Amanda told him it was a long time ago and that all of them at the party were ranked A. Leo remembered that his parents had been with her before, along with a swordsman. "So they were all rank A's," he thought to himself.

Susan chimed in, "Their party was quite popular back in the day."

Leo was pleased to hear it. Susan presented a stone tablet and instructed him, "Place your hand on the circle to start." The tablet lit up briefly, and when the light faded, his new adventurer card was ready. "Congratulations, Leo," Susan said, handing him the card. "If you need any help, the guild center is here to assist."

Leo glanced at his new adventurer card, noting the rank and details with a quick scan before tucking it away. "Where can we buy clothes for Amanda and maybe an inn?" he asked, remembering their next priority.

He tucked the card away and leaned over to Susan, who instinctively leaned closer as well. "It's quite embarrassing," he whispered, "but we need a shop that sells underwear."

Susan squinted at Leo, her eyebrows knitting together in a mix of curiosity and concern. Then she glanced at Amanda, her eyes widening slightly as realization dawned. She sighed deeply, her shoulders rising and falling with the weight of her breath, and put her hand over her face in mild exasperation.

It became clear to her that Amanda wasn't wearing any undergarments, and the dress she wore hugged her frame a bit too perfectly, revealing more than it should. The fabric clung to her curves, drawing unwanted attention.

Susan scanned the bustling area, her sharp eyes catching several adventurers stealing glances at Amanda. Some of them whispered among themselves, their eyes lingering a bit too long. Without a second thought, Susan slammed her hand on the reception desk with a loud thud, the sound echoing through the hall. Her glare was fierce, her eyes narrowing into slits as she stared down the onlookers.

The reaction was immediate. The adventurers scattered like leaves in the wind, some looking genuinely scared by Susan's authoritative presence, while others wore expressions of annoyance at being reprimanded. The room quickly returned to its normal hum of activity, the inappropriate attention averted.

She sighed again and looked at Leo. "You really are something," she said with a mix of amusement and exasperation. She pointed out a shop they could go to and told him, "There's also an inn a few blocks from there."

Leo thanked her, and they left the guild, heading towards the shop Susan had recommended. As they walked, Leo couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about the journey ahead. The streets were bustling with activity, and the capital was even more impressive up close.

They arrived at the shop, which exuded an air of class and sophistication. The storefront was adorned with elegant drapery, and the windows displayed mannequins dressed in finely crafted garments. Inside, the shop was spacious and well-lit, with rows of beautifully arranged dresses, suits, and accessories. The soft hum of polite conversation and the gentle rustle of fabric added to the refined atmosphere.

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Upon entering, a young girl with a friendly demeanor approached them. "Welcome! Please feel free to ask me anything. I'll be happy to assist you," she said with a warm smile.

Leo turned to Amanda, but she was no longer by his side. He scanned the area, looking around in confusion. The girl noticed his searching gaze and asked, "Are you looking for her?" She pointed behind him.

Amanda had wandered off and was gazing at a dress that had caught her eye. Leo smiled, relieved to see her, and spoke to the girl, "Could you help Amanda find some underwear?"

The girl nodded and was about to assist Amanda when a commotion erupted. Another staff member shouted, "Hey! Don't touch that dress! You'll get it dirty, and no one will buy it now!"

Leo clenched his fists, feeling a surge of frustration rise within him. It was disheartening to see that prejudice and rudeness were not exclusive to his old world. As he approached Amanda, who was now the uncomfortable center of attention in the shop, his protective instincts flared up.

His gaze softened when he saw Amanda’s embarrassed expression. She looked so out of place among the opulence of the shop, and he felt a pang of guilt for dragging her into this situation. But more than anything, he wanted her to feel confident and valued.

"Do you like this dress?" he asked gently, his voice barely above a whisper.

Amanda’s eyes darted between the dress and Leo, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "We can't afford it," she whispered, her voice laced with an undercurrent of longing and resignation.

He wanted to tell her that she deserved more than the life of hand-me-downs and settling for less. But he knew better than to push her too far too quickly. Her hesitation wasn’t just about the cost—it was about a life she never imagined herself fitting into.

The simple elegance of the dress was a stark contrast to the life she had been living, and for a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to wear something so beautiful.

Leo’s heart ached seeing her like this. He turned his attention to the dress, a beautiful black V-neck with intricate white patterns. The sleeves extended just below the armpit, giving it an elegant yet simple look. He reached out to touch the fabric, his fingers brushing against the delicate material. "It would look great on you," he said softly, trying to reassure her.

The rude staff member shouted at him as well, "Don't touch it!" Her shrill voice echoed through the shop.

Leo glared at her, his expression stern. The staff member's face paled, and she cried out, "He's trying to hurt me!"

The girl who had been helping them wanted to intervene, but the rude staff member stopped her. Just then, an adventurer approached and demanded, "Leave if you can't pay, or I'll make you."

Leo felt a surge of irritation at the situation but kept his expression neutral. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a brown square coin purse, the inscription glowing faintly: 50,000. The adventurer's bravado faltered immediately, his eyes widening in shock as the realization of who he was dealing with sank in.

Seeing the amount, the rude staff member's demeanor changed instantly. She became overly friendly and offered to get the dress for them.

The sudden shift in the staff's demeanor amused him slightly, but it also saddened him. Was this the only way to command respect here—through displays of wealth and power? Leo disliked the way money seemed to change everything, how respect was earned not through action but through the weight of a purse. Back home, things weren’t much different, but here, it felt magnified. But if it was necessary to protect Amanda, he would do it without hesitation.

"I don't want your help," Leo said coldly.

He turned to the girl who had initially greeted them, "Could you assist us instead?"