Chapter 20 - Market and Encounter

We were at the city after accomplishing another job. It was just an escort quest worth two silvers. Unlike yesterday, today's mission was uneventful. On the other hand, we still got the reward.

"Hey, Bro! Do you mind if I can get some farming tools and seedlings as well?" Scurus who was walking behind me asked.

"Hm?" I turned to him.

"There is a lot of vacant land near your house. I bet I can grow some good vegetables there!"

"That sounds promising."

"Right, right?"

If he could really grow some vegetables, it would reduce our food expenses. It could even be a potential additional income if there would be excess.

"I'll allow it. But you cannot use farming as an excuse to skip morning training or from doing quests, got it?"

"Sure! Thanks Bro!"

I guess the farm life way of living was already embedded in his core. I did not see any disadvantages with that though.

"How about you Ovis, you want to get something too?"

Ever since she became my familiar, she never asked me for anything. It might have been because of her experience with her previous master. But since I was open to spending some money for Scurus, I thought that it was unfair if I would not do the same to her.

"N-none." She meekly replied.

"You know you don't have to hold back with me, right?" I assured her.

"Th-then, I'd like a new pot and a kitchen k-knife."

Now that she said it, my cooking utensils back at home were just poor second hand stuff that I got at a cheap price.

"Sure, let's go buy that as well."

Ovis' eyes brightened and a smile formed. As a tamer, I did not only have the duty to make sure that they were strong. I also had to see to their needs so that they would be satisfied. The happier they became, the more willing they would be to train and fight. In order to achieve that, we went to the center plaza which was near the market. I handed Ovis and Scurus a silver each.

"Use it well, alright?"

"Y-you're letting u-us buy for ourselves?" Ovis stared at the silver on her hand.

"You guys worked hard so you deserve it, it is not much though. You guys know how money works right?"

"Of course Bro. The old man taught me how!"

"Y-yes Master, but t-this is too much…"

"Just don't worry about it. We'll just meet back here before the sun sets, don't get lost!"

The three of us went our separate ways. I just hoped that they would not be blinded by the small freedom I gave. If by chance that they spent it on useless things, I would not let them handle money again. I was treading through the market when I didn't really have a destination in mind. I did not think that I would need to buy a new familiar soon and I did not have anything in particular that I needed. I decided to just walk around aimlessly.

"Hey, it's the kid Mest!" A rough loud voice called me from afar. It was Lavinia's Dogkin familiar. Just his huge figure alone made him stand out on the streets.

"Hello, doing some shopping?" I walked closer to him.

"I am just accompanying the young lady!" She glanced at Lavinia who was busy with her Lizardkin familiar as they browsed at a store nearby." How about you?"

"I was just taking a walk after completing a quest."

"I see, going at it hard eh?"

"A bit, my familiars are working diligently so everything feels easier now."

"Familiars? You got another one aside from the girl?"

"Oh yeah, you haven't met him yet. His name is Scurus and he is a Rodkin."

"Scurus, eh? If you picked him up then he's sure to be an interesting one!" The Dogkin laughed heartily.

"By the way, it has already been a long while but I still haven't gotten your name yet."

"Oh right? I go by Rufus and the slimy one is Greck."

"I think it's rude to call someone slimy, you know?"

"Oh don't worry! That guy does not mind it one bit!"

"It's a certain plebeian, do you have any business with me?" Lavinia asked with her proud tone as she walked towards us. She was the same as I remembered, mean and unfriendly.

"Not really, I was just having a chat with Rufus here."

"Where's your familiar?" Lavinia furrowed her eyebrows as she looked around.

"They are doing another task."

"And you call yourself a tamer?"

"Where did that come from?"

"A tamer should always be with their familiar to prevent trouble from happening. You are already E ranked and you don't even know that?"

"Ah that? Don't worry, I trust that my familiars won't cause any trouble for me."

"I'm talking about you!" Lavinia leaned closer to me as she pointed her index finger on my forehead.

"Me?"

"Let me spell it out to you. Although what you see on the surface is a peaceful city, there are a lot of Beastkin sympathizers mixed in." She said with a quiet yet serious voice. "Their targets are defenseless tamers."

"I'm not defenseless, I can handle myself."

"So if I attack you right now with my familiars, can you emerge victorious?" She wore a dark expression.

