Chapter 53 – An Arrow to His Heart
Chapter 53
An Arrow to His Heart
Date: Day 1 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Not long after, they arrived at a clothing store.
Unlike Boram's Used Goods, this shop appeared to sell new clothes. The glass window displayed many colorful and well-made dresses and tunics. Mannequins posed in the latest styles. Fabrics of every hue caught the light. A signpost showed a golden thread, with words that read "Frederick's Clothes."
Elise stopped in front of it. Her eyes lingered on the displays. Taking in the colors. The styles. The variety.
Hyoren looked at her. Confused by their destination.
"This shop looks fancy, Elise. I thought we were going to Uncle Boram's again."
Elise shook her head. Her silver hair swayed with the motion.
"Uncle Boram actually only stocks the best. Customized. Craftsman-made. And most durable clothes. Even if they're secondhand, most of his wares are expensive."
She gestured toward the shop before them. The glass windows. The neat displays. The colorful fabrics.
"This shop is the opposite. Sure, they sell brand new items, but everything is mass-produced. So they're cheap. They're not suited for traveling, as they'll tear or wear out fast. But for daily clothes, it's better to buy here."
Elise climbed the steps to the entrance. Her footsteps light. She glanced back over her shoulder.
"This store is from the Frederick Company, which specializes in mass-producing clothing. Let's go."
Hyoren followed Elise inside.
The interior was remarkably spacious. The wooden floor was polished to a shine. Reflecting the light from the magic lamps above. The decorations were chic and colorful. Fabric drapes hung from the walls. Attractive displays drew the eye. Rows of clothing hung on racks throughout the store. Organized by type, color, or size.
It was almost like a modern department store. With a touch of medieval charm.
Elise smiled as she scanned the store. Her green eyes sparkled with something. Excitement. Anticipation. The look of someone who had been deprived of something simple for too long.
"Okay. Since these are going to be personal items, I think we should buy them with our private money."
She pointed toward different sections of the store. The dresses. The shirts. The pants.
"Let's split up to save time. Let's meet at the cashier."
Hyoren nodded. Opening his mouth to respond.
But before he could say a word, Elise had already bolted toward the dresses section. Her form weaving between racks. Her fingers already reaching for fabrics.
He watched her go for a moment. The enthusiasm in her step. The way she moved like gliding. Then he turned to survey the store himself.
The staff stood at various locations throughout the shop. Ready to help. Neatly dressed. Professional. But unless called upon, they simply stood by. Waiting. It was truly like a modern store in that regard.
He made his way to the shirt and pants section. His footsteps echoing softly on the polished floor.
"I have around 200,000 Kres in my account. I should limit my spending to around 100,000 Kres. I hope I can buy decent clothes with that."
He began browsing through the shirts. Running his fingers along the racks. Feeling the different textures. He picked one up and felt the fabric. Examined the seams. Turned it over in his hands.
"This is... the fabric is soft. Definitely not leather."
He rubbed it between his fingers. The sensation was unfamiliar after weeks of animal hides and rough cured leather.
"It's not as soft as silk, but comfortable enough to touch. And the seams look consistent. Not hand-stitched."
He checked the price tag. His eyes widened. The number was smaller than he had expected.
"Only 20,000 Kres? Cheap! My whole set from Boram's cost 200,000, and it was secondhand."
He shook his head in amazement. The difference was staggering.
"It seems that's the difference between custom work and mass-produced work. This fabric looks too thin to wear in the wilds, indeed."
Hyoren smiled. He quickly selected a few items. Two sets of shirts and pants. Simple colors. Practical cuts. A few pairs of underwear. And one set of sleepwear that looked comfortable. Soft fabric. Loose fit. Perfect for sleeping in an inn.
He gathered everything and brought it to the cashier. The woman behind the counter wore spectacles. Her hair was tied in a neat bun. She had a professional appearance. Efficient. Friendly. She smiled at him.
"Is that all, dear customer?"
Hyoren nodded. The woman began calculating the price. Her fingers moving quickly. Sorting through the items.
"Okay. Everything comes to 125,000 Kres. Will you use coins or card transaction?"
Hyoren retrieved his card from the storage bag. The familiar weight in his hand. He handed it to the cashier.
"Here. My card."
The woman smiled again and processed the transaction using the magic tool on the counter. The machine verified the card. Deducted the amount. She returned the card after a moment.
