The Ranger girl tried to pull Altaïr along, but when she tugged, he didn't budge. It was only then that she noticed he was half a head taller than her.
While his build wasn't as exaggerated as those giant-like heavy weapon Hunters, he was still quite a bit taller and sturdier than the average person.
"Sorry, I think you might have misunderstood something."
Altaïr didn't like to take advantage of others' kindness, so he explained earnestly, "I'm a Loc Lac local. It's not that I don't have a place to stay, I just don't want to go home for certain reasons, and I don't feel like renting a room at the guild hall tavern either.
As for breakfast, allow me to treat you both as compensation for interrupting your work and causing trouble."
As he spoke, Altaïr lifted his money pouch and gave it a shake, showing that his wallet was still quite full.
The Ranger girl let go of him, tilting her head to size him up again. "Don't want to go home for certain reasons? Had a fight with your family? Ran away?"
"Something like that," Altaïr said, looking away guiltily.
"Hahaha, I get it, I get it, little bro. To be honest, I went through a phase like that too, you know!" The Ranger girl clapped him firmly on the shoulder.
"By the way, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Resha, a member of the Loc Lac Rangers, as you can see. This kid here is Sajji, my patrol partner!"
The Felyne beside the girl also waved a paw.
It had slightly long fur, the color of a dusty grayish-yellow, with some broken black stripes (a Dune Cat), a coat color unique to Felynes from desert regions.
It was a bit small, and judging by its face, it was probably just a little one who hadn't reached adulthood yet.
Altaïr nodded to the girl and the Felyne respectively and gave a simple self-introduction as well. "Altaïr, 1★ Hunter. A pleasure to meet you."
"Oho, so you're not an apprentice, but a fully-fledged Hunter who's already been promoted?" The girl named Resha glanced at the Sword and Shield on Altaïr's back. "A light weapon Blademaster, huh? Perfect. Say, our Rangers are always recruiting. Interested in learning more?"
Altaïr was about to decline, but on second thought, he wasn't opposed to joining the Loc Lac Rangers to hone his skills. Looked at from another angle, perhaps this was also a chance to prove he could be independent?
"Is part-time an option?" Altaïr asked tentatively.
Resha's eyes crinkled into a smile. The fact that he asked meant he was interested in working for the Loc Lac Rangers, but just had some reservations.
That was normal. If he had just blurted out "I want to join!" without a second thought, she would have doubted whether he had a brain in his head.
"Let's go! We'll talk over a meal. After we eat, I'll take you to see Boss Joda." Resha tilted her head. "It's not like just anyone can join the Loc Lac Rangers. Whether it's for the long term or something else, you need the boss's approval."
"Is that alright?" Altaïr couldn't help but ask. "Aren't you two still on patrol?"
"It's fine. It was just a routine patrol anyway. I'll just find a colleague in a bit and ask them to help keep an eye on this area for us!" Resha grinned happily.
"You just want to slack off, meow," the Felyne named Sajji couldn't resist saying.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Resha flicked its ears, which were a bit larger than a typical Felyne's. "My enthusiasm for recruiting new blood for the guerrilla unit is genuine!
Alright, you expressionless hunter kid, let's go. If we're late, the breakfast place will be full!"
"Okay." Having nowhere else to go anyway, Altaïr followed the bickering human and Felyne.
—--
Since they were all locals, they naturally didn't go to one of those strange and bizarre shops opened specifically for tourists. Instead, they found a bustling stall in a residential area where the locals gathered.
The food offered here was also simple. Olive oil was poured over steaming hot bean paste, and the fresh fragrance of the cold-pressed olive oil was instantly released by the steam, whetting one's appetite.
Paired with freshly baked flatbread and a sweet tea brewed from dried dates, this meal of plant-based protein and carbs was the breakfast most familiar to the locals.
It looked simple and unpretentious, but for desert dwellers like them, it was the most comforting taste. The price was reasonable, and the portions were generous. Altaïr silently memorized the stall's location.
I can come back here in the future.
After eating and drinking their fill, Resha patted her belly in satisfaction. She was about to go pay, but found that Altaïr had already beaten her to it. She couldn't help but smack her lips. "Tsk, you kid... Forget it, my treat next time.
Are we going to see Boss Joda now? Or do you have something else you need to do?"
Altaïr thought for a moment. "If it's alright, I'd like to go to the workshop first. I just got back from the hunting grounds after a hunt yesterday, so my weapon and armor need to be cleaned and maintained.
It shouldn't take too long. Besides, it might make a better impression this way, don't you think?"
"Oh, sure! Smart kid. The boss often says things like, 'A warrior's gear is their life!' He'll definitely like you!"
"You're happy too, meow. You get to slack off for longer, meow," Sajji said suddenly.
"Nonsense! My Hunter's Bow needs maintenance too, okay? And I need to restock on arrows!"
"Shouldn't you do that in your own private time, meow?"
"Why are you so serious, you cat!"
"Actually, I also feel like this is taking up too much of your time, Miss Resha," Altaïr spoke up at this point. "You two can carry on with your duties. As for meeting the guerrilla unit's leader, I'll be fine on my own."
"Argh! Why are you two both like this! Damn it, you two are the real partners, aren't you?" Resha said, exasperated.
"And another thing! Altaïr, kid, why do you always speak in that respectful yet distant tone? We desert folk don't talk like that. Who did you learn that from?!"
"..." Altaïr was silent for a few seconds before answering, "It might be because my teacher was from Yukumo Village."
"Someone from the Western Continent, huh? No wonder." Resha pushed the table and stood up. "Let's not waste any more time here. Let's go, I'll take you to a workshop I know! Everyone in the guerrilla unit gets their weapons maintained there, so you won't have to wait in line!"
Resha dashed off in a flurry. Altaïr and Sajji exchanged a helpless glance and hurried to catch up.
—--
The workshop Resha mentioned wasn't large, but judging from the number of weapons and armor stored here, business was likely very good.
The owner was a scantily clad woman. The sun-shaped tattoo on her shoulder was the most common symbol in Loc Lac.
"Boss! I brought a newcomer to get his weapon maintained!"
After exchanging greetings, Resha turned to Altaïr. "What are you standing there gawking for? Hurry up and take off your armor and weapon and give them to her!"
Having grown accustomed to the young woman's personality after spending some time with her, Altaïr nodded to the female proprietor. He then took off his armor, piece by piece, and placed it on the counter.
The proprietor glanced at the Hunter's Armor he handed over and tossed it to an assistant behind her to be cleaned and maintained. This level of novice gear didn't require much of her attention.
But when she took the weapon Altaïr handed her, the proprietor's expression turned peculiar.
She turned the Hunter's Dagger and its matching shield over and over, examining them several times. She would look up at Altaïr, then lower her head to continue her inspection, repeating this process again and again.
"What are you looking at, ma'am? Isn't that just a basic Hunter's Dagger?" the impatient Resha couldn't help but ask.
The workshop proprietor ignored her, instead staring at Altaïr and firing off questions without pause. "You, kid, just how in the world do you use a Sword and Shield?
The edge of the shield is severely worn; did you use it as an axe? And the sword, too. The blade is chipped so badly. Did you use it to smash a Monster's skull or something?
No? You don't look like you have that kind of exaggerated strength. How could you possibly use a Sword and Shield like this?"
Altