Chapter 20 – How to Be an Adventurer (3)

After all the ratings were done, we had to wait until the ratings were done. When about an hour had passed, the receptionist called us out.

“You waited a long time. Now that the ratings are over, let me tell you. First, Kara.”

Kara pricked up her ears with an expectant look on her face.

“Mr. Kara is a rock. The personality evaluation was fine, but background knowledge and combat performance skills were taken.”

The perky ears drooped.

“Next is Ceris, right? Seris is also of the rock class. His reasons are similar to those of Kara.”

“Yes…”

Unlike Kara, Seris was a little disappointed, but he seemed to be convinced. It must have been because of Belita’s scolding.

“Lastly, Mr. Han Yuseong…”

‘What am I going to do after I get a grade?’

Do you think there is a request that three rock-class people can do together? I don’t think 3 people will be accepted at other parties…

“Congratulations! You are iron grade!”

First of all, start with the simplest quest and work through karma step by step… Um?

“Yes? What did you just…”

“Ah, why are you thinking about something else? I will say it again just once.”

The receptionist cleared his throat and repeated what he had said earlier.

“Congratulations! Mr. Han Yuseong, you are iron grade!”

“…Iron? I am?”

“You don’t look very happy? If you’re a newcomer and start from an early age, is it an uncommon start?”

“No… I’m just a little confused…”

I thought it must be rock grade.

“Huh, it’s worth it. This is an adventure certificate.”

What she handed over was a wooden plaque. It had my name and iron ore drawn on it.

“You cannot forget. Because someone might use it at will. If you forget something, come to the guild as soon as possible and let us know.”

“All right. Thank you.”

I said goodbye and left the guild. As soon as Kara came out, she patted me on the back.

“Brother Brother. I want to see my brother’s adventure certificate.”

“Okay.”

“Wow… Huh? It’s not much different than you think, is it? I think the picture was drawn to look a bit sharp on the rock.”

Kara looked around a little longer and then, as if she lost interest, handed me the adventure ticket again.

“Anyway, congratulations brother! If the receptionist is right, isn’t it great?”

“Iknow, right. Congratulations Yoosung.”

Kara is hihi, Seris laughed and said. I smiled at him and moved on.

“Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“To match the equipment.”

* * *

“42 silver.”

“…You mean this one?”

“How much effort does it take to make one? It’s a fair price.”

“Hmm…”

I looked at the chain mail. If you only wear that one, you won’t have to worry about any kind of attack. However, the price was too high.

I asked the price of other equipment while I was in the middle of the day.

– Leather armor 4 silver
-Leather cuffs, ankle guards 2 silver
– Quilted armor 6 silver
– Good quality one-handed sword 2 silver 25 copper
-Good quality two-handed sword 3 silver 10 copper

They were all costly. I wondered if this man had overcharged me, so I went around the plaza and stopped by other blacksmiths.

“42 silver.”

“…”

It seemed that the owners of the blacksmith had colluded with each other. I heard that there is a guild formed by blacksmiths, but that must have been the work of that place.

“Huh…”

Seris was distraught after hearing the price of the equipment.

That’s why her entire wealth was originally 10 silver, but due to living expenses in the city and the rabbit mask she just bought, it became about 8 silver.

The money will run out if you match her leather armor and sword. She couldn’t buy a shield.

‘The money I have right now is 24 silver.’

When she tells Kara that she only packs her basic gear, she says it costs 9 silver and 10 copper.

Since I use a dagger, it will cost less than Kara’s, and I just need to give Seris Gedrick’s sword that I have.

In that case, the total expenditure of about 24 silver can fit the equipment.

24 silver.

This is the money I need to collect like crazy for a year and a half. Of course, it wasn’t money to be taken lightly.

“…Let’s go back for now.”

Way back to the inn.

My steps felt heavy.

The cost of equipment is expensive, but it is impossible not to buy it. I’ve heard of countless cases where a well-made piece of armor saved a life.

As her worry deepened, a blue window appeared in front of her eyes, just like in Ceris.

====================================
〈 sub quest 〉
(Blacksmith’s Tears)

Most blacksmiths on the continent belong to the blacksmith guild.
The blacksmith guild mainly shares each other’s blacksmithing skills, trains apprentices, and tries not to expose their skills to the outside world.
Here in Kalita, the strength of the captain’s guild is strong. Because of this, blacksmiths who do not follow them will be harmed.
There are blacksmiths who are still being harmed by guilds.
Help him

Compensation
-Talent Tester x 1

====================================

Along with the quest window, the navigation was displayed next to it.

‘I don’t even know what’s going on, but I’m going to help out.’

It was a bit ridiculous, but after seeing the reward, I decided to do it.

The usefulness of the Talent Tester had been confirmed the other day, and Seris, who had a status window, needed it too.

‘Can I go here?’

I followed the guidance of the navigation system and moved with Sister Seris. They were a little puzzled by my sudden stop, but they followed me without saying anything.

Following the guidance of the navigation system, we arrived at the farthest corner of the plaza.

It was an isolated road, so not many people pass by, but there, two sturdy men were arguing.

As I approached her, Celis grabbed my arm. She shook her head with anxious eyes.

Is it because of the trauma of Alvis? Seris seemed more timid than before.

“You wait here for a moment.”

“Should I go?”

“I have some important business to do. I’m waiting for you.”

I approached the two men who were arguing over Sister Ceris.

“What do you mean there are no guests?!”

“What does that have to do with me? It’s okay, and if you don’t pay the overdue rent by tomorrow, you’ll have to move out. If you don’t want to leave the room, think about the proposal I said.”