"Thank you for your purchase, dear customer."
Hyoren took the card and the clothes he had just bought. He placed them into his storage bag. One by one. The items disappeared into the spatial void. Having this bag was truly convenient. He didn't have to carry anything.
As he turned around, Elise appeared.
She carried a mountain of clothes in her arms. The pile was enormous. Dresses in various styles. Chic tunics. Skirts of different lengths. Blazers with intricate stitching. Pants in multiple cuts. And a multitude of other clothing items. Hyoren could even spot some underwear. Bras and panties. Nestled within the pile. Most of it was in various shades of green. It seemed that was her favorite color.
Hyoren smiled wryly. The sight was almost comical. The elven ranger nearly hidden behind the pile of fabric.
"You bought a lot of things, Elise."
She dumped them onto the cashier's counter. The woman's eyes widened slightly at the sheer volume. She began carefully sorting and counting everything. Piece by piece.
"This is not a lot, Hyoren. If I could, I would triple this amount. But I held back."
She sighed dramatically. Her shoulders slumping in mock defeat.
"Sigh..."
Hyoren smiled again and nodded in understanding. Whether on Earth or here in Kresneger, it seemed women loved to have different kinds of clothing. Some things transcended worlds.
Elise quickly paid for her purchase. The mountain of clothes apparently totaled 460,000 Kres. This store was truly affordable. A fraction of what Hyoren expected from medieval fantasy clothes. She then packed everything into her Adventurer's Pack. Item after item disappearing into the bag.
The cashier thanked them again for their purchase. She bowed professionally.
Elise looked satisfied. Her expression content. She walked toward the exit. Her step light. Hyoren followed closely behind. He opened the door for her. The cool evening air greeted them. They stepped out of Frederick's Clothes.
***
The busy Merchants' District greeted them back with its familiar chaos of haggling voices and rolling cart wheels. The sounds washed over them like a wave. Merchants calling out their wares. Customers bargaining for better prices. The rumble of carts on cobblestone. The clatter of hooves against stone.
The dual suns had already begun their climb toward the zenith. Casting short shadows beneath the feet of pedestrians. The morning was progressing. The city was alive with activity.
Elise looked up at the sky. Shielding her eyes with one hand. The golden and silver light filtered through her fingers. She checked the position of the suns. Calculating the time.
She turned to Hyoren. Her expression shifted to something more businesslike.
"We've already bought magic tools and daily clothes. There are two things left we need to buy. Our armor, and your weapon."
Elise started walking toward the street. Her steps purposeful. Her direction clear. Hyoren quickly caught up to her side. Matching her pace.
"Okay, Elise. What first?"
Elise tucked strands of her silver hair behind her pointed ears. The gesture was absentminded.
"Armor first. The best blacksmith in Akela is in the Adventurer's District. But while we're in the Merchants' District, we'll go to a leather specialist shop first."
She knew the city well. Her steps were confident as she led him through the crowded streets. Weaving between pedestrians. Dodging carts. Navigating the flow with practiced ease.
"I know just the place. It's nearby. It's run by a quiet human artisan named Jena. She makes high-quality, reinforced leather armor that's designed for mobility and protection."
Elise glanced back at him. A small smile on her lips.
"It's perfect for us. It's not expensive, but the quality is second to none. And I always love her design on leather armor. Aesthetic, but still practical. My old shredded armor was also made by her."
Hyoren nodded. Trusting her judgment completely. She had been in this world far longer than he had. She knew the merchants. The craftsmen. The best places to buy.
"Lead the way, Elise. Let's get armored up."
Elise led him toward a corner of the Merchants' District. The crowds thinned slightly. The noise faded to a manageable level. They stopped in front of an unassuming store. A small but neat establishment with a simple wooden sign that read "The Agile Viper."
The window displayed a single, exquisitely crafted leather cuirass dyed in deep green. It looked both elegant and functional. The stitching visible even from outside. The work of a master.
A small bell chimed as they pushed through the door. The sound was soft an d welcoming.
The inside was clean and orderly. The air thick with the smell of treated leather. Beeswax. A faint hint of lavender. The walls were lined with finished pieces displayed on mannequins. Each one unique in its design and color. Some were dark and practical. Others were lighter. More decorative. All of them beautiful.
