Hey guys! Sorry for forgetting to signal it but I went on vacation last week. Actually, I myself forgot it was planned :p
Anyways, I am currently trying to improve my writing as well as the length of my chapters. I intend to make them at least 4000 words long.
It might take some time for me to reach a good level, but I'll try to persevere. This chapter actually took me almost ten hours to write. I am currently tired :(
Well that all... Hope you'll enjoy it and don't hesitate to leave a comment to talk about it!
Enjoy !!
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Wandering a little in the marketplace, I walked toward Maie’s shop to pick up my clothes.
Even in the middle of the afternoon, the merchants stalls littered both sides of the streets as the crowd gave rise to a bustling atmosphere. The streets were still extremely spacious; which allowed the horses’ carriages to pass without any problem.
A few minutes after leaving the red-haired woman, I slightly started regretting not asking her name.
From her clothes she probably is a traveler, there’s the possibility of her leaving and never coming back. But I quickly shook my head, dispersing these thoughts.
“If the card keeps her thinking about how I saved for a whole month, she’ll probably try to find a way to thank me…” I muttered to myself.
She and I are destined to meet again.
If I had used the second card on her I would probably have been able to get her instantly, but it would have been a waste to miss this opportunity. The [Continual Remembrance] is a lot harder to use than the [Memory Rewriter], I guess I was lucky.
I can’t afford to uselessly waste any capture card. While this card system is very impressive, I am still unaware of its most important points.
How do I gain more cards? For now, they all only appeared by themselves in my Deck. I will probably need more time to find this out.
Where does this ability come from? Is it related to this tattoo on my hand? Since I managed to summon my Deck in the dragon’s lair, I somehow doubt it. But this once again offer me a new question, when did this tattoo appear?
It was only after fleeing from the lair that it appeared… I also wonder what was the card I used back there, it might be a strength boosting support card. Thinking more deeply about it, I actually don’t know much about this ability. How I obtained it, where and why, I don’t really care. But there’s actually something that troubles me about it.
I feel starting to change.
It began when I first woke up close to Kaiyu’s house. If it was the previous me, I wouldn’t have ever dared try to manipulate someone’s feeling and thoughts.
But now… I don’t even care about it. In fact, I actually enjoy using this ability on people. I don’t feel any remorse about it, just indifference. Even when I hurt the thug back there, if it wasn’t because killing him might have given me some problem with the guards, I probably wouldn’t have spared his life.
I quietly staring at the black window with an inquiring look. But it simply coldly stayed in front of me.
“No matter how much I think about it, it’s not like I’ll find anything...”
Without any more clue, I won’t be able to answer any questions. Only time might give me some answers…
Arriving at Maie’s shop, I entered the building and looked toward the counter. There were a group of five adventurers. Two were in full body armor men with their helmet off, one agile looking woman with a bow and the last ones were clad in long robes with staffs… Probably some Magic Caster, that’s the name given to the mages in this world.
From their group’s composition, it was easy to deduce that they are adventurers… And probably of B-rank at the minimum. Adventurers tend to form groups after reaching the B-rank due to the difficulty of the quest, making them unable to complete them alone.
The C-rank adventurers often prefer working alone, the mission of their difficulty despite being dangerous still allow them to perform them single-handedly. C-rank missions are made for them to acquire experience and develop their own specialties, allowing them to swiftly adapt to any group once they reach the B-rank.
From afar, while unable to hear what they were saying, from the tone of their voice they were probably protesting against something.
Maie’s expression looked troubled as she sighed. She looked very troubled by this group and looked at them with annoyance.
*CLANG*
“I only asked you to fix it, so why is the price the high?!”
One of the armored men’s fist ruthlessly hit the counter, resulting in loud metallic sound resonating in the shop.
“Thirty gold for a single leather top?! Even nobles clothing aren’t that expensive!”
The bow armed woman protested with bloodshot eyes, her face looked pale with a mix of anger and surprise.
“Even if you say so… I am very sorry but I can’t lower the price…”
Confronting them, Maie only slightly lowered her voice, but she didn’t seem intimidated by the adventurers.
One of the Magic Casters glared at Maie with an angry expression, feeling wronged by the shop’s price.
“Hah...How can this shop be recommended by the Guild? You are scamming us..”
So this shop is even recommended by the Guild… The adventurers’ reaction might seem exaggerated, but this is actually understandable.
Even I was surprised by finding out how much money fifty gold really represent. Having taken a glance at the high-rank missions, the average pay of a B-rank contract is actually two hundred fifty gold.
