Chapter 5

It had been at least 30 minutes that I had been waiting in front of the rock fountain. Many people were staring at me, which made me feel uncomfortable.

The coat I was wearing made me feel very cool, like I was in the shade. I was beginning to wonder if the store would have more stuff like this.

-I made a good purchase. Maybe I should come back another day to see if they have more gear like this. I'll miss my old clothes though, maybe I can have someone make me a similar one - I said as I saw my burned clothes in a bag, they would be useless now but I wanted to keep them.

-Sorry for taking so long, Haruka couldn't choose anything, well, because of "it", so I had to describe to her the clothes I was choosing for her – said Sayuri in front of me, I didn't even notice at what moment she had arrived.

-I may be blind, but if I'm going to buy something with my money I at least want it to be cute – replied Haruka, annoyed by Sayuri's comment.

I looked up and could see them. They both looked very pretty, so much so that everyone was looking at them and I couldn't take my eyes off them.

Sayuri was wearing a red dress with lots of white details, it was longer than her previous dress and the sleeves covered her arms completely, she was wearing white low shoes with thin red details at the ankle, as if they were straps. Somehow it made her figure stand out even more, making her look a little older.

Haruka was not far behind. She was wearing a navy blue sleeveless dress, had shoes of the same color and white leather bracelets. She had the body of a 13-year-old girl, but that didn't stop many from staring at her.

They both carried leather bags in which they carried the other things she had bought.

-Now that I think about it... I need to buy a new backpack for the missions. Who am I kidding! Even trying to think of something else I can't take my eyes off them! – I thought as I saw them both in their new clothes.

-What's wrong? Why are you so quiet? – Sayuri asked.

-Well... just... I was thinking... they look... really cute... I mean... much more... cute... – I was trying to say something, but I could hardly get the words out of my mouth, for the first time I had gotten really nervous with them.

-I... I didn't choose this dress for you to tell me that... but thank you... – said Sayuri, she seemed to be nervous too, but Haruka hadn't said anything, she just had her head down.

-By the way, where did you get that thing from? – Sayuri said while pointing at me, I immediately rejected my coat, I guess I should tell them the real reason why I bought it.

-I know it's not very pretty, but it has many advantages. It has protective attributes, it is influenced by the attunement to the elements and it increases my luck a lot. Although the price... – I was trying to explain all the good things it had but I was interrupted.

-It's not because of that... it really suits you – said Sayuri suddenly.

-Besides if it has good attributes that makes it a very good buy – said Haruka supporting Sayuri.

-Even though I only have 28 silver coins left. I still need to buy something to sleep in the stable and think about food – I said remembering the price of everything I bought in that store.

-Don't worry about that, tomorrow we can do another mission – said Sayuri nonchalantly.

-As long as you don't choose another one that almost killed us... – replied Haruka.

-Shut up cat! That mission left us with a lot of profit! Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to buy these sturdy clothes! – Sayuri said, Haruka's comment had made her angry.

-Ca... calm down, the three of us can decide whether to go on a mission or not. For the moment we should go eat something and prepare for tomorrow – I said trying to calm them down.

-Yes – said Haruka, she seemed to be happy.

-Okay – said Sayuri a little calmer.

The three of us headed to a restaurant that was on the main street. It was a big place and the food wasn't that expensive, the only problem was that Sayuri and Haruka were attracting too much attention from the others and the worst thing was that it seemed that everyone was looking at me like a freak.

We were at the table and I couldn't help but feel the murderous gaze of the other men in the place, I was sure that at any moment something would happen.

We ordered something to eat and ate, ordered again and again. The orders kept coming in. I could eat a lot, but Sayuri and Haruka kept up with me. Finally the orders stopped when we were full.

-I had never eaten anything so delicious! It seems like a dream... eating so much delicious food... wearing these clothes... – said Haruka as she finished eating.

-Sayuri... Do you think we can get Haruka's master to let her go if we try to give her money in return? – I asked looking for a way to make her stay with us.

-If he knows about the spell she can use, I think not. Besides the rumor that we got the golden apples is going to spread very fast, maybe he already knows about it – said Sayuri worried.

-I see... What if we try to buy it? – I asked trying to think of another option, although that was the only one I could think of.

-I think the same thing will happen – she said with the same tone as always.

-Don't treat me like a commodity! – Haruka said angrily as she pounded on the table.

