SC1 4.2 – An Encounter with Demonic Warrior
Like any other day, I took Yunno and Yui to carry out our morning routine as usual, and for the last few days their cheerfulness had increased several folds. Well, it was not surprising as for the last few days they had a chance to taste a simple but nice meal, worked with someone who treated them nicely, and yesterday they enjoyed the luxury of modern bathroom.
As they put the firewood we had just collected to firewood stash Yui eagerly asked me, “Big Bro Sanno, later, can we play at hot spring again like yesterday?”
After a smile I replied, “You can.”
“Is Uncle Deitoro truly won’t be angry if we splashing out lot of water in hot spring like yesterday?”
Yunno worriedly asked, but I could also tell that she wanted to play in the hot spring again like yesterday. And so, I firmly gave Yunno and Yui some assurance,
“As long as you give your best when helping Warrior Deitoro, you can use the hot spring however you want. You can use it to relax your mind, or you can use it as yours playing ground. It’s part of your reward for your hard work.”
“Okay.”
Yunno happily replied while Yui eagerly nodded her head. Then, we went to kitchen to take our breakfast, and Yuko welcomed us with smile before telling me, “Fourth Brother, you can’t bring Yunno and Yui along today?”
“Why?” I spontaneously asked.
“I don’t know the detail,” Yuko replied. “Mother only told me that she wanted Yunno and Yui help her carry out a few things, so they have to stay at home today.”
Uneasiness immediately gripped my heart. I was sure Kazuyori would only give Yunno and Yui a harsh and rough task. Not to mention, yesterday, when we ate dinner, Kazuyori told me nothing. So, it’s either she didn’t want me asked any question about it or it was a sudden plan.
I immediately decided, “I will ask her. I need to know what exactly the task Yunno and Yui have to carry.”
“She went to Rokube with Eldest Brother after asking me to deliver her message,” Yuko then gently looked at Yunno and Yui as she continued, “But don’t worry, I will stay with them so I can stop it if mother give them an unreasonable task.”
It seemed Yuko sensed my worry, so she assured me that Yunno and Yui would be fine with her. Even so, after a glance I could tell that Yunno and Yui were very disappointed. Unfortunately, for now I could do nothing other than went along with Kazuyori’s request.
After heaving a deep sigh I gently said, “Yunno, Yui, you stays at home today.”
“Okay.”
Yunno obediently replied, but I could clearly feel her disappointment. While Yui slightly bite her lower lips, based on Unfortunate Sanno’s memory, it was a habit she developed to help her contain her disappointment and sadness.
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“I will return early today, and bring you a lot of wild berry,”
I tried to cheer Yunno and Yui up, but it didn’t work as I expected. Even so, they nodded their head and tried their best to appear cheerful. Well, despite being a child, Yunno and Yui always behaved maturely far beyond their age.
‘I will buy them something delicious today,’ I made a silent promised as I gave Yunno and Yui a gentle look.
Then, after Yuko packed me the damnable bean curd, I left the house.
---
Without Yunno and Yui came along with me, I didn’t need to go to the hut in hurry, so I took my time to sell some harvest and then shopped in Sotora. As soon as I arrived in front of his shop, Butcher Jin immediately welcomed me.
“Warrior Deitoro, do you come to sell some harvests?”
“Yeah.”
Without delay I put five hares and five pheasants to the table, and after making a quick check on it, Butcher Jin immediately turned his gaze to me.
“These are fresh kills like the last time.”
I nodded and briefly replied, “Yeah.”
“Warrior Deitoro, can I put a big order for fresh kill?”
“How big?”
“60 hares and 60 pheasants, in a week.”
“Why do you need so many hare and pheasant?”
After a big smile Butcher Jin explained, “A warrior lady who passes this town in her trip, gives me a big order of blood sausage made of hare and pheasant blood. As for the meat, I will cured it and sell it as winter meat.”
After taking a deep breath I asked, “Did she give you a fragrant dried herbs and asked you to add it to the blood sausage when you make it?”
“Yeah.” As he gave me a surprise look Butcher Jin asked me, “How do you know?”
“It’s a good healing food for a warrior who suffered an internal injury,” I calmly lied and didn’t tell Butcher Jin that it was the main diet for a warrior who tried to master a certain demonic art.
“Ah… I see.”
As Butcher Jin repeatedly nodded his head, I immediately added 60 hare and 60 pheasants to the table. In an instant Butcher Jin’s eyes widened, and then he turned his head to me.
“Warrior Deitoro, you are truly a savior.”
“Well, coincidently, I have it.”
“I see.”
Wasting no time, Butcher Jin checked the hare and pheasant before paying me. In total I got 2160 monn after giving Butcher Jin a good discount. He then paid me with two silver coins and a pouch of regular coins.
---
From Butcher Jin’s shop, I went straight to Sotora like the last time. The distance between the two shops was not far, so in a few minutes I already saw Sotora’s entry. Then, four female warriors suddenly exited Sotora.
The four were wearing fox mask, so I couldn’t rate their face, but their body figure was definitely a top notch. I would happily rate it 13 out of 10. However, the things that attracted my attention the most were their weapons and spatial ring. I was sure it was made by blacksmith from Blackwing.
Even their breathing technique was also originated from Blackwing. However, in the information I received from Grand Elder, I didn’t found info about member of Blackwing who was on mission in Planet Erra. Not to mention, I sensed a trace of demonic art on the strongest female warrior, and it was a cursed art that to master it the user had to drink lot of blood from children with soul mark.
But for now, I would avoid any clash with them. If I had equal level or even only one level lower, I could find a way to kill her. Unfortunately, with my current level, it was too risky to fight a Level 3 who was being escorted by three Level 1s.
Fortunately, until Yunno and Yui could activate Dragon Breath on their own, no one would be able to sniff their soul mark. So, I didn’t think this demonic bitch was targeting them. As for the unfortunate kids who would become her prey, I couldn’t help them.
After giving me a brief glance, the four female warriors then left as I casually entered Sotora, and Minami immediately welcomed me with a big smile.
“Warrior Deitoro, welcome.”
“Yeah.” I nodded before asking, “Who are the female warriors who just shopped here?”
“They are Warrior Hisami and her escorts,” Minami cheerfully replied. “Every six month they will pass this town and shop here.”
“What did they buy?”
“Some clothes and miscellaneous for a little girl. It’s for Warrior Hisami’s junior.”
“Her junior?”
“Yes,” Minami replied as deep admiration flashed in her eyes. “Warrior Hisami recruits a kid from this town to joint her guild, so she buy her some clothes and miscellaneous for the journey.”
“Is this the first time she recruit a kid from this town?”
“No, she has recruited four kids from this town in the last three years.”
‘What unfortunate kids, I hoped they crossed into afterlife in peace,’ I muttered as I promised them I would avenge their unjust death in her next visit to Rokube. Then, I said to Minami, “Well, I need to buy lot of things. Can you help me?”
After a cheerful smile Minami replied, “It’s my pleasure.”
Wasting no time, I started my shopping. Starting tomorrow I would teach Yunno and Yui basic culinary art. So, other than rolled-bamboo curtain, I also bought some kitchen utensil, spice, and basic seasoning. In total I spent 700 monn. Even so, I couldn’t find lot things in my list and it seemed I had to make it myself.
From Sotora, I then went to nearby green market to buy rice, sweet potato, potato, corn, and other ingredients. Last but not least, I bought steamed bun. This time, other than plain steamed bun and sweet red bean steamed bun, I also bought steamed meat bun. I bought 30 pieces for each type.
Then, I went to the hut.
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