"Hello?"
The shop, aside from the armors and weapons on display, didn't have a single customer. There didn't even seem to be an employee or anyone running the shop. Ackster wondered if it was bankrupt or something, but there were still things being sold, and the front door opened for him.
Ackster wondered if he should just go to one of the busier, but clearly active, shops instead of bothering with Tommelier's, which seemed to be in a state of non-activity.
"What do you want?"
But after sweeping his eyes around the shop and deciding there wasn't anyone around, Ackster's movement toward the door was interrupted by a gruff voice.
Without Ackster noticing, an old man with a scruffy grey beard appeared at the desk, which was covered in smaller trinkets, scrap metal, and dust.
Ackster was a little surprised, but more than that, he was hopeful. It was a classical trope about a mysterious grumpy old smith being an exceptionally great craftsman. He didn't have much business, but each and every one of his works were masterpieces.
Of course, it could just be an ordinary grumpy old man who liked making stuff. And since Ackster couldn't tell whether the things on display were good or not, he couldn't decide whether he had struck gold or had just picked up a random but decently useful stone.
"Hi. I would like to commission something."
"Ok? Are the materials that stuff you're carrying?"
The old man, who Ackster guessed was Tommelier, still had a sour face that would dissuade anyone from talking to or approaching him, but he didn't seem adverse to at least listening to Ackster's request.
"That's right."
Ackster walked up and put down the heavy pile of rock lizard skin and armor.
"Rock lizard scales? They're great for defense, sure. But if you can carry this with enough ease to wear armor, there are better things out there."
"Ah, no. I can't carry it with ease. And that's why I'm here. I'm not looking for armor. Well, not necessarily. I would like a way to wear all of this for training."
"Training?"
Tommelier raised an eyebrow, which, combined with his naturally sharp gaze, made it look like he was asking Ackster if he had anything inside his head.
"Yeah. Training. Wouldn't wearing something heavy be perfect for strength training?"
"I guess."
Tommelier shrugged, not really caring too much about it. He held up the pieces of skin and stone scales without even straining the muscles on his arms.
"So…?"
"Sure. I can do it. Come back tomorrow."
Tommelier didn't even wait for a response before grabbing the bundle and practically disappearing into a room behind the desk, which Ackster assumed was the workshop.
"Great. See you tomorrow, then."
Ackster smiled and spoke to the empty register, slightly surprised at how well things had gone. He was a little curious about what was going on behind Tommelier's sour face, but he had high hopes for what the old man would be able to accomplish
'Inn first, then clothes.'
Just like with the workshops and supply stores, something else, which was also popular with adventurers who often traveled from city to city and didn't necessarily have a permanent residence everywhere they went, inns were also a frequent sight near the Guild. And it didn't take long before Ackster found a cheap enough inn that had a shower but still left him with enough money to buy fancy clothes.
Since it wouldn't be proper to bring a slime on a date, Ackster left Mio in his room. He fed Mio before taking a shower and leaving, so there was no worry that Mio would go looking for food.
However, Ackster only had a single set of clothes. And they were covered in dirt and monster blood, which would be easy to wash out, considering they were made for adventurers, and unlike on Earth, it was common to get splatter in gore, grime, and blood. There were special methods, magic and mundane, to deal with it.
It was just that Ackster wouldn't have time for that since he couldn't walk around naked. He put on his dirty clothes and left the inn. He would just have to take another shower after finding new clothes.
Since it was already getting late and it wouldn't be long until Wilma's shift was over, Ackster hurried a little.
He wasn't too familiar with the fashion of Millmeria, Tenger, or Lill. But he remembered what the original Ackster's wardrobe had looked like.
And since he didn't need to look like a noble, he chose something a little simpler and cheaper than that. It was good enough to be called fancy, but even if they looked at his clean skin, glossy hair, and straight, well-defined features, people would at most think he was a successful person, not necessarily a noble.
With a couple of new sets of clothes and a second shower, Ackster was ready for his date with Wilma.
He was a little anxious since he didn't know if it was a setup because she had discovered something about him or simply wanted to kidnap him because she was evil. But he was also looking forward to it since it could be an opportunity to get closer to the Adventurer's Guild and the information network they possessed.
Even if Wilma were honest in her desire to meet Ackster, Ackster would have to steel his heart and charm her to make her reveal important things. Using force wouldn't work, considering her status as a receptionist of the guild and the fact that he didn't know how strong she was.
The guy who had helped Ackster carry the rock lizard's corpse to the Guild was proof enough that the Guild and their personnel couldn't be underestimated.
Ackster stood out a little as he waited outside the Guild, even if he waited a short walk away from the main entrance. That was just how striking he was when he wasn't covered in dirt and blood up to his ears.
But since it was late at night and the people passing by the Guild were tired adventurers, he didn't catch enough attention to bother him.
"You clean up nicely."
Ackster turned around with a gentle smile on his face. Not thinking about using force to get what he wanted was the right decision. He hadn't even heard her footsteps.