Since I missed yesterday's chapter by a couple of hours, and it was just a tad heavy on the infodumps, here's a second one for today.

CHAPTER 3 – GOING SHOPPING

⌈Haah.. It’s my win!⌋

Seth proudly declared.

⌈No way! I was clearly first.⌋

⌈Call it a tie?⌋

⌈Yeah, let’s. That sounds alright.⌋

We had finally reached the bottom. The city walls look even bigger up close. There was a constant flow of people going to and from the fields outside. There were people from all the races, just as Seth had told me! Even though I had described the races in great detail in my stories, and Seth gave a decent explanation, that matched my original portrayal of the races rather well, actually seeing them in person was nothing short of shocking.

I did get a few cold stares my way from mindlessly ogling too much. It was the first time visiting the capital for both of us, so I thought that we would be on a level playing field now, but that was certainly not the case. He got us through the gates with a permit from his village’s elders.. I'm glad I met up with him.

We were strolling down the main street lost in awe until a young and enthusiastic beastman that was sitting on a fence called out.

⌈Hey, misters! Yes! You two! First time in the capital? Do you have someplace you’re looking for perchance?⌋

⌈You’ve got sharp eyes! Tell you what, kiddo, I’ll give you five copper coins if you take us to the town square.⌋

Seth swiftly replied.

⌈Yosh! Thank you, mister! You can follow me! Is your friend there alright with those ragged and bloody clothes? I could take you to the tailor after I show you the way to the town square. It’s not often outsiders are so generous, after all!⌋

⌈Friend, huh… Ah! excuse me.. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind some better clothes, but I'm afraid I don't have a single copper, or whatever it is you use, to my name right now..⌋

Some replacements for these dirty rags definitely wouldn’t hurt. Too bad I don’t even have a penny to my name right now. In fact, I don’t even know what currency is used here. Could it still be the coin system I wrote about? Perhaps I should ask Seth? He seemed to handle the situation rather well just now.

⌈It shouldn’t cost too much to get your clothes repaired you know? I got a good few silver coins as a parting gift from the folk back at home.⌋

⌈Yosh! It’s decided! I’ll take you to the tailor afterward!⌋

The young beastman eagerly declared.

But it just didn't feel right...

⌈Hey! It’ not decided! I can’t take your money, Seth.⌋

⌈Oh? Are you planning on strolling around the capital with clothes like that? I’d rather spend a silver or two than have you tag along looking like a vagabond. Although, I guess that’s what you currently are..⌋

Seth sarcastically replied to my hesitant retort.

⌈Yeah, yeah! It’s not good to walk around the town looking like that!⌋

And it seems like he's backed by the young beastman.

I guess I'll just admit my loss...

⌈Fine, fine. I’ll go.⌋

⌈Yoshaa! Should we go to the tailor right away?⌋

⌈Sure! The sooner the better, take us there, kiddo.⌋

Seth tossed the copper coins for the kid and we started walking deeper into the city. It didn’t take long until we reached our destination. On the way I asked Seth about the currency system.

Ten copper coins equals a bronze coin and ten bronze equals a silver coin. From that point on it’s a hundred silver for a gold coin and a hundred gold coins for a platinum coin. It seemed to mostly match what I had written down, which makes things a lot easier. However, the currency had deflated hard, and was hardly comparable to what I was used to…

He told me that there were even more valuable coins from that point on, but those amounts weren’t anything normal people ever dealt at, to the point that the coins were almost mythical. If I correctly remember, those were made from precious magical metals such as Orichalcum and Auronium. A couple of gold coins was enough to buy a small house these days. Just how much would a platinum coin be worth?

⌈Alright. Were here. Mom! I brought customers!⌋

The young beastman yelled out as we entered the shop.

The beastman’s mother owned the tailor? That explains why he was so adamant on leading us here. I guess it was kind of lucky though, since we didn’t have to wander around the city or pay for someone else to guide us to a tailor.

From the counter at the back emerged a beautiful young woman that had brown triangular ears, just like her son did. Beastmen really don’t seem to differ all that much from humans, huh.. Isn’t she way too young to be a mother though?

She welcomed us in with a warm smile and pat the young boys head. No, I wasn’t jealous. I wasn't jealous in the slightest...

⌈Welcome! Oh my, I think I already know what brought you here.⌋

Seth took the lead. He’s surprisingly reliable at times.