We left the restaurant before they threw us out for making too much noise, outside it had already started to get dark and there were a few clouds in the sky, so we went straight to the stables, but not before buying sheets and blankets to spend the night better.

The girls had already gone to bed and seemed to be asleep, but I couldn't sleep, something was bothering me. I knew that most likely I really was in another world and that, perhaps, somehow I had been brought here without dying, so there must be a way out anyway. I had already told Sayuri my assumptions, but she hadn't said anything. But that wasn't the whole problem.

-Why would they bring me to this world? I'm not someone who considers myself strong, I don't have much talent for sports either and, as hard as it is to admit, I'm not brave. Besides the girls are much stronger than me, if I tried to help them in a fight I would only get in their way. But I don't want something bad to happen to them just because I'm weak... – I was thinking while I was trying to sleep, but I couldn't do it.

I didn't know how many hours had passed since the girls had fallen asleep, but everything was very quiet. I got up, changed my clothes, put on the coat I had bought, my backpack, the dagger Sayuri had given me and left the stable. I walked through the streets of the city, which seemed to be deserted, until I reached the city wall, I went out through one of the gates but not before receiving a warning from the guards, I took out the dagger Sayuri had given me and prepared to fight.

Immediately a group of goblins came out to greet me, although within the group there were some that seemed to be bigger and had golden horns, they seemed to be stronger than the other goblins.

-I can't let them do all the work... let them do all the attacking! I have to be strong enough to be able to protect them too! – I thought as I faced the group of goblins. It was strange, I didn't feel fear nor was I anxious, I was just standing there waiting for them to attack me.

-Where did these golden horns come from?! – Sayuri shouted, waking me from my sleep.

-They are as valuable as golden apples! – said Haruka.

He was confused, he didn't remember anything, he didn't even know how he got to the stables, he only knew that he was sore and very tired.

-Hey Ryuuji, do you know where they came from? – Sayuri asked, she was surprised while holding the horns in her hands.

-No... I only know that last night I went out of town and saw a group of goblins... it seems that some of them had those horns. I can remember that I drew my dagger... but then everything is blank – I said trying to remember something else, but I was still half asleep.

-Does that mean that you did it?! – Sayuri asked surprised, but I didn't have the answer to that.

-I don't... I don't think so! I remember you said your luck was only 2 and it takes a lot of luck to get one of these! – Haruka said, maybe her master had fought those monsters before and hadn't gotten the horns.

-I don't know if it was me who brought them... but it's true that my coat increases my level of luck – I said remembering what the store manager had told me.

I had an idea that might help to know the answer. I took off the necklace with the little blue sphere and gave it to Sayuri.

-If I was the one who brought those horns it means I defeated a lot of monsters last night without knowing it, so my stats will have increased. I want you to check my stats now and later with my coat on to see if there are any big changes – I said as I got up from the bed.

-Okay, but I don't think your stats are impressive enough to kill... those... – said Sayuri, the instant she saw through the glass her voice trailed off, she had seen my stats before, so I didn't think she would be impressed to see them now.

-What's wrong? I want to know too – Haruka shouted to Sayuri, she bent down and whispered something in her ear. Her face looked surprised for some reason.

-What's wrong? Is something wrong? – I asked a little worried.

-It's not that... all your stats went up 10 points, but the 4 usual ones are still changing, they still don't have a fixed number and the most impressive thing is that your Mana doubled. Even your Intelligence went up another point, together with Luck they are the hardest to increase – said Sayuri confused.

-But it's impressive, that you went up so much in just one night, you went up more than 41 points and that's just the ones that don't move – said Haruka, she seemed to be even worse than Sayuri.

-Well... the old man from the guild said that was very strange... but now let's see what happens when I put on the coat – I said while I looked for the coat.

I put it on and this time I felt a change, it was as if my body was a little lighter. Sayuri's face looked surprised again when she saw, again, through the glass.

-Well, was there any change? – I asked nervously when I saw her expression.

-Well... how do I explain it... All your stats went up 5 points and your luck is at the same level as the others, plus the other 4 stabilized a bit, now they are around 27" she said while giving me the crystal.

I immediately saw my stats.

Strength:27 Power:27 Defense:27 Physical Resistance:25 Magic Resistance:24 Agility:27 Mana:35 Vitality:23 Intelligence:15 Luck:27

-Are they still that low? This coat does help quite a bit, I guess I have to go back to that store and place an order – I said as I put my collar back on.

