Chapter 281
Chapter 281
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 281
Chapter Title: Short Respite 281 ? Short Respite #3
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I headed into a fabric shop that was just about to close and grabbed some sandals that caught my eye.
The size? Roughly the same as my mom's feet should work. No, since she was about my height, maybe one size up would be better.
I handed the sandals I'd bought for 20 copper to the noblewoman, and without any refusal, she slipped them on under her skirt.
"Perfect fit. A bit loose, though."
"Want me to swap them?"
"No, I actually like them a little loose. Tight ones feel stuffy. Anyway, thanks. They feel cheap, but I'll wear them well."
For someone saying thanks, her attitude was pretty cold. To a refined old lady like her, these street-vendor 20-copper sandals might be more insulting than going barefoot.
So I just gave a casual reply.
"Wear them for now, and buy some fancy ones yourself later. Anyway, can you walk now?"
"Yes. That's enough. Still, just taking from a kid like you doesn't look right. Want anything in return?"
At the noblewoman's question, I paused and thought for a moment.
Want anything? I hadn't done it expecting a reward. But now that she was offering, nothing came to mind. Once this job's done, it'd be nice to have a cold beer—that was about it.
"Not really."
"If you knew people like I do, you'd have two or three things popping up right away. That indecisiveness must come from your dad, huh?"
"Damn, how'd you know?"
"Live long enough like me, and you just know these things without looking."
Fair enough.
Like that time with Professor Platan on my first commission—no internet, no smartphones in this world, and old folks' wisdom shines pretty usefully.
In a world where you can only get knowledge from books, and those books cost a fortune with few who can even read, you get how valuable experience is.
Even with her dementia symptoms, this lady was clearly sharp and wise back in her right mind.
But still, nothing I really wanted in return came to mind. Couldn't it wait a bit? Something might pop up if I thought longer.
As I pondered like that, the noblewoman scanned me from head to toe.
"Hmm, looks like you're carrying some decent wood there."
Her eyes were on the club at my waist.
"Nice piece of wood. But it's not even showing half its power yet. Because you haven't been watering it properly."
"Water it? It's just a club."
"It's not just any club. It's living wood. So you have to water it every day. And don't forget to pray over it with sincerity."
"Pray too?"
"Kid, crops don't work on tricks. These days, people get hooked on farming techniques and new fertilizers, forgetting gratitude. Back in my day, we'd offer the first sheaf of the best harvest to the goddess of bountiful yields. But not anymore."
"I see."
"Four good harvests mean one bad one inevitably follows. That's how the earth recovers and rests. A short respite, you might say. But folks these days don't get it."
"Probably not."
"They can't even accept one bad harvest. Cursing, faces red with anger. Exhausting. People need to learn respect first. Then gratitude. That alone would solve most problems."
"That's pretty important stuff."
She furrowed her brow at my half-hearted reply.
"Not even listening, just responding. Fine, you hate hassle. I get your personality now. Alright, we're almost there. Right over there."
Where she pointed was a temple with an eerie vibe. More like temple ruins, really.
No caretaker, apparently—outer north gate area littered with dust, straw, ragged cloth trash. Enough to make you grimace.
"Where to from here?"
"Here is fine, kid."
"Here? There's nothing. Meeting someone?"
"No, but I want to rest a bit. I've wandered so far. Walked till my sandals broke. Now it's time for a little break."
Earlier she said walking was fine, but an hour's trek was tough on an old body after all. Still, leaning on the weathered pillar, she looked brighter.
But is it okay to just plop on temple fixtures like that, even if abandoned? As I pondered if it was blasphemy, she continued.
"Still, today's walk was worth it. Fun for the first time in years."
"Good to hear."
"Kid, bit late to ask, but what's your name?"
"I'm Hassan of Samaria. If you need a commission later, ask for Hassan of Samaria at the Mars Guild."
"No need to lie to me. Tell me the name your parents gave you. I know that's not your real one."
She saw through my lie? I was stunned. Not your average granny—quite the skill.
"Hassan."
"Hassan. Simple name. Sounds like the wind blowing. Got it memorized. Nice meeting you, kid. You brought spring back to my life. Still just sprouts peeking at winter's end, but."
What? Spring returning—rejuvenation?
I joked back.
"I'm already owned, though."
"Ha, funny one. Owned? Shame. But good meeting. Though now there's more unforgivables. Next time—"
As she tried to finish.
Whoooosh—
A fierce wind blew from somewhere. So strong, dust got in my eyes; I bowed my head and closed them.
When I opened again, the old lady was gone. Nowhere in sight, no matter where I looked.
"Damn, some witch?"
Or a ghost?
Or something greater. Felt no special aura.
Being alone at abandoned temple ruins creeped me out, so I hurried back without looking back.
*
*
*
Back at the north inn, I headed straight for the well.
"Innkeeper, well out back?"
"One bucket, 1 copper."
Damn, even wells cost money. North gate's sparse population means stingy hearts. I paid to use it for watering the club, of course.
Me, watering a club. Unreal.
Reminded me of that chat with Luna.
Luna, whatcha doing.
Watering the club.
Why waste drinking water on that?
Hassan doesn't know? It's wood. Wood needs water. Haven't watered in days, so soaking it.
Oh.
