With time left to kill, I head back to the inn, Explorer's Bounty, to pay the rent and drop off some unnecessary baggage and to pay the rent for another night.
The innkeeper was at his usual spot at the counters overseeing the diners. Unlike at night, the ones who frequent the establishment are all workers gobbling up some delicious-looking dishes and chatting with colleagues over some alcohol. I even see a few Adventure Guild clerks quietly discussing about some papers in the back.
As I walk up to the innkeeper, I grab a silver from my pouch and plop it down on the counter, "I'd like to stay another night here."
The innkeeper glances at the flowers I tucked between my arms and cracks an amused grin, "Try not to make too much of a mess at night. I'm out of stain removers right now."
I catch on to his little joke and laugh, "Hahaha! I assure you, it's nothing like that."
With thick muscular fingers close themselves around the silver, the innkeeper still has on his smile, "Sure, kid. Don't worry, I'm not the type to spill information after someone orders a drink from me. Just try to keep the din to a minimum, don't want my other customers disturbed."
Hahaha! Ah, old people are always so stubborn. Though this guy can't be compared to my grandmother. Sometimes it's better to go along with what they say. They can jabber for hours on end like a parrot repeating the same message.
Chuckling, I indulge in the innkeeper's fantasy, "Haha, whatever you say, chief."
I climb up the stairs and drop off my bags and place my flowers in a conveniently empty vase by the drawers.
"Hmm."
After pondering for a moment, I remove one of my katanas and place it by the bedside. I'll be walking around within the limits of the city after all. No need for two when I'm not monster slaying. One is more than enough to ward off the sticky fingers of pickpockets and make thugs have second thoughts at making me their target. Plus, I also have good old magic on my side if things get hairy.
With the unnecessary items temporarily rid of, I place my sleepy and full-bellied Raven friend in the impromptu towel nest and depart the inn once more.
It's time to buy myself a Storage Artefact. Although, I feel like I'm forgetting a key important detail which'll make me waste time.
...
Several minutes later, I got lost.
That's right, I completely forgot I do not know the layout of this city.
Fortunately I still remember the path I took, I could retrace my steps back to the inn, so it's not the end of the world for me.
Now, I could go back to the Guild and ask Miranda for directions, but she's probably still pissed by the Slime Cores I dumped on her desk. I don't feel like getting a second drop-kick, my butt aches thinking about it.
Guess the second best option is to ask one of the townsfolk.
I randomly wave to a pedestrian carrying a bag of groceries, "Excuse me ma'am." The woman promptly ignores me and goes about on her way.
Okay, it seems like she's in a hurry, I'll ask someone else then.
This time I halted a man idly walking about the streets, "Excuse me!"
The man gives me one look and says, "Sorry, can't help you, I just remembered I'm supposed to meet up with a friend to go fishing!" Before running away in a hurry.
...
You know what they say, third time's the charm.
As I pass attempt to halt another person, I notice a parent and child pass by me.
The child quivering behind their mother loudly whispers, "Mom, that man looks scary."
The mother hushes her child and briefly apologizes to me with an insincere tone.
Everything clicks inside my head.
Why didn't I notice this earlier? The reason no one's helping me is because I look like a goddamn cultist! Who's the idiot that had the bright idea to dress up like this!?! Oh, right, it's me.
I lean my weight against a nearby wall.
A commanding and somewhat hostile tone breaks me out of my thoughts.
"You there, the suspicious one leaning against a wall. We've received reports of a cultist harassing people."
I look up to find a pair of guards. I can't recall where I last saw them, but their voices are familiar. Then again, anyone wearing a bucket will sound muffled. One of them seems taken aback by my appearance as he cried, "You again!?"
Since I can't remember, might as well ask, "Excuse me gentlemen, but do you have business with me?"
"What's with the
"Oh! You guys are the gate guards who nearly lost their lunch several days ago!"
"You insufferable creep, I hope whatever intelligence you have recalls my warning of what I'll do to you if we catch you causing a disturbance."
"I haven't caused any disturbances though."
"If there aren't any disturbances, then why are there reports
The guard behind the loud one who did most of the talking speaks up, "Oi, Frank, cut the guy a break, you can't judge a book by its cover."
Frank shoots his coworker a glare beneath his helmet, but the chill guard remains unfazed. The easily-irked guard gives in, "Guh, maybe you're right. Sorry about my lack of manners strange person."
"Ren."
"Sorry about my standoffish attitude today and the previous day. Things have been somewhat hectic lately with the surge in monster activity the previous few months. Everyone's been on guard recently. You're appearance amplifies their anxieties."
