Aidan's workshop stood in the blacksmiths' district, a cluster of just three stone buildings in the small town. The largest structure, boasting a small garden, was unmistakably his. Master hesitated at the entrance, the weight of the dwarves' stares inside making him want to flee, but Mizuki strode confidently in.
"Sorry! We're looking for Aidan!" Mizuki called out.
One of the craftsmen bellowed, "Boss!" Moments later, Aidan emerged, wiping soot from his hands.
Master explained the third-floor dungeon threats – Big Eye's defensive magic, the need for ranged weapons. Aidan listened intently, nodding. "I see. I've got bows and kunai in stock. Wait in the backyard; I'll fetch them."
He ushered them into a cramped open space behind the workshop. Do they actually craft bows here? Master wondered, eyeing the anvils and forges. Aidan uses a bow… maybe that's why he's willing to part with stock. Kunai, though? Is this town secretly crawling with ninjas?
"Fam," he whispered, "do you know what a ninja is?"
"Yes," Fam replied softly. "I heard it's a high-ranking occupation. No details."
So they exist, Master mused. Niche demand, maybe.
Aidan returned with a shortbow and a handful of kunai. Mizuki immediately fixed on the bow. "Carbon, right?" she asked, her fingers tracing the limb.
"Hmm? You know it?" Aidan raised an eyebrow.
"Um, well… Mash probably knows too," Mizuki deflected, glancing at Master.
Why drag me into this? Master panicked, remembering his warning about Mizuki's teleporter origins. I know nothing about carbon! He stayed silent, hoping his blank expression looked neutral.
"As expected," Aidan grunted, impressed. "Someone used this bow against the Demon King a century back. Same with these kunai." Master bit his tongue, curiosity warring with caution.
"Did you make them, Aidan?" Mizuki pressed.
"Aye. Carbon can't be forged here. Used the 'Workshop' skill."
"How old are you, Aidan?" Master asked, the question slipping out.
"124 come winter."
"So you remember the Demon King's defeat?"
"Aye. Served in the Holy Knights back then." Aidan's casual admission stunned Master. He was there?
"Did you fight the Demon King?"
"Nah. Fell to a lass who claimed she came from another world."
"Could she still be alive? Did we miss her?" Master leaned forward, the teleporter connection suddenly vital.
"Dunno," Aidan shook his head. "Haven't heard whisper of her since."
Aidan handed Master the bow. "Target's on that tree. Give it a try."
Master nocked an arrow, aiming at the target five meters away. He released. The arrow spun wildly, veering straight towards Fam.
"Hya!" Fam yelped, diving aside. Mizuki choked back a laugh. Defective product, Master thought, cheeks burning.
"Right. Lesson time," Aidan sighed. "Can I teach you both?" Mizuki asked, her enthusiasm grating on Master's social anxiety. I'd just stand here spacing out.
"I-I'd like to learn too," Fam added quietly.
"Aye. Fetching my bow. Wait here."
Aidan guided them through stances, draws, and releases. Mizuki absorbed it instantly, her physical prowess translating to flawless form. Fam struggled with the draw weight but grasped the mechanics quickly, her arrows hitting the target softly. Master, despite his strength, couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Useless, he thought, frustration mounting.
"Mash," Aidan instructed, "use a whisper of wind magic to guide the shaft. Once you learn the feel, you won't need it."
Wind magic? Finally useful! Master channeled a tiny current. The next arrow flew true, striking the center. Yes!
Kunai practice followed. Aidan's knowledge was limited – it would require real combat refinement. Fam, lacking raw strength, used her whole body like a coiled spring, achieving surprising accuracy. Master remained abysmal. Worst again. Disheartening.
"I'll take one bow, ten kunai," Aidan stated. "Payment: one magic seed. Bow's got a strengthening enchant."
"No, that's not enough," Master protested. "I'll bring more seeds later, just name your price."
"It's fine. You'll need it for Fam's curse. Keep it." Aidan's generosity felt heavy.
"Aidan, wait," Master insisted, urgency tightening his voice. "I don't remember earning this kindness. Tell me why, or I can't accept."
Aidan looked skyward, silent. "Right. Supper's near. Eat with us." The sun dipped low, hours having vanished.
Master seized the chance to cook omurice. He bought rice and tomatoes at the market – Rice exists? Other teleporters must be here, or were before – and gathered eggs from Aidan's chickens. Making ketchup seemed daunting until Aidan's 'Workshop' skill simplified it: controlled time, heat, and separation within the space. Convenient, but chaotic if everything worked like that.
"Nah," Aidan reassured him. "Can partition areas. Same with Storage, once you hit Level 15 Adventurer. Divide it up, rent compartments." Master immediately created a partitioned space for Fam. Now, near him, she could access her own storage.
Mizuki prepared stew, Fam assisting. Cooking skills too? Perfect superhuman, Master thought wryly. Aidan contributed grilled meat, and Mizuki sipped beer. Master tensed.
