9. After Dinaria
After leaving the restaurant with Dinaria in tow, we headed straight for the public bathhouse. Dropping her off at the nursery could wait—first things first, this little girl looked like a drowned rat, filthy and disheveled. The least I could do was get her cleaned up properly. Sure, anyone watching might wonder why we were going to such lengths for a kid we'd just met. But what can I say? Like Bella had teased about reminding her of a little sister, somewhere along the line I'd started seeing Dina that way myself. Not that it was anything deep—just a fleeting connection. No need to get attached.
"Hmm, Yeonja. Where might we be headed?"
"To get cleaned up. You're a mess, Dina."
"Is that so? Hmm. Well, I suppose I am rather dirty. I hadn't paid it much mind, but I can see how it might strike you that way."
We'd known each other for less than two hours total, but her quick affection had wormed its way into me a bit. Still, that was all it was.
Before long, we reached the bathhouse entrance. I handed Dina off to the girls and turned to leave. While they scrubbed her down and fixed her hair and clothes, I'd handle the real reason we'd come to the southern market: picking up a bow or crossbow for myself.
"Alright, Cheong-ah, Bella. She's all yours."
"Don't worry about it, darling."
"Yeah, go on. Handle your business—you remember the place I told you about, right?"
"Got it. Be back soon."
As I started walking away, Dina called out behind me.
"Yeonja...! We'll meet again shortly!"
"Yeah, get nice and clean. I'll buy you some clothes too, so pick something you like."
"Understood! I'll be quick!"
I waved goodbye to Dina and headed back into the market. Without Bella, there was no need to duck into side alleys—I went straight for the smithy. I did pause briefly at a magic tool shop on the way, but Cheong-ah would kill me if she caught wind, so I showed some restraint.
The smithy itself was just as Bella described: the biggest in Leventen, neatly divided between the working forges and the sales floor for finished goods. No sweltering heat or metallic tang assaulted me as I stepped through the wide-open entrance—just organized displays everywhere.
"Welcome!"
The place buzzed with customers, but each group had a dedicated clerk guiding them. Must be the perks of the city's top smithy. As I marveled, a female clerk approached me, her tight suit hugging her curves perfectly.
"Welcome, sir. First time at Anvil & Hammer?"
"Uh? Oh, yeah."
"In that case, allow me a quick rundown of our smithy."
She gave me the pitch: guild-operated chain with branches in major cities across the region. Sign up as a member, rack up purchase points, climb ranks for perks anywhere. Sounded awfully familiar...
...Like a damn big-box store chain.
"So, sir, what brings you in today?"
"Uh, looking for bows or crossbows."
"Bows and crossbows? Right this way."
She led me to a section lined with the goods on both sides.
"Any specific type in mind?"
"Nah, not really."
"Hmm. Mind if I ask your budget...?"
"Hold on."
I peeked into the pouch Cheong-ah had given me: twenty gold coins. Way more than enough for a bow or crossbow.
...She really loaded me up.
I tucked it away and rounded off for the clerk. "Around ten to fifteen gold."
"My! That's generous. These should suit you perfectly."
"Sure."
"Shall I explain them for you?"
Her eyes sparkled eagerly. Kinda pressuring. Staring at her brought back Earth memories—shoe or clothes shopping, wanting to browse alone, but clerks swarming with questions. That subtle push to buy something...
"Sorry, but could I just look around solo for a bit?"
"Of course. I'll be nearby if you need anything."
Dismissed, I examined each one. I knew jack about bows, but better than letting sales talk cloud my judgment.
"Alright, let's see."
I started with bows over crossbows. Hey, I'm Korean. Bows hit different for us—spiritual weapon of the nation, archery powerhouse, national pride overdose jokes and all that. Grabbed one labeled Yuldo shortbow—familiar name thanks to Cheong-ah, probably.
Heavy little thing. Gave the string a tug.
Nothing.
"Hrrm."
Tried harder. Zilch.
Defective? Shoddy smithy for a big name—displaying crap like this?
A few more futile pulls, I tilted my head and went to hang it back. Then the clerk piped up from behind.