"Apology accepted, I et how you guys feel. Bunch of problems occur in the community and this freaky guy shows up from nowhere? I'd feel suspicious of him to."
Frank nods in appreciation, "Indeed, it is as you say. In the past as a melting pot for explorers and adventurers to gather, we were a lot more welcoming. Nowadays strangers must be treated with caution. It'd help a lot if you'd change your wardrobe with something else."
I give a laugh, "Unfortunately, I'm lacking in funds right now, perhaps in a few months I'll switch out my attire."
"Ha! Aren't we all strapped for money? You're lost right?"
I give a nod, "Yes, I am."
"Do you need a guide."
Frank turns to his comrade, "Rufus you go back on patrol, I'll take him to the mercantile district."
Rufus gives returns his friend's orders with a nod heads back to his post, whilst Frank guides me to the mercantile district.
"Here we are, the mercantile district, you should be able to easily find the Artefact shop from here. This place also has other shops such as the Apothecary and Smithery if you need their services. You can read right?"
"Yes." I mentally thanked the game for allowing me to fluently read the game world's language.
"This is where we part ways. Farewell."
"Farewell to you too, I hope everything at work goes smoothly for you."
"Likewise."
After we part with each other on positive terms, it wasn't long until I found the Artefact Shop, there's literally a large sign out front displaying the word Artefact.
I pull the door open and a small chime announces my arrival.
The shop resembles a jewelry store, countless rings and necklaces present themselves to the viewer. Shining proudly behind glass cases, they beckon
A middle-aged man with an angular face sat at the front counter reading some sort of book
"Excuse me sir, how much does a Storage Artefacts cost?"
Without lookin up from his book, the mean codger answers, "Five hundred is the average."
"Five hundred Silvers? Bit expensive, I'm going to have to go on a few more hunts before I earn enough."
"Ha!" The shopkeeper looks up and gives an irking condescending smile, "Silvers? No! Five hundred gold is the price for one of these beauties!"
F-f-five hundred gold coins!?! Preposterous!
I didn't voice my disbelief out loud lest he calls the guards.
However, if the space inside the Artefacts is quite expansive. Then it might be worth the price.
With the most polite tone I can muster up, I ask the shop owner, "What's the storage space on these things?"
"Assuming you're referring to an average ring, then about a hundred or so cubic feet. We have it in cubes and prisms."
A hundred cubic feet!?! My shed at home is larger than that!
Again, I did say what was on my mind, but I couldn't flat-out refuse this rip-off deal unless I want to get on this weaselly-looking old man's bad side.
I should make it as though I'm dissatisfied with his product, "Hmm, I was hoping for something a little more space."
"Biggest we have is a thousand cubic feet. Costs ten thousand gold coins."
Barely the size of a living room. Also, the one hundred cubic feet Artefact only costs five hundred gold. If I were to buy ten of them, then the cost would only be a thousand gold coins. So why on earth is the price doubled!?
Mistaking my silence for dissatisfaction, the old weasel snaps, "This is the Frontier, if you want to buy raw monster materials and equipment made from them, this is the place to be. You want processed things like Storage Artefacts and fabrics, you better head east to the other regions."
I inadvertently comment, "Logistic issues?"
The owner claps his hands once in jubilation and points a finger at me with a smile, "Finally! Someone who gets it! I'm tired of bastards constantly accusing me of ripping them off."
"Let me guess, monsters are running rampant and securities been tightened in most fiefs, thus causing a decay in travelling and the shipment of goods."
"Yes! Exactly!"
"Hmm, I'll come by some other day, make sure to tell me when there's an Artefact with much larger storage space in stock."
"Aye, young man. Drop by some other time. Here, take this as a parting gift."
The shop owner tosses me a ring, I catch it clumsily with both hands.
"It's got roughly five cubic feet. Most you can store is a single crate, but it's enough to store a couple potions in case of an emergency."
"Even if it's not as large as a hundred feet, it's still worth a few Gold pieces, right?"
The old man waves me off and returns to his book-reading, "You're not the first Adventurer to arrive looking to buy my goods. Consider this as a sample to attract future customers. I got a bunch knick-knacks clogging up my attic collecting dust. You'd be doing me a favor taking it off of my hands."
"Thank you very much."
I leave the store in high spirits, I might not have gotten the Storage Artefact I want, but at least I got one for free.
That man turns out to be nicer than I thought. I really shouldn't judge others based on appearance in the future.