"Hahaha, well, I'm beat. I'll sell you the daggers using these 'installments' as a test. I can't see anything wrong with the system, and I doubt you would make all that up just to scam me. So, if you really think this will benefit the village, I'll try talking about it to the other business owners..." (Jeff)
Nice! If they adapt this system, and it works, I can improve my reputation. And, he offered me the daggers right off the bat. I was expecting him to consider it more at the very least. Seems he was the right person to propose the idea to. Most villages this size don't have a blacksmith, so he is respected for staying here and supporting the community. He has a high position in the village and he also has an easy going attitude and is willing to accept change. In future, if I ever have any more proposals, I'll contact him.
"I think this will certainly benefit the community, my previous home had a similar system and it worked excellently. There were some more complexities there, but for something of this village's scale, the system I explained should be effective. Let me know if you have any more questions! And, of course, thank you. How would you like the installments for the daggers to be paid?" (Adam)
"I'll use the same amounts as your example of a hunter, 100 coppers for eight weeks. Will that be acceptable for you?" (Jeff)
"Certainly, but you should make that ten weeks. You previously mentioned that they would usually be one silver, but you'd sell it for eight small silvers to me. But in my opinion, spacing out the payment should have some benefit for you, so I'll pay the full price." (Adam)
"That's just a thing we merchants say, I'd feel bad if I did nothing in return! I'll tell you what, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday late afternoons, I teach a couple fellas how to use their weapons in armed combat. You can join in and I'll teach you how to use these daggers." (Jeff)
"You know how to properly use daggers, and other weapons as well?" (Adam)
"Of course, any craftsmen worth his salt should know how to use all the tools he's made! And, if you're concerned about the other boys, don't worry, they're nice guys." (Jeff)
I look around the smithy, there are tens of varieties of weapons, and that's not including the other kinds of tools! To know how to use all of them, this guy is incredibly diligent!
"I would love to be taught by you! Thank you!"
After our discussion, I pass Jeff the down-payment of 100 coppers and take the daggers. He also insists on providing me with a belt made for holding them. Now, I feel like a real adventurer! Although I'm not registered as one... Oh well, I've completed both my goals for today. Everything is going even better than I expected!
Oh snap! I just realized, last time things went this well, I got hit by a truck... I hope that was just a one time coincidence, otherwise my luck's going to run out again. Is this what they call a flag?
Anyways, tomorrow is Wednesday, so I'll have to come back for lessons then. For now, while it's still morning, I should join Lily to help with hunting. She told me to help her whenever I can, so I guess you could say we're a party now.
I bid farewell to Jeff and head toward the woods. Seems he's less talkative while he's working. Upon leaving the village, I go down the path for a while. I should be able to find some sign of Lily's location in this general direction.
**Female scream**
What?! That was Lily! She must be in some sort of trouble! Maybe she met an opponent who is too strong for her!
I look back down the path, I'm too far from the village to get help in a timely manner. Putting myself in danger won't help her, but she probably can't wait much longer. I have to check the situation before I can make a fool proof plan.
I start running towards the location of the scream.
Argh, I need to be more discrete, otherwise I'll be noticed by whoever or whatever is attacking Lily. I have to maximize my speed and minimize the noise I make.
I reevaluate and regulate my speed, then carefully maneuver toward Lily's location.
**Roar**
I can hear some creature's roaring and growling as I close in.
300 feet...
200 feet...
I don't know when, but I activated my body reinforcement magic.
100 feet...
50 feet...
I can see a monster standing over someone in a clearing. I'm approaching from the left side of the beast.
40 feet...
My heart is pumping and sweat is pouring down my face after this short period of physical exertion. But, despite the situation, I maintain my clear head. It won't do any good to rush in.
The wind is blowing toward my right front and the monster is facing toward my left.
30 feet...
I circle around to behind and to the right of the beast and carefully enter the clearing. It's a horned bear. Seriously?! Is everything horned in this world?!
Ah snap, it's about to send the finishing blow! Can't get distracted now!
20 feet...
I rush toward the bear as I pull a dagger from my belt.
Assuming it has the same weaknesses as any animal, I should go for the neck. But, the bear is massive, it's at least ten feet tall. I won't be able to reach it. Normally, I wouldn't be able to that is, but right now I'm using body reinforcement magic.
10 feet...
Almost there, the bear is about to strike the defenseless person on the ground.
5 feet...
I push off the ground and lunge toward the back of it's neck.
At the same time, it hesitates mid-blow. Then it swiftly turns it's head toward me. It's cold eyes glint as they see my weapon approaching it's neck.
**Bam**