17 Chapter 14: The Marketplace of Sharoo (1/2)

Arriving at town Yami stayed in my shadow concealing its presence.

Wanting to create something durable and strong to aid me in the journey to come,

I went straight to the town market, knowing there might be skillful blacksmiths present I made my way there.

Once there, the fountain sprayed water with all her might, elegant as we behold the sight of it. I walked through the market hoping to find the blacksmiths.

Just like the day we had arrived the market was brimming with life. Local salesmen trying to sell their goods to the highest bidder, people going out for a stroll just enjoying the weather and exotic foods.

There was even a stall that only sold underwear, Male, Female, even for those which couldn't be identified. Curious I went to take a peek. Finding out one piece of trunks would cost me around fifty copper. So for a week, assuming it works the same as back in my world I needed to spend 350 copper on underwear for the entire week alone. If underwear costs this much, how much would the rest be?

I went on as something smelled really nice along the way, my belly growled, dawning on me that I didn't have breakfast yet today. Unable to walk away from this heavenly smell I followed my nose.

Along the way images of delicious foods filled my head, meat, fried potatoes, wraps... something inside the smell even made me think back to my mom's homemade cooking. She always loved to make dishes in the oven. As I walked closer my mouth began to water, making me drool intensely. The stand was small but wide. Housing sitting place for around seven people.

Taking a seat I had time to look around. No one was there. Just me and the empty stand.

All kinds of foods and drinks were shown behind a glass piece of display. The heavenly smell came from the back of the cart. Figuring this was the place where the food got prepared I took my time waiting for someone to show up. But after several moments, no one... not even another customer.

Looking to the right I saw a rather large bell. It had a cord in the middle of the gong.

Thinking this was the way to ask for assistance from the shop owner I pulled the cord, ringing the bell. A heavy and resonating sound filled the cart.

Still, no one... as the sound faded away I could hear footsteps coming from what I thought would be the kitchen. The steps were light... one couldn't easily hear them, yet each step resonated with the gong. Step by step, light as they were the steps drew closer.

Just when I could swear the one walking here had arrived there was nothing but dead silence.

”Hello... anyone there?”

I looked around once more, hoping to find the one who I thought walked over here.

”I came to order, whichever smelled so nice. You see, I could even eat a horse thinking how my belly growls right now.”

”Can I take your order, sir?”

A small and silent voice asked, breaking the silence.

Looking around I still couldn't find where the question was coming from.

”Behind the counter, sir.”

The voice said trying to sound a bit more clear.

I stood up to look behind the counter and couldn't believe my eyes. Behind the counter stood a small hairy creature. It had short hands and feet with sharp, short nails. And was that a tail?

The creature also had a sharp nose, kind of like a mouse or rat even. Its eyes, weren't visible as the creature smiled politely at me.

”Your order sir?”

Snapping out of the otherworldly experience I ordered what looked like a chicken on a stick, and other kinds of meatballs on a stick.

”Do you have anything with cheese kind, sir?”

I asked in curiosity not thinking about the nature of the mouse creature.

”Well... of course, sir. I wouldn't do my family proud if I didn't have any cheese dishes.

The mouse handed over a special card.

”Here you can find all the dishes that include cheese.”

Looking at the menus on the card I decided to order cheese balls on a stick, chicken, and meatballs covered in cheese on a stick. Leaving the order at three items for now.

”Right away sir, would you like something to drink while waiting for the food to be prepared?”

”I would love that, I would love to order some milk, please.

”Coming right up!”

The mouse walked to the other room again, this time sizzling noises could be heard, must be finishing the food. Waiting for the food to be finished I noticed a variety of smells intertwining with one another.

”Chef must be really good, using spices to strengthen the flavors.”

When the sizzling stopped a sweet aroma filled the room, a smell akin to honey made me almost unable to hold my appetite back.

Short after the mouse walked out of the room, with a plate and bowl in hand. The plate had the chicken stick, the meatballs, and even the fried cheese balls.

The bowl, on the other hand, had some kind of syrup-like substance in it.

”Here you go sir, enjoy.”

The mouse handed over the plate and bowl.

As if struck by lightning the little creature rushed back to the other room. Arriving shortly after with a special steaming hot bottle.

*squeeck* *squeeck*

”This is on the house sir, you see... we aspire to find new ways of enjoyment for our customers.

The other day a man came by and gave us a reception for a hot beverage, would you like to try?”

I gladly accepted the drink, seeing as this would join well with the dishes I had ordered.

”Make sure to dip the food in the bowl before eating, this will enhance the flavors within.”

*squeeck*

Doing as the little mouse instructed I grabbed the cheese ball, dipping it gently in the syrup of the bowl. As it moved closed its smell became clear as its sweet aroma filled my nose.

”Honey!”

Taking a bite, the piping hot cheese flowed into my mouth giving a heavenly taste as the saltiness and sweetness were in perfect harmony.

”Delicious!!”

I continued on to the meat and even taking little sips of the hot drink I got for free. Finishing the delicious meal my hunger got completely satisfied. I thanked the shop owner asking for the check.

”That will be 25 copper for the meat, 30 for the chicken stick and 40 for the cheese balls for a total of 95 copper. Grabbing the money out my pouch I handed 100 copper to the little mouse.

”Keep the chance.”

”Thank you, kind sir, I'm glad you enjoyed your meal, I hope to see you again soon.”

With my belly filled I continued my stroll through the market. Still, have more than enough money I finally arrived at what seemed like a Black Smith. The sign of the building read: ”Solar Scale” the tailor and blacksmith for all your adventuring needs.

Entering the store I noticed metal crashing into each other, the sound of a hammer slamming into metal and the sound of flames burning.