⌈Hello. My friend here fought a dragon or something and I’m not dragging him around the town looking like that. How much would it be to patch those rags up?⌋

…Or not…

⌈Hahaha.. The damage sure looks like a result of fighting a dragon. Are you two looking to become adventurers? I think I’ll be able to fix them up before the Adventurer Trials. How much are you willing to pay.⌋

⌈How does a silver coin sound?⌋

First time in the capital and already bartering like an old merchant? What a guy...

⌈I’m afraid that won’t do.. Tell you what, since my kid seems to have taken a liking to you I’ll give you a special price of two silver coins for the repairs, and I’ll lend some replacement clothes for while I’m doing the repairs. How does that sound?⌋

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The reply was just as snappy. Is this the norm? I'm somewhat intimidated.

⌈Alright madam, I’m fine with that. I wouldn’t want my friend to stroll the streets butt naked either.⌋

⌈Is that really alright, Seth?⌋

I asked while feeling extremely guilty for draining his savings.

⌈Yeah, sure. Would you rather..⌋

Alright! I no longer feel any guilt!

⌈No, this is fine! Thank you very much!⌋

For a while, I wondered if it was really alright, but I don’t think I can go against Seth. Actually, it would be pretty stupid to do so. He’s looking out for me after all.

⌈Alright, young man. Would you come over here? I’ll take your clothes and we’ll get you some replacement ones from the back.⌋

⌈Alright, here you go..⌋

I handed over the remains of my clothes to the clerk.

Though I still had a fair sized shirt on, I felt really embarrassed. She didn't seem to mind at all, which in turn made me even more embarrassed about my embarrassment.

⌈Let’s see here, do you happen to know what material these clothes are made of? If I want to match the color, it would save me a lot of trouble and the result of the repairs would be drastically improved if I knew the original material. Is it Black Ox Leather perhaps?⌋

⌈You had clothes made of Black Ox Leather? I had no Idea! I just thought it was some Evergreen Hog Leather at best. You really are full of surprises, kiddo.⌋

⌈I don’t think it was either of those..⌋

⌈Hmm.. What is it then?⌋

Think, think! What were the clothes made of... Could it be?

‘…and so the heated clash came to an end, as the man had bested the beast. Afterward, I made my way to the best tailors in the mid realms and provided them the rarest materials they had seen in their entire lives. The pristine jet black hide of the Midnight Wyvern.’

⌈I think the clothes might be made of Midnight Wyvern Hide.⌋

⌈OH?!?⌋

The shopkeeper yelled out in astonishment.

I think that might be an appropriate reaction, as the Midnight Wyverns are one of the highest ranking monsters if my knowledge is anything to go by. Seth's reaction, however, was on the opposite side of the spectrum.

⌈Light? Are you alright in the head? Midnight Wyvern is an omen of inevitable destruction. Nobody has even seen one since the Convergence!⌋

Nobody has even seen a Midnight Wyvern in twenty years!? Otherwise, it sounds about right. Except the ‘alright in the head’-part. Yes, I’m alright, thank you for asking.

Regardless of Seth's remarks the shopkeeper, couldn't stay still.

⌈M-Make no mistake, young man… Your friend here probably isn’t lying. This jacket and these pants could very well be made of Midnight Wyvern Hide. The jet black color of the extraordinary hide is not at all easy to replicate. I’m s-sorry but I cannot possibly repair these with my current ability, nor do I have the materials to do so. However, I could buy these from you for… Let’s see… Hmm…⌋

Oh? She's about to make an offer? I had no idea these rags were of any value in this state. Well, I suppose a lot has happened in the world in the last couple of decades. I guess I’ll sell them if the price is good.

⌈How does four gold coins sound to you?⌋

⌈Four gold..? Not a way in hell...⌋

To my surprise, Seth shook his head.

Eh? Four gold sounds pretty good for my empty pockets.

⌈Sorry. It’s not the full price of the set. After all, these clothes are ragged to bits and I can’t be completely sure of the origin of the material either. So I’m taking a gamble here, after all.⌋

I thought Seth wasn’t happy with the offer, and I was about to back down, but all of a sudden he grabbed me and damn near crushed me.

⌈LIGHT, WE’RE RICH!!! RICH! YOU HEAR ME!?⌋

⌈Haaah!? Guhh.. Seth, you’re.. killing me…⌋

⌈Oh.. Haha! Sorry, sorry.⌋

⌈You’re willing to sell these? Of course, I’ll include some replacement clothing as a bonus.⌋

The tailor seemed enthusiastic.

⌈YES! Right, Light!? This is the part where you say yes.⌋

⌈Y-Yes? Yes. I’d like to sell those. Please, and thank you.⌋

⌈Alright!⌋

The tailor’s tail was wagging? How cute! Seth seemed pleased too. Four gold? Didn’t Seth just tell me how valuable gold coins were? One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, huh?