-You're saying they're low?! No newbie can reach that in 2 days! I guess we'll have to fight really hard for you not to catch up so fast – said Sayuri annoyed, maybe because of my comment.

-Really, if I keep going like this, how long will it take me to catch up? – I asked trying to find out her stats.

-I've been an adventurer for a while, so... if you keep going at a pace like that and I don't do anything... maybe 2 weeks – said Sayuri, I had no idea how long hers were just with those words.

- I haven't had much time in battle, but I think in 7 to 9 days you'll be able to catch up with me – said Haruka in the same way she did.

-Perhaps knowing someone else's stats is something very strange here... although this all sounds even stranger to me no matter how many anime I've watched – I thought as I listened to her words.

-So that's the difference... hey the more level you have the harder it is to keep going up? – I asked them, I already knew the answer but I wanted to be wrong.

-Of course, you will have to kill stronger monsters or kill many more monsters to get a single point – said Sayuri.

-I knew it... – I thought immediately.

-I see... then let's go for another mission. Let's level up, earn more money and get out of this stable – I told them remembering everything I had thought last night.

They both looked at me confused, maybe because I was so animated. But then they got up, I didn't know what they were going to do, but it was true that I had told them something strange.

-That can wait until tomorrow, for the moment you have to go to the guild, collect the reward for killing those monsters and sell these horns – said Sayuri in a serious tone.

-But... – I tried to speak but they wouldn't let me.

-You said yourself that you wanted money, so selling these horns will bring you a lot. Besides I think you should rest a little bit – said Haruka, she seemed to be a little worried.

-Well, you're right about that. Besides I need money to make the deal with your master and get him to let you go free. Plus if I can level up a lot maybe I can do something to stop them from calling Sayuri "Crimson Witch" – I said thinking out loud.

They both turned to look in different directions, I didn't know if they were angry or if I had done something wrong. I just lay down for a while and went back to sleep, this time with no worries.

When I woke up Sayuri and Haruka were not in the room. There was a large leather bag next to me, I opened it and it had the gold horns on it.

-I guess I have to go to the guild now – I said as I grabbed my things.

I left the stables and headed straight to the guild. It was midday and everything was very quiet. There were a few girls cleaning the place, so the counter place was almost empty.

Luckily the girl who had taken me to get my stats activated was there.

-Good morning – I said greeting her.

-Welcome. How can I help you? Heee? Aren't you the guy from a few days ago? – she asked me a bit confused.

-Yes, my name is Ryuuji. I'd like to get the reward for the monsters I killed last night, I also want to sell this – I said that while putting the bag on the counter and handing him my necklace.

-Let's see... 40 goblins and 16 golden goblins?! So about the bag...?! – She said, she seemed to be excited, she opened the bag and saw the horns – How is it... possible... that you...?!

-I don't know, okay?! My classmates already asked me, but I don't really know what happened last night! Can you give me the reward so I can leave? – I asked a bit tired already.

-Cla... sure. It's 160 bronze coins for the goblins and 640 for the golden goblins, that's... 80 silver coins. Each horn is worth 25 silver coins... and you have 32... so... –she said, she seemed to be raving a bit, but there was no doubt, she would earn a lot of money.

-We finally found you! We've been looking for you everywhere – said Sayuri when they found me.

-Yes, and I'm not used to feel so many looks on me – said Haruka, she seemed to be uncomfortable for wearing her dress.

I was walking back to the stables when I ran into Sayuri and Haruka. I wanted to hurry back and hide my money somewhere.

-I went to the guild to get the reward and sell the horns – I said trying to hide my happiness.

-So, how did it go? – Sayuri asked, I could tell she was anxious for my answer.

-Well, I got 25 silver coins for each horn, so in the end I got... 8 gold coins and 80 silver coins! – I said excitedly showing them the bag with the money.

They blinked a couple of times silently as they saw the bag in my hands.

-What, that much money?! – they both shouted, their screams were so loud that they hurt my ears and made all the people passing by turn to look at us.

-Don't shout so loud! I don't think it's that bad – I said as I rubbed my ears.

-The money you got is almost what you'd get for a level 2 mission! There's no rookie who can be one even with a group of 10 people! – Sayuri said in surprise.

-That's right, my master only keeps accepting level 1 missions because he can't level up! – Haruka said playing along with her.

