Amanda told him it was a long time ago and that all of them at the party were ranked A. Leo remembered that his parents had been with her before, along with a swordsman. "So they were all rank A's," he thought to himself.
Susan chimed in, "Their party was quite popular back in the day."
Leo was happy to hear it. Susan then displayed a stone tablet. On the right side was a circle with intricate designs and runes, while the left had a blank card. "Put your right hand on top of the Imprinting Circle to start," she instructed.
He placed his hand on the circle, and the stone tablet lit up for a few seconds. After the light dissipated, the card now had written information on it. Susan handed the card to him and said, "Congratulations, Leo. Your registration is complete. If you need help, you can also ask the guild center, and we will try our best to assist you."
He picked up his adventurer card and examined it. On the left side was a big E, probably indicating his rank. On the right side was a list of his information. From top to bottom, it read:
Name: Leo
Level: 1
Race: Human
Job: Vagrant
He turned it over and saw a big closed-fist emblem on the back.
Leo nodded, then suddenly remembered something. "Where can we buy clothes for Amanda and maybe an inn that you can recommend?" he asked.
He tucked the card away and leaned over to Susan, who instinctively leaned closer as well. "It's quite embarrassing," he whispered, "but we need a shop that sells underwear."
Susan squinted at Leo, her eyebrows knitting together in a mix of curiosity and concern. Then she glanced at Amanda, her eyes widening slightly as realization dawned. She sighed deeply, her shoulders rising and falling with the weight of her breath, and put her hand over her face in mild exasperation.
It became clear to her that Amanda wasn't wearing any undergarments, and the dress she wore hugged her frame a bit too perfectly, revealing more than it should. The fabric clung to her curves, drawing unwanted attention.
Susan scanned the bustling area, her sharp eyes catching several adventurers stealing glances at Amanda. Some of them whispered among themselves, their eyes lingering a bit too long. Without a second thought, Susan slammed her hand on the reception desk with a loud thud, the sound echoing through the hall. Her glare was fierce, her eyes narrowing into slits as she stared down the onlookers.
The reaction was immediate. The adventurers scattered like leaves in the wind, some looking genuinely scared by Susan's authoritative presence, while others wore expressions of annoyance at being reprimanded. The room quickly returned to its normal hum of activity, the inappropriate attention averted.
Susan sighed again and looked at Leo. "You really are something," she said with a mix of amusement and exasperation. She pointed out a shop they could go to and told him, "There's also an inn a few blocks from there."
Leo thanked her, and they left the guild, heading towards the shop Susan had recommended. As they walked, Leo couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about the journey ahead. The streets were bustling with activity, and the capital was even more impressive up close.
They arrived at the shop, which exuded an air of class and sophistication. The storefront was adorned with elegant drapery, and the windows displayed mannequins dressed in finely crafted garments. Inside, the shop was spacious and well-lit, with rows of beautifully arranged dresses, suits, and accessories. The soft hum of polite conversation and the gentle rustle of fabric added to the refined atmosphere.
Upon entering, a young girl with a friendly demeanor approached them. "Welcome! Please feel free to ask me anything. I'll be happy to assist you," she said with a warm smile.
Leo turned to Amanda, but she was no longer by his side. He scanned the area, looking around in confusion. The girl noticed his searching gaze and asked, "Are you looking for her?" She pointed behind him.
Amanda had wandered off and was gazing at a dress that had caught her eye. Leo smiled, relieved to see her, and spoke to the girl, "Could you help Amanda find some underwear?"
The girl nodded and was about to assist Amanda when a commotion erupted. Another staff member shouted, "Hey! Don't touch that dress! You'll get it dirty, and no one will buy it now!"
Leo sighed, realizing that prejudice and rudeness were not exclusive to his old world. He approached Amanda, who was now the center of attention in the shop. "Do you like this dress?" he asked.
Amanda, looking embarrassed, replied, "We can't afford it."
Leo examined the dress, a beautiful black V-neck with intricate white patterns. The sleeves extended just below the armpit, giving it an elegant yet simple look. "It would look great on you," he said, touching the fabric.
