Chapter 171
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Holiday
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I sat Elise down casually and mercilessly ordered a bunch of meat-heavy dishes. We were about to head out on a long journey that would take at least three days, so price wasn't an issue. The perma-poor Kim Katt knows how to spend when he needs to—he's that kind of guy.
To ease Elise's anxiety as she kept glancing around nervously, I said loudly.
"Hey! We're dudes! No big deal!"
"Th-that's..."
"For a Divine Brother!! This is basic stuff!!!"
"Pl-please lower your voice a bit, Saint..."
"Ah. Right."
Anyway, I sat across from Elise and looked at her. She clearly looked underage, but despite her young age, she was a hardworking nun who toughed it out like a pro.
Church life is just that brutal.
Come to think of it, I still didn't know Elise's age.
"Elise. Now that I think about it, how old are you? We've known each other a while, but I never asked."
"My age, sir? By the blessing of order, I turn 17 this year."
By this world's standards, you're an adult at 15, but by mine, she's still a minor. Back on Earth, she'd be that blossoming age studying in school, yet here she is fighting demonic entities.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
"Uh... you're going through so much at such a young age."
"I don't really see it as hardship. It's just holy service to purify evil beings and one day bring paradise to this land."
"Yeah, sure. That's probably the right thing. I'm in my mid-twenties. There's an age gap, but between us—who've shared life-and-death and built our bond—something trivial like that doesn't matter."
"Heehee. I see. But 'friend'... that's a bit of a new concept for me. There weren't many people my age at the church..."
Strictly speaking, the age difference between Elise and me is like high school girl and uncle. But Elise and I had already transcended age and gender to become Divine Brothers. No...
Divine Friends.
"Same here. Ever since coming to this other world—no, since leaving my homeland—I haven't had many friends... Ah, food's here. Dig in, Elise. Eat your fill."
"I'll gratefully partake."
Spending about 40 coppers on one meal stung, but it was for Elise. I could do at least this much before saying goodbye.
Elise started eating the neatly presented meat dish slowly, following some church etiquette. Midway through, she spoke up.
"By the way, Saint. When we fought the Kobold Queen tainted by evil, didn't you call out the name 'Hwanung'?"
What?
"Hm? Yeah. Why?"
"Is that person your god, by any chance?"
Since Elise was a tag:zealot type, I decided to choose my words carefully. She wouldn't suddenly call me a heretic and smash my head, right?
Of course not.
This world was full of polytheism anyway. If they bashed heads over different faiths, society—with churches holding so much power—wouldn't function normally.
"Yeah. As you can tell from my hair color, I'm from Mirkeshia. Lord Hwanung is the heavenly god at the pinnacle of our people's indigenous faith."
"I see. Indeed... that's a god's name I've never heard before."
"Not much is known about our people."
"I've learned something new. Thank you."
Fortunately, Elise didn't make a fuss. As long as it wasn't an evil being, she didn't seem to care.
"It'd be great if you converted to our church, Saint. You have the talent to be a holy warrior or paladin. What do you say? Care to join us on this holy journey to bring paradise to the earth?"
"Heh, too bad—I'm a Confucian."
"Heehee. I figured you'd say that. I was just teasing."
And so, we finished our meal chatting about trivial things. Seeing her eat heartily to match her efforts put my mind at ease. Time to part ways. We stepped outside together.
"Well, time to go. Take care. Always watch your back on the way home. See you next time."
Actually parting made me feel a pang of regret.
Still, it was time. I waved goodbye, pouring my reluctance into the gesture.
"The world is unstable, Saint, and there will be times when corruption and evil temptations cloud your vision. I pray you overcome such trials with unwavering faith."
Rarely expressionless, Elise smiled brightly as she said this.
"As per your words, Saint, we've already formed a deep bond as Divine Brothers. We'll meet again someday. Farewell."
"Yeah! Take care! May Lord Hwanung and Buddha's grace be with you!"
Elise walked off into the distance.
Now I'd be busy grabbing a carriage and such.
"Well... anyway."
We'll meet again someday.
She always shows up when I'm about to forget.
She's like Kobson in so many ways.
Anyway, time to buy medicine. Thinking about it, I'd have to go to the Alchemist's Guild again, but since it's on the way back to the inn, no big deal. Medicine costs about 50 coppers, I think.
I remember shedding bloody tears over it once when I caught a cold. Back then, 50 coppers was an insane fortune for me. I scraped together every last coin for the meds and still went to work the next day.
Not a good memory.