-Level up? – I asked confused.

-That's not what matters now! – Sayuri answered, it was obvious they wouldn't tell me.

-That's right! My master bought me for 2 gold coins! If you offer him 4 I'm sure he'll sell me! – Haruka said, I could see that she was really happy, finally there was a chance that she would stay with us.

-That sounded bad... but I don't think it will be that easy. I would like to earn some more money before I talk to him, just to be sure – I said trying to be cautious.

-So how much money do you have?

-Counting the 24 silver coins he had for me before...8, no, the equivalent of 9 gold coins and 4 silver coins – I said trying to make accounts of everything I had.

-That's already a lot of money for two days. With just one gold coin you could buy the stable room and... –Sayuri started to say, but what she had really said had caught my attention.

-Can that be done? Then... I'll do it. Then we can fix the place up and make it more comfortable. Can you take care of that? – I said as I interrupted her.

I took a few silver coins out of the bag and then gave them to her, I could trust them to take care of the money much better than me.

-Are you sure? – Haruka asked.

-Of course, we need to rest well to do more missions and earn more money – I answered.

-But about what you told me... about where you lived before you came here... it's like you said you don't want to come back – said Sayuri hiding the fact that she was really from another world.

-It's not that I don't want to, but I'm sure it will take a long time to find a way to go back... so I want to spend that time comfortable and with nice people like you – I said excited by the idea.

They both blushed a little, but then nodded.

-Then I'll take care of the room – said Sayuri while putting away the bag with money.

-I will try to negotiate with the guild to get a discount. I will also work hard to earn a lot of money and buy my freedom! – said Haruka excitedly.

Sayuri and Haruka seemed to be in high spirits, a second later they were both gone in the direction of the guild. I decided to walk around town a bit and try to find a new weapon.

-The dagger Sayuri gave me is very good, but I'd like something with more range. Although I have no experience with any other weapon... – I said as I walked around looking at the stalls in the city.

I came to what seemed to be an armory on one of the main streets of the city. I walked in and there were all kinds of weapons, from daggers to giant hammers.

-Who could use one of these? – I said as I saw a spiked ball attached with chain to what appeared to be a wooden hilt.

Deciding to take a look at the other weapons and study the prices before buying one.

-Now that I think about it... in this world language and writing are very different, but I can understand both perfectly Is it because of those voices? – I thought as I read the labels on the guns.

-Welcome to the Maki Weapons Shop! What can we offer you? – A boy's voice made me react. Maybe he was in charge of the store while the owner returned.

-I would like to buy a... Well... I don't know what to buy yet – I said as I looked at the boy.

-You can look at the guns while the manager comes back. If you are interested in any... Can you wait until she comes back? – he said a little worried, maybe he thought I was going to steal something.

-That's fine – I replied as I turned my attention back to the guns.

The boy disappeared behind the bookshelf. That had confused me a little, but I started to look through them and tried to find one that I liked.

Twenty minutes had passed and there was nothing that caught my eye.

-All these weapons are expensive and there is not one that I can use easily... I just have to keep looking – I said as I left the main shelves.

Suddenly the blue bracelet on my right hand appeared, it was strange and it seemed that the charm pointed to a precise direction. I followed the direction where the bracelet was pressing a little, towards one of the corners of the store.

There was a pile of swords along with their scabbards, all covered in dust. I went through one by one, until I picked one up and the charm glowed for a split second.

-This one? – I asked somewhat confused.

I unsheathed the sword, it was a kind of katana. The hilt was somewhat flat, black with some blue details and the blade was completely black, but the edge shone with a slight bluish tone. I liked it and the price was reasonable, I definitely had to buy it.

-I'm back, Kenta! – The door to the armory burst open. Someone had entered, by the voice it was a woman, but she was wearing a cloak that covered from her feet to her face.

-Finally you're back Seina! I told you many times not to leave me alone doing your work! – I heard the boy's voice, he was really upset. He approached the woman, they seemed to know each other well, surely she was the store manager.

-I'm sorry, but I had to go look for the guy I saw last night – said the woman as she apologized.

-Are you sure it wasn't a dream? – asked the boy.

-Of course not! I saw him from the wall! He fought that big group of goblins in a way I've never seen before! I'm sure that if I find him...! – she said excitedly.

Suddenly she looked in my direction, I was sure she had seen me.

-That's him!! – she shouted as she pointed at me.