Hero-Beater (2)
Today, I decided not to run into anyone connected to Prosek.
That was the plan.
Ferio... I do want to see her, but if she spots me, she'll probably spend the whole day apologizing, and that'd just feel burdensome.
So instead, I figured I'd tour the entirety of Prosek Castle today.
When a country bumpkin like me hits the big city, window-shopping the streets is the first order of business.
I headed to the outer walls, where the crowds were thickest.
Instead of wooden walls, there were broad earthen ramparts, half-built structures everywhere, and people bustling to and fro.
And a market, too.
The big trading houses had samples of bulk-ordered goods on display.
But they were too quiet, and the way they eyed me—like I might cause trouble or needed watching—put me off, so I bailed.
Not much fun anyway.
The real spectacle, as always, was the traditional open-air market.
Farmers and locals from the area spread out whatever they'd brought or made right on the ground each day, so the wares were plentiful and varied.
Plus, all the street hawking gave it an energetic vibe you wouldn't see in a rural village.
"Hey, adventurer! You got a spear and a sword, but no shield?
Check this out—right here!"
"Nah, shields are too heavy to lug around."
"Then how about this?
See? Wears like a bracelet.
Come on, just three coins. Cheap!"
Huh, even sword-stoppers.
Looks fun, but I'm not buying.
Fundamentally, the armor hawked from stalls is like secondhand shoes someone else wore.
If it fits my foot perfectly, fine—but if it's too small or big, it's useless or uncomfortable.
Same with gear; to use it right, you'd need a smithy for resizing or a skilled comrade to tweak it.
"Nice stuff. I'll keep it in mind and tell my party about it."
Of course, total bullshit.
In a traditional market, a little lip service like that is the polite way to bow out gracefully.
Mom taught me that.
Next up, the real eye-catcher: food stalls.
I was hoping for skewer grills or something.
No dice. None!
This place hasn't invented street carts with proper counters yet.
Magic could probably do it, but mages are too highbrow for practical life spells like that.
Just heaps of fresh fruits and veggies in natural colors, plus the occasional weird relic—or junk.
Oh, pickpockets too.
Someone slyly swiped the spear I'd left hooked on my bag.
Even swapped in a decoy.
How'd I know?
Status Window — Item Tab
'Drasona's Spear' removed
'Crude Stick' added
I'd pulled up my Status Window item list before entering the market.
With a backpack on, I had plenty of blind spots, so I figured someone might try pickpocketing.
Perfect chance to test my ability, Status Window.
It's what lets me view myself objectively.
To grasp its full potential, I needed to test it beyond a limited spot like Agnes Village—in a broader environment.
Closed beta feedback differs from open beta, y'know.
Cough—too game-dev lingo?
Anyway, the second I spotted the gear swap, I triggered time-stop, yanked Reshi's spear from the thief's hand, and jammed the stick in its place.
Then back to my spot, playing dumb.
No plans to catch the thief.
In unfamiliar turf, chasing pickpockets can backfire into an ambush.
Anyway, Status Window's utility is higher than I thought.
Basically another perception sense.
Never crossed my mind in games—data there was too obvious.
Feels like discovering fresh potential in my ability.
Next after the market: a restaurant. Gotta eat to live.
No menus here.
Each place has one signature dish, basically.
Three shops total—three mains.
They don't cook to order; it's prepped by the hour, sliced, scooped, ladled out.
Suddenly missing the packed menu boards at those cheap Korean joints.
Bought a meal of soup, meat, veggies; sat at a nearby table; munched with fruit from the market.
Then someone plops down right across from me.
A lean young man with coppery skin.
He grins at me, all friendly-like, and asks:
"How'd you do that earlier?"
Depends who hears it, but to me? Sounds like a threat.
The pickpocket from before.
"You ever meet an adventurer who spills their special tricks willy-nilly?"
"What's your angle?"
Angle... Honestly, beyond testing Status Window, no real thoughts.
I mulled why this guy was asking.
Hmm, suspicious, right? Spotted the thief, didn't report or fight back. Just flexed my skill and let him go.
Might be a challenge: "Think that lame trick manages our turf?"
