Chapter 65

This is my first time walking down Fifth Avenue in a long time.

The sights before my eyes are not particularly new, but the scene of this town, where craftsmen swing their hammers with all their might and their spirited calls echo, is different from other towns.

Smoke rises from various places, probably from the furnaces, and the upper parts of the chimneys are blackened with soot.

Come to think of it, there was a chimney cleaning request from the Exploration Guild. It would be better to hire a specialist for such a job, so it's a bit odd that they would request it from the Exploration Guild. There must be some reason. Perhaps it would be good to investigate that next time.

Looking around, there are indeed many workshops.

I think it would be convenient to have a retail store nearby to save on transportation costs. However, upon closer inspection, the workshops I see are all metalworking shops.

Not clothing stores.

It was only then that I realized my mistake.

Why am I looking for clothes in the craftsmen's district?

Well, it's true that there might be some clothing businesses here since many craftsmen gather, but I should have known better.

As far as I can see, there are no clothing stores.

I couldn't help but smile wryly.

I had relied so much on Mr. Gustav that I didn't even know where to buy them.

I need to remember this.

After all, my living area has expanded to cover the entire town.

As I was thinking this, I was lucky.

There was a retail store. And it had armor. If there's armor, there should be protective gear.

If not, I'll buy armor. With a self-deprecating thought, I entered the store.

"Welcome!"

A fairly energetic greeting from the shopkeeper welcomed me.

His muscular arms and sunburned skin suggested that he probably makes the products himself.

Looking around, various weapons were hung on the walls. In a corner, weapon handles were casually thrown into a box. Those are probably also for sale.

And, as expected, there was a corner with armor, inner wear, and shields. This is what I'm looking for.

First, I need to check if they have the items I'm looking for.

"Hello. I'm a new explorer. Do you have any armor that I can wear?"

"Ah, a new explorer, huh? How refreshing! We do have some! If we don't, I can adjust them, so pick the one you like."

He pointed to the armor shelves. Then, as if just realizing something, he spoke up.

"Ah, by the way, what kind of weapon are you looking for? Explorers usually buy short swords, or big spears and hammers for dealing with large enemies. The type of weapon can affect what you wear."

"Um, I'm a magician, so do you have something like a long, sleeved cloak?"

While indirectly saying I don't use weapons, I asked, and the shopkeeper made a somewhat puzzled expression.

"A magician, huh? A rare customer. But coming to a store run by a blacksmith and asking for clothes is quite bold."

"…Sorry."

I knew I was probably wrong. I just asked. As I was about to correct myself, the shopkeeper sighed and laughed.

"Well, we do have something. But it's meant to be worn over armor."

"Really!?"

If I can wear it, that's fine. I know it's not ideal, but…

"Yeah, a sleeved cloak. It should be around here."

He opened one of the drawers on the armor shelf, which was filled with folded cloaks.

"This one is sleeveless, and this one is too short… Ah, here it is."

He pulled out a stack. There were various colored robes, though a bit faded.

"Ah, the black one… Is this it?"

He pulled out a black robe as I had hoped. It was a bit big for me, but it would fit perfectly soon.

I folded it casually and held it in my hand, looking around the store again.

This is enough, but as the shopkeeper said, this is a blacksmith's store.

I should probably buy some weapons or armor.

"Um, I also want a blade. Do you have any short blades that I can carry on my waist or back? I'm not very good at handling them, so a thick one would be good."

"Thick and short… Probably only a machete, I guess."

While thinking, the shopkeeper lined up some blades on the counter. There were only machetes and large knives. That's to be expected.

"Don't worry about it. There's no point in carrying a weapon you can't use."

"No, I'm sure it will come in handy."

When I was attacked by a demon before, a dissection knife was useful. If it doesn't get in the way, it can't hurt to carry it.

"Ah, this one, please."

I stopped at a machete. It was like a machete but with a pointed tip and a thicker blade than a large knife.

"Sure. That and the cloak will be three silver coins. Do you have them?"

"Of course, I wouldn't come if I didn't."

"Right, right."

The shopkeeper laughed heartily.

"By the way, do you want your name engraved on the machete? It's extra, but I can do it."

"No, that's fine. No one will see it."

It might be necessary to distinguish your own items in a large group, but I don't need it.

"Anytime."

I immediately put on the robe I bought and felt a sense of pride.

I heard that the dye used for this robe has insect-repelling properties. I remember collecting flowers with such properties at Gustav's request, so they probably use the same dye.

Well, time to go back. I have to go to the fort early tomorrow to clean it.

Clean clothes make you feel good. I walked with a light step.

Today was a day without any unpleasantness.

The next morning, I woke up early and started preparing eagerly.

After all, this is my first real job. The request I did along with the promotion exam was just a side job, and I only delivered some materials. I picked some herbs on my way back from the forest, so I didn't really feel like I had accomplished much.

Of course, I didn't slack off, but I think the two copper coins I earned were fair compensation.

Today is different.

Reclaiming an abandoned fort. It's a proper heavy labor job, cleaning up an abandoned fort.

When I say cleaning, it's not just sweeping.

Of course, I'll have to remove debris, but it's not just that.

It involves driving out animals and sometimes monsters that have moved in. Gustav didn't mention such jobs, but I'm sure I can do it.

First, I need to eat. Then I'll go.

I've seen the fort before. If I go now, I should be able to finish today.

I ate some boiled mealworms.

I leaped into the sky from the town and looked toward Nerg. In the dense forest, a stone building was partially visible.

It's probably tens of kilometers away, but it's no problem to fly. I should arrive soon.

I continued flying smoothly.

I flew over the forest, occasionally avoiding eagles. I'm using invisibility, so there's no need to worry about being attacked. I've learned.

"…Huh?"

In the forest, something small was visible. It looked like some kind of creature, lying down. Lying down isn't strange in itself, but it was odd that it was lying in a position visible from the sky.

If it were resting, it would choose a spot less visible to others.

As I got closer, the scene was indeed strange.

There were two large dogs, lying in a heap.

No, they were stacked on top of each other. And they were dead.

They had died biting each other. There were traces of foam around their mouths, and their eyes were wide open.

They must have fought to the death. There were even signs of a struggle around them.

Still, it was a creepy sight.

Does this happen often? I've never seen it before, but I don't want to think of it as a fisherman's gain.

I'll leave it alone.

By the time I come back, someone will probably have eaten it clean.

I decided to hurry on.

Soon, I arrived at the fort.

It was a stone building, like a large town hall, but the watchtower on top made it clear it was a fort.

There was no glass left in any of the windows, and the wooden shutters were in tatters.

There were holes in some places, so animals must have gotten inside.

Well, time to clean up.

I need to finish today and call an inspector for confirmation.

I bravely entered through a hole in the wall.