I was not able to respond. Although the manner she delivered it was rude, she did have a point.

"I believe reason was able to penetrate the small brain of yours."

"Yeah, thanks for the warning." I faked a smiled.

"No need for thanks. I just don't want to see you fall victim to another until I get my revenge for all the humiliation you have given."

She flipped her hair before she turned her back and walked away from me. Rufus waved at me while Greck nodded before they proceeded to follow their master. Despite her high and mighty attitude, I could at least tell that she meant well. I guess I just had to get used to her behavior so I could mitigate my annoyance of her. I would try to heed her advice though. That was the first time I heard about those Beastkin sympathizers, I guess no one really talked much about them. I should ask Kai about it the next time I see him.

I continued walking the streets without a destination in mind. I was just killing time since I wanted to give the two a little bit of independence. I just decided to head to the weapon shop to check out some good stuff. My sword was already all beat up. Although I did maintenance on it by myself, there was a limit on how much it prevented it from aging up. I wanted to buy a new sword for quite a while but I also did not.

I would be quite satisfied if I bought a replacement but I would also feel guilty. Storing away my old one despite being still functional would be a waste. I was kind of secretly wishing that it would break during a fight so that I would have no choice but to buy one. But at the same time, it costs money and I'd rather just save up. It was a complicated feeling. It might be even more complex than that thing they call love or affection. Not that I know of that, at least.

The weapons on display were enticing. Not only did their blades and hilts present no trace of any scratches, they were also quite shiny. That was how they tried to charm people to buy stuff. Although it looked appealing, it would no longer look brand new after using it in just a single battle.

But I still wanted to buy one!

But it would be a waste of money!

But…

Due to the internal conflict, I decided to just walk out of the store. I must prevent myself from being brainwashed by those flawless steel. I was back to square one, walking around to kill time. Since my legs were starting to get tired, I decided to just make my way towards our meeting place where I would wait for the two. That was when a hand gripped on my shoulder.

"Hey Mest, long time no see." The man whispered in my ear.

I gazed behind me and it was Erik. He looked way different than what I remembered. Not only was he clad in black, his face was a pain to the sight. His eyes looked like they were about to pop, and his dark lips were grinning widely.

"Erik?" I calmly called.

"Wow, you know my name! That was surprising! And here I thought you saw me as just a rock on the road." Even his voice sounded rougher and with a higher pitch.

"What do you want?"

"Don't be so cautious! I just want you to come with me somewhere."

I definitely sensed trouble, I was sure of that. I tried to grab on my sword when his grip got tighter and then he whispered.

"I have my familiar nearby. Try and hurt me and she'll rip the guts of a random child in these streets. You want that?"

Upon hearing his words, I reluctantly removed my hand from my sword. Cold sweat ran through my back. The area was filled with people passing by yet I was unable to call for help. Everyone was minding their own business that no one was able to notice that I was in a pinch.

"Now, don't be so alarmed. Just follow my orders obediently and no one else will be hurt." He whispered yet he sounded excited.

I had no choice but to do what he wanted me to. He removed his grip from my shoulder and replaced it with his arm instead so we would not look suspicious. If someone saw us, they might just think that we were very close friends.

We strolled for a while through the crowd and he did not say anything else. I shiftily looked around me to try and spot someone I knew, hoping for some kind of help yet I saw no one. The sun was already about to set when we reached a forest. The sky had a tangerine color which was contagious to the trees. We kept on walking until we were deep in, that was when he finally let go of me.

"So what do you want?"

"Isn't it obvious yet? I want you dead! But not a quick death, I want to see you suffer! I want you to beg for your life! Grovel before me!" He gave a hysterical laughter as he unsheathed the sword on his hip.

His Harpy familiar also arrived and stood beside him. Unlike her master, her expression looked dim. It was clear that she was just forced to obey.

"Come on! Draw your sword!" Erik shouted.

"I command you to meet with me at once. I am in a forest north of town. Please find me, this is an emergency." I issued orders to my familiars from afar using the magic of the seal.

"That's your best shot? Ask your familiars for help? That's useless! They won't be able to come inside here!"

"Let's see about that." I drew my sword. I doubt I could defeat them on my own. All I could do was try to survive while waiting for Ovis and Scurus.