Chapter 15

Taking turns for a nap, morning came.

Around noon that day, a problem occurred.

While hunting the Usapil we encountered,

"Ah..."

The knife I had given to Raphatal snapped.

"Take this."

Since there was no other choice, I gave her a utility knife and let her finish off the last Usapil that was biting me.

"I'm sorry."

"Everything has a lifespan. If it broke, there's nothing we can do."

It was a cheap knife, and it hadn't been properly sharpened.

"For now, let's head back to the town at the foot of the castle."

"Yes."

We split the rather large bag of loot between Raphatal and me.

Incidentally, my level had risen to 11, and Raphatal's had also reached 11.

On the way, we encountered a few monsters, but the utility knife held up somehow.

By the time we sold various herbs and items, we had accumulated 70 silver coins.

Clank, clank...

"What should we do?"

"Knife?"

While feeding Raphatal lunch at a food stall, I muttered.

Living expenses can be managed by camping out.

Food costs shouldn't be a problem if we can butcher creatures like Usapil for meat.

We can probably stay put for a while.

I have no idea where to go, but I want to grind for experience with the best equipment we can afford.

"Well, let's go to the weapon shop."

"Okay."

Rumble...

The sound of a growling stomach came from behind.

"I'm hungry."

"You just ate!?"

Is she in a growth spurt!?

How many times does she plan to eat in a day!?

"Haa..."

The Engel's coefficient is going to skyrocket.

We need to go hunting soon, or we'll be chased by food costs.

"That's why, old man, give me good weapons and armor within 65 silver coins, including a utility knife."

The old man put his hand to his forehead and groaned.

"Well... I shouldn't have given you a cheap one, but you should have taken better care of it."

"I'm sorry. I thought it had a Blood Clean Coating."

Indeed, Balloon, Mash, and Egggu all looked like inorganic creatures. Egggu's body fluid could be wiped off if it spilled, but Usapil's blood would stick.

Without proper maintenance, it would deteriorate even faster.

"Still, after just three days, your complexion looks better. You seem to have plumped up a bit, haven't you?"

Raphatal nodded with a business smile. I have no idea what he's talking about.

"Oh? Your expression looks good too."

"Yep!"

Alright, let's haggle.

"Old man, focus on weapons. Sell me the best you can."

"You?"

"I don't need any."

"You don't?"

Raphatal looked up at me and asked.

"Do you need it?"

So far, I haven't been injured by any monster attacks.

Didn't those damn heroes say that the shield class is easy at first but tough later on?

That's why I don't need equipment until I start taking damage.

"Hmm..."

Raphatal grumbled, looking unconvinced. She was holding a ball in her hand.

"Well, this must be fate. I'll give you a small discount."

"If it's expensive, I'll haggle."

"I'm already selling to you at cost. If I raise the price, you'll just push Balloon on me, right?"

So, the rumors are true. Well, I did spread them intentionally.

"I'm just giving back what I get."

"...I won't be bothered, but you might face other challenges. You know that, right?"

"You understand well."

"I can tell by looking. You're the most business-savvy among the heroes."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Alright..."

The old man rubbed his chin while looking at Raphatal.

"Maybe it's time for the young lady to try a sword instead of a knife."

"Is that okay?"

"She seems eager. A short sword would be good for beginners."

The old man fiddled with a corner of the weapon shop.

"I see."

"Are you going to use a sword?"

"Looks like it."

"I'll give her a lesson on how to use it."

Then he brought out a leather chest plate from the back of the shop.

"It's an iron short sword and a leather chest plate. It's a bit old, but bear with it. I'll adjust the size for you."

The old man gave Raphatal the sword and put the leather chest plate over her cloth clothes.

Rumble...

"Again!?"

"Hey, this kid is a demi-human, right? It's normal for a child to get hungry when they level up."

What? Is that common knowledge? I don't understand, but what are the standards in this world?

I remember hearing that baby crows will die if they don't get fed continuously.

"Is that so... Can't be helped. I'll buy something while she gets a lesson, so stay put."

"Okay!"

The old man laughed heartily at the sight.

"Go on, I'll teach her the basics while you're gone."

I left the weapon shop and hurried to the market.

