Sargon was browsing the market district. It was a place where all manner of things were sold. If one needed something, anything at all, it could be found here; after all, this was the capital city Agade. Currently, he was in a spot crammed with smithies and workshops. There were huge stores full of intricate weapons and armour, some of it even came from distant lands and faraway kingdoms. The merchandise allured him but he knew that with his current money he won't be able to afford anything like that. As a noble adventurer, he will have to stick with the very basic and second-hand items.
A particular shop attracted his attention. It was a small workshop, the items looked brand new but the price tag was cheap. As a rule, maybe even a type of common sense, the workmen here nominated the price of their wares using clay statuettes. One clay cylinder meant it was a cheap item while three indicated that it is something quite expensive and probably worth the amount of a monthly income if not more. Most of the wares displayed here had one or two statuettes. Incidentally, there was only one man working in the workshop-smithy, he was rhythmically hammering the red-hot ingot, shaping something that looked like a blade.
The man in question was a beastman, a wolf-man to be precise. Dark grey mane covered his whole body only his muscular arms were skin naked, the fur must have been singed by the intense heat of a furnace. Besides from the sturdy shoes, the man wore a thick leather apron to protect the rest of his fur from the searing heat. The smith was massive in size, much bigger than Sargon, but taking what Sargon knew about Demihumans, the smith was probably the same age as him.
“Excuse me!” Sargon shouted for the smith, timing his sentence in between the sound of the hammer.
The beast man put the half-shaped ingot back into the fire and turned towards Sargon.
“Your wares look amazing! But why is it so cheap?” Sargon sneaked in praise to appease the blacksmith.
It appeared to have worked because his question was met with a broad toothy grin.
“’Tis simple, just finished my apprenticeship, abruptly t’at is.” He hadn’t actually finished it but his customers didn't need to know that. “Dun possess t’e smith seal from t’e guilds, but I can smith alright.”
So basically, he was very new at this; Sargon concluded. He took a dagger on display in his hand and tested it against his arm hair. The blade cut the hair flawlessly.
“It is definitely good. Why isn’t everyone buying it if this is good and cheap?” Sargon was sceptical about the price, it looked like some sort of a trick.
“I’ll be ‘onest. When a smith works with t'e ingots, especially t'e ones from t’e dungeon he has to heat it properly, hit it properly and even cool it properly. Sometimes even mix it with ot'er ingredients. If tis not done properly t’e blade will wear quickly or even shatter at the bad moment. Somet'ing like t'at can cost a warriors life.”
Sargon got a gist of it. So even if it looked good for now there was a risk involved in buying from inexperienced weaponsmith.
The smith noticed Sargon’s indecisive expression and continued.
“I can smith alright. PROPERLY! I am no fledging. Look, demonstration.”
The wolfman took one of the swords from the display stand and hit right into his anvil. The metal clanged against metal and the sword vibrated in his hand letting out a dull hum.
Sargon gasped in shock at the unexpected sight. For a moment he thought the sword will break in half but it didn't happen.
“Observe, not even a dent or a chip. It still cuts properly.” He sliced at the wooden table “not as good as before but still good as a weapon.”
“Amazing!” Sargon was sold. Well, he would be if he had the money to afford an actual sword.
“So, what picked ya eye?” The smith asked putting the sword next to the grindstone; he will have to sharpen it later.
“Well actually I needed to get my weapons repaired, do you do that too?”
“Yes, I do, but did ya break it? That is no good, ya should take better care of your weapon so it doesn't break.”
“Ah not exactly, I worded it wrong. I just need my coa and dagger sharpened. The blades got dull and there are chips on my coa.” Sargon put his weapons on the table for the smith to inspect.
“The dagger is easy to fix, the coa will take some time... The coa, what an unusual weapon to bring to a dungeon. Ya have been smashing bugs with it didn’t ya?”
“I was, so you guessed I am an adventured?” Sargon was surprised the wolfman could tell from a glance at the weapons.
“Was easy, most of my customers are. Do ya need anything else, can I convince ya buying somet’ing and spreading my name? I would even t’row a discount.”
“Ohh, so tempting. What is your name by the way?”
“Belish Tikai.” The wolfman said proudly with his chest puffed up.
“Eh, it seems I have heard it somewhere!” Tasha exclaimed surprising Sargon.
She was helping Lilith to pick up a dress for the dungeon. Sargon wasn't interested in clothes that is why he was here. Tasha being here meant that they were done.
“Ya should have. What if I told that my grandfather worked as a smith directly to the king?” Belish asked while leaning closer to the small bearskin girl.
“I wouldn't believe!” Tasha exclaimed again taking a step back from imposing wolfman.
“Ha ha... A typical response.” The man laughed it off.
Sargon was unsure if it was a joke or if Belish was serious about his grandfather.
“I will buy two simple daggers then.” He could afford it since it was quite cheap.
Belish was happy to sell his merchandise and he made a discount as promised. The daggers were single edge blades with wooden handles. It was simple in design but effective.