A woman with kind eyes, nimble fingers, and a long braid of brown hair looked up from her workbench. She was meticulously stitching a bracer. Her needle moved with practiced precision. In and out. In and out.
The woman greeted them with a warm smile. Her voice soft and pleasant.
"Elise. It's good to see you."
Elise smiled back warmly.
"Jena, good to see you. This is my new partner. He's in need of a full set of armor, and I need a new set too."
She gestured toward Hyoren. Presenting him.
"Hyoren, this is Jena. Jena, this is Hyoren."
Jena's hazel eyes assessed Hyoren. Her gaze was the look of an artist studying a new canvas. She noted his lean build. The faint scars visible on his arms. The way he stood. Balanced and ready. Weight distributed evenly on both feet. The posture of a fighter. Someone who had seen combat.
"A pleasure."
Jena wiped her hands on her apron. Removing the residue of leather and wax. She extended her hand. Her grip was firm when Hyoren took it. Confident. The handshake of a craftswoman.
"So. This guy first, or yours first, Elise?"
Elise smiled.
"Him first, please. Let me browse your wares first to see if there's something I like."
Jena nodded. She turned to face Hyoren. Her expression professional and attentive. Ready to work.
"So, what do you want? What is your role and weapon? And do you prefer mobility or defense?"
Hyoren thought for a moment. Considering his needs. His fighting style.
"Something light, but strong. I'm a spearman. I need mobility. I need to be able to twist, lunge, and dodge without being encumbered."
He paused. Weighing his words carefully.
"But I also need to be able to take a hit from a goblin's sword or a wolf's claw and keep fighting."
Jena nodded. Her expression thoughtful. She was already visualizing. Already planning.
"I see. Not a tank, but a warrior. Come here."
She led him to a clear space in the center of the room. Had him hold his arms out. She turned him slightly this way and that. Examining his frame from different angles. With a long, flexible strip of leather, she measured his chest. His waist. The length of his arms. Murmuring numbers to herself as she worked.
"I have just the thing."
She said after a moment. Her voice confident.
"It's a design I've been perfecting for warriors. It's not off-the-rack, but it's a pattern I know well. It will require some minor adjustments to fit you perfectly."
She went to a rack against the wall. Pulled down a set of armor. It was gray and brown leather. The colors muted and practical. Designed for camouflage. For blending into the forest.
The main piece was a cuirass that covered the chest and back. Made of thick leather plates layered and expertly stitched together. The shoulders had articulated plates that would allow for full range of motion. It came with reinforced bracers. Greaves. A wide, sturdy belt. The whole set was light. Flexible. It looked deceptively strong.
Hyoren tried it on. The fit was incredible. It moved with him like a second skin. The articulated plates shifting silently as he twisted and mimicked a spear thrust. There was no chafing. No awkward bulk. It felt like it had been made specifically for him.
"This is perfect..."
He moved through a few more practice motions. Testing the range of movement. A lunge. A pivot. A dodge.
"How much, Jena?"
Jena watched him move. Satisfied with the fit.
"That was made from Ramtauro hides, so it's a bit expensive. But for a partner of Elise's, I can let you have it for eight hundred thousand Kres."
She smiled warmly. Genuine.
"I won't take too much for my work. Most of it is the material cost."
Hyoren's eyes widened in disbelief. Eight hundred thousand? For a full set of custom-fitted, high-quality armor? He had been expecting to pay at least double that. The sheer value was staggering.
Elise, who had been browsing the wares along the walls, returned at that moment. Her expression curious.
"You are too good to me as always, Jena..."
Jena smiled as she made a few final adjustments to the straps on Hyoren's armor. Tightening here. Loosening there.
"I consider you my long-time friend, Elise. And helping friends and their partners continue living is my pleasure."
As the straps on his armor were adjusted to perfection, Hyoren looked at himself in a tall mirror near the workbench. The reflection that stared back at him was different. Changed. Now he looked like a proper warrior. Not just a wild man from the forest. Leather armor draped over his tunic. Hair tied back. Ready for battle.
Now he only needed his weapon. To complete the look. To truly appear like a warrior from the games and fantasy stories he remembered.
Elise watched him with a warm expression. Her green eyes soft.
"That looks good on you, Hyoren."
Hyoren scratched his cheek. Suddenly self-conscious. Her praise was unexpected.
