True to his promise to Aerith and Elmyra, Johnny set out for Sector 5 that Sunday. However, this time, he didn't take the train. He chose to walk—using the journey as both physical training and a hunting opportunity.
At 5:00 AM, the sky over Sector 7 was still pitch black, but Johnny's family kitchen was already warm and smelling of sweetness.
Johnny was double-checking his supplies at the dining table. Across from him, his mother, Marilla, placed a plate of thick toast and a glass of warm milk.
"Well, well..." Marilla teased, smiling broadly as her eyes darted to the small package in Johnny's hand. "Look at you, all dressed up and smelling nice so early in the morning. Ooh... someone's going to see his girlfriend, hmm?"
Johnny choked on his milk slightly. His face flushed red.
"No, Mom. We... we're just friends," Johnny denied with a rare shyness.
Marilla giggled. She walked behind Johnny's chair and patted her son's shoulder.
"Even if you're 'just friends', you already prepared a flower-patterned hair ribbon?" Marilla pointed at the package with her chin. "Oh, my little boy is all grown up. You already know how to woo a girl."
Marilla pinched Johnny's cheek affectionately.
Normally, Guts would have swatted away anyone who touched his face. But this time, Johnny let her. He even allowed the corner of his lips to lift into a small smile.
"Hehe," a small chuckle escaped him.
'So this is what it feels like,' Johnny thought warmly. 'To have a mother who loves her child. Not discarded, not cursed. Just... loved.'
Johnny finished his milk in one gulp and stood up.
"I'm heading out then, Mom. I'm all packed."
"Be careful on the road, Sweetie," Marilla said gently, straightening Johnny's jacket collar. "Send my regards to my future in-laws and Aerith, okay?"
Johnny, who was chewing the last bit of toast, nearly choked again. "Yes, Mom..." he answered resignedly, rushing out the door before his mother could tease him any further.
The journey to Sector 5 was no leisurely stroll.
Johnny took the route through the Collapsed Expressway and the Train Graveyard. For ordinary people, this was a suicide route. For Johnny, it was a gold mine.
SCHWING! THUD!
All along the way, his Scrap Greatsword worked hard. He slaughtered several Cripshays, Blugus, Gorgers, and Wererats that dared to block his path. Johnny moved efficiently; he wasted no energy, delivering only lethal, precise strikes. He harvested valuable monster parts to sell later.
By late morning, he arrived at Wall Market, the entertainment and commerce district that never slept in Sector 6. He had one destination: The Materia Shop he had glimpsed once before.
Johnny paused in a quiet alley before entering the market area.
"Oi, Puck."
"Yeah, Boss?" Puck's head popped out of the jacket pocket.
"I want to buy two Cure Materia. Is that stuff really effective?" Johnny asked skeptically. In his world, healing took a long time or required rare fairy dust.
"Of course, Boss!" Puck answered enthusiastically. "Green Materia is magical. As long as you use it often in battle, the materia absorbs experience (AP) and evolves."
"Evolves?"
"Yup. At first, it's just Cure. Later, as its level rises, it becomes Cura, then Regen (gradual healing), and finally Curaga (total healing)," Puck explained like a seasoned salesman.
Johnny nodded, understanding. "Wow. Does it consume a lot of energy?"
"Sure does. It uses MP (Magic Points). Aerith or Ivalera can explain the details later; they're the magic experts. You better just buy it first, Boss. You'll need it if you don't want to die a silly death." Puck ducked back into the pocket.
Johnny walked up to the bustling roadside Materia stall. The merchant was an old man with a sour face and thick glasses.
"Sir, I'll buy two Cure Materia," Johnny said flatly.
The merchant looked Johnny up and down—eying his dusty clothes and the scrap sword on his back. He scoffed dismissively.
"A snot-nosed kid like you has money?" the merchant sneered. "Two Cures cost 1,200 Gil. That's enough to feed a family in the Slums for three months. Go home and wash your feet."
Johnny didn't get angry. He had been underestimated his entire life.
In his head, he calculated quickly. 'One monster averages 100 Gil. I kill 20 a day easily. That's 2,000 Gil a day.' Money wasn't a problem for him now.
"You talk too much, Old Man," Johnny said coldly.
He reached into his pouch and tossed a bag of coins onto the glass counter.
CLINK!
"1,200 Gil. Exact change," Johnny said.
The merchant's eyes widened at the pile of gold and silver coins. "Wh... where did a kid like you get this?"
"That's my business. Where's my stuff?"
With slightly trembling but quick hands (fearing he might lose the customer), the merchant produced two soft-glowing green crystal orbs. One for Johnny, one for Aerith. Johnny stored them carefully alongside the flower-patterned ribbon.
Before leaving, Johnny's sharp eyes caught something in the corner of the glass display case. A Red Materia orb. Different from the green, blue, or yellow ones. It radiated a warm but wild aura.
"Sir," Johnny pointed. "That red materia... what is it?"
The merchant followed Johnny's finger, then grinned widely, showing off a gold tooth. He took the red orb out and held it carefully as if it were a dragon's egg.
"Hoo... you've got sharp eyes, Kid," he said. "This one is special. Very rare. The price could buy a house here in Sector 6."
"How much?"
"50,000 Gil."
Johnny's jaw dropped slightly. 50,000? He would have to slaughter monsters non-stop for a full month without a break to earn that.
"That's exorbitant," Johnny muttered. "What's in it?"
"This is a Summon Materia," the merchant explained proudly. "It's called Chocobo & Moogle. I found it near the giant ventilation fans in Sector 4 while scavenging back in the day. Legend says it holds the spirit of a Chocobo—a giant, fast bird—and a Moogle, a mischievous magical creature."
"If you equip it," the merchant continued, "You can call them to fight by your side. But remember, Summoning only lasts a short while—3 to 5 minutes tops, or until they unleash their ultimate move, 'Stampede'. It's excellent for emergencies or escapes."
Johnny stared at the red orb. For a moment, he felt it pulse, as if calling to him. A Chocobo? A Moogle? It sounded ridiculous, but Puck was ridiculous too, and he was useful.
Johnny looked at the merchant sharply.
"In that case, it's a deal," Johnny said seriously. "Wait for me for two months. I will buy it."
The merchant laughed crisply, not mockingly this time, but amused. "You've got spirit, Kid. This thing is hard to sell because the price is sky-high. But remember, this is a free market. If some rich guy walks by and buys it first, I can't do anything about it."
"Just keep it in that case," Johnny said, adjusting his sword. "I'll come back with 50,000 Gil. I promise."
Johnny turned and walked away, leaving the merchant shaking his head. Now he had a new goal besides training: Saving up to buy a new ally.