It represents fifty gold to each member of their group, fifty gold for risking your life for approximately one week. And out of this fifty, the bow armed adventurer have to pay thirty gold for a leather top. I can’t help but pity them.
As for me, I had to pay fifty gold for three set of clothes. Since my clothes won’t be made of leather, the price is extremely lower than the woman’s. I was slightly worried before coming here after learning how expensive the clothes I ordered were, but now I am relieved.
Maie doesn’t seem to be a bad person, moreover, since it was recommended by the Guild, it must have been by theses girls. After getting to know them a little, I can affirm that they aren’t the type of girls who swindle people.
“Since it’s like that you can just keep it, I’ll find another shop!”
The agile woman threw the leather top at Maie who almost instantly caught it. The woman looked quite surprised, but she quickly turned away and walked toward the exit.
The man took out his clothes and threw ten gold with an unsightly face, Maie sighed as she took the coins.
The group approached me as they looked, their eyes filled with anger.
“I don’t know what you commanded, but you should find another shop!”
“Hahaha, I told you that you should warn your customer beforehand.”
As they warned me, a familiar rough voice stopped them from leaving as a certain large bald man entered the shop.
“Isn’t it their fault for not asking anything?”
Maie’s words only fueled the adventurers’ anger, one of the warrior even started to unsheath his sword.
While I was ready to interfere, Baros held my shoulder, keeping me from protecting Maie. A finger on his lips, he made sign for me not to interfere.
“Not only do you swindle us, but you also insult us!”
“Stop is Jason!”
“Stop, you’ll attract the guards!”
Holding a large axe with his two hands, he charged at Maie. Being hot-blooded, he probably discarded any reasonable thoughts as the voices of his comrades doesn’t reach his ears.
On the other hand, a little smirk formed on Baros’s face. I am a little worried for Maie, but I still believe that Baros has his reasons. If he really thought she was in danger, he would probably be the first one protecting her… After all, he is her husband.
The look in Maie’s eyes suddenly changed, the adventurers couldn’t restrain their hot-blooded friend.
As swift as the wind, the warrior closed ten meters in less than two seconds with a single bounce. The weight of his impressive iron armor which made the ground shake as he walked didn’t even hinder his movements, it seemed like this armor of at least one two hundred pounds was for him as light as a feather.
The distance narrowed very quickly and the warrior ruthlessly swung his axe, leaving the afterimage of a white-flashing slash. The axe seemed to cut through the wind. The slash was too imposing if it was me instead of Maie… I probably would be cut in two.
The warrior’s comrade were all pale, their face drained of blood as they knew the consequence of the warrior’s action.
“You bitch!”
Everyone apart from Baros was expecting to see Maie dead, if not mortally injured… But she only smiled as she raised her hands toward Jason.
“ [Gravity Sphere] “
The space between her and Jason suddenly became distorted, within three meters, a blackish mist was rotating around a spinning black sphere. Jason who had already started to swing his axe couldn’t stop himself and suddenly stopped moving after reaching the middle of the area.
“Ara? What are you doing?”
Maie’s taunt made the warrior's eyes become bloodshot, his body was shaking and standing up was already the most he could do in his condition. Maie showed a radiant smile yet her eyes were filled with coldness.
No wonder Baros prevented me from interfering… With a single spell, Maie made a high ranked adventurer powerless.
Taking a glance at the group, despite avoiding the worst situation possible, their expression became even whiter and the two Magic Casters were shaking.
“Instant cast?! Moreover a rank three magic!”
The two Magic Caster stared at Maie like she was a monster, the agile woman also started to tremble as she remembered how rude she acted earlier and threw the leather top at her.
I can only sympathy at them, if I was in their position, I would also be afraid. Not only they confronted her but they also insulted her shop and reputation, this is already enough for someone to be angry for.
Never did I expect Maie to be a Magic Caster, furthermore one this powerful.
As if noticing my shock, Baros smiled at me with shining eyes which seemed to say ‘My wife is impressive isn’t she?’
Maie smiled as she slowly walked toward the warrior, stopping at the limit of her spell’s range of effect.
“What are you doing standing there? Are you trying to become a statue?”
She asked with a worried tone, it sounded like she was concerned about his mental state, but if it wasn’t for her shrewd smile then one would think that she was sincerely preoccupation by his well being.
“Guh… I’ll... fucking kill you!”
With many difficulties, the man managed to grumble a few words which barely managed to reach out to our ears. Gathering all his strength, he only managed to take a little step toward her.