As the door opened and closed behind me a bell sounded my entry. Shortly after a heavy voice howled towards the room I was standing in.

”I'll be there shortly, please take a look around till then.”

Deciding to do what the voice suggested I looked around the shop. On the walls behind the counter and even around the store the clerk must have been showing off its prices creations.

Armor, light, heavy... even leather. Weapons, shields, guards. Name it and it would have been put up for display. Shortly after admiring the products a middle-sized slender humanoid with scales and horns walked out of the workshop into the store.

”It seems sir has a keen eye for quality.”

The lizardlike human grabbed the arm guards that caught my eye.

”Real ash layered scale guards, hard as steel, light as leather armor.”

Laying them on the counter the man looked gently at me.

”Where are my manners? Let me introduce myself. My name is Griphairos Solar,

but you can call me Griph. May I ask what brings young master here today?”

”Nice to meet you, sir, my name is Shadowfang, Michael Shadowfang. I came to the market today to find a blacksmith. You see, I have gathered special materials and wanted to request a light armor design and even weapons if possible.”

”Depending on the materials you could provide, this should all be possible. Please... show me what I'll be working with.”

I grabbed the dust of my core crystals, pulling out the bones of the wolf that I had triumphantly defeated, spreading the remains out over the counter.

Carefully examining each piece separately, the man took his time thinking of ways to utilize the bones.

”Fascinating... where did you find this, sir?”

”In The fields of the beginning, wolves roamed and attacked innocent creatures. Unable to accept them running rampant I decided to challenge their leader. As luck would have it I won the battle against this worthy opponent with only minor injuries, but during this battle, my magic crystals all broke down and scattered into dust... Which is why now more than ever I need to train and prepare for whatever could cross my path. Seeing as this was a milestone for me, also that its bones were magic resistant, I thought it would be a great idea to implement it into Armor and weapons.”

”This really is fascinating, you see, their leader had become corrupt by the fast amount of magic essence overflowing his core crystal. Judging by your encounter and battle, their leader had a name that caused it to evolve into a Chimerokami.

Unnaturally the demon essence roots inside its heart, spreading throughout its entire body. Making it thirst for flesh even feasting on its brethren if necessary. Indeed its Armor is 3rd-grade silver magic resistant. You really got yourself a treasure here.

So, what can I do for you?”

”Well, I'll be training at the beginner guilds to prepare for the Adventurers Examination. Looking at what I excel in right now, I would need something light, with good defense, allowing me to strike swiftly while maintaining balance in attack and defense power.

It would be cool if it could be combined with light chain mail and leather armor.”

I asked for a pen and paper so I could show him what I meant. After scribbling for a while finishing the design sketch I handed it over to Griph.

”Ah, I see now! Seeing as you provided all the Chimera bone, you only need to pay for the leather armor, chainmail, assembly, and magic infusing.

You also wanted a half bone mask and horned head guard, I'll look into that as I have never made those before. I'll throw in the arm guards making fine weapons out of them for you, seeing as this will take around two weeks to finish. You can come back when you are done with training? What do you think about 10 silver?”

”That sounds great!!”

Seeing that you use a few magic crystals I will also make gem sockets for you, throwing it in as a deal. But I warn you if used too much or carelessly they can break as well...

”Awesome!! Here is the 10 silver upfront, I'll be back in two weeks then. About those magic crystals, I learned that the hard way.... during the battle against the leader of the wolves my lightning and fire magic crystals both broke... so, to be honest, I don't have any useable crystals at the moment.”

”That shouldn't be a problem, low-grade and higher leave crystal dust when they break and destroy themselves. This, in turn, can be used to make new shells or crystals so to speak. The essence could be lost, but since mid-grade crystals require bonding, this shouldn't be a problem. Because another sense of bonding would be the acceptance of essence flowing thought your body and mind.

When you get the chance, try calling upon your Magical abilities, the essence should still be present inside you.”

”I will! Thank you for all the useful advice you have given me sir.”

Striking a pose out of excitement raising my fist in the air, I went on my way towards the guild.

As luck would have it, it seemed I did not lose the ability to call upon magic.

During the training period of the three guilds, there should also be time to prepare the essence needed to continue expanding on this prowess.

On my way to the guild, more and more people were talking about the upcoming expedition. Hoping to get a crack at newly unexplored ruins and covens around the outer reaches of Sharoo.As well as people who were in the fields of beginning at the time when chaos struck. The survivors talked about spirit beasts that had never been seen outside of their habitat. Like the goblins and the wolves. Some even recognized me on my way there. Seeing their surprised looks really made me feel special. Unaware of what I did, everyone thought I wouldn't survive. Yet... here I was.

Closing in on the Guild some annoying men stopped me trying to be cool, seeing as I was wounded maybe they thought I was easy prey?

”Hey, guys... look at what happened to this guy, all cover in blood and bruises, got ambushed in the fields of beginning did you?”

Hehe, they should have known better... trying to act like the more mature man I ignored them entering the Guild. But before I could go inside one of them stopped me pulling my shoulder back.

Yami's voice resonated inside my head.

”Shall I stop them, master?”

”There is no need Yami, let me handle this. I dare to say that they will run away with their tails between their legs when I'm done with them. Watch me.”

Annoyed I turned towards the three men. One of them was a humanoid boar, another one a pig and a normal human? My aura began building up, spiking outward, glancing at them as I let my killing intent slip out. Almost immediately after my eyes met with the boar he backed off.

”What the hell man... What's wrong with you? We only wanted to fool around a little with you. He's dangerous...”

”What do you mean boss? He's covered in wounds and bruises...”

A voice other than Yami began speaking to me in an Unfamiliar tone, yet... unable to understand... it felt familiar. After a few moments passed the voice became agitated now able to understand it spoke to me about Darkness... Madness...