The cobbled road came to an end as I passed through the quarter line. It's a physical line made into the ground as the cobble road ends and smooth paving begins. Each of the four main sections of Istoria is built on different grounds, each relating to their different needs—thus forming the quarter line.

Pristine marble statues pose out in the garden of a local park, where children and young couples walk about and play.

Their smiles were infectious. With each passing person, I was greeted by an earnest smile and light wave, that I nervously replied back with after some fumbled delay.

I took a turn into Horn Street, gazing upon the other thriving businesses lined up beside each other. Unlike the borders of the residential area where small businesses need to compete for customers, all the stores lined in front of me let the work speak for itself.

The first store to my left displayed its weapons in the window where crimson colours and bright shining metals were paired by admiring eyes just outside the store. This same trend was followed down the street in nearly every weapon or gear-selling store I came across.

Young adventurers and smiling citizens passed through the doors, one by one, filling the streets with lively energy.

This is the sort of vibe that only the Market district can generate. I even found myself holding out my hands for balance on instinct, only to realise that the roads were completely levelled.

My eyes filled with tears as I admired the ground.

“When was the last time I got to walk the streets without needing my balance? I can’t believe I was living without this!”

I screamed out with joy, crouched over in the centre of the street.

“What’s wrong with him?” Someone muttered.

“Don’t stare sweety, just keep walking…” Their mother replied as they ran past me.

“Ahem—! Where am I going exactly…the paper that Kana gave me said it should be around here.”

My eyes brushed around the lush street and landed on a dainty, single-story building at the end of the road.

I looked down at the page in my hand and then back up at the rickety sign above it to confirm.

“Arga smithy—the names are the same but…is this really a store? It looks more like an abandoned house that the builders never came back to destroy.” I examined it with disarray.

The overall atmosphere of the building was pretty grey, not to mention that it was the only building on the street without any customers in it. The windows were fogged and it had no other advertising other than the sign hanging from the front doors frame.

No point in delaying it, I should just walk in.

I opened the door, triggering a tiny bell placed over the frame to ring as the door creaked open.

“Hello—?”

I spoke up as soon as I entered but was immediately forced into silence as two voices competed over each other at the centre of the room.

“There’s no way I’ll let you go!”

“Huh—and why’s that?!”

“It’s too dangerous, there’s no chance in hell you’re going!”

The commotion in the middle of the room was caused by a large burly man and scarlet-rose woman locked into a heated argument.

The woman looked to be around my age if not slightly older, with long hair tied up into a stream of fiery rose-coloured hair that hung to her lower back. Her ponytail looked like a larger version of the plume that hung down a knight’s helmet.

The older muscular man standing opposite her had slightly greying red hair. Like hers was tied up into a long ponytail that hung past his back. Strands of his hair hung freely in front of his face. He was well past her in years and his face showed it, with mature lines and wrinkles.

The young woman gestured to the rack of weapons behind them, which displayed over ten different kinds of weapons.

“How do you expect us to make any new products without materials? Do you want us to lose business?”

“Business is as lively as ever!” The older man replied with a frustrated scowl.

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What business are they talking about…I’m the only one here? How have they not seen me already? Or is it that they have and are just ignoring me so that they can continue arguing?

“Without any supply coming in this month, we’ll never be able to afford this area's crazy prices! It’s either I go into the Tower or we go out of business!”

He folded his arms and kept a sharp expression, glaring down at her with flared nostrils. His size was made especially evident. A grand boulder like himself standing opposite a slender tall girl like her.

“You’re only a rust rank, with no experience in areas like that! I said it before and I won’t change my mind about it, you’re not going there on your own.” He replied firmly.

Both sides grew angrier, for a moment—I swear I saw a string of electricity fly between them.

Before it could get any worse, I chose to speak up. They couldn't continue like that if they knew I was there right?

“Uhm—are you open? I was wondering if I could buy some armour…” I asked gingerly, forcing a smile as I stood there awkwardly.

The young woman set her crimson eyes on me and lit up with an excited expression.

“Him!” She yelled cheerfully.

The woman raced over to me and hooked her arm around my shoulder, pulling me as close as possible to her. All boundaries were smashed as she forced me into her side. She was slightly taller than me so her reach was farther than mine, she wrapped her arm around me like it was nothing and held me at her ribs.

My eyes flickered open to the sight of her rounded chest squeezing into my cheeks. My mouth gawked open and my face grew hot. The soft texture of her breasts gently cushioned my face as I struggled within her grip.