"Thanks, Elise..."
Elise turned to Jena. Her focus shifting.
"Jena, this set is available, right?"
She held up a green leather armor set she had selected from the wall. The color matched her old armor. But the design was different. Newer. Better.
Jena quickly gazed at the green leather armor draped over Elise's arm. Recognized it. Nodded.
Elise smiled happily.
"Let me borrow your changing room, then."
Hyoren saw her go to the changing room in the corner of the shop. She pulled the curtain closed. The rustle of fabrics. Then leather. Could be heard from behind the fabric. The sounds of changing.
Not long after, Elise emerged.
Hyoren's breath caught in his throat.
Elise had already discarded her green dress. She now wore a sleeveless leaf-green leather tunic with yellow line accents that hugged her body. The tunic ended with a short skirt that reached half her thigh length. But as she swirled, hints of black shorts could be seen underneath. Practical. Designed for movement.
The tunic came as a set. To cover her bare arms, she wore long gloves with the same design. Extending up to her elbows. Her upper arms and shoulders were still uncovered. But she had draped a deep green cape over her shoulders and back. As she moved, her bare shoulders and arms were still visible beneath the flowing fabric.
To protect her legs, she wore matching calf-length boots and leather stockings that reached up to her thighs. Creating what Hyoren's mind supplied as a zettai-ryouki. An absolute territory look.
To complement the ensemble, she had tied her ponytail with green leather ribbons. Creating a striking contrast with her shining silver hair.
She posed in front of Jena and Hyoren. Smiling brightly. Her eyes sparkling.
"How is it? I always love your aesthetic designs, Jena..."
Jena smiled warmly. Her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"That looks good on you. Actually, I made that with you in mind, Elise. And I'm glad you like it and that it fits you so well. It's made with Green Viper leather, so it's flexible and tough. A normal goblin's sword won't even scratch it."
Elise nodded. Thankful. She then faced Hyoren. Expecting his opinion.
But he stood frozen in place. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. No words came out. It was like he had been struck by an arrow to his heart.
Elise huffed. She placed her hands on her hips. Her expression shifting to mild annoyance.
"Hey, Hyoren. I'm asking you!"
Hyoren finally snapped from his stupor. But his eyes were still wide. Still lost in thought.
"Ah. Right. Sorry, Elise. I was lost in thought."
He swallowed. His throat suddenly dry.
"Yes. The leather tunic really suits you... it's like it was made just for you... you look really... beautiful."
Elise's cheeks flushed pink. She hadn't expected such an honest compliment from him. The words caught her off guard.
"Waa... Waahh... beautiful you say. I know you definitely joking! Umm. But… Umm… Thanks..."
She coughed to clear her throat. Turned around to face Jena. Trying to hide her own embarrassment. Her cape and skirt swirled with the motion. Her hair swinging behind her.
"Okay, Jena. How much for these two sets?"
Jena was clearly amused by the interaction between the two of them. Her lips twitched with suppressed laughter. She began her calculations.
"His set comes to 800,000 Kres. Yours was 1 million Kres."
She tapped her chin thoughtfully. Running the numbers in her head.
"I'll give you a discount. You only need to pay 1.7 million Kres, Elise."
Elise smiled broadly and hugged Jena. The embrace was quick. Genuine. Filled with gratitude. She quickly retrieved her card from her wallet and handed it to the artisan.
"I love you so much, Jena! Now, use my party funds to pay, okay?"
Jena smiled and processed the transaction using the now-familiar magic tools. The device glowed briefly. The transfer complete. She returned the card to Elise.
"Okay, Jena. Thank you as always! We'll come again if we need new armor."
Elise beamed as she took the card back. She turned around to find Hyoren still unable to avert his eyes from her new look.
"How long are you going to stay frozen, Hyoren? Let's go!"
She grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the door. Waving to Jena with her free hand.
Jena waved back. Her smile warm.
"Come back anytime, Elise, for a chat over tea too!"
Elise nodded. Her silver hair bouncing with the motion.
"Will do!"
As he was being dragged by Elise, Hyoren finally fully woke from his daze. His feet finding their rhythm. His mind clearing.
"Elise, I can walk by myself."
Elise smiled and nodded. But she didn't release his arm. She did, however, let him walk by himself instead of dragging him.