NOVEL NEXT Chapter 45
As soon as I woke up early in the morning, I started moving busily.
First things first, a shower and breakfast.
Yawn “Haaam. No matter how much I sleep, I’m still sleepy.”
As soon as Yeriell sat at the table, she let out a yawn. Her eyes were drenched in fatigue.
Ivelyn would probably adjust things, but is she okay?
“You look half-asleep. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. On the first day, my legs were shaking, and I felt like I would collapse, but after a few days of working hard, I think I can handle it now.”
Yeriell smiled brightly, saying not to worry.
“I think if I push a little more, I could make some progress with my magic.”
Lumia, who had been listening quietly, spoke clearly as if to show she’s also trying hard.
“Isn’t it a bit boring just staying at the inn?”
“Nope. I’m used to this level. Right now, the most important thing for me is to evolve into an adventurer who can stay by your side.”
…Looks like she remembered what was said with sincerity last time.
Well, what can I do? All I can give them is praise and encouragement.
While I’m sweating and trying hard in various ways, Yeriell and Lumia were also doing their best in their situations.
I must work harder too.
Alright! Let’s stop by the armory to sort out the armor issue.
After that, there’s a library near the guild, so let’s check if the reward for turning in Gaspel’s head came in.
Clack.
After finishing breakfast while chatting with them, I went up to my room to get ready to leave.
“See you tonight.”
“Got it. I’ll be helping Lumia with her magic practice and studying, so make sure to be careful.”
I nodded.
After finishing all my business and returning, I guess I’ll have to train until my arms ache today too?
I pushed aside any distracting thoughts and headed to the station.
*
“Alright. Let’s go in.”
Arriving at the armory, I opened the door and was greeted with countless weapons and equipment hanging on the walls or displayed.
“Welcome! Is there anything you’re looking for?”
Huh?
This time, instead of Huuton, the muscular middle-aged man, a young male worker about my age, who looked passionate greeted me.
“Hello! I came to see if my armor can be repaired since it’s gotten pretty worn out. But where is Huuton…?”
The cheerful worker smiled and replied.
“Haha, the master is busy working right now. Recently, he’s been passing on the small jobs, taking care of the counter at the armory, but a crucial request just came in.”
After saying that, he started chatting about whether I knew the master, how impressive it is that someone of our age has fought battles to the point where savage boar leather is that torn, and how he used to dream of becoming an adventurer before grabbing a hammer.
Not that his friendliness and camaraderie are a bad thing, but…
‘So, can my armor be repaired, or should I be prepared to buy new ones?’
If it’s the latter, it could cost quite a bit… I was worried since I didn’t earn much at the first floor this time.
Just then, I was about to ask for clarification.
Whoosh!
Huuton bust into the back door.
The heat that burst in started to envelop the area rapidly.
As he approached, a strong scent of metal clung to him, announcing he was a blacksmith.
Bang!
“Uack!”
“You little brat, your laugh echoed through the building right to the smithy. What’s so funny, huh?”
The worker clutched his head and groaned.
He said he was busy with an important task, but it seems he’s almost done?
“Hmm? I remember you as Yeriell’s companion. What’s your name again? Aren? That’s it! Your face is etched in my memory!”
“…It’s not Aren; it’s Aaren.”
Where did that name that sounded like someone who can wield a halberd come from?
Huuton, noticing the reception worker staring at him, finally caught sight of me.
Hearing him correct my name, he cleared his throat and looked sheepish.
“Uh-huh. Sorry about that. I’m terrible with names. I hope you’ll understand.”
“It’s okay. This is only my second visit, right?”
“Ha ha! Nice to hear that. Anyway, are you here alone? Looking at the state of your gear, I take it you had quite the time in the labyrinth? Is Yeriell alright?”
Huuton scanned around, looking for Yeriell.
Well, since this armory was introduced through her, he’d naturally be curious about her as a friend.
I told him about her current situation.
She returned unscathed and was probably rolling around under her sister’s training for various reasons now.
Huuton broke a sweat when he heard that.
“Oh my. Is Ivelyn burning with passion while drilling Yeriell? When she sets her mind to something, she doesn’t see anything else.”
He scratched his cheek, shaking his head, worried about whether that frail girl could handle such intense training.
Clap!
He clapped his hands, brightening the mood.
“Alright! Now that I’ve heard how things are going, I feel a bit relieved. Let’s see, you came for armor repair, right?”
“Yes. I figured it’s better to fix it before the portal opens.”
Not that I want to keep wearing it in shambles like this just because I have no money.
I learned that while facing Gaspel.
Never should skimp on gear to prepare for unavoidable attacks.