Hearing the man’s words, his comrades expression turned hideous. They were probably cursing him deep inside for daring to anger a powerful Magic Caster even more.
Even I can’t help but wonder if this man is actually wishing to die in a worrisome way, the only reason why he is still alive is without a doubt because she doesn’t want to kill him. With him in this powerless state, a single spell and he would depart to the other world.
The smile on Maie’s face became even wider looking like a saint as she snapped her fingers, causing the black sphere to spin even faster and the blackish mist to turn darker and darker. Jason’s expression quickly turned for the worst as he suddenly started to sweat profusely.
*CLANG*
The sound of Maie snapping her fingers was hide by a large sound.
Jason’s knee fell to the ground like a knight kneeling before his lord and his armor produced a metallic sound. He looked drained of all blood and his face as pale as a dead body, Maie reinforced her gravity spell which forced him to his knees. He was now incapable of even moving his feets by a millimeter.
“Guuuh…”
“Oh my, are you feeling unwell?”
Jason wasn’t even able to speak anymore. The anger and hatred in his eyes had now vanished, they were now replaced with pure fear.
Only after being suppressed to this extent did he realize the situation he was in. But it was now too late… Being unable to speak out, he couldn’t even beg for forgiveness.
Nonetheless, Maie must have noticed his feelings but she didn’t forgive him.
Being someone good doesn’t mean that you aren’t able to hold a grudge. Jason’s word must have truly angered Maie to the point where she won’t even allow him to repent.
With a single smile… She once again snapped her finger.
*Krrrrrrrrrrrrrr*
The sphere once again began to rotate even faster, straining Jason even more. A few cracking sound were heard for a moment, but they quickly stopped.
“GAAAAAAAAAH!!”
Jason who was earlier even unable to open his mouth suddenly started screaming. Under the pressure, Jason’s armor was slowly getting crushed and a few fragment of the armor penetrated his body.
Blood slowly started to stain the shop’s ground, Baros who was close to me only watched the scene with a wry smile.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Was he wondering if he made a mistake marrying her? With a wife like that, only a fool would try to ‘look’ elsewhere.
Glancing at Maie staring at the man with a smiling expression, I prayed that my future wife won’t be a psychotic. At least, Kaiyu doesn’t seem to be that type of woman… Or so I hope.
“May my wife not be a psychotic.”
Baros who heard me muttering made a strained laugh.
As Jason’s life was now in danger, the second warrior who appeared to be the group’s leader quickly ran toward Maie who frowned. He had until now endured it because Jason indeed deserved a punition. If it wasn’t because Maie was an extremely powerful Magic Caster then she would have been killed earlier by Jason’s strike.
But in the end, Jason still is a member of his group and he carry a part of the responsibility for not preventing this situation from occurring. He couldn’t leave him to die like this.
“Miss, I am terribly sorry for our previous reaction and my comrade’s actions, could you please forgive him and let us take him away? I will make sure he never come back to hinder your shop or even let out a single word about what happened here.”
The man had skillfully chosen every single word that came out of his mouth, he was still afraid of Maie taking revenge for calling her a swindler and injuring all of his comrades.
Maie nodded in acknowledgment, but she looked dissatisfied. She was only allowing him to leave because the man looked sincere. Waving her hand, the black sphere vanished and the space returned back to its initial shape, allowing Jason who had difficulties to even breath relax.
Supporting his comrade by the shoulder, the leader ignored Jason’s groan and quickly fled toward the exit, afraid of Maie changing her mind.
Not even able to walk on his own, the leader was dragging his sturdy body toward the door. The second time Maie raised the gravity, Jason’s articulation were crushed which explained the loud noise despite him not moving the slightest.
The group quickly fled to find a healer for their comrade before it was too late. Some fragment of his armor were still piercing his body, making him lavishly bleed. His armor being dented, they were unable to remove it and stop the bleeding.
After dealing with this ‘rude’ group of adventurers, Maie finally noticed me. Like nothing ever happened, she smiled at me with warm eyes and ran to me.
“Yuu, you’re finally here!”
Maie showed a childish smile as she carried some clothes. It was only after approaching me that she noticed Baros in the corner of her eyes.
“Tch… You’re here as well?”
Glaring at him with a poker face, she looked annoyed by the fact that he came as well. Baros only laughed as he stared at the sky, his back conveyed an impression of loneliness. I can only sympathize.
“Is that a normal occurrence?”