Seriously, the cost of leveling up is hunger for demi-humans.

My stats seem to be growing steadily, and I can feel myself getting stronger.

But the food costs are ridiculous.

After buying food from a food stall and returning, the old man was giving Raphatal a lesson on how to use a sword.

"Here you go."

"Thank you!"

While munching, the old man enthusiastically taught her the movements and how to dodge.

She's starting to look the part.

"What about you?"

"I'll learn by watching."

"Well, you seem to be the type who endures. It might be dangerous to mess with your balance."

The old man's weapon lesson ended, and we settled the bill.

Then he gave me a white stone.

"What's this?"

"It's a whetstone. The new weapon doesn't have a coating. If you don't maintain it regularly, it'll break quickly."

"Hmm..."

I grabbed it, and the shield reacted.

So, I absorbed it.

"Hey!?"

The conditions for the Whetstone Shield were unlocked.

Oh, this is the first piece of equipment that doesn't have a shield prefix.

Well, it's still a shield.

Most of the derived items come from mineral-based items... Ah, not the original derivation, but a combination of the Sky Egg Shield and Usameat Shield.

Maybe because a knife is essential for cooking?

The defense is only slightly better than the Egg Shield.

The Usameat Shield, which I absorbed without butchering the Usapil, has higher defense.

Whetstone Shield

Ability Unlocked... Equipment Bonus: Mineral Appraisal 1

Special Effect: Auto Sharpening (8 hours) High Consumption

Special Effect?

I checked the help.

'Special Effect'

A special effect is an ability that only works when the weapon is equipped.

This effect cannot be learned like an ability, so if you need it, you should change to that weapon.

Is that it?

Like in games where there's a special effect against certain types of enemies.

I hurried to change the shield.

"Hey!? What's that?"

The Whetstone Shield is slightly larger than a Small Shield. It's a large white stone shield.

However, there are several holes on the shield. Some are thin, some are thick, and some are wide enough for paper to pass through.

"Hey, you! Listen up!"

Hmm... What does 'Auto Sharpening (8 hours) High Consumption' mean?

If it does what it says, it might be useful...

"Hey!"

"What? Old man."

"What is that shield!?"

"I showed you before. It's a legendary shield."

"You never told me or showed me."

"You saw it when it was a Small Shield."

"Huh!? Why is it a whetstone now?"

"Because I absorbed a whetstone."

"..."

The old man looked like the conversation wasn't going anywhere.

"I've heard that legendary weapons have mysterious powers, but is this it?"

"Didn't you hear from other heroes?"

"I haven't seen any recently. Besides, you're the first to demonstrate it in front of me."

In the current situation, with a powerful enemy looming in a week, information should be shared. It seems they are selfish and keep secrets even from each other.

I wouldn't trust such people either.

...But, there's no need to show it off.

They are efficient, at least.

"So, what are you thinking about?"

"Ah, it seems there's an effect called 'Auto Sharpening (8 hours) High Consumption.' It sounds like it will sharpen automatically."

I don't know what it consumes.

"Hmm..."

The old man took out a rusty sword from the counter and inserted it into the grooves of my shield.

"I'll give you a disposal weapon as a bonus. You can test it with that."

"Thanks."

An icon saying 'Sharpening' appeared in the corner of my vision.

It's a bit heavier.

Also, my shoulder feels heavy.

Looking at the icon, I noticed that the SP, which had never changed before, was gradually decreasing.

I thought it was a value used for skills, but it seems to be used for this too.

"Alright, let's go."

"Going?"

"Yes."

I patted Raphatal's head, who was starting to look the part, and left the weapon shop.

Now, we need to travel to level up and get food for Raphatal, who is in a growth spurt.

"Hey, old man."

"...Do you need something else?"

The old man glared at me with a tone of exasperation.

"Do you know of a place with monsters similar to the dungeon beyond the forest?"

I spread out a cheap map and pointed in the direction of the dungeon the damn woman recommended.

It might be useful for reference, but whether to believe it is another matter.

"There are similar monsters in the village beyond the road, not the forest."

"Okay, I'll check that out."

Now, it depends on how much I can grow the shield and how much money I can earn by the deadline.