“Well, it doesn’t look like you need a complete overhaul. By the way, how deep did you go for your leather to be in such a state?”
“…I only made it to the first floor.”
I encountered human slayers, teamed up with mid-level adventurers, and had a lot of experiences.
‘Ugh. Just saying I came back from the first floor feels a bit off. I’m definitely going to push higher when the portal opens next month.’
He had a skeptical look for a moment hearing I only made it to the first floor.
But soon after, he nodded at my next words.
“You don’t need to explain more. As long as you didn’t fall for a low-level trap and disgrace my work, it’s all good.”
“So, how much will the repair cost?”
I had 4 gold coins and about 30 silver coins in my possession.
While scratching his chin, Huuton casually said, “I’ll be generous. Just give me 30 silver coins. But promise to stop by my armory often in the future.”
As soon as he said that, the worker, who had been hit on the head, finally opened his mouth.
“What? No way! Which armory repairs something like this for that price?”
[Chaos says it wants to sew that mouth shut.]
Ah, so it’s more than just chatter; he’s quite the loudmouth.
“So what? I originally sold the armor for 70 silver coins. Are you telling me I should accept it at that rate for repairs?”
“That’s not what I’m saying! I just thought I’d need to make at least a little profit, and felt like that was too generous… wait, did you really sell it without taking any gold coins?”
Huuton waved his hand.
“Enough! I let him take a break to catch his breath, and now he won’t stop flapping his lips. It’s a discount for a friend. No more arguments.”
The worker, now intimidated, turned into a deaf mute, and after taking off my armor, I placed it with the pouch of silver coins where he directed.
“It will take a few days, so don’t come straight back tomorrow.”
“Yes, thank you for the discount again. I’ll see you in a few days.”
He told me to make lots of money to get better gear.
Laughing heartily, I left the armory behind.
‘Feels like I’ll only be coming here from now on. But I hope I don’t get tangled up with that chatterbox again.’
The first impression was definitely good. Hmm.
I guess I should think he’s just being diligent about his work?
Sighing deeply, I moved on to my next destination.
*
Time is gold.
I need to be more attentive, especially during days spent striving for self-improvement like this.
So I decided to take a carriage to quickly get to the nearby station.
‘Glad the carriage fare is cheap and easy to manage.’
As I gradually expanded my range of activities in the city, I increasingly felt the vastness of District 4.
I passed through the revolving door at the guild entrance.
Looks busy as expected. Come to think of it, there are branches in every district from District 5 to 7, right?
I wonder how significant the difference is between the headquarters and the branches now that I think about it.
Living in the city, I’ll definitely have a reason to visit someday.
As my thoughts drifted momentarily at the sight before me, I found the shortest line at the reception desk for account settlement and took my place at the end.
“Next, please step forward.”
After a brief wait, it was finally my turn.
I faced the receptionist, handed over my plate, and after a short chat, the process proceeded smoothly.
“Here you go, this is your reward.”
I took the small pouch handed to me by the receptionist.
…Huh? No way, it’s way too light. Is there even anything in it?
With a puzzled mind, I slowly opened the pouch.
Gold coins!
To my surprise, there was a single gold coin sitting inside.
Seeing my astonished expression, the receptionist added an explanation.
“After verifying your identity, the process was carried out, and considering the deceased’s adventurer rank and the records of their victims, it was set at a relatively high amount.”
I didn’t expect to get gold coins at all.
Before visiting, I only anticipated maybe a few dozen silver coins.
“The reward for taking down Gaspel, an adventurer affiliated with the Red Wolf Clan, has been completed. Do you have any other business to attend to?”
“No, no other business. Thank you for the fast and precise processing. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
After a polite bow, I stepped away from the reception desk.
‘The Red Wolf Clan, huh… must remember that.’
Groups with names like that tend to involve themselves multiple times, somehow.
But wow, I really hit the jackpot!
Giddy with excitement, I headed towards the library.
*
Days of harsh training and working hard without any lazy behavior have now passed, and in response, as the portal to the labyrinth was about to open…
Time had flown by like an arrow.
Bang!!!
Finally…!
During the past two weeks, I stayed up until after midnight every day.
I filled my sword with magic, thrusting and stabbing over and over again.
The oneness I felt when extending my arms and the sound of the air bursting—it felt different this time.
This is definitely it!
[You have acquired the trait “Point Concentration.”]
“Awesome!”
Finally, every preparation I could make was completed.
Earlier today, while going out as always, I clearly heard adventurers bustling about, shouting that the portal was opening.
Let’s get some rest early and head out tomorrow without dragging things.
It’s time to prove that the intense weeks weren’t in vain.
Now… it’s time to enter the labyrinth again.