Or misread as me job-hunting with that talent.
So he shows up face-to-face on purpose.
Hmm, gotta be more discreet with ability use.
First solo stroll through an isekai market, got careless like a kid—too excited.
"Hmm... Seems like a misunderstanding. No plans to do anything, or anything to you.
Just didn't want to lose the spear my dear girl entrusted to me, and didn't wanna stir trouble."
"...Is that so."
"All I want is to sightsee this castle on my first visit.
So sheath that blade at your belt."
Wasn't sharp instincts; I just froze for a split-second and glanced down.
Table below, figured he might try something sneaky.
Lo and behold.
"Or else."
"Can't eat my meal."
"......"
Hmm... Trying to de-escalate ain't working.
Could Happy Moment him easy, but I've burned over half my mana already.
Don't wanna stand out, so saving it for emergencies...
Damn, got too cocky on my outing.
Meant to lightly test new features in new turf, but should've been careful. Now mana-drained and dragged into unexpected mess.
All 'cause I'm green to this world.
Yeah, total country bumpkin.
But this guy's ridiculous too.
Saw a skill he couldn't detect—shouldn't he fear or wary me a bit?
Confronting me outright?
Youthful bravado, maybe?
Guess swapping his buddy's haul for a stick made him a laughingstock among pals.
Elsewise, no reason to cling this hard.
...Sigh, hassle.
Anyway, don't judge him by my standards.
Best avoid nutjobs and hormonal youths when you're older.
Time to bend a little.
Plus, trouble near Ferio's place? That shrewish auntie'd gripe again.
"Since we're eating together, let's introduce ourselves.
I'm Kirgil."
"...Hidiya."
Atmosphere eases post-intros.
But stay sharp.
Pickpockets don't solo unless desperate.
Always accomplices or backers.
Even Joseon-era records note it.
One distracts, one steals and bolts, one blocks pursuit.
West? 21st century still crawling with 'em.
"Hidiya, tell your pals too.
No intent to cause issues.
Just escaped a messy morning ordeal."
"......"
Silent? Accomplices confirmed.
Eyeballs darting—nearby.
Can't draw sword now.
Best play for a no-name, no-rank, no-silver-tongue like me? Obvious.
Cash.
Money's the universal icebreaker, unless you're cavemen.
Hand dips into pouch...
Oh shit.
"Hidiya, grab your crew and bail casually, pronto.
Don't get caught in the crossfire."
"What nonsense is th—hic!?"
Damn, trouble crashed the party before I could act.
"Sir Kirgil!!
Knew I'd find you here!"
Like an omnipresent butler popping from nowhere at name-call, one guy spots me outside, rushes right up.
Liard.
Moments later, two subordinate soldiers hustle in.
In this world, soldiers double as cops.
He hits my table and asks:
"You know this guy?"
As if a fresh arrival like me knows locals.
Sharp Liard gets it: punk targeting the greenhorn.
"He was showing me around.
Hidiya. New guide's here.
You're free to go."
I finally fished out the silver coin Liard'd blocked, tossed it to the kid like a tip.
Enough for a crew booze-up.
Liard death-glares him for a split-second.
"Well, if Sir Kirgil says so, must be.
Hahaha!"
Luckily, laughs it off.
"Th-thank you!!"
Hidiya flees, spooked by Liard's killer vibe.
Followed by a kid and three-four youths.
"Didn't expect to hunt at lunch hour.
Soldiers treasure meal times."
"No better time to find folks—sitting pretty like this."
True, restaurants are scarce here.
I was an easy mark.
Meant to dodge Prosek ties today—fail.
Finished eating, had no choice but follow Liard's lead.
He sought me out on purpose, and I wanted a chat anyway—no urge to ghost.
Tested Status Window on Liard while at it.
Status Window
No data available.
Nothing.
Doesn't seem he dislikes me.
Rushed here, came personally—gotta be some goodwill.
But no info pops.
Mutual distrust?
Or other conditions?
Need gradual experiments.
No tutorial or manual—can't assume from scant cases.
Big world out here—tons to learn, tons to know.
Above all, I barely know myself.