"Mmm," Aidan sighed contentedly. "Good day. Haven't drunk since that day!"
"Small glass is fine," Master conceded reluctantly. "Made this myself. Sometimes fetches more than a weapon." Aidan handed him a mug. Master sipped, the bitterness unpleasant. "Mmm, delicious," he lied.
Aidan grinned knowingly. Fam stared, captivated. Master offered her the mug. "Alcohol stunts growth. No drinking til twenty. Not running that kind of outfit, but if you become an alcoholic, I'm leaving you behind."
"Okay… just one bite?" Fam pleaded. She took a huge gulp. "Phew," she breathed, cheeks flushing, eyes glassy. Drunk already?
"Aidan," Mizuki interjected, "I'd also like a sword from you. Sell me one sometime?"
Aidan's gaze shifted to Mizuki. "You're the Wind Blade, aye?"
"Aye," Mizuki nodded. "Thinking of leaving."
"What?" Master blurted. "Didn't hear that."
"Hmm…" Mizuki looked uncomfortable. "Was waiting for the right time. I want to join Mash's party."
"Hey, serious?" Master asked, flustered. "I plan to quit dungeon crawling soon. Head east to Migurt. This is just training."
"Didn't know, but that's fine," Mizuki stated.
Master looked at Fam. Her answer was always clear: Your decision. "Party talk later," Master deflected. "Sorry, Aidan. Back to the sword?"
"Nah, no qualms," Aidan shrugged. "Helps shed the 'Wind Blade' rep." Trouble brewing, Master thought uneasily.
"So fluffy!" Fam exclaimed, staring at her omurice. Master had attempted a ketchup heart but settled for a spoon-drawn swirl. "Proud of this one," he thought. "My lord, I want this again!" Fam slurred, drunk on one sip, her speech thick.
Mizuki ate slowly, savoring. "Tastes like… home. Might cry," she whispered. Master felt a pang; he missed rice too. Should've just cooked plain rice.
"Hmm. Good," Aidan rumbled.
"About earlier," Master pressed, "why the gift?"
"Aye," Aidan's voice turned grave. "Day before you bought Fam, heard tell of dog-kin neglected in the prison. Went to check. Found her."
He wanted Fam? Master froze. Aidan shook his head. "Not like that. Disgusting practice. Was looking for a way to free her, but you… you negotiated. Bought her fair."
"I see…"
"Nay," Aidan corrected. "You acted. I hesitated. Wanted to help you." Hyaha guarded her, Master realized. Even Aidan might've struggled. A fight would draw attention…
"Appreciate it, Aidan, but it's too much," Master insisted.
"Then grow strong enough to beat the Demon King," Aidan countered, his eyes sharp. "You're a teleporter, aye?" He knows, Master thought, the confirmation chilling.
"Wait," Mizuki cut in, her voice sharp. "From what I hear, Fam's ownership just changed. She's out of prison, but still a slave. That's not freedom. She hasn't been freed from anything." Her anger turned on Master. Should've clarified sooner.
"Fam, please?" Master prompted.
Fam rolled down her arm covers. "Mizuki," she said clearly, "I'm a free citizen."
"No slave mark… why pretend?" Mizuki gasped.
"My fault," Master admitted. "Aidan warned me. Discrimination against non-humans here. Told me to act as her owner to avoid trouble." He'd just followed the advice at the Guild, overwhelmed.
Mizuki slumped. "Should've said that first!"
"You were noticed by everyone!" Master retorted. Fam stayed silent, understanding his panic.
"Things were tense this morning," Fam murmured.
"Wait," Mizuki countered, "Fam made that bold claim first! Made it hard to step in…"
"...Aye," Mizuki sighed. "I got heated first. My bad." I feel wronged too, Master thought, but let it slide.
"Know the Crimson Brigade?" Aidan asked, the tension easing.
"No," Master replied.
"Thieves. Wear crimson hoods."
"Huh?" Fam gasped, her shoulders trembling. Master instinctively put an arm around her.
"Found out from that caravan," Aidan continued. "Didn't buy Fam directly, but known for shady slave sources. They raided her village. You might meet 'em heading east." Fam trembled harder. The raiders wore red hoods, Master realized. Why advertise? Infamy? He squeezed her shoulder. "Understood. We'll be careful."
"Is the Demon King truly gone?" Mizuki asked, the teleporter connection now open. She craved answers, a path home.
"Not hiding," Aidan said. "Believe he fell. But teleporters weren't only summoned 100 years back. Happened before. Elves might know. Long lives."
"Is that so?"
"Also, caution. You ain't the only teleporters. A god summoned you. Others summon too. If you meet… battle likely."
"...Why fight?" Master asked, dread settling in his stomach.
"Dunno," Aidan admitted. "Century past, seemed the game was rigged that way. Survivors… they took the Demon King down."