Volume 1 Chapter 3 Mysterious Glasses
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Glasses?”
Kian stopped in front of a deserted white stall and tilted his head.
’Indeed, this one is glasses.’
”…! The glasses just talked!?”
Kian’s eyes widened, and he turned to look back at the bustling crowd behind him.
Everyone seemed too busy to care about him, moving about in a flurry.
It was the last bit of excitement before closing time.
’No one is using ventriloquism. I am speaking directly to your mind. Therefore, there is no risk of anyone eavesdropping.’
”Is it some kind of cursed object? It looks… like a normal pair of glasses.”
Kian squinted and peered at the unadorned glasses sitting on the shelf.
Despite their plain appearance, there was something oddly captivating about them.
Perhaps they were under a light charm of allure.
’Hoho, correct. I possess the blessing of charm. Should you be an intelligent being, you will find yourself drawn to me as if by fate.’
(Am I being read? …No, that’s not too surprising. Just a moment ago, it said it was speaking to my mind. It must be a byproduct of some telepathic technique.)
’It has been a dull journey, but at long last, I have stumbled upon something of intrigue. Tell this one, why not buy me? I dare say, for the price, I am quite the bargain.’
Kian absentmindedly glanced at the price tag, which read 5 iron coins.
That was cheap.
A skewer of meat and vegetables cost 3 iron coins, so it was about the price of a slightly expensive dinner.
He pulled out his wallet from his pocket.
Inside were 2 copper coins.
If he handed one to the shopkeeper, he would get 5 iron coins in change.
”Unfortunately, even I have a lot of money right now. Please find another owner.”
”Are you truly willing to miss the chance to alter your fate and rise above mediocrity?’
”What did you say?”
His foot, which was about to leave, was pulled back.
The sounds of the bustling crowd faded into the background, and his focus was drawn sharply to the telepathic glasses.
’From what I observe, you are but a dull, impoverished, and friendless adventurer—stricken in threefold misfortune. At this pace, you will no doubt rot away, forgotten by the roadside.’
”…!”
’But if you make me yours, you shall awaken a talent that lies dormant within, one capable of delivering you from this wretched existence. A new life shall unfold before you, brighter and richer than ever before.’
”It feels like I’m being scammed or something.”
’It is no scam. The power resides within you. Tell me, were you not given proper instruction as a healer in your youth? Moreover, your magic power, though weak, is unique. You possess shockingly few tachyonian cells. There is likely no one better suited to wield me than you.’
(What is this glasses talking about…?)
Just as Kian furrowed his brows, a figure emerged from the back of the stall.
It was a middle-aged man.
He had the same hair and skin color as Kian, suggesting he came from the East.
”Turning stones into iron, lead into gold, and obsidian into roses. Welcome to my shop, dear customer. Is there something you’re looking for?”
”N-no. I’m…”
’Buy me. Kian Vahid.’
”Oh?”
The middle-aged man touched the white turban wrapped around his head and stepped out from the shadows into the sunlit path.
He had an unusual gaze.
His pitch-black eyes, like a bottomless swamp, locked onto Kian.
”Are you looking for these glasses?”
”No, I’m saying I──.”
”These glasses are a prank item created by a famous alchemist. They have a charm magic on them. When you wear them, you become incredibly charming, and your appeal as a man increases. If you wear them to a party, everyone will pay attention to you. The atmosphere will revolve around you.”
”…So, it’s a joke item?”
”Ah, that understanding is correct.”
”But, those glasses talk, right?”
When Kian asked this, the shopkeeper turned to the glasses and blinked.
”Talk? These glasses?”
”Yeah.”
”Bwahahahaha! No way! These glasses only have the effect I just mentioned. Nothing more, nothing less.”
”But, certainly…”
”Hmph. If the glasses did talk, then maybe a god resides within them. Ah, in my country, we say that things that have aged gain a soul. It’s called ‘tsukumogami’.”
”Tsukumogami…”
”Ah, these glasses must really want you to buy them. …Alright, I’ll sell them to you for just one iron coin. I’ve been having a hard time selling this thing. Since it’s made of glass, I can’t handle it carelessly. I’ve been on edge every time.”
’his one is sturdier than even a magic sword, I assure you.’
”One iron coin…”
”What do you think? It won’t fill your stomach, but I think it’s a pretty interesting item. Especially for you── it would suit you well.”
The man said this as he picked up the glasses and held them up in front of Kian’s face.
Just then, a nearby chicken skewer stall started a clearance sale before closing.
Kian could convince himself that the glasses came as a bonus to cancel out the sale.
”──────.”
After a few seconds of hesitation, Kian said,
”With such kindness shown… I understand. I’ll buy them.”
He decided to purchase the strange glasses.
* * *
Strangely enough, the glasses that were supposed to be made of iron felt as light as a feather.
After buying a skewer of chicken from the chicken skewer stall, Kian sat down on a nearby stack of bricks and began to examine the peculiar glasses.
’What’s wrong? Are you going to try this one on?’
”No, I bought you, but I’m kind of scared. …There’s no way you’ll take over my consciousness the moment I put you on, right?”
’Do you think I have that much magic power?’
”I have less magic power than most people, so I have almost no resistance to sorcery. Even a child’s toy could lead to serious trouble.”
’I will not do anything ill. I shall simply enlighten you a little. But in return, I desire one thing: I wish you to embark on an adventure. I wish you to see and hear things in lands I cannot reach.’
”An adventure… Sure, you’re just an object, so you can’t go anywhere by yourself. That’s a reasonable desire.”
’I made a mistake.’
”Huh?”
The glasses paused for a moment before continuing.
’Not just any adventure, but a grand one. The destination will be filled with glory, a future sung by bards and passed down as a legend. You can do it. You have that much power.’
”I’m just a Rank 9 adventurer with little magic power. No, soon I won’t even be an adventurer anymore. I’m just a worthless thug that can be easily replaced.”
’Is that so? From where I stand, you’re quite a rare breed among humans.’
”Sure, there aren’t many people with less magic power than me.”
’First, you must cast off that loser mentality. Kian, if you are done with your meal, hurry and put me on. Then, your life will change—dramatically.’
(How exactly will it change?)
Kian thought this as he stood up and returned the skewer to the basket by the stall.
’Everything you can imagine will change. Dramatically, for the better.’
”……”
’What say you? Will you take the gamble? If you refuse, return me to the merchant. You’ll get one iron coin back and continue your life in misery, as though nothing ever happened.’
(Extreme poverty… Right. I’m stuck no matter what.)
As Kian walked through the crowd, he thought about it.
He had no place to go and no money.
Soon, he would be sent to work in a mine or at the Great Ice Wall, wearing his body down and working like an ant, only to die like garbage.
So then──.
It wouldn’t hurt to humor this glasses-wearing fool a little; nothing would change anyway.
”……”
Kian suddenly held the glasses up to his face──.
And put them on.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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