The shopkeeper led me around the shop and I picked out some new clothes. I bought a short sleeved open jacket, like the old one I had, and a pair of mid-length shorts. This time the material was just leather with a really dark tone.

I also replaced my current bloodied shirt with a grey one, matching the color of my still somewhat intact scarf. I kept my old belts too, as they were mostly unscathed. An oversized scarf and excessive belts with no real purpose are a staple of my character... I wouldn't get rid of them even if you asked me to.

She set me up with a nice pair of leather boots along with the other clothes. She matched the color of the boots to the deep brown of belts, how thoughtful! I asked for a couple of meters of cloth wraps, to replace the ones currently soaked in dirt and blood.

Seth got confused when I started to wrap them around my feet and arms. I told him that it was as a precaution before I inevitably hurt myself again. He gave a warm laugh and seemed pleased with the answer. In reality, I did it because, in all honesty, I just think it looks cool. Not that I’m ever going to tell that to anybody.

I tied my boots, fastened the belts around my waist, put the jacket on and loosely wrapped the scarf around my neck. I felt fresh. Too bad there weren't any mirrors around. I really wanted to see how I looked like.

⌈Alright! How’s it look?⌋

I anxiously asked while scratching the back of my head.

Had I a shred more confidence, I'd have made a sick pose befitting of my new outfit, but having three pairs of eyes glued onto me didn't exactly make me comfortable enough to break out of my shell.

⌈A lot better than those rags of yours for sure.⌋

Seth's reply was pretty much what expected.

⌈It’s not quite as glamorous as what you probably had before your clothes got ravaged, but I hope it serves you well!⌋

I'm glad the tailor's reply wasn't following suit.

Hearing such warm words from someone like her made me feel weirdly fuzzy inside. What a lovely lady.

The little boy that guided us finally opened his mouth, his mother probably told him not to bother customers.

⌈You look so cooooool!! I had no idea you had such amazing gear before too! You must be a famous adventurer or something! Hey, why didn’t you tell me before, why!?⌋

I like this little kid already!

⌈Heh, I guess you could say that I used to be one.⌋

I instinctively replied.

⌈Don’t get the boy’s hopes up, Light. Actually, we’re going to try our luck a couple days from now in the trials! It's getting a bit late though, should we go and look for an inn?⌋

⌈True enough. Suiting up took a little longer than I thought..⌋

⌈Oh, oh! I can take you there! Free of charge! You’re amazing people after all!⌋

⌈I know the owner of an inn that's close by. If you wait a moment, I can write a letter of introduction for you. You’ll surely get a good price with that.⌋

The two beastmen proved themselves helpful once more.. They're lovely people. I know where I'm going the next time I'll have to do business at the tailor!

⌈Alright! With those words, it sure is hard to refuse. Shall we set off?⌋

⌈Sure! Let’s get going.⌋

Man, I hope the beds in this world don't suck...

⌈The fee is on you, by the way.⌋

⌈Hah!? Seth you slimy bastard.⌋

⌈Heh!⌋

Well, I do guess I am a bit wealthier than he is now. And despite him only having a few silver to his name he offered to pay the repairs of my clothing too. It’s only right if return the favor. Since the inn was only a couple of blocks away from the tailor. It didn't take long until we reached our final destination for the day.

The guide kid promised to show us around tomorrow. His name was Green and his mom’s name was Emerald. Did she really name his son because of the color of his eyes? I think the mom had green eyes too.. Real original... that family. I just hope that not every beastman will be named after their distinctive color, because the only named beastman in my stories went by the name Red..

The bell rang as we stepped in through the door into an oddly soothing establishment. The comfortable atmosphere was only amplified by the setting sun's light piercing into the dimly lit room through the tiny windows. To the right of the counter in front of the entrance, was the dining area, filled with enough tables to fit a good amount of full parties. To the left of the counter were the stairs, which most likely lead to the rentable rooms. Despite its size, the inn seemed awfully tranquil. Not that I mind that. In fact, I prefer it.

After showing the letter of introduction we got from the tailor, the fee was extremely cheap! Only a couple of bronze coins, meals included. We rented a twin room for the night. I almost made the mistake of getting a double room. And boy, am I glad that I didn’t. Sleeping for the first time in the new world, eh? I didn’t think about anything special about it, I was way too tired to do so. The sheets were soft enough for me to doze off the moment I fell down on the bed.