  “Would you like to peruse an extra natural alternative?” He said with a grin.

  “Why yes, yes I would.” Alexander smiled.

  Levi ducked behind the extra ceiling counter and grabbed a box.

  “Lets work up to the good stuff shall we, you won’t begrudge me a little showmanship would you?”

  “If you must.”

  Levi smiled and pulled out a pair of simple gloves.

  “Gloves of Gardening.” Levi chuckled.

  Alexander looked at them with no small amount of suspicion.

  “These gloves increase the yield of anything harvested. Meat, fruit, vegetables, whatever you are procuring from mother earth will increase in amount and quality!”

  Alexanders quickly moved from suspicion to impressed. “That would be handy for foraging wouldn’t it. Does it work on the extra natural as well?”

  “I only have to assume it would.” Levi shrugged.

  “Excellent! I may have to pick those up.”

  Levi set them aside and grabbed another item.

  “This looks like an ordinary one-man tent.”

  “It appears that way.”

  Alexander could see a mild glow around it with his glasses as with the gloves, but allowed Levi his salesmanship.

  “This is in fact a tent with extra benefits for those who sleep in it. You gain a small amount of extra health and stamina when you sleep in it!”

  “Really? Another exceptional product… add it to another potential purchase then. Though it’s size…”

  “That brings me to your packing choices. Here…” he said as he set the the tent aside and reached into the box.

  “This is the single most magical item in this store…” Levi said as he pulled out a small bag.

  Levi held up a lime green and baby blue fanny pack. It had a shiny gloss to it that reminded Alexander of an 80’s aerobicise bag.

  “No.” Alexander said flatly.

  “Now hold on! Look at the description.”

  ^

  Item Identified:

  Fanny Pack of Holding

  This fanny pack has an inter-dimensional space connected to it.

  The available space is 10 cubic feet or up to 80 lbs.

  To access the space you must be wearing the fanny pack as it uses your mana to activate.

  Rarity: Rare

  “The item is undoubtably amazing… but the design…”

  “The design is… humbling yes, but seeing as you are wearing that hat already.”

  Alexander sighed before asking. “How much?”

  “20 unattributed resources or equivalent value in exchange.”

  Alexander gawked at the price, but paused. There were more opportunities here than just a way to not carry a heavy load. What if he could learn to make dimensional items by using his pedestal on this item?

  “You say you are open to item exchanges as well?”

  “Depends on the item… why don’t you look these over as I help this other customer.”

  Alexander nodded.

  As he took a closer look at the gloves of gardening he examined their properties.

  ^

  Gloves of Gardening

  Rarity: Uncommon

  While wearing these gloves all harvesting activities increase a small amount in quality and quantity.

  He thought about when he grabbed the Crystalized Essence of Earth from the the golem infested quarry. Would it have increased the amount of magical resources he obtained? That one action alone might be worth the purchase.

  Looking at the tent bag, he noticed it had an obligatory image of a man camping in the woods roasting a marshmallows. In bold letters it was labelled as the ‘Temporary Tent’. Looking closer, the fire was floating in mid air and the mushroom on the ground behind the camper were glowing.

  ^

  Temporary Tent

  Rarity: Uncommon

  Tent for one. Sleeping in this tent gives the user a small percentage boost to the users Health and Mana for the day.

  If it was a three percent boost that would be about three MP and two HP. Not much, but more than a coffee. He would have to ask the price, but he would be ready to pay for the gloves as the profit over their lifespan would be worth it.

  Levi returned a minute later, the customers having asked a few questions before leaving.

  “They are off to a chain store to bargain shop.” He sighed. “Have you made a decision?”

  “Let’s talk trade.”

  Alexander explained the single use and superior versions of his Earring of Translation. Causing Levi to whistle.

  “I’ll be honest, I have no idea how much those would cost… Why not leave me one Superior and two of the single use earrings? I will find the value and pay you the difference upon selling them.”

  Alexander thought about it, he trusted Levi and this could give him a different sample of pricing values as Levi was going straight to the supernatural community. He reached out his hand and Levi shook it.

  “Deal. Let me pack this up for you.”

  Squeak!

  Flick jumped out of Alexanders shadow in a huff causing Levi to jump.

  “Flick! We talked about this.” Alexander chided the dragon.

  “What the… DRAGON!” Levi shouted.

  Alexander looked about frantically to make sure no customers he overlooked were in the store.

  “Levi, I can explain…”

  “Come here little fella! Look at you. You are beauti… very handsome! The finest Dragon I’ve ever seen!”

  Flick to Alexanders surprise jumped up to the counter a preened before Levi’s attentions. Levi pet Flick like a common house cat.

  “These lines of yellow, no gold such fine compliments to your onyx coloration.” Levi said looking over the dragon.

  “Flick it seems has taken a shine to you. I wonder if you have an animal handling skill?”

  “Yes, yes. It says it’s level 7 and with the points most every animal I have come in contact with has become more docile around me lately. It’s been fun feeding the squirrels out of my hand like I’m a princess in a fairy tale. Ha! Tell me about this little one if you could.”

  “It’s an Umberbolt demi-dragon. Believe it or not it started as a Pogona, or Bearded Dragon.”

  “Remarkable.”

  Squeak squeak!

  “It seems that Flick wants to do some shopping as well. Though that was not in my plans today.”

  Levi continued to pet and scratch Flick under the chin as he thought about it.

  “Such a fine creature as you may want a necklace?” Levi said with a knowing look at Alexander.

  Flick gave Levi a noble nod of assent.

  “Let me go get a few for you to look through.”

  Levi quickly retrieved several small boxes from the hunting section of the store. Placing them on the counter before flick he proceeded to describe them has he showed the illustrations on the box.

  “Now this one is a camouflage decoration, I don’t imagine you would want one that conflicted with your lovely scaling pattern.” He said playing down his first item.

  Alexander looked at the boxes and saw that they were high tech tracking collars. A good choice if Flick was in the wilderness and lost or injured.

  “I think this slender black collar would suit you better.” He said pulling out one for a small sized dog.

  Flick was immediately interested as Levi complimented how cool it would look around his fetching neck.

  “And with this magical technology Alexander could see your location on a map on his phone to better coordinate your hunts together!”

  He pulled it out of the box to present a bland standard tracking collar.

  Flick presented his neck to try it on and he deftly placed it around the neck of the dragon. Turning a circle it struck a pose for Alexander to admire.

  “That is very nice. It suits you.” Alexander responded placatingly. “Will it travel with you when you hide in shadows?”

  Squeak.

  Flick dove into the shadow of the cabinet then popped back out.

  “Now that is way better trick than play dead!” Levi said then made a finger gun an shouted, “BANG!”

  Flick dramatically fell limply to the ground and stuck out it’s tongue.

  “Ha! Very good. You are the smartest dragon I’ve ever met Flick.”

  Flick hopped back up excitedly.

  “I suppose we will add this to our purchase today.”

  Flick nodded enthusiastically at Levi.

  “Do you mind if I send my assistant over with the other wares for trade?”

  “Not a problem. Just write down their description and I will get started with the listing.”

  As Alexander and Levi went through a checklist of other useful items with far less sticker shock Alexander packed the new supplies in his fanny pack.

  Looking down at the ghastly pack he muttered, “You better be upgradable to a backpack.”