Chapter 15 - 15: Traits of a Demi-Human (1/2)
We took turns sleeping until morning came.
At around noontime, a certain incident occurred.
We were hunting some Usapiru which had appeared before us.
”Ah...”
The bladed knife in Raphtalia's hands had snapped off completely. *pokin*
”Show it to me.”
It couldn't be helped. The knife had done its job and broke only after killing the last Usapiru which had been gnawing at my arm.
”I'm sorry.”
”Nothing lasts for an eternity. So it was inevitable for this knife to break.”
It was a cheap knife, not to mention it had never even been polished.
”We'll stop here for now before returning to town.”
”Hai.”
The bag that Raphtalia carried was splendidly stuffed full of loot.
On a side note, I've become a Lvl 11 and so has Raphtalia.
Later on, we sold off our spoils, including the compounded medicine, for a grand total of 70 silver coins.
Chari chari*...
”I wonder which one we should get.”
”You mean a knife?”
Raphtalia murmured while eating her lunch inside a street stall.
We should be able to cover our living expenses by camping outdoors.
And there wouldn't be a problem with food if we skinned the Usapiru for their meat.
I stopped thinking about that for now.
Since I didn't have a favorite store or know of any other good places to shop, I at least wanted to know more about the details of our purchased equipment.
”Well, guess we should go over to the Weapon Shop.”
”Un.”
Guu...*
I heard a grumbling noise coming from behind me.
”My tummy's empty.”
”Didn't you just eat a moment ago!?”
Is it a growth spurt!?
Just how many times a day were you planning to eat!
”Haa...”
Right, Engel's Coefficient would skyrocket with her in the equation.
――――――――――
”--And that's what happened, Oyaji. I'd like some weapons and protective gear within the range of 65 silver coins, plus a cheap knife.”
For some reason, Oyaji ġrȯȧnėd with his palm on his head.
”Well... it's none of my business, but please properly maintain your equipment at least.”
”Sorry about that. I thought the blood-clean coating would take care of everything, so I didn't plan for it beforehand.”
Right. The Balloon, Mush, and Eggy were creatures made from inorganic substances after all. And the bodily fluids of the Eggy could definitely be wiped off without much effort.
However, the blood of the Usapiru stained the weapon.
Not only that, but the blade seemed to deteriorate even faster because of improper care.
”But I'm amazed this girl's complexion is so much better after just three days. And haven't you gotten quite plump now?”
”Hoh? That's a fine expression.”
”Un!”
Alright, let's get down to business.
”Oyaji, please prioritize the weapon's durability when you show us the wares meant for her.”
”And how about you?”
”I don't need any.”
”You don't want anything?”
Raphtalia looked up at me and asked.
”Does it look like I'll be needing any gear?”
Up until this point, I had yet to receive a single wound from a monster's attack.
Didn't those dipshit Heroes once say that: 'shields are easy at the beginning, but suck towards the endgame?'
That's why I didn't feel the need to buy myself equipment until we got to the point where I start taking damage.
”Uun.”
Raphtalia ġrȯȧnėd, looking unconvinced. Her hands were preciously holding onto the ball which I had bought for her before.
”Well, I guess this must be karma at work. I'll give you a little something as a bonus.”
”I'll be haggling if the cost is too high.”
”I'm already selling to you at dirt-cheap prices here. Or else you'll be throwing those Balloons around after being pushed too hard, won't you?”
The merchant incident from before must have started that rumor. Well it's fine, since the end result will be the same either way.
”An eye for an eye, that's all I'm doing.”
”... Not that it matters to me. But even if I came up with a countermeasure, you'll just find another way around it. That'll be just like you, right?”
”You certainly know me well.”
”Anyone can tell with a glance: That you, sir, are a shrewd businessman under the guise of a Hero.”
”I'll take that as a compliment.”
”Well then...”
Oyaji rubbed his chin while looking at Raphtalia.
”It looks like this Jou-chan will soon be ȧssessing herself with a sword rather than a knife.”
”Will it be alright?”
”Seems she's quite enthusiastic about it. A sword proves to be a rather fine weapon for a beginner, no?”
Oyaji searched through a corner of his shop. *gacha gacha*
”So that's it.”
”Will I be using this sword?”
”Looks like it.”
”I'll be tutoring her on how to use one.”
Then a tanned hide brėȧstplate was brought to us from the back of the store.
”An iron short sword and a hide brėȧstplate. Although they're a bit old, please bear with it. The size fits you at least.”
Oyaji handed Raphtalia the sword while the brėȧstplate was worn on top of her casual clothes.
Guu*...
”Again!?”
”Duh, she is a demi-human, right? Since she's still a child, this much difficulty should be expected if she keeps leveling up.”
Wait, what? Is that common sense around here? This world sure worked on weird standards that I couldn't comprehend.
A long time ago, I did hear about the tale of Hina the crow, where she'd die if she wasn't continuously fed.
”So there is some truth to that story... guess it can't be helped. Just stay here and listen obediently to the lecture, I'll go buy you some food while you practice.”
”Haaai!”
Seeing our conversation, Oyaji bursted out laughing for some reason. *gahaha*
”Okay listen up, I'll now teach you all about the basics--”