"Here is the S.E.G armguard, known for its sturdiness and advanced technology." Lux pulled out a curved, armguard-like device, five mm thick and shining with metallic luster. But once he activated it by swiping his hands over a small glass screen on the outer curve, its whole face turned glossy. "This device is made from a really scarce metal, and we have a very limited supply here. Worn as an armguard, it can take a hit or two from even a commander. And…." Lux paused, touching some icons on the glass and bringing up a hologram cast by the device. Sharv, by now, had already recognized the device; he had seen a wealthy couple wearing it.
"It can show you a real-time holographic map, as it is linked and has access to WMSS. And if you can channel your PRĀNÀ through it, it can also show you any real threats that might be dangerous to you on the holographic map. It can also keep track of your route so that you are never lost and allows you to get support from the authorities at any time."
"What is WMSS?" Sharv questioned. Suvan had to stop himself from facepalming.
"Oh, I thought you would know. It is short for World Mapping Satellite System. It creates and updates world maps every minute," Lux explained again, without trying much.
"That is a really helpful and cool gadget. I like it," Sharv said. 'Not really, if the authorities can track me minute by minute,' he added internally. "But you see, I am an adventurer, on my way to uncover the mysteries of the world. And I would not want the authorities to mingle with or pry into my affairs before I reveal them to the world. So do you have something along those lines?"
For the first time, Lux's professionalism failed in front of his enthusiasm. Eyes shining with admiration, he asked, "Are you really on your way to try to uncover the 100 mysteries of the world?"
"Yyyess…. Something like that… but much bigger," Sharv said, thinking about his real goal: 'THE FOREST OF DEATH.'
'That will take a really long time.' He shrugged off his thoughts.
"Mr. Ari, you have chosen the perfect place for shopping," Lux said, his eyes brimming with determination. "Let's go through your priorities. You want an untraceable device, which is not linked to any other device or authoritative system, right?"
"Yes."
"You want something that can create a map of your travels?"
"Yes."
"You need it to have a map?"
"Yes."
"Would you want it to have… a little camouflage?"
"Why not," Sharv said with a smile. 'Why does he seem like a goblin who has found gold?' Suvan's thoughts were completely astray now.
"Now the last one, what kind of energy do you want it to be based upon?" Lux asked.
"Since we have already gone discreet, is PRĀNÀ an option on the list?"
"Perfect choice," Lux said, almost bobbing on his feet. 'I knew he was a perfect adventurer by the way he came to the point.'
"TADA!" Lux exclaimed, bringing out a watch, but then he controlled himself, clearing his throat. "Here is what you need, Sir. The Girgit watch. It is not linked to any other device and is untraceable as it leaves no energy signatures. It has a map of every nook and corner of the known world, and it creates a map based on your journey and travels."
Lux paused, rubbing his hands. "It camouflages by turning to your skin color, giving it the name Girgit. And Mr. Ari, I am glad to inform you that it runs on PRĀNÀ. Thus, it can only be used by its owner, making it secure, and it will use your PRĀNÀ if you can channel it to create a real-time map of your vicinity. It also has a database, and you can update it in many ways."
"That is really something I need," Sharv said, reciprocating the enthusiasm. 'I don't need the vicinity mapping, but all the other features might come in handy.' "So what is the price?" he asked.
"Just 10 million PÀNÀS (or PANAS)," said Lux with a smile.
Sharv nodded and sent his PRĀNÀ into his familial spatial inheritance bag left by his father. It carried all the wealth he had. After a few seconds, he brought out two perfectly cut cubical stones and put them on the table. They were dark purple and shiny, but somehow their color changed in different lightings. Lux's amazed face told the value and rarity of those stones.
He immediately went inside and brought out a machine that looked like a computer mouse. He put it on the stone cube, and a sharp laser beam emitted from under the mouse. Some readings became visible on the upper display of the mouse.
Now, Lux was visibly shaking and sweating.
"Sir, do you really want to give this as a payment?" he asked in a shaking voice.
"Yes," Sharv said calmly, observing Lux's reaction.
"Sir, do you know what this is and how valuable it is?" Lux said, his voice going up an octave as he was almost frustrated by Sharv's calmness and ignorance.
"Not really, but this is one of my family inheritances," Sharv said, this time evaluating if he had made any mistakes.
"Okay, I understand, Sir. But only one of those is enough, and that will still leave room for you to buy something else almost as valuable as the watch here," Lux adjusted his collar, calming himself down.
'Who the hell is this kid?' Suvan thought, squinting his eyes as if scanning Sharv. He was both surprised and frustrated. 'At least he is working with me.'
"May I ask what it really is?" Sharv asked this time.
"Yes, of course. This stone is made up of an element that is not found on our planet, Dharitri. The Elemental Scanning Machine," Lux said, pointing at the mouse on the table, "showed that it has at least seventy percent purity, which is generally the best we can get due to instability when going for higher purity. And this, Sir, is also an important ingredient in making the watch you've just bought."
He took a pause, letting his words sink in, but found no visible reaction on Sharv's face, so he started again, "And now, even with only one of these," he slid the other stone back, "you can buy something else almost as valuable as the watch, or I can transfer the remaining amount to your account."
'Neither do I have an account, nor do I want any lingering connections,' Sharv thought. "Give me something that you think I might need in the future. I already bought what I had in mind."
"Just give me a second." Lux went inside and came back just as fast. He had a round black hat with a blue gemstone embedded in the front. "After dealing with your request, I think this will suit you, Sir. It's a color-changing, shape-changing hat that follows the wearer's mood and choice. But the best part is, it helps you recover from any mental side effects and also defends you against mental attacks."
"I'll take it," Sharv said quickly, looking out at the shadows that had grown longer. 'At least it will help with a disguise,' he thought.
"It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Ari Mardan. Please visit the shop with no name, just like this one, when you are in the next city. You'll get better deals there, as this one is a new establishment," Lux said, handing over the items in a clean white bag made of silky fiber. 'This bag is able to block my senses,' Sharv thought, amused as he tried to scan the bag.
Sharv and Suvan moved out of the shop, and Sharv immediately put on his watch and channeled his PRĀNÀ through it. The watch activated, giving a sensation of warmth and slight vibration. A holographic screen appeared in front of his eyes, showing two options: 'OWN IT' and 'USE AS A GUEST'. No instructions were needed.
"So, what to do next, 'MR. ARI MARDAN'?" Suvan asked in a taunting tone.
"Don't ponder too much. Ari Mardan is also my name, and a real one," Sharv spoke in his usual flat tone as he chose to become the owner of the watch. "But now I am Sharv." He then intended to find a camouflage option through his PRĀNÀ, and the watch provided it. "And we will act as we planned. Next stop is the Central Sector." He added as he applied the camouflage. The watch became invisible even to him, matching and merging completely with his skin and his wrist.
Suvan just nodded, noticing that Sharv had returned to his usual self and was thinking something. He simply followed Sharv.
But what awaited him was far from simple and and beyond his comprehension.