The rude staff member shouted at him as well, "Don't touch it!" Her shrill voice echoed through the shop.
Leo glared at her, his expression stern. The staff member's face paled, and she cried out, "He's trying to hurt me!"
The girl who had been helping them wanted to intervene, but the rude staff member stopped her. Just then, an adventurer approached and demanded, "Leave if you can't pay, or I'll make you."
Leo sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a brown square coin purse. It revealed the inscription: 50,000. The adventurer's eyes widened, and he quickly apologized, backing away.
Seeing the amount, the rude staff member's demeanor changed instantly. She became overly friendly and offered to get the dress for them. "I don't want you to help," Leo said coldly. He turned to the girl who had initially greeted them, "Could you assist us instead?"
The girl nodded eagerly and retrieved the dress for Amanda. She then gently took Amanda's hand, leading her to the fitting area. Amanda looked back at Leo, concerned. He smiled reassuringly and tapped her back lightly, urging her to go ahead.
Leo gestured subtly to the girl, who understood immediately. She returned the gesture with an okay sign, indicating that everything would be fine.
As Leo waited, the adventurer who had approached them earlier came up to him again. "Hey, sorry about before. I didn't recognize Amanda," he said, his voice gruff but sincere.
Leo was surprised that the adventurer knew Amanda. "You know her?" he asked, curious.
The adventurer, a Heavy Knight hired by the shop for security, nodded. "Yeah, I've worked with Amanda's party several times during extermination quests years ago. Name's Boris," he added, extending a hand. Leo glanced up and saw his adventurer information: Level 87: Boris, accompanied by an icon that looked like a shield.
Leo's excitement surged. This was one of the benefits of being a registered adventurer—seeing others' information. He composed himself quickly and shook Boris's hand. "Nice to meet you, Boris. I'm Leo."
Boris had the look of a seasoned veteran. His hair and beard were white, giving him an air of experience. His body bore the marks of countless battles, with scars adorning his muscular frame. His voice had an old and matured vibe, and Leo guessed he was in his 40s. On his back was a large shield, ordinary at first glance but chipped and worn from numerous fights.
"I'm glad to see Amanda getting back on her feet after what happened to her party," Boris said, a hint of sadness in his voice. "Her party once saved my life during an extermination quest when the boss monster suddenly overpowered us."
They continued to talk until the girl waved at him. He bid farewell to Boris and approached them. Leo whispered to the girl and asked about his request. The girl told him everything was under control. He smiled and said thank you. He paid about 2,000 gold coins for Amanda's clothing, a significant amount that ensured they got high-quality items.
Before leaving, Leo grabbed the girl's hand and handed her 5 gold coins. She was shocked, her eyes widening in surprise. "That's too much," she said, her voice trembling.
Leo insisted, giving her a reassuring smile. "You've been very helpful. Consider it a token of our appreciation."
The girl's eyes filled with tears, and she thanked him profusely. "Thank you so much."
As they walked towards the entrance, Leo met Boris's eyes. He was about to call Amanda, but Boris shook his head slightly and waved instead. Leo nodded in understanding.
They decided to end the day by buying food from street vendors. The bustling market was filled with enticing aromas and vibrant colors. They enjoyed a variety of dishes, from savory skewers to sweet pastries. The lively atmosphere lifted their spirits after the long day.
After their meal, they headed to an inn, choosing a more comfortable option next to the economy rate. The room cost them 5 gold coins but was worth the price for the comfort it provided. The room was spacious, with two cozy beds, a small sitting area, and their own bathroom. The beds were soft, the linens clean, and the room had a welcoming ambiance.
It had been a productive day for Leo. They had successfully registered him as an adventurer, bought necessary clothing for Amanda, and made meaningful connections.
Amanda, exhausted, fell asleep as soon as they entered the room, hugging the clothing they had bought tightly. Leo smiled, putting down their belongings. He watched Amanda for a moment, feeling a deep sense of gratitude and determination.
Leo lay down on his bed, and as soon as his back touched the soft mattress, he drifted off to sleep, feeling content and hopeful for their next adventures.
Comments (0)
See all