“Shut up! A story not worth thinking about. Get out of here!”

“Yes, it is.”

A man turned his back and left. The other one spat out curse words and entered the shabby building.

‘Is that man the blacksmith mentioned in the quest?’

I want to help that man, but how can I help him?

‘Can I just pay the overdue rent?’

With that thought in mind, I entered the shabby shop.

The interior was not much different from the exterior.

Mold that is attached to the place where you can’t manage it.

Unlike other shops where the fire was always on, the brazier was turned off.

Weapons and armors scattered randomly and disorganized.

Rather than a forge, it feels like visiting a friend’s messy house. As I was looking around, the blacksmith from earlier came down the stairs.

“Damn it, Victor! What kind of bullshit… Huh? What are you?”

“I came to look around the store.”

“Ah, you were a guest! How long has this been… Come in!”

The blacksmith took me and explained the products in the blacksmith’s shop wholeheartedly.

“This is called a quilted armor, and there are a lot of things like cotton, wool, and linen in this cloth. It’s pretty sturdy thanks to that.”

“What is the price?”

“It will be about 3 silver.”

Cheap.

Compared to the 6 silver at other stores, it is very cheap.

‘Are you selling cheap because you’re in a hurry? Or is this the price before the collusion?’

I saw the latter possibility as high. It means that if you are damaged by the captain’s guild, their breath will not reach you.

While looking around the equipment, I inadvertently caught my eye on the chain armor. For a moment, my head was spinning tight, and a possibility came to mind.

‘…Is this going to happen?’

If I fail, I’m out.

After thinking about it for a while, I decided to just try it.

There is a possibility of failure, but the benefits of success are greater.

“Then, what would you like?”

The blacksmith who was explaining the equipment turned to me and said. I touched my chin pretending to be worried.

“I… I’ll find out more about other stores first.”

“Oh no, why? Aren’t our weapons getting hot?”

“It’s not like that. It’s just that I’m a bit cautious. I’ll look around some other places and come back if I think this is the best.”

“…How long do you think it will take?”

“Well… Maybe it would take at least two days to visit all the smithies in the city?”

“Two days? Ok…”

The blacksmith put on a troubled expression. It must be because you have to pay the rent that is overdue until tomorrow.

“Even if you walk around the whole city, there won’t be a cheaper and better quality place than our smithy. It’s just a waste of time.”

“Still, you never know. We also have to buy it with the money we’ve saved over the years, but it’s better to be sure.”

“‘Us?’ Is your company there?”

“Did I not tell you? There are two more besides me. I’m buying their equipment too.”

“Is that so?”

The blacksmith started thinking with a serious face. At this point, it can be said that he has passed it all. I turned around and tried to leave the smithy.

“Now, wait a minute!”

“Yes?”

“How about this? If the three of you buy equipment here, I’ll make it cheaper.”

Good. Step 1 passed. Now it’s time to lay the next base.

“Ah, then we’re thankful, but… Why is it so…?”

“…”

At my words, the blacksmith hesitated for a moment before he sighed and said,

“The rent is overdue. If you don’t give it to me by tomorrow, they’ll vacate the room. If you do something wrong, you will end up on the street without a penny.”

“Okay. But why is the monthly rent delayed? I think the price is good and the quality is good. There’s no way there won’t be guests at this level…”

“It’s because of the tyranny of the damn captain’s guild. They threatened the customers of our store. If you stop by this place, you won’t be able to use other blacksmiths.”

“…Yes? Then shouldn’t we buy it here too?”

“Hmm..?!”

The blacksmith, who was lamenting, realized that he had spat out useless noises. But it’s already too late.

“Oh, no. Who would know if you guys were buying it secretly?”

“Even so, it is true that it is a little burdensome. We just became adventurers too.”

“Even if they get caught, can’t we just use our forge? I don’t know anything else, but I’m confident enough to be the captain. You won’t be disappointed!”

“Ummm… But…”

I deliberately delayed the time to make him even more nervous. The blacksmith’s expression was becoming restless as time passed.

‘This should be enough.’

“Well, how about doing it like this?”

“How?”

“We will buy equipment for 25 silver today. Instead, give that to us as a gift.”

The blacksmith brightened at the word 25 silver, then became gloomy when he saw the object I pointed at.

What I was referring to was the chain armor that covered the upper body.

“No, no matter how much, those are… 20 silver each…”

…20 silver?

I learned how much the other blacksmiths inflated their prices. Moreover, how conscientious this smithy is.

“I heard that you have to pay the rent that is overdue until tomorrow. Didn’t you need money?”

“That’s it, but that’s…”

“I’m not just asking for it. If you give that as a gift, I will only use this forge from now on.”

“Grunt…”

“Isn’t there something you don’t know about? We could be famous adventurers. If that happens, other people will also flock to this forge?”

“Fuck or…”

Hmmm, was the last word a bit exaggerated?

Still, the blacksmith was contemplating while looking at the chain armor, as if my words hadn’t been in vain.

You must be weighing which one is better in your mind.

To be honest, I have nothing to weigh.

He is in a position to be evicted from the house tomorrow if he fails to pay the rent. I am a guest who can prevent that.

Even if it wasn’t me, I wondered if it would be possible to sell the equipment to another blacksmith at a low price, but he was the one who was stamped by the captain’s guild.

There’s no way you can buy it from another blacksmith. Even if you buy it, it will be very bad and you will buy it at a bargain price.

In that case, you’d better sell it to me.

The blacksmith must have finished his calculations as well, so he raised his head and looked at me.

“30 silver. No less.”

“All right.”

“…Bring your friends. I need to take measurements.”