I thought it was just Luna's quirk. Even if this club's special, watering it was weird.
But according to today's noblewoman, daily watering. So I dumped a full bucket on it, figuring what the hell.
Splash.
The club on the ground sucked it up like a thirsty man.
"Damn, what."
Crunch.
Waterlogged, weird sprouts grew from the club. Then roots dug firmly into the ground.
"Th-this damn thing rooted itself?"
Like that famous monk's staff sprouting into a tree—happening right before my eyes.
But this is my weapon! Can't just let it revert to nature.
I tugged every way to pull the rooted club, but it struck like on strike for neglect—roots locked tight, not budging.
"Damn it. Let go!"
Crunch.
I strained every muscle to yank it free.
But it liked the soil too much; Terror Pulverizer ignored me completely.
"Goddamn!"
Aктиon said it was worth a pouch of gold. Can't just donate it to the earth. As I fumed, a presence from behind.
I said, "I rented this well exclusive. Go elsewhere."
"Ha—exclusive well? Skipped incinerator today, what're you doing here?"
Familiar voice. Only one I know who drags "ha—" like a bratty girl. Eyes off the rooted club, turned—under the roof shadow, she emerged.
Glimmering silver-white hair. No need to ask.
"Damn, Elfriede."
"Damn, Elfriede?"
"No, Elfriede. What brings you here?"
"You first—what're you doing? Because of you, I did your share at the incinerator alone. Tomorrow's holiday."
"Didn't you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Shit—"
She didn't hear? That Samaritan kid must've skipped my errand.
Not just skimmed 10 copper, snuck into dungeon too. Brat—gonna flick his head next time.
If no errand, incinerator boss thinks I no-showed? Ruins my good worker rep.
Feeling that regret, Elfriede said, "Told the boss guild stuff. Had to do double your share. Still smell like ash everywhere. How'll you make it up?"
She scooped a big bucket from the well beside me.
Complaining about ash smell, but face, ears, hair spotless. Washed multiple times already.
"So why no-show? We were supposed to do it together."
Like a church sis nagging Sunday service, she grilled me. Mad I ditched and left her double work?
Obviously pissed.
If reversed, I'd rage too—so I came clean.
"Like you said, guild job. Did the dungeon."
"Oh, dungeon—. Hassan, you did a full dungeon. Grown up."
"We did Abyss together before—what now. And tomorrow I promote to Silver Tier. Impressive, right?"
"Ha, you getting a silver necklace like me?"
Elfriede grimaced like chills. Like a bug in soup—pure disgust, no hiding.
" Hilarious. Days as adventurer and already Silver Tier? Mars Guild rushing it?"
Honestly, I kinda agreed.
"…Chaos forever."
I quietly summoned the letters.
『Name: Hassan Lv. 26
Strength: 12
Agility: 6
Vitality: 8
Karma: 420
Blessings: Blessing of Chaos | Shining Hand | Armor of Night | Dark Eyes | Scorched Skin 』
Level 26 now. Karma 420 banked from clinic helps—enough for at least +4 levels.
To 30, meeting Silver Tier without Aura.
Lately though, wondered if I really deserved veteran Silver Tier.
Felt like Mars Guild rushing, like Elfriede said.
"Even you think you're too early for Silver Tier?"
"Damn, get out my head, Elfriede!"
"What nonsense. Anyway, you made me double today—pay up. Buy me a drink as punishment."
"What? Buy drinks?"
"Why not? Got the coin. Silver Tier tomorrow."
"Yeah, money's fine but—"
Her words shocked me honest. Me buying drinks for my ex-owner Elfriede?
Not freeloading, not allowance—my coin, another such day.
I asked, "Here for free booze?"
"Not exactly."
"How'd you know I'm here? Dozens of inns north side."
"…N-not your business. Buy or not?"
"Sure, let's."
Left the rooted club bastard, headed to the inn's dingy first-floor tavern. Still hilarious.
Me matching drinks equal with Elfriede.
More surreal than Silver Tier promo.
We sat across at a stained old table. She ordered meat snacks and beer; I same. Total 35 copper. Affordable.
"Not ordering pricier?"
She snickered at my question.
"I know you're broke. Paid that 150-gold fine."
"Yeah. Worried about my wallet?"
"Nah, want pricier then?"
"No."
Ice-cold beer arrived; gulped it down—today's chaos soaked into me.
Cold beer.
Hot pork.
Fail-proof combo.
"So I yelled at the damn bees, 'Why only me?' Then they drag me to these nymphs. Damn nymphs of honey water—"
"What? Total idiot. Honey Water Nymphs? Nymphs got weird names."
"You're Cranky."
"Told you not to say that?"
"Cranky reprimand—!"
"Damn it."
No closer, no farther with Elfriede. Like two years, chat flowed normal. Banter loud, faces flushing tipsy—empty mugs clinking, she said casually.
"Silver Tier, huh? Off to Delphi then."
"Delphi?"
Random Delphi.
I squinted puzzled; she explained.
"Silver Tier adventurers on this continent need Delphi oracle."
"Oh, that?"
"Didn't know? Anyway, heading to Delphi soon. I got business there too—. Hm—."
From cursing rowdy to suddenly hesitant. Made me uneasy, sobriety snapped back.