Chapter 12

After wasting some time at the dojo, I quietly returned to the tent I had been in before.

In the still crowded tent, I noticed a short girl standing in the back, and next to her was a person with a rather distinctive appearance.

She had long blonde hair that reached down to her waist, the ends of which were loosely curled after being divided into several strands.

If they were curled more tightly, they would have been called drills.

Well, I can understand that much. With her tall stature, it could be said that the look suited her.

--If she weren't wearing such an overly elaborate kimono, that is.

"Hey, teacher!"

"...You noticed me, huh?"

Fino, who had noticed my presence, waved at me with her usual sleepy expression.

At the same time, the girl in the kimono turned her gaze towards me, and her emerald eyes shone brightly.

"Oh! Oh oh oh!"

"Oh, oh?"

The girl, who seemed unusually excited, closed the distance without hesitation and circled around me, as if observing me.

It seemed her gaze was focused on my equipment.

Or rather, it was probably focused on my overall appearance with the equipment on.

After thoroughly observing me, the girl clapped her hands happily and began to speak.

"Amazing! To think you could wear my clothes so well! It's been since Himari!"

"Ah... Well, I'm somewhat used to wearing kimonos."

"That's right. Indeed, those with experience are different!"

She was certainly a unique character.

Her facial features were well-defined—she had a somewhat foreign look to her.

Thanks to this, her blonde hair and blue eyes didn't seem out of place, but her wearing a kimono was a bit bewildering.

Not to mention her ladylike manner of speaking. She was certainly memorable.

"Um, are you Iori?"

"Yes, that's right. Nice to meet you, Quon."

"Ah, nice to meet you. So, did you bring the items I ordered?"

"Yes, here they are."

Iori took out two haoris (kimono jackets).

One was a plain, scorched brown haori, and the other was—

"...Hey, why did you bring this?"

"Fino said you were a samurai even better than Himari, so I thought this would suit you!"

A light blue haori with white cuffs.

Any Japanese person would recognize it as a clear reference to the Shinsengumi.

Well, with my topknot, I suppose it could pass, but I was wearing hakama, not a kimono.

Moreover, with the similar color scheme, this Shinsengumi haori wouldn't really suit me.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't match my current outfit. You should know that, right?"

"Mmm... I can't deny that. But, it does make you look like Nakamura Shusui!"

"...Is that so?"

She must be a fan of period dramas.

Well, since she brought the equipment I requested, I didn't feel the need to question her background.

I identified the scorched brown haori I had received.

■Armor: Decorative Item - Scorched Brown Haori

Defense: 6

Magic Defense: 2

Weight: 2

Durability: 100%

Effects: None

Crafted by: Iori

The stats weren't particularly high, but as a decorative item, it was reasonable.

I chuckled at the thoroughly designed haori with a family crest and checked how it fit.

The cuffs were wide but not too long, so they wouldn't interfere with sword movements.

This would do for now.

"Alright, that's good enough. How much do I owe you?"

"10,000 is fine. In return—"

As she said this, Iori started fiddling with a menu on her screen.

Just as I tilted my head in confusion, a window appeared in front of me.

'[Iori] has sent you a friend request. Accept? Yes/No'

"Hmm... That's sudden. We just met."

"You're one of the few customers who can wear Japanese clothing well!"

It was a strange criterion, but she was a skilled tailor, as Fino had attested.

She was likely one of the best in the cloth equipment category.

It wouldn't hurt to form a connection with her. I nodded and accepted the friend request.

I chuckled at Iori's overly cheerful demeanor but nodded in satisfaction.

This could be a good connection. I might need her help in the future when updating my equipment.

"Hehe, thank you, Quon."

"I didn't really help you, did I?"

"You bought my work, after all."

"...Iori, you're a skilled tailor, but you only make kimonos... so your market is niche."

Fino's words made me nod in understanding.

This was a fantasy world, after all. Kimonos didn't seem to fit in well.

Moreover, cloth equipment was generally designed for backline roles, not for frontliners who wielded swords.

