The first place we went to was the tailoring shop, particularly because I was still undecided on what to do for the sculpture. Obviously I wanted something I wouldn't get attached to, since my goal would be to smelt it down and make equipment out of it. The dilemma though comes from weighing quality score vs [Sculpting] skill levels. If I ask for something more difficult to make, I am bound to be exposed to more skill levels. But in doing so, the quality score of the material will drop more. So I need to find a good balance between the two. I was contemplating to have a statue made of "The Hero of Hallion" so I could get the pleasure of melting it and smashing it to vent my frustration, but somehow I have a feeling me asking for that would be misinterpreted in a very bad way....

We finally arrived at the tailoring shop and went inside.

"Why if it isn't the esteemed hero of Hallion! What can I do for you?" asked the owner of the shop.

"I would like a set of tailor made clothes made for Mayo here, and uhm... what else was there?" Ariel remarked while turning towards me.

"A sewing and knitting kit, plus 10 of tier 1 yarns and 10 of tier 2 yarns. Oh and that set should be light and easy to move in, and as before they should be made in my presence!" I demanded while ignoring the useless hero.

The owner of the shop gave me a blank look for a few seconds, making me a bit uncomfortable...

"As you wish madam, will there be anything else?" the owner inquired with a smile.

WHO THE HELL ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE OWNER OF THIS SHOP?!?

Did I just end up in some parallel world where beastkin are not hated? or is this the so called hero charisma stat at work? The first one might sound silly at first, but when you reincarnated into a catkin in another world, something like ending up in a parallel world might be a common occurrence for all I know... That said, considering the events of this morning, I somehow doubt that is the case... and looking at the hero, I still feel a sense of disgust... so it is unlikely it's high charisma at work... Which leads to one obvious conclusion... she is acting... and it is so good, it's to the point where I'm surprised I didn't get the [Acting] or [Deception] skills...

"Mary, get over here and take measurements while I prepare the materials" the owner announced.

“Y-Yes mistress, as you command!” Mary hurriedly replied.

Just like before, Mary went with me to the back and took my measurements. By the time she was done, the owner brought out [Silk Fabric].

After getting the measurements from Mary, she began making the [Silk Fabric] into clothes, starting with the upper half.

It goes without saying that I did not miss this opportunity and paid as close attention as possible!

Your skill [NP][Tailoring] has become Level 4

Just what I wanted! But I did not let it distract me because I wasn't only looking for skill levels, but also insight into the process. It isn't like I haven't seen people tailor things back in my world, but this here is on a completely different level. I mean she was literally working faster than a machine! But with far more accuracy and flexibility...

In half an hour, she was done with the upper half. But not before I got this:

You have acquired a new skill [NP][Tailoring] Level 5

Congratulations! You have completed the class quest [Creationist: Improve your production skills]

+25 PER has been attained

Class quest [Creationist:Improve your production skills], has been reset.

Though with that, I noticed on huge flaw with my request... While my tailoring is going up, my [Thread Weaving] is still stuck at 4! I should have asked to have it made from yarn from the get-go! I remembered about asking for the kit and yarn at the last second, but this slipped my mind... But what is done is done, there is always next time...

Another weird thing I noticed is that [Tailoring] seems to go up slower than [Blacksmithing]. I got level 6 [Blacksmithing] in 10 minutes and level 5 [Tailoring] took me a whopping 20! And it isn't like tailoring is harder than blacksmithing, so not sure what exactly is the criteria for my unique skill...

While I was pondering such things, she began working on the shorts. After a few minutes, another window popped up:

You have acquired a new skill [CP][Tailor: Enhanced Tailoring] Level N/A

[CP][Tailor: Enhanced Tailoring] Level N/A

Improve the speed of your tailoring related skills by 10% + 1% for every level in your non-combat class + 0.5% for every point of [PER]

Improve the quality of your tailoring related skills by 10% + 1% for every level in your non-combat class + 0.5% for every point of [PER]

Oh yeah, there was that! I guess I can make up some of my lack in [Thread Weaving] with the help of that for the time being!

By the time my shorts, socks and hat were made, I got two more skills for the road!

You have acquired a new skill [NP][Tailoring] Level 6

You have acquired a new skill [CP][Tailor: Tailoring Perfection] Level N/A

[CP][Tailor: Tailoring Perfection] Level N/A

You now have a chance of improving an item beyond its initial quality score when using tailoring skills.

Improve your chance of improving an item when using tailoring skills by 5% + 0.5% for every level in your non-combat class + 0.25% for every point of [PER]

The downside was that despite there being ample time, I did not get the last class skill. Is it because this item had no stats that I did not get the bonus stats skill? Either way, it's definitely something I should consider in the future...

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

I put them on to make sure they fit, and we proceeded to the counter.

"I hope you are satisfied with my work. If there is nothing else, the cost of silk shirt, shorts, socks and hat comes out to 12 gold coins. Add in the 10% discount, and it comes out to 10 gold and 80 silver coins. Then there is 10 [Wool Yarns] and 10 [Cotton Yarns], plus a [Sewing Kit] which comes out to an extra 65 silver coins. So the total balance owed is 11 gold and 45 silver coins" The owner announced.

Are you freaking kidding me?!?!! I paid 8 gold coins for two pieces of underwear made out of Cotton, which is only a tier 2 material! And a whole set of tier 4 silk costs 12 gold coins?!?! grrrrrr.... Just you wait till I get stronger than even the hero, then I'll make sure to give you a piece of my mind!

That said...

"What is the 10% discount?" I whispered to Tina.

"Hmm? Oh that... well you see... in this shop, Catkin get a 10% discount." Tina whispered back into my ear.

"The hell they do!" I pouted.

Seeing I wasn't taking her blatant lie for an answer...

"It's actually nothing special really. When you get to Rank B, you get a 5% discount from most guilds and their affiliates, and when you reach Rank A, that discount increases to 10%" Tina informed.

"How come I never heard of this when I sold stuff in the exhibit hall?" I questioned.

"That's simple really. The discount only counts toward certified blacksmiths. So in your guild, you would have to be an Advanced Disciple before you start worrying about those kinds of things. Items sold at the exhibit hall tend to be sold as-is like a bazaar. That said, many guilds regulate the exhibit hall to up their reputation. So the stuff you get there are usually of higher quality than a typical bazaar" Tina explained.

I see...

Once everything was paid for, we moved on to the Sculpting Gallery. As before, the guards said nothing and let us pass with no fanfare.

"What may I do for you?" asked the receptionist.

"We'd like to commission a statue to be made" Ariel requested.

"Made of Wolfram Steel!" I reminded.

"Yes, made of Wolfram Steel" Ariel confirmed.

"Harold is going to be really pissed..." Tina shrugged.

"It's okay, he will understand" Ariel assured.

"By when would you like it made?" the receptionist asked.

"Preferably right now?" Ariel replied.

"If it is now, we have two artists available: Tony Sarkus and Teflon Windstrider. which one would you like to commission?" the receptionist inquired.

"Either really..." Ariel responded.

"The one with the highest skill level!" I interrupted.

"That would be Teflon Windstrider" the receptionist informed.

"Yeah, that one" Ariel accepted.

"Alright, give me a moment" said the receptionist as she walked to the back.

Soon after a male elf walked out the door.

"Why if it isn't the Hero of Hallion, how may I be of service?" Teflon asked.

"I would like you to make as detailed as you possibly can, a map of the continent on a thick wolfram steel bar" I requested.

That's right, the idea I came up with is simple. If I want to lessen the damage, all I had to do was limit the amount of work he would do on the entire bar. But to insure I get his skill levels, I'll make him make it as detailed as possible!

"That's... a very exotic request you have there... are you sure?" Teflon asked turning towards Ariel for confirmation.

"I guess?" Ariel responded somewhat confused.

"Huhuhu! I think you are the only one who would waste a [Wolfram Steel Ingot] on making a map..." Tina laughed.

After getting the final confirmation, he went and retrieved a [Wolfram Steel Ingot] alongside a reference book and began his work. It did not take long for a blue box to show up.

Your skill [RP][Sharp Eyes] has become Level 2

Ha? That wasn't something I was expecting... not that it hurt or anything, since it's a skill that improves vision in general...

5 minutes later...

Your skill [RP][Sharp Eyes] has become Level 3

Okay....

Another 5 minutes later...

Your skill [RP][Sharp Eyes] has become Level 4

Seriously?

Yet another 5 minutes later...

Your skill [RP][Sharp Eyes] has become Level 5

...

Only after another 5 minutes passed did I get another skill!

You have acquired a new skill [RP][Studying] Level 1

Are you messing with me?!?!

The next one took more than 5 minutes so I was getting hopeful...

Your skill [RP][Sharp Eyes] has become Level 6

*sigh* I should have known...

Your skill [RP][Studying] has become Level 2

Yeah... I'm not surprised anymore... at this rate you might as well just give me a Staring skill why you're at it...

Your skill [NP][Sculpting] has become Level 3

What?!?! My ears perked up and eyes widened in shock! Finally, about freaking about time!

As I waited anxiously for the next blue screen, one appeared in no time.

Your skill [RP][Studying] has become Level 3

God, are you freaking playing bait and switch with me?!?! I could swear this is on purpose!

It took him 4 hours to finish the sculpture and luckily I managed to get what I wanted!

Your skill [RP][Studying] has become Level 4

No! Not that!

Your skill [NP][Sculpting] has become Level 4

Your skill [NP][Sculpting] has become Level 5

You have acquired a new skill [CP][Sculptor: Enhanced Sculpting] Level N/A

You have acquired a new skill [CP][Sculptor: Sculpting Perfection] Level N/A

[CP][Sculptor: Enhanced Sculpting] Level N/A

Improve the speed of your sculpting related skills by 10% + 1% for every level in your non-combat class + 0.5% for every point of [PER]

Improve the quality of your sculpting related skills by 10% + 1% for every level in your non-combat class + 0.5% for every point of [PER]

[CP][Sculptor: Sculpting Perfection] Level N/A

You now have a chance of improving an item beyond its initial quality score when using sculpting skills.

Improve your chance of improving an item when using sculpting skills by 5% + 0.5% for every level in your non-combat class + 0.25% for every point of [PER]

Unfortunately, he did not have level 6... though I noticed a few things. First thing I noticed was that the [Sculpting] skills took even longer than the [Tailoring] skill... still not sure what the criteria is, but I hope it isn't something like: The more production skills I learn, the more difficult it gets...

The second thing on my mind is how well would [Sculptor: Sculpting Perfection] and [Blacksmith: Blacksmithing Perfection] stack? While [Steelsmith: Steel Smithing Perfection] did stack, it seemed to have suffered severe diminishing returns. That might be because they are both blacksmithing improvement skills though, and here we are talking about two different skill sets, so I should definitely experiment with it and see how it goes.

"That would be 2 platinum coins for the commission, with the 10% discount that comes out to 1 platinum coin and 80 gold coins" announced the receptionist.

Seriously?!?! A statue made out of only two [Wolfram Steel Ingots] that isn't even magical cost 2 platinum coins? If that is the case, how expensive was that one made out of at least 5 ingots and was magical?

"I can already imagine Harold's face when he hears about this~" Tina smiled.

Once Ariel paid for the map sculpture, she then turned towards me.

"Here is the statue you wanted Mayo, come and get it~" Ariel exclaimed as she held the statue with one hand while opening up the other.

At that point my instincts literally screamed TRAP!

"Hmph!" I rejected and walked out of the gallery.

"Eh!?!" Ariel bellowed in confusion and chased after me.

Like that, we made it back to the Inn with me in the front, Ariel chasing from the back and Tina following from behind.

To my present surprise, Harold was standing in front of the Inn waiting.

"Welcome back, did you get everything you wanted?" Harold inquired.

"The statue, give!" I demanded while pointing at the map sculpture in Ariel's hands.

"Ariel, stop playing around and give her the statue" Harold replied.

"This wasn't what you said!" Ariel complained.

"We'll talk about this later, there will be plenty of time for that. Right now, we are on a tight schedule" Harold retorted while taking the statue from Ariel. "This is heavier than I thought..." he muttered as he handed it to me.

"Thank you very much!" I exclaimed with a smile, then placed it in my [Item Box].

"If that's the case, then Mayo will sleep with me tonight!" Ariel declared in protest.

Just the thought of that incoming death sentence sent shivers down my spine!

"I am sorry, but I plan on taking her back to the guild right now. I need her to start making swords as soon as possible" Harold thankfully denied.

Whew! That was close...

"No fair!" Ariel exclaimed, "Whatever, I don't care, I am taking Mayo with me!" she then threatened.

"Hii?!?!" I shrieked back and got on my guard.

"Tina, take Ariel back to the Inn and make sure she doesn't cause any more trouble" Harold nonchalantly replied, "Let's go" he then said to me, as he prompted me to continue walking and give it no heed.

While Ariel continued to complain in the background, we continued on to the Blacksmithing Guild. Of course It goes without saying, I remained vigilant against any surprise back attacks from the despicable hero!