"Sir, that's a bow made from iron-horned ox horns unique to Yuldo, strung with ogre tendons. Without mana, it'll be tough to draw."
"Wah! You scared me!"
"Ah, sorry! I just figured you might need the details."
"N-no, yeah. Good call. Wait, mana? For drawing a bow?"
"Yes, sir. The ox horn boosts durability, and the ogre tendon adds toughness—but it's harder to pull. In return, it pierces plate armor like butter."
"Huh. Got it."
"Want to try channeling mana...?"
"Nah, pass."
No sale. I tried a few more, getting explanations each time. I'd planned to browse solo, but screw that—what was I thinking? Can't read the specs anyway. Just listen and pick what sounds good.
But bows weren't clicking. Every one used monster bones or horns, needing mana to draw.
The least bad one...
"That's a practice bow. Fine for beginners—goblin bone frame and tendons make it easier than most."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes, but low power. Barely pierces goblin hide. Good for practice, though."
Pierces goblin hide barely? Useless.
"Pass."
"Understood."
I set it down and fessed up to the waiting clerk. No mana, period.
"Um, listen."
"Yes, sir?"
"Truth is, I can't use mana at all."
"...Pardon?"
"Special constitution—no mana."
"Your class is...?"
"Adventurer."
"Ah... an adventurer."
"Yeah, why?"
"N-nothing. A mana-less adventurer..."
She shook her head frantically, eyeing me like I might be pranking her. Fair— in this world, even ants had mana. Hard to buy someone claiming zero.
"Any recs?"
"Ah, yes! For no mana, crossbows over bows."
"Crossbows?"
She launched into why: modern ones use magic stones. Monster materials like bows, but magic eases loading. Plus, just aim and trigger—no drawing.
"Sounds good."
More details followed: bolts tipped with carved magic stones, durability, etc. I went for the top-tier in my budget: pricey, light, sturdy, mid-size, auto-load magic. Bought three packs of 100 bolts, plus a few magic-stone ones.
"Crossbow and bolts total fifteen gold."
"Here."
I handed over the coins. She bowed happily.
"Thank you!"
"Yeah, thanks for your help."
Weapon acquired. Time to head back.
After Ian stopped by the smithy, on his way back, a group of five adventurers were knocking back drinks at a tavern. They'd recently cleared a dungeon, reported to the guild—and included the ones humiliated in front of Ian for trash-talking Bella, plus guys who'd badmouthed him behind his back only to get wrecked by Cheong-ah. The one who'd pissed himself from her killing intent spotted Ian and nudged his well-connected buddy.
"Hey? That guy—isn't that the prick?"
"Which prick?"
"Y'know, the parasite who flipped out at the guild last time 'cause we talked shit about that stacked bitch or whatever."
"Oh, Ian? What about him?"
"Ain't that him over there?"
The connector glanced where Piss-Pants pointed: Ian strolling off, crossbow-and-bolt bag slung over his shoulder.
"Huh... yeah, looks like. So?"
"So, fuck—the guy's alone right now?"
"Huh...? Oh, shit, he is. And?"
"And nothing, moron. You know the humiliation that asshole put me through? Can't even show my face at the guild anymore. Nickname's Piss-Pants now. Piss-Pants! Get it? They call me that more than my real name. Fuck."
"So what're you gonna do?"
Piss-Pants ground his teeth, spitting curses at the connector's question.
"What d'ya think? It's not the guy—we're scared of those bitches with him. Parasite struts 'cause he thinks they're his shield. You all hate that shit too, right? We've all eaten crow once."
"True."
"I got fucked over before."
"...Honestly, yeah, it's bullshit."
The adventurers nodded one by one. Piss-Pants grinned, jabbing a thumb Ian's way.
"Exactly. So let's tail him and teach the prick a lesson."
"Whoa, hold up—if it goes south, we're fucked, idiot."
The connector tried reining him in, thinking of fallout. Piss-Pants glared, eyes bulging viciously.
"Who's gonna know?"
"Huh?"
"Grab him sneaky, dump him in an alley. Who finds out?"
With that, Piss-Pants snatched his weapon and stood. His buddies followed suit, one after another. The connector hesitated till the end, then grabbed his gear and bolted after them.