Their entire discussion had taken place over the span of a few minutes and now the group were currently racing past the mass of people, heading straight for where the weapons were sold.
Even if they were proficient when it came to fighting with their bare hands, when weighed against the time it would take them to arm themselves the correct choice was just too obvious.
Although a judge was going to emerge from the portal, it didn't mean it would be the only kind of beast emerging from it. There could be other minor beasts as well.
If they were to confront the tide of creatures unarmed they would quickly wear themselves out, making them easy pickings for the judge class beast.
Therefore if they wanted to have even the slightest chance of just holding back the beast while they waited for other venators, or even toppling it... they needed weapons, quality weapons.