[Skill Upgrade: Craftsmanship — Plant Clothing I upgraded to Craftsmanship — Plant Clothing II]

After many minutes of trial and error, I managed to create something resembling clothing. Light pants in a faded olive color and primitive sandals. I also improved the shirt I had earlier and maybe I didn't look like a lady, but certainly, no one could say I was walking around naked.

I'm ready – I emerged from between the trees to the dragon, who was sitting on the grass with his legs spread, looking bored at the clouds.

He didn't pay much attention to me – just gave a brief glance and, seemingly disgusted, turned away, got up, and walked briskly down towards the road leading to the gate.

There were still a lot of people milling around, but I saw it more as a plus – I was eager to observe the humanoids.

I followed As, almost jogging to keep up with his pace.

What should we do in the city?

Go to the guild, register, get a job and earn some money for new clothes for us and maybe some weapons so we look more like real adventurers. We also need a room in an inn or the Guild House, because others would find it suspicious that we go to the forest at night and sleep among the trees.

Right... And food?

What do you mean?

Don't we also need to buy food?

That doesn't really concern anyone. You don't need human food, and I prefer to hunt a deer or a rabbit, plus dragons eat much less frequently.

Silence fell again. I was analyzing his words and thinking about what else we should do or buy to appear more "human."

I cleared my throat.

What now?

Transport.

What?

Transport. Look – I pointed towards the road we were approaching from a side path winding up the slope among the fields.

Wagons pulled by various animals were passing along the road.

So?

If we had a wagon and an animal to pull it, we wouldn't need to stay in the city at night, and traveling to other cities would be easier. I'm sure I could communicate with a wild animal and tame it, but we need to buy a wagon.

I spoke in a tone that allowed no objection, so As sighed.

Fine. A wagon. Get ready to work, because to earn all that we talked about, we're either going to have to do a lot of running, or... one, but extremely difficult job – he smiled strangely at the last words.

Agreed – I didn't ponder long. Why should I? We'll manage... As is a dragon! In case of anything, he'll just go "poof" and everything will turn to ash, right?

I know what you're thinking.

Yeah?

Yes. And remember, I am greatly weakened because I was in that cave for a very long time, my powers need to regenerate, and just a big lizard spewing fire is sometimes not enough for some monsters – he seemed reluctant to admit that he wasn't invincible.

We walked the rest of the way to the gate in silence. I expected the travelers to look at us strangely, but it turned out that I was the one staring in all directions. The beings we passed were varied. Some had long, pointed ears and colorful hair, others had animal body parts, some were large, others short, some didn't even look like humans, or had colorful skin. Next to all of them, I probably looked quite ordinary. As too, but if I told him that, his inflated ego might have suffered, and I don't want a dragon with depression.

Two guards awaited us at the entrance to the city. We were third in line, after some greenish dwarf sitting on a large wagon goat, and a pair with pointed ears.

Will we get in without trouble? – I whispered.

Probably. As long as they see we have no weapons and say we were attacked and want to go to the guild. They'll take us there, we'll go through a small test, and that's it.

Test?

Yes. Testing magical abilities and such...

Next – a guard looked at us, and I decided to play my part.

A woman attacked should be shaken and seeking support from a strong male, right? So, I grabbed As's hand tightly and huddled a little, pretending to be frightened. It seemed to me that the dragon was holding back an eye roll.

Is the lady alright? – The other guard asked, approaching, but As pulled me closer to him.

My lady can't get over the attack. Out of the whole caravan, only she survived, I managed to rescue and protect her, but no one else made it. I'm her bodyguard. We would like to enter the city and go to the guild, maybe I'll find a job there to provide the Lady with better clothing and some money – his voice was as expressionless as his face.

Well, well... And I thought mercenaries had no honor left and only served when someone pays – a female voice came from behind the guards.

I glanced sideways and saw a woman in full armor with raven-black hair and sharp features. Green eyes drilled... not into me, but into As. I felt a strange pressure in my stomach. I didn't like that she was looking at him like that.

This girl is lucky to have you remain loyal even after she lost everything. I'll escort you to the guild and also try to get you some food. Bandits on the roads are partly our fault. We should protect but we lack hands. So as the head of the guard, I'll try to at least partially compensate you for your losses. Come with me.

The woman turned and walked away, and we followed her right behind. I was surprised how easily everyone believed us.

[Skill Upgrade: Acting I upgraded to Acting II]

[Skill Upgrade: Bluff I upgraded to Bluff II]

Hmm. Strange. It was As who spoke, so why did my bluff increase?

[Identification – Skill levels increase not only when the individual uses a particular skill but also when co-creating a situation, or is close to the effect's influence, and is in a close relationship with the action's instigator]

Okay. I hardly understood anything, but the most important part I get. So As will also help me increase certain traits. Sounds cool.

Welcome to the city known as Dragon Valley – the head of the guards spread her arms proudly as we passed through the gate, and I didn't know whether, like As, I should snort with amusement at how ironic the name sounded, or be amazed by the size of the buildings, the colors, and the smells.