“I guess you could say so, normally the Guild warn them about my price so only high ranked adventurers pass by. Greenhorns like this group are often the most troublesome to deal with. Although most of the time they are behaving, there are some hot-blooded ones who quickly take out their weapons...”
Maie slightly nodded as she exhaled, since this shop is recommended by the Guild, she must have a lot of customers complaining.
“Why are your clothes so expensive?”
I couldn’t help asking as I stared at her product hang a little everywhere in the shop. At the same time, Maie glared at Baros full of reproaches, I could almost feel killing intent in her eyes.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t warn him…”
Baros suddenly started to sweat copiously, his back was drenched and his top moist. His rough body started to tremble.
“-He actually commanded something?”
“Hahh…”
Suddenly sighing, Maie looked very tired, too tired to even get angry at her husband.
“He even paid in advance…”
Shocked, Baros stared at me astonished.
“I was actually joking you know, you really paid twenty gold for your clothes? Who are you really?”
Looking at Baros, I suddenly once again felt the urge to use the [Fire Arrow] card on him, what a shame I actually used it earlier in the Guild. Had I known I would have kept it even at the price of being injured.
Out of the two hundred golds Kaiyu gave me, a quarter was spent on those clothes. After learning the value of this currency, I felt bad for wasting so much just for my clothing. This sum of money is hard to save, Kaiyu must have spent a lot of time accumulating this much…
“The clothes I produce are made from monsters’ skin and hairs. Baros and I are actually two S-rank adventurers, we own shops as a hobby. Those clothes you ordered, for example, are actually made from a Black Wyrm skin and hairs, they were actually designed for Magic Casters as they offer as much protection as regular hardened leather while keeping of regular clothing.”
Humu, clothes made of monsters’ body. I can somehow understand why they are so expensive. But I somehow feel like I ignored the main information… Did she just say that THEY are S-rank adventurers?
As if understanding my thoughts, a large grin formed on Baros’s face. He seemed to enjoy my astonished expression.
“How’s that? Are you amazed lad?”
“Are sure really an S-rank adventurer?”
“Indeed, he definitely is an S-rank adventurer… Despite being somewhat stupid.”
“It’s hard to believe someone like him is even an adventurer.”
Not minding our words, Baros just smiled at us as he looked at the black clothes in Maie’s hands.
“So you already made them?... That was quick, you usually take a few weeks.”
“The customer, this time, was pretty interesting. My artistic sense was pumped up!”
While smiling, Baros suddenly grinned.
“Why don’t you lend him the clothes, that lad kept saying he is a boy… I want to see how ‘manly’ he is in those clothes.”
Knowing how much I despise being called a girl, he didn’t hesitate to bring it out in order to get his revenge on how we taunted him... But I won’t take the bait and bring myself to his level.
“Haha, what? This lady doesn’t want to show us how manly sh-KUUUH”
Ah… I instinctively hit him full strength in the stomach.
Baros bent as he held his stomach, obviously in pain. Taking my hit, he almost threw up but managed to hold on.
To actually take on my punch without preparation and only end up in this state… S-rank adventurers are really incredible. When I hit Brass back at the Guild, my punch utterly destroyed his armor and sent him flying a dozen of meters away.
But that guy actually only took two steps back without getting any serious injuries… S-rank adventurers aren’t called monsters for nothing after all.
“Baros… Aren’t you overreacting a little too much? Stop teasing him like this.”
“*Cough* *Cough* I...ain’t simulating at all.”
Maie looked at me with astonishment, she probably couldn’t believe I had this much strength.
“I am stronger than I look like.”
It took a few seconds for Baros to recover, but his face was still a little ashen. He managed to squeeze out a little smile, not minding the blow he took.
“Lad, you are quite a monster… I feel like back there when I took a troll’s punch.”
“It’s that bad?... It’s hard to believe that this frail looking boy has this much strength.”
“What kind of troll are you talking about?”
Speaking of troll, back in my world, there're many types of them. The little childish one, the vicious human sized ones…
“What type? The regular type. You know those massive four-meter tall monsters who groan all the time. Back then I wanted to see if I could take on one with only my fists.”
“*Ahhhh* You were truly dumb in the past, if it wasn’t for me at that time you would be dead you know?”
“Come on, I almost killed him. If it wasn’t because I slipped on the ground that time due to the rain, I would have definitely won.”
“It was your fault for slipping, as a warrior you can’t blame your environment for your own mistakes!”