That's when I first learned—without bullshit—that people can actually die from a cold. No money, living like a nomad...
If you catch a cold with no cash, you can't even rent an inn, let alone a stable. Broke and sick? Curl up on the cold floor and die—that's the natural order.
"But I'm not that guy anymore."
First, grab cold medicine, then some bread or sausages for the starving girls back home. Fruit for the patients, too.
I headed straight to the Alchemist's Guild.
A den of alchemists who double as pharmacists.
With their terrifying unity, they jack up medicine prices and suck the blood of the common folk like demons. I harbored nothing but hatred for them, but today, I needed their help.
"Excuse me. My comrades have colds. I'd like to buy some medicine."
Glancing around, the clerk who'd seen me earlier was gone. Probably off eating lunch.
"What are the symptoms?"
"Fever and coughing."
"High fever?"
"Doesn't seem too bad... a bit dizzy, but they still had some energy."
"Hmm... then."
He rummaged through a drawer and pulled out some pills wrapped in paper.
"50 coppers. Give them this and watch for two or three days. If it doesn't improve, it might be serious—come back for stronger stuff."
"...Got it. Give me two. For two people."
No haggling needed—I paid up and bought two. Now back to the inn for food, meds, and sleep. Couldn't leave the sick ones to go work.
I walked along the street.
Head back toward the smithy district like this morning.
"Hmm..."
Passing the smithy street, I realized it was time to upgrade my gear. The Quilted Armor that protected me for months was beat to hell, pants were stained, and boot soles were falling apart.
Maybe use this payout to replace everything.
Weapons just needed sharpening; belt, boots, pants, and Quilted Armor should do it.
And from the brutal lesson against the Kobold Guardian: without a weapon, I turn into dog chow.
Taekwondo, real combat techniques, Heavenly Demon Divine Arts—they work on scrubs with inferior stats, but killing same-level foes barehanded? Even risking your life won't guarantee victory.
If that Guardian bastard had a weapon, I'd have killed it faster. Losing my weapon boosted my courage in the end, but backups are key.
Backup weapon...
Handaxe to split skulls?
Versatile dagger?
Or a mace to smash pots?
Something to mull over.
Plenty of cash, so invest in gear this time. Good equipment breeds good combat power. A capable warrior prepares.
Crushing foes with superior gear—that's the honorable warrior's mindset. That got me thinking about throwing weapons too. Assassins are the true warriors, after all. Hidden in shadows, striking when the enemy's weakest, ending it in one go.
I wanted to be that warrior.
Assassin Warrior.
Hell, archery sounds fun too.
"Alright."
Right by a smithy anyway. Spare 30 minutes for gear, then back. Winia should be fine with Cloudy watching her. She needs it more, anyway.
Grab gear quick, food from a shop near the inn, done. Let's wrap this up.
I ducked into a shoe shop right ahead.
"Welcome."
"Hey, good to see you. Looking for boots."
"What kind?"
"Combat boots."
First, solid boots that last. Always thought about it, but cash was tight. Nothing as crucial in battle as shoes. Sturdy ones protect feet and boost offense.
Following the owner's lead, I checked out pairs.
"Got anything tougher? Ideally with steel plates on toe and instep."
"Excellent eye. Got just the thing—the bestseller."
He brought tall boots reaching mid-calf.
"Ho. Now that's gear."
I was impressed.
Like fantasy army boots: rugged black leather. Steel-plated toe and instep for high defense as ordered, hardened overall for ankle support.
"Steel in the sole too. Bit heavy, but your build can handle it. Picked by eye for size... try 'em."
"Sure."
Perfect fit, even.
These were straight-up Combat Boots. A tad heavy, but I'd adapt quick. Buckles and laces for a tight fit, easy on/off despite size.
"Love these. How much?"
"High-end stuff: 7 silvers 20 coppers."
Damn.
Highway robbery.
Still, liked 'em too much—eyes shut, buy. Just wearing them felt like a power spike. Cheap shoes are trash, confirmed.
Deduct expenses, still over 15 silvers from the dungeon haul. Grit teeth, pull out wallet.
"Sold. Repairs if damaged?"
"Yes, three free for you."
"Appreciate it."
Paid up and headed out.
Next: armor shop.
Quilted Armor was salvageable with repairs, but sell as-is and grab better new stuff. Strolled quick, found a decent spot, went in.
Jackpot—racks of Quilted Armors inside. Type of cloth armor, aka gambeson. Well-off warriors wear 'em daily; killer performance per coin.
Owner asked what I wanted; said I'd browse myself. Do it right this time.