Episode 13

The streets were overflowing with people everywhere.

Lovers walking with smiling faces.

People sitting and eating leisurely at street food stalls.

Even those who raise their voices to bargain prices.

The streets of Ekiever were full of life and energy.

‘It’s really different from my hometown.’

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The sights of the city contrasted sharply with the shady life of my home village.

A city protected by high walls and armed guards.

Ekiever provided enough security to be well worth the money.

Instead, prices were ridiculously high, befitting a city that bought safety with money.

In particular, items that require skill or knowledge, such as glassware or high-end drugs, were sold at a high price to the point where I wondered if this was right.

Most of the commoners had to work all day until their bones were tired to earn just enough money to eat.

On the other hand, the labor cost of engineers who did not require much labor was relatively very high compared to that of farmers.

Perhaps it is because of the closed nature of society where skills and knowledge are passed on in secret.

After wandering around the streets for a while, I found a potion shop and went inside.

As I passed the entrance, a clerk came over and greeted me.

“Welcome. Is there anything you are looking for?”

“I’m trying to buy a recovery potion, how much is the intermediate?”

Recovery potions are divided into five grades, from lowest to highest.

Intermediate recovery potions were used to treat serious muscle injuries.

The recovery potion maximizes natural healing power by consuming pure physical strength.

Because of this, taking potions during battle can cause side effects such as exhaustion.

However, as I had experienced before, I did not feel tired even after drinking the recovery potion.

Healing serious injuries may be different, but I thought that it would be okay to use it during battle.

“A moderate recovery potion costs three silver coins.”

“Then give me one.”

The price of the recovery potion was figured out in advance.

Making potions is the main business of the Mage Tower.

Since the price is set according to the distribution cost or the characteristics of the region, the price was the same wherever Ekiever went.

“Here it is. Is there anything else you need?”

“No. There is nothing in particular.”

“I have a healing potion or a strengthening potion. Would you like to take a look?”

“How much does that cost?”

At my question, the clerk swallowed and started explaining.

Healing potions are used to cure poisons or diseases, and enhancement potions are used to enhance physical abilities such as strength and reflexes.

The strengthening potion has a strengthening effect of 1 to 2 mana at best, but it seemed useless because the maintenance time was short and the price was high.

“Then give me a lesser healing potion.”

Healing potions were divided into low, intermediate, and high-grade potions, and the lower-grade potions could cure most poisons or diseases.

The clerk recommended the intermediate level, saying that the lower level may not be enough depending on the situation.

Of course, I would like to buy a good potion if I had money, but it was impossible to purchase with the current funds because the price difference between low and intermediate levels was 10 times higher.

I paid 6 silver coins for the potion and left the shop.

As time passed, the moon rose and the sky darkened.

After asking people for directions several times, I was able to get to the inn.

It’s because I’ve been wandering around so much that the road is confusing.

In the middle of the return, I went through a little but difficult things.

While I was asking an uncle for directions, I entered a narrow street that was barely enough for three or four people to pass.

And after a while, I was able to understand the meaning of the uncle who said to have a good view while going.

The red-lit streets were full of naked women who seduced men passing by.

The eyes of men wandering the streets were glistening with lust.

However, I, who have a sensitive sense, did not feel much desire because of the sores and pimples of the women faintly visible under the red lanterns, and the smell of chestnut flowers that could not be concealed with cheap fragrances.

There was a commotion in the red light district for a while because of me.

The women grabbed me with coquettish voices, telling me to take a break and go.

Among them, there were not a few women who asked me to come because they would do it for free.

But I shook all hands and got out of the red light district.

Prostitution here is so natural and legal.

It’s not that I didn’t fall for temptation because I considered women dirty.

Even if he contracted a venereal disease, it could be cured with just one minor healing potion.

The reason I passed by women was because I was determined not to indulge in pleasure until I achieved my goal.

Of course, when a relationship appeared, there was a lot of heart to share love.

The next day Uncle Kit left early in the morning.

I spent the day touring the city and in the evening practicing simbeop.

After three days, the day I promised Mr. Harper came.

It was a little after morning when I arrived at the smithy.

“Hello. I’m Ian, from a few days ago with Uncle Kit.”

“Ah. It’s you. You’re here earlier than expected. Fortunately, the equipment is complete, so wait a minute. Ronnie, go to the warehouse and get some of the equipment from yesterday. It’s heavy, so bring it on a cart.”

“yes.”

At Mr. Harper’s words, a man about my age went out the back door of the smithy.

He looked just like Mr. Harper’s son.

After a while, Mr. Harper checked the equipment on the cart one by one.

“As requested, the weapons are made of pure steel. They are all forged, so I’m sure they’re strong.”

I heard the mace first.

It was 1 meter long and weighed 10 kilograms, and thick iron plates were tightly attached to the head.

Since this place uses a different weight and measure than the Earth, the exact weight and length are unknown, but the approximate feeling was like that.

At first, it gave me a headache thinking about changing to the familiar Earth unit, but now it was automatically converted to the Earth’s weights and measures just by hearing it.

Next I checked the shield.

The iron-shaped shield was two centimeters thick and weighed thirty kilograms.