I don’t really know if I should be shocked by the fact that Baros actually boxed with four meters tall troll and almost managed to win, or that I got the strength of a giant? Somehow I feel like with those two my already nonexistent common sense will soon vanish.
“But that lad having this strength at his age… Are you registered at the Guild? I can give you a push from behind and make you become a C-rank one if ya want. I really want to see how strong you’ll be in a few years.”
“Actually, I already am registered.”
Hearing this, even Maie became interested and joined the conversation.
“Oh, is that so? What’s your rank?”
“Receptionist?...”
“...”
What? I actually didn’t lie. For now, I am temporarily registered as a receptionist. Sana said that she would do the paperwork and register me as a full-time member if I showed up.
After thinking a little more deeply about it, I decided that I should take the job. I already spent a lot of Kaiyu’s saving, I should, at least, repay her as soon as possible, adding to the fact that right now I am freeloading at her house, this work will allow us to get an additional income.
Somehow, I feel like I married her…
“Hahaha, a monstrous brat as a receptionist. I really want to see an adventurer throw himself at you and beat the shit out of him!”
Maie at his side giggled. I’ll keep the fact that it happened during my first hour a secret, I don’t really want to see how they’ll react.
“Can I see the clothes?”
“Right! Hurry and change, I want to see how you look like in them!”
Forcing them into my hands, Maie grabbed my hand and without giving me any chance of resisting dragged me as fast as the wind in the backroom which probably also served as the changing room.
Taking a glance at the top, I was very surprised by how simple, yet beautiful it was.
The top was as she previously said made using Black Wyrm’s skin. Even as I tried to stretch out the cloth while of course holding back, it didn’t break. As she said it was something very resistant, yet smooth at the touch. The top filled various embroidery all around, making them look like scales from afar.
The bottom, on the other hand, was very simple, a regular black pants, yet smoother than normal due to the Black Wyrm’s skin.
Removing my clothes, I quickly changed into my new ones. They were even lighter than my previous ones due to the very thin fabric, allowing the air to pass by, yet preventing the heat from leaving my body.
It was the perfect kind of cloth to use during either Summer or under a sweater in winter.
Looking at the other clothes, she had prepared two other set of clothes for the outside, one pajama and the last one was an easy to move in one composed of a T-shirt and shorts. They were all made of Black Wyrm skin and the only difference in them were the embroideries.
Needless to say that Maie’s is very skillful at tailoring. Even I who isn’t really good at judging clothes couldn’t help but gasp in front of them. Their quality is probably in the top rate.
Gathering the clothes Kaiyu lent me, I stepped out of the room. Maie who was talking with Baros noticed me and repeatedly nodded her head with a broad smile.
“As I thought! This really suit you!”
“Humu, that lad almost look like a boy now.”
Baldy… One day, I’ll definitely kill you… But since I am satisfied with the clothes your wife made for me, I’ll forgive you this time.
But it’s true that as I asked, those clothes make me give off a sentiment of manliness. At least, I probably won’t be treated as a girl anymore when I walk in the city…
Thinking about how much time passed it’s almost the time for me to meet rejoin Kaiyu, I also want her impression on my new clothes.
“Sorry but I have to hurry up, I am expected.”
Maie gave a wry smile, seemingly disappointed of letting me leave this soon after wearing her clothes.
“Don’t worry. While I think about it, take this.”
She passed to me a large black cloak, far too big for me.
“This is?...”
“Think of it as an apology for husband’s ‘joke’.”
“You don’t really have to…”
“Just take it, it’s just made from a few leftover which I couldn’t use because of how rigid they were.”
Not allowing me to give it back, I gratefully accept the black cloak and walked outside. As I was leaving, Baros followed my example and tried to leave as well, his expression rigid.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
A radiant smile once again formed on Maie’s face, one similar to the one she wore when she ‘taught a lesson’ to Jason.
“Hahaha....ha I just remembered accepting an A-ranked mission a few days ago, it’ll probably take me a few days to complete so…”
“Ohohoh, I indeed remember, but I am sure you’ll need some preparation beforehand. Come here, I’ll personally ‘help’ you making them.”
If Maie’s stare could kill, then she would have obliterated Baros and probably wiped out the whole town due to the coldness in her eyes. She quickly grabbed Baros’s ear and pulled him back inside.
Even though he is able to boxe with a troll, he can’t hold up a candle to his wife.
“Kukuku, if I remember correctly, your mission take place in the ‘Afterworld’, right? I’ll help you find the way in.”
Ignoring them, I only gave a single thought of sympathy to Baros.
“My condolences…”