Back on Earth, there weren't many wise people who would think people could be assets. It was disheartening when others treated people's skills as cheap, something they would shamelessly haggle. Of course, I understood that since the reality of my previous life was like any other normal people who struggled financially at one point. I experienced being underpaid whilst working myself to the bone, abusing my talent just to earn a few pennies.
I guessed Aslesia and Earth had some similarities. In this world, people also shared almost the same mentality. In here, strength was what mattered. They honed their strength to reach a level no simple person could reach. Help? Alliance? That would only come once someone proven their capabilities.
But what about those who reached a bottleneck and couldn't go stronger?
'Heh... I'm a genius.' I snickered, running through the forest lane with my eyes on the bright exit. 'Good thing I had my memories from my previous life.'
At first, I thought these memories were none sense — I would exchange it to have some dragon blood to be strong. But now that I thought about it, I survived until now because of my thirty-year experience back on Earth. Just like right now, my idea wasn't originally mine. But I would be the first to offer these services in Aslesia.
Armors and weapons. Not just simple armors, but custom made to suit a person's class. Just like in any games, anyone would start at level one with common weapons according to their chosen job. If I would take such a hard project, I should start collecting people who could do that for me.
Soon, I reached the plaza of Parkwind. As usual, it was bustling. This time, however, the fear of a serial killer blending into the crown was gone. The children were having the freedom to run around, women and men alike passing by. The normal distracted crown I usually see.
I didn't know where to start, but I marched towards the nearest bulletin board to see the requests posted. Usually, different types of interesting people were gathered in front of the bulletins. It would be better to meet one who could fit the criteria I was looking for, but I wasn't hopeful. I could go to some pubs and other shops if my luck wouldn't help me today.
"A search party?" I furrowed my brows, reading a request post from the magic tower. 'This wasn't a request to check the land I told them, right?'
"The details are right there. The magic tower needs more people to find some sort of stone since the tournament is approaching." I looked to my right and blinked twice. "It's you again, Merchant."
The man glanced at me and smirked. I only looked at him, recalling where I've seen this person. It took me several seconds before I gasped, pointing at him. Wasn't this the person I talked to when that serial killer was still on the loose?
"Oh, you!" I hollered while he laughed. "What are you doing here? Are you taking any request?"
"Well..." he let out a deep exhale as his eyes gloss over the posters. "Just thinking."
"Thinking?"
He took another breath and shrugged. "To make a living, obviously."
"Oh..." I rocked my head, stopping myself from feeding my curiosity. As I did, I couldn't help but sized him up for a bit. From his muscular physique, I could tell he was someone who did hard labor. Those robust limbs looked like they could uproot an entire oak tree. I remembered patting his shoulder, and it was as hard as a steel.
"I was kicked out of the store that I was working at, so I was considering accepting requests to fill my stomach," he summarized while still checking the other posters. "So far, only the request from the magic tower looks feasible."
"Ah, right?" I also set my eyes on the request, keeping my one ear open to the rest of the conversation around us, just in case I would hear something interesting.
"How about you?" he asked after peeling the request poster. "I heard about the public auction. Did you get robbed?"
"Haha! Well, who would rob someone who caught a notorious serial killer?"
"Make sense. But if that is not the case, why are you here?"
I rubbed my chin and scrutinizing him for a bit. "I am looking for someone."
"Someone? What's his name? I've been living in Parkwind for a decade. So, perhaps, I know him."
I grinned. "I don't know." Shaking my head as he would probably think I was trolling him. "I am looking for someone who can make boots, clothes, weapons, accessories, and someone who can also use a certain type of magic."
"You want just one person for that job?" he asked with an arched brow.
"If there is a person who can do all that, why not? I can be his assistant."
He shook his head and chuckled. "What a strange thing to expect. I don't know if you are being serious, but if you are, I am telling you there is no such person who exists in Aslesia who can do all that." He cast me a knowing look while folding the poster in his hands.
"We all follow a strict order in this world, merchant. That is the reason society is not just split with races, but also into classes. Mages usually wield magic, and for them to wield a sword and a weapon requires more than their innate talent. Hence, they usually focus on honing their skills."
"I know that, but it's such a bother to gather a bunch of strangers who will stay with me all day." A sigh slipped past my lips. It was not like I wasn't aware of how the people of Aslesia moved. But the problem was, managing more people was troublesome. Because if I hired ten people at once, their problems would be my problem and I don't think I was emotionally prepared to care.
He laughed while looking at me. "If you find that person you're looking for, I'm certain he or she will be delighted to have you as their boss. Not a lot of people I met are like you."
"Like me?" my already wrinkled brows knitted even more, watching him walk away as he waved. "Hey! What do you mean, like me?"
Instead of an answer to my question, that stranger whose name I didn't know spoke. "If you're looking for a talented blacksmith, look for the man named Bassel. You might like him."
"Bassel?" I mumbled and frowned. "Hey, my brother stranger! Wait for me! Let's hang out for a bit!"