I Died and Became a Noble's Heir

Chapter 423: Death’s Shop Part 3

”Armor next,” Death announced, already moving toward a different section. ”Can’t have you dying in the first real fight because you forgot to protect your squishy bits.”

The armor section was even more overwhelming than the weapons. Leather, plates, chains, and other materials that Rhys couldn’t identify filled countless racks and display cases. Some pieces glowed with enchantments, others seemed to drink in light, and a few appeared to be made from the hides of creatures that Rhys had never seen.

”Now, for armor, we need to consider your fighting style,” Death said, circling Rhys like a tailor taking measurements. ”You’re not a tank, you’re a speed fighter who uses magic to control your range. That means we want something light, flexible, provides excellent mobility, and won’t slow down those pretty dagger strikes.”

He pulled a set of dark blue armor from a nearby rack. The material looked like leather, but it shimmered with a magical sheen.

”Storm Weaver’s Set,” Death announced. ”Rare-quality, enhances wind and lightning magic by 25%, provides excellent mobility without sacrificing protection, and has built-in shock absorption for when you inevitably get hit. The full set is 15,000 tokens.”

[Storm Weaver’s Set]

[Rank: Rare]

[Full Set: Chest, Legs, Boots, Gloves]

[+25% Wind and Lightning damage]

[+15 Agility, +10 Magic]

[Special Property: Shock Absorption - Reduces impact damage by 20%]

[Price: 15,000 Death Tokens]

Pho examined the armor with critical eyes, running one clawed hand over the material. Ice formed briefly where he touched it, then melted away without damaging the leather.

”Acceptable for basic protection,” he said finally. ”But check if he can afford better first. Speed fighters die when they get hit even once. Better armor means more mistakes can be forgiven.”

Death’s grin widened. ”Oh, you want to see the good stuff? Let me show you the unique-quality sets!”

He led them to a separate area where complete armor sets were displayed on mannequins that looked disturbingly realistic.

Each set radiated power that made the rare-quality armor seem like children’s toys.

”Tempest Lord’s Regalia,” Death announced, gesturing to a set of sleek armor that seemed to be woven from storm clouds and lightning. The material was darker than the rare set, almost black with blue highlights that pulsed with electrical energy.

”Unique-quality, amplifies wind and lightning magic by 50%, grants the ability to briefly transform into living lightning for emergency escapes, provides excellent defense without sacrificing mobility, and it’s specifically designed for speed fighters. Complete set for 80,000 tokens.”

[Tempest Lord’s Regalia]

[Rank: Unique]

[Full Set: Chest, Legs, Boots, Gloves, Hood]

[+50% Wind and Lightning damage]

[+35 Agility, +25 Magic, +15 Vitality]

[Special Skill: Lightning Form - Transform into electricity for 5 seconds (60-second cooldown)]

[Weight Reduction: 40%]

[Price: 80,000 Death Tokens]

Rhys stopped breathing for a moment. The armor was beautiful and practical. The hood would help conceal his identity if needed, and the lightning transformation ability could save his life in critical moments.

Sylph emerged fully from Rhys’s shoulder, flying closer to examine the armor set. Her green aura reflected off the storm cloud material, creating interesting patterns of light.

”This matches your new daggers,” she observed, her tiny voice carrying a hint of analysis. ”The wind essence is compatible with mine, and the lightning transformation ability... Rhys, you could dodge attacks and attack your enemies with attacks they would never see coming.”

”That one,” Pho said with finality, his blank white eyes somehow conveying approval. ”It matches his weapons, provides actual protection without slowing him down, and the lightning form ability will save his life when he makes mistakes.”

”When, not if?” Rhys asked.

”You’re inexperienced in real combat,” Pho stated flatly. ”You will make mistakes. This armor ensures those mistakes aren’t immediately fatal.”

It wasn’t comforting, but it was honest.

”Buy the armor,” Pho added.

Rhys confirmed the purchase as his tokens dropped significantly.

[Purchase confirmed: 80,000 Death Tokens spent]

[Tempest Lord’s Regalia acquired]

[Current Death Tokens: 120,000]

Rhys slipped the armor on and pulled the hood over his face.

”Excellent choices!” Death clapped his hands together. ”Now, let’s talk accessories. Rings, amulets, earrings. The little extras that most people don’t think about. And with 120,000 tokens still burning a hole in your pocket, we can really deck you out properly.”

He led them to a section filled with display cases containing jewelry that would make any royal treasury look impoverished.

Rings that pulsed with an ambient glow, amulets carved from what looked like hearts, and some earrings that looked like they were made from flesh.

Sylph had retreated back inside Rhys, the overwhelming magical signatures from so many artifacts making it difficult for her to maintain physical form.

Her voice occasionally echoed within him as she commented on fascinating pieces.

”For someone with your particular needs,” Death said, pulling out a silver ring set with a blue gemstone, ”I recommend focusing on survival and magic enhancement. You’re going to be in over your head constantly for the next hundred days, so anything that keeps you alive or makes your attacks hit harder is worth the investment.”

He held up the ring. ”Ring of Storm’s Blessing. Rare-quality, increases lightning magic by 20%, provides minor regeneration, and grants resistance to electrical damage so you don’t accidentally shock yourself with your own weapons. Only 8,000 tokens!”

Pho’s blank white eyes somehow conveyed skepticism. ”That’s worth 5,000 tokens at most.”

”Am I haggling with you or the prince?” Death asked innocently.

”You’re not haggling with anyone. Set fair prices, or we leave, and I’ll make sure Jackie boy knows you tried to scam his investment.”

Death sighed dramatically. ”Fine, fine. 5,000 tokens for the ring. You’re killing my profit margins here, Pho. Do you know how hard it is to maintain a shop in an interdimensional space? The rent alone...”

”You’re the God of Death. You don’t pay rent.”

”It’s the principle of the thing!”

Despite the tension, Rhys found himself relaxing slightly. There was something almost comforting about watching Death and Pho bicker like old rivals.

Over the next hour, they worked through accessories methodically. Death would present items with inflated prices, and Pho would negotiate them down to reasonable levels while explaining why each piece was or wasn’t worth purchasing.

Rhys learned to recognize when Death was genuinely recommending something useful versus when he was trying to unload overpriced merchandise.

The god would lean forward slightly when showing truly valuable items, his skeletal grin becoming more genuine rather than theatrical.

By the end, Rhys had acquired:

Ring of Storm’s Blessing - Increases lightning magic by 20%, minor regeneration, electrical resistance (5,000 tokens)

Amulet of Wind’s Grace - Increased movement speed by 15%, enhanced evasion (8,000 tokens)

Earrings of Clarity - Enhanced perception, resistance to mental attacks and illusions (12,000 tokens)

Belt of the Tempest - Faster spell casting (10,000 tokens)

Boots of the Zephyr - Silent movement, increased jump height (9,000 tokens)

[Total spent on accessories: 44,000 Death Tokens]

[Current Death Tokens: 76,000]

”Seventy-six thousand tokens left,” Death mused, stroking his skeletal chin. ”Still a healthy amount. Might I suggest some potions? Healing, magic restoration, and temporary power boosts. It’s always useful to have when you’re inevitably bleeding out in some corner of the Spire.”

”You’re a bundle of joy, aren’t you?” Rhys muttered.

”You’re so nice,” Death replied.