There was a steel handle on the upper right side, and a leather strap to secure the forearm on the left side.

I tried lightly swinging the mace and shield.

I didn’t think it was heavy because it was so strong.

However, it took some skill to balance because it weighed close to half of my body weight.

It is a foolish idea to use heavy weapons unconditionally just because you are strong.

If you can’t handle the weight and your balance is disturbed, it will adversely affect the battle.

However, as a warrior, I could use mana to add or lose weight, so it wasn’t difficult to balance with a little practice.

As I put down my weapon, Mr. Harper continued his explanation.

“The armor is made by adding iron plates to the existing plate armor. Even the weight of the added iron alone is twice as much as the shield, so it will be over 80 kilograms. If you cry, tell me. I’ll lighten it up a bit.”

“All right.”

I fully understand why Mr. Harper is concerned.

If I were an introductory class, it would be difficult to move properly due to the weight of the armor.

If you are skilled, you can handle the weight, but mana was wasted to reinforce a large-volume weapon, and the durability of the battle would be significantly reduced.

No matter where I looked, the equipment I ordered would look useless.

“Then I’ll help you put on the armor. It’ll take time, but you can wear it alone, so take a good look at it. Take off your coat first.”

When I took off my wool coat, Harper put on my breastplate.

The armor consisted of a total of five parts, which were tightly tightened with tough leather, twine, and wires.

Breastplate covering the front and back of the upper body, shoulder armor covering the upper half from the shoulder, thigh armor covering the thighs and knees, and greaves covering the shin were worn in this order.

The gloves that protect the hands and forearms were just worn without any fixation.

The pauldron was ordered only on the right side that does not hold a shield.

The femoral armor is structured so that the thighs and knees move smoothly, so there was no discomfort in bending the leg.

The five fingers of the glove moved freely, and I especially liked the metal studs on the knuckles.

I swung the weapon again while wearing the armor.

As I gained weight, handling the weapon became easier than before.

When I jumped in place without spending mana, I felt the weight of a Garagungjang during the march.

Let’s use mana there, the weight is much reduced.

“It’s just fine.”

“Then I’m glad. Is there anything else you need?”

“No. One hundred and forty silver coins. Check it out.”

I handed over the money bag I had prepared in advance.

Mr. Harper counted the silver coins one by one and returned only the money bag.

“That’s correct. And one thing, the reason why I provided the equipment at a low price is an investment that I trusted in Kit and you. So don’t get hurt and come back and pay off the debt.”

“Okay. See you later.”

I put my fleece coat back on and left the forge.

The sheepskin coat was so generous that there was still room in the bosom even when worn over the armor.

‘It’s a bit chilly.’

Because of the cold armor, the cold was stronger than before.

As the body temperature dropped, the iron-like heart beat more vigorously, supplying hot blood to the whole body.

I put the remaining money in a money bag and put it in my bosom.

“It’s a total dog hair now. I’ll start working as soon as I get to Erita.”

Originally, my plan was to prepare a weapon and go to Erita.

However, with 100 silver coins supported by Harbert and the help of Mr. Kit, I was able to get a full set of weapons I never dreamed of.

However, the funding situation was still tight.

The remaining money is only 2 silver coins and 10 copper coins.

Excluding the toll to Erita and the mercenary registration fee, my entire fortune was actually 10 copper coins.

‘The price of Erita is about three times that of Ekiever, so if you find the cheapest inn, you should be able to stay overnight.’

I want to become a mercenary not only for the sake of my brothers, but ultimately for my free life.

The freedom I want includes material freedom as well as body and mind.

It was all about eating well and living well, so I tried not to spare as much as I could eat and spend, but I was on the verge of homelessness.

‘If I get some money, let’s take a hot bath and drink some good wine. You can afford that kind of extravagance. cancer.’

My mind was full of thoughts of going to Erita as soon as possible and earning money.

The fifth day since leaving Ekiever.

I was passing through a forest near Erita.

It was a distance that I could have reached in one day if I wanted to, but I did not rush and walked a little faster than others.

Fitness was no problem.

Spring water strengthens not only muscle strength, but also overall physical abilities such as endurance and recovery.

No matter how tired you are, if you sit down and take a few breaths, your energy will quickly return.

The reason I wasn’t in a hurry was Kitt.

Uncle Kit and the others know me as an introductory warrior.

The problem is that it is difficult even for a 6th rank samurai to carry my equipment and go to Erita in one day.

However, as a beginner, if I did such a thing, people could easily reveal my skills.

Due to the kingdom’s strict laws, violent crime is not common within its borders.

Hana outside the border is literally a lawless zone.

The moment I left the border, the only thing I could trust was myself.

If a situation arises when a colleague or other mercenary is greeted as an enemy, the probability of survival will increase as much as the hidden skill.

Between thoughts biting tail after tail.

The thick grass and trees gradually decreased, and a wide plain appeared in front of me.

I couldn’t help but admire the scenery I encountered after getting out of the forest.

“That’s the border. It’s really spectacular.”

Ahead was an endless ridge and a border barrier built along the ridge.

And in the middle of the wall, the border city of Erita stood tall, revealing its majestic majesty.

It was the moment when I finally set foot on the land of opportunity for a new leap forward.

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