chapter 10
chapter 10
Where Did You Get That? (2)
Beep—
“Kyaaaah!!!”
“Oh my god! Congratulations!!!”
Finally.
“What happened?”
“She got A-rank.”
“What? Really? I’m so jealous.”
“She trained like crazy—of course she made it.”
“Ha… when will I ever reach A-rank? I can’t even get to B.”
“Some people are stuck at C, and she’s already A… seriously.”
Some showed envy, some jealousy, some sincere congratulations.
But Shine wasn’t focused on their reactions—
She was happy that she achieved it together with “Flame Dragon Lotus.”
‘But isn’t the name kind of lame…? Flame Dragon Lotus, seriously?’
Watching the blue-flamed dragon arrow explode like a blooming flower, she understood the meaning—but still didn’t like the name.
She decided she’d rename it herself.
“Are you sure it was just because you changed weapons?”
She hadn’t told others, but she couldn’t hide it from her closest friend.
So she told her.
Naturally, her friend grew curious.
“Yeah. It feels like this and I are connected on a soul level. We’re destined.”
“…Ugh, even so, the kissing is a bit much.”
Her friend grimaced at Shine’s obsessive behavior.
She couldn’t even bring herself to say what she had planned.
‘I was going to ask to borrow it just once…’
If Shine’s growth really came from that weapon, she wanted one too.
Her rank was also B.
But unlike Shine, who had been stuck for a year, she had only reached B two months ago.
She wasn’t even at the stage to aim for A yet.
‘She says it’s been a year, but most people stay B forever.’
She sometimes felt envy, but more than that, she wanted to follow Shine.
‘Become her adjutant. Hehe.’
But to do that, she couldn’t fall behind.
“About that man who sold you the weapon… can I meet him too?”
“You too?”
“Yeah. I need new gear anyway, and maybe I can ask him too.”
“…It’s not a bad idea, but I’m not sure. We’re not exactly close.”
Shine hesitated.
She hadn’t even bought it—she barely managed to rent it.
And her friend’s family likely couldn’t afford such a weapon.
‘If I tell her she can’t afford it…’
She couldn’t say that.
But she also didn’t want to introduce someone who couldn’t buy it.
“…I’ll ask him first. I can’t guarantee anything.”
“Can’t you just take me with you?”
“That’s not possible.”
Bringing someone without permission would be rude.
“Then at least ask if he has anything else.”
“…Alright.”
Her friend backed down.
“Please. Even a secondary weapon is fine.”
“…Okay.”
Now Shine had another burden.
‘Shouldn’t have said anything.’
But this friend had never shown jealousy—only support.
‘For her… I can do this much.’
She decided to build a better relationship with the man.
‘Hope he’s eating well… he looked pretty big.’
This time, she decided to treat him to a meal.
And she also sent word to her family about achieving A-rank.
‘This is just the beginning.’
Shine smiled brightly.
⁂ ⁂ ⁂
“Mister!!!”
A week had passed.
I arrived early again—and as expected, Shine was already there.
“You came early again?”
“This time only one hour early!”
If she had a tail, it would be wagging.
“Looks like you liked the weapon.”
“Totally totally totally!! It’s insane! I reached A-rank! Not official yet, but definitely enough!”
Seems like the effect is huge.
“Here’s the contract. Three years, with yearly renewals. I’ll pay rent yearly—but honestly, I’ll make it mine before that.”
“Do as you like. I’d prefer to just sell it.”
After signing, I hesitated.
Should I tell her about my shop?
Right now, my shop had zero customers.
Which was intentional.
The problem wasn’t that.
‘There’s no way to bring characters to my shop.’
Waiting around like before was too risky.
‘What if I let Shine bring them?’
She wouldn’t refuse.
And I wouldn’t rely on her forever.
“Uh… mister.”
“What?”
“Do you have more weapons like that?”
“Don’t get greedy.”
“No, no! It’s for my friend.”
“Friend? Who?”
If she’s just an extra, I can’t sell anything.
“She’s my best friend. I want her as my adjutant.”
B-rank at her age wasn’t bad—
But compared to SSR, it was nothing.
Extras usually capped at B.
Selling my items to them?
‘Like pearls on a pig.’
Still—
“I don’t sell to just anyone.”
“She’s talented…”
“If you care that much, bring her here.”
I handed her a card.
“What’s this?”
“There’s a map on the back.”
A path from the academy to my shop.
“Wait—you’re a merchant?!”
“What, did you think I was random?”
“I thought you were a black market dealer.”
Illegal merchants who avoid taxes—
They get exiled if caught.
That’s why I got my license first.
“I may look like this, but I pay taxes.”
Technically not yet—but still.
“I’ll bring her for sure!”
She seemed excited.
If she had come earlier, she said, she would’ve visited already.
But even if she had—
She wouldn’t have met me back then anyway.