“Belish Tikai. Remember that if anyone asks, especially if my blades save your life one day. Ya did well to select such weapons for your small companion.” Belish said whilst looking knowingly at Tasha. After all, a small person would struggle with the weight of a full-sized weapon.
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With those words, Tasha’s enthusiastic tail stopped wagging and she lowered her head.
“You misunderstood. Those are for my party members. Tasha is not in my party.” Sargon explained.
“Sorry about that. Well then, come and pick your weapons later, they will be fixed by the evening.”
Sargon nodded and followed Tasha back to where Lilith was. The small beastkin seemed to be upset about something for a while, but by the time they had reached tailor shop she had recovered.
There Lilith had finally finished selecting her dress. She could not explore the dungeon with her usual temple priestess dress, it didn’t feel right and she would have to return it soon after all.
The dress in question was a type of battle dress. The outer layer was made out of the off-white fabric, the chest piece had some sturdy leather sewn into it. The dress covered mostly the torso, leaving the tights and arms completely exposed, only a small cloth hung loosely at the front to knee length. The back was modified slightly to accommodate that thick tail Lilith had, also the back didn't have any leather padding at all. The dress was made to fit all, not just size-wise but race-wise too. It was held in place by two straps on a shoulder where back and front were connected, the sides were not connected and the bottom part was secured with a leather belt sew into the cloth. Since the sides were open and due to certain Lilith's features the dress exposed more than it should. Lilith didn't even have to give a turn to expose a good bit of a side boob, as always, her chest was barely contained in the dress.
“What do you think ~” Lilith asked after turning around full circle.
“It offers little protection, but is better than nothing.”
Lilith’s tail slammed to the ground and she glared at him, this was not the answer she was wanting to hear.
“Shall I pick something else.” She asked crossly.
“Nahh. I assume this is the best we can afford, for now.”
“I will get something else.”
Tasha pinched Sargon on the side and whispered. “You are supposed to say that she looks good in it.”
“Oh, also the dress looks good on you, no need to return it.” He added.
“Is that so. Then I will keep it. Out of interest, how exactly it makes me look good?”
Sargon realised that Lilith was testing him; after all, she did not like lies, white lies included. By now he knew that saying that it has hard to pierce chest piece was not the answer she was looking. Then, the best part was the exposed thighs and the sides including the breasts, of course. He had wondered if he could say that without sounding lecherous. He could talk about the nice colour and smooth fabric but then he would come out superficial.
“I like how it protects the chest without hiding your natural beauty and women like proportions, your thighs and the like.” This seemed appropriate.
“Yes. Yes, I told it’s a good choice.” Tasha agreed.
Lilith seemed pleased with the answer.
“How about the weapon, did you decide what you want to use?” Sargon asked Lilith unable to look away from her legs. Then he tough about it, she indeed looked beautiful.
“I will decide once I see how it is in the dungeon. There is no point in buying something I won't use. I'm a healer after all.”
“Regardless, it is dangerous there. Have this just in case. I have another one like this for Demi.” He passed one of the daggers he had just bought.
Lilith thanked for the dagger and stashed it inside the dress.
“Speaking about her. Let’s buy her a dress or a cloak at least. Don’t think I didn’t notice. The way she looks now is just indecent.” Lilith was referring about the tattered cloak Demi-Ura was wearing and the fact that where no underwear under it.
“I don’t see why not. It should be black in colour so she can hide better, being red does not help. I don't know how she is so good at blending in but she does it somehow. Sometimes I think she is more a rogue than a caster.”
“Oh she is a caster after all, I was sure she was a rogue.” Tasha butted in their conversation.
“Right! So did I. She is full of surprises. I wonder how she's doing, we should visit her even without my weapons. I can’t wait untill the evening. She will scold me for taking too long to get them cookies.”
“Aren’t you a bit too keen to meet with her? That demon stole you from me. We used to spend hours together, what happened?” Lilith complained with her arms crossed.
“We grew up and got busy with our jobs and then I became an adventurer?”
“I'm an adventurer too now.”
“Yes, that’s right. We’ll catch up for all the lost time now, ok?”
“That is the plan. I am not leaving you alone with her anymore. But before we go let’s get something for you too. I don’t want you to be the only one left out, it is your money after all.”
With the leftover money, after buying cookies and a dark cloak for Demi-Ura, he bought himself sturdy leather shoes. He wanted some armour too but it was too expensive. He checked for the repaired weapons but only his dagger was ready.
The preparations were made and they had decided to head to the dungeon. Tasha was tagging along too, something about not having anything better to do. Sargon didn’t mind having the young beastkin around even if she was not a fighter. Their plan was to stick around first and second dungeon floors so that Lilith can get a feel of the Babel Labyrinth Dungeon and then decide on her weapon.
They were ready for an easy adventure. Sargon even hoped he will be able to show off his skills to the two girls who will be accompanying him. After all, all they will be fighting are small [Worker Ants].