149 Crossbow (2/2)

”Ah, yes, g-good morning,” One of them forced a crooked grin.

After greeting the women, Rin returned her gaze and continued to walk around the market to proceed with her tasks.

Although she could hear the discussion from the girls and their opinions regarding her, it was no use getting angry over it. They could choose to say whatever they wanted with their mouths, and she couldn't control that.

She knew who she was and what the people she cared about thought about her. That's all that mattered. With this thought in mind, Rin's expression softened.

…

Holding the basket in her hand, Rin had finished her errands for the day and was quietly passing by, when she happened to notice something from the corner of her eye. Shifting her eyes toward a stall, her eyes brightened.

Without thinking, her feet were already walking in the direction of the shop. Sitting behind the booth counter was a buff, tall man, his head slightly bobbing up and down as he forced himself awake.

When the man saw the village's new beauty approaching his stall, his black eyes widened as he sat upright. He stepped forward to welcome her in delight.

”Welcome customer!”

Rin had a faint smile on her face as she replied to his greetings with a small nod.

”How may I assist you today?”

Though the man said this, he couldn't help but be surprised to see the delicate beauty showing interest in his stall. It was, after all, a weapon stall.

Rin looked up and glanced around the booth, her eyes glowing as they fell upon various weapons. At that moment, Rin's gaze landed on a wooden crossbow and her clear eyes blinked. A hint of a smile flashed through her eyes.

The man at the stall followed Rin's line of sight. After a moment, he cleared his throat and carefully asked, ”Would the young lady like to hold it?”

”May I?”

Rin shifted her gaze at the man. Those bright, clear eyes were blinking at him so much that he felt uncomfortable under that gaze. He quickly cleared his throat and nodded his head.

”Of course.” He grabbed the crossbow from behind him. ”Here you are, and don't worry there's no arrow inside, it's safe.”

When Rin held the crossbow in her hand, her expression relaxed. It was a small horizontal bow with a short wooden stock, easy to hold with only one hand. The trigger and firing mechanism was made of metal, it looked like bronze.

”Did you make this?” Rin tilted her head to the side. Her eyes were as clear as glass, and their pretty color sparkled brightly. Her honest expression generated plenty of goodwill from the man.

He laughed and proudly replied, ”Yes, I did.”

Rin's eyes on the crossbow remained as she softly stroked it.

”Beautiful.” She whispered.

The man noticed her gentle actions toward the crossbow and felt somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected to see her so attached to the object.

Not to mention it was a weapon!

It seems there was more to this little beauty than others would expect.

Meanwhile, as Rin held the crossbow in her hand, a flood of memories emerged through her head. The thought of when her mother first taught her to defend herself and when she made a bet with Uncle Guo.

Such a weapon...held so many precious memories.

Rin moved her gaze away from the crossbow and softly asked, ”How much for this?”

The man was about to reply with the original price but stopped upon seeing the girl's bright, big eyes blinking at him eagerly. He swallowed and cleared his throat.

”Ten silvers.” He coughed. This was only half of the original price.

Rin nodded and took the pouch from her pocket and handed the man ten silvers. Luckily, her help with washing fishermen's clothing had earned her enough to afford such a precious weapon!

Not only was the crossbow good defense, but it would also help with hunting meat. This way, she could contribute to the siblings after everything they've done for her.

After delivering the man ten silvers, Rin clutched the crossbow in her hand and turned away. The man counted the silvers in his hand and suddenly paused when he noticed the girl departing.

”Ah wait, don't you need arrows?”

Rin turned in the direction of the man, a slight smile surfaced on her lips. ”There's no need.”

Though she saved enough, she couldn't possibly spend any more on arrows. Besides, she could make her own with wood and a stone rock from the woods.

After that, Rin turned in the direction of the sibling's house. A rare smile etched across her youthful, beaming face.