"The orders I usually get are for archery vests or shrine maiden outfits... which aren't bad, but I want to make regular kimonos."

"...So, people like me and Himari are rare, huh?"

"Yes. Players who prioritize mobility, carry swords, and fight on the frontlines while wearing cloth equipment are very limited. In that sense, Quon, you're a player I want to be friends with."

In other words, it was a mutually beneficial relationship.

I had no objections to that, and it was better to be on good terms with her.

"By the way, I have a request or rather, a job for you."

"Hmm? A job?"

"Yes. I want you to help me defeat the boss in the eastern forest."

"Eastern forest? The field to the east of this town? You want me to defeat the boss there?"

The town was surrounded by fields with different enemies, and to the east was a deep forest.

Honestly, I was only interested in the northern plains, where the strongest enemies appeared, and I had planned to ignore the others.

"Is there some kind of reward for defeating the boss?"

"More like, I need the boss's drop. The boss is a Greater Forest Spider, essentially a giant spider, and I need the silk it drops."

"I see, you want to use it to make equipment."

As a tailor, she would naturally need fabric, which in turn required thread.

The boss's material would likely be the strongest available.

"Of course, I'll make equipment for you with that silk. I can even do custom orders. What do you think?"

"...Would you benefit from making equipment with that silk?"

"I have a quest from a local to make equipment with certain performance levels. With the materials currently available, it's difficult—"

"—So you need the boss's material."

I see. If I get good equipment, I have no objections.

My current equipment wasn't bad, but it felt like a stopgap measure.

If I could get stronger equipment, I should take the opportunity.

Plus, fighting a boss would be exciting.

It might not be as strong as the northern wolf, but it would still be a formidable opponent.

Fighting in a forest would also be a good experience.

"Alright, I'll take the job."

"Really!? Thank you... No one else would take it because they found spiders disgusting..."

"Yeah, I can understand that. But I don't mind if I can fight."

"Teacher, you like fighting, don't you..."

Fino muttered with a somewhat exasperated look. I shrugged in response.

After all, I started this game to fight, so there was no mistake there.

"So, are we leaving now?"

"No, I've already completed quests today and am quite exhausted. Would it be alright if we do it tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? It's Sunday... I should be free after 2 PM."

"That works for me. See you tomorrow."

"Alright. I'll count on you."

I nodded at Iori's beaming face and smiled in return.

Even if she might be a burden, it would be good practice to fight while keeping an eye on her.

"Well, that's done... Hmm, it's getting late."

"Oh, you're logging out?"

"Yeah. I had a good first day. Thanks to Himari, I made a good connection. See you tomorrow."

"Yes, see you tomorrow."

"Bye-bye."

With a polite bow from Iori and Fino leaning on her long hammer, I ended my first day of logging in.

* * * * *

When I opened my eyes, the darkened vision returned to my own room.

I got up from the reclining chair, stood up, and moved my body, relieved that there was almost no discomfort.

With this, I could probably do some light practice to hone my senses.

Nodding, I took a wooden sword and headed to the veranda.

On the way, I saw Asuka walking down the hallway towards me.

When she noticed me, she widened her eyes slightly and ran over.

"Teacher, you logged out?"

"Yeah. I got a lot done. I'm going to do some light practice now."

"Even after swinging a sword in the game, you're still going to practice?"

"Exactly. After practicing in a real fight, it's basic to do some light practice for fine-tuning. You should do the same."

"Y-Yeah, you're right..."

"Good. Be careful not to let your skills rust."

I lightly ruffled her hair and continued down the hallway.

Tomorrow, I'll be fighting a giant spider. I'll incorporate that image into my practice.

As I thought this, I realized that the boredom I had felt recently was completely gone.

"Haha... This is great, better than I thought."

It was a bit too recent to call it nostalgic, but this was indeed the same passion I had when challenging the old man.

Becoming stronger, fighting—endless possibilities lay in that world.

Ah, this is good, it's fun.

"Thanks, Himari. I can still move forward."

With that, I began my practice swings.