For someone with such a slender figure, she was surprisingly strong. I tried breaking free with all my strength but it was no use, I was locked into her grasp.

Should I use Shadow Step—maybe Rush?! Something—anything to get out of this—I feel like my head is spinning out of control! Should I stay maybe…no, I couldn't do that either!

As I wriggled away, I was immediately forced back to her. The resulting force sent my face diving back into the side of her chest, becoming completely enveloped in the pillowy surface. I was suffocated in them, desperately needing air I took a deep breath and broke my head free.

A trace of fresh flowers mixed into steel ran through my nose, a surprisingly pleasant fragrance I never thought I’d come across.

“W-what are you doing—?!” I asked with a reddened face.

The woman placed her free hand on her hip and stuck up her nose with a victorious grin as she faced the man opposite us.

“He’ll go with me.”

“He will?”

“I will?!”

“That’s right, you said it’s too dangerous to go on my own but if I go with another adventurer it should be fine right?”

“That’s not what I—I meant that…” The man stumbled on his words as he looked down at the girl, she stared back with a coy smile that said “I win, right?”

He crossed his arms and let out a huff of steam from his nose.

“Fine then!”

…

“Huh?”

After saying his answer the man walked away and disappeared into the backroom without saying another word.

The grip around my neck finally loosened and I had my chance to escape. I tugged away, freeing myself from under her arm and stumbled back.

“WHAT—I'm not going into the dungeon!”

“Oh—but you’re an adventurer aren’t you?” She asked curiously.

“I am, but…that’s not why I came here.” I scratched the back of my head and gave a defeated look.

“Oh, really?”

Of course not, I don’t even know who you are! This girl is a little weird, how does she know that guy from earlier? They looked pretty familiar with each other, are they related?

“I need armour!” I blurted out hoping to finally be answered.

She folded her arms and shook her head with a mischievous grin growing under her nose.

“Well I don’t know if you heard before but we have no materials left. The supply wagon never came this month so we can’t make any new gear.”

“What about old stuff, I’m not too picky.” I asked while pointing to the back rooms.

She shrugged her shoulders and gestured in a very lazy manner that there was nothing she could do.

“Sorry but there’s no armour left to sell, we mostly focus on custom orders since we don’t get that many customers.” She replied in a relaxed tone.

A store that won’t be able to help me with an order…what kind of place did you send me to, Kana!!

“The only way I can make you anything is with materials though. To sweeten the deal for you, I’ll even add in a discount.”

She wants me to go with her into the dungeon for materials? If that’s all…Wait no—I shouldn’t be rushing back into the dungeon when I’m not even fully recovered! I’ll hear out the price first, if it’s a good deal I should consider it.

“What would it cost me to commission something custom?”

She placed her fingers on her chin and stroked it gently, deep in thought. “It depends on the product but since you’ll help me out…a base price would be around nineteen thousand Rhan.”

I’d be able to afford it!

After selling the items I got from the Rhaskan I made 20 thousand Rhan, Kana was just as surprised as me to hear the amount. It would take a huge bite out of my funds but armour is a necessity, I can’t continue without it.

With a deep sigh, I lowered my head and reached out a hand.

“Alright then, I’ll go into the dungeon with you. We have a deal.”

She shook my hand and let out a deep smile.

“Great choice. You can call me Arga!”

“Well, I was forced into it… I’m Rei.” I replied with a polite nod. I took a look at the store and then asked what was on my mind. “So if it’s your name on the sign, who’s that large guy from earlier?”

“Large guy…oh you mean my old man? He’s the owner of the store, he just named it after me hoping I’ll take over one day. We come from a strong line of blacksmiths after all. He does most of the clients but I’ve been working hard on it too, taking over here and there for him.”

“That’s amazing, so you made those then?” I walked over to the rack of weapons and admired them with starry eyes.

There were all kinds of daggers and swords laid out in parallel lines, each depicting different kinds of unique designs. I kept looking for price tags or labels but there was nothing attached to them.

“Are these not for sale?”

Her face went serious.

“I was going to just take them to the Market…I can’t use them for what I wanted anyways. Basically, my failures.”

Each of these could easily sell for thousands of Rhan in the stores across Istoria, the only thing they’re missing is customers. The blades are sharp and look sturdy too…I’m sure this would last me a long time if I were to buy it.

If these are the failures, I’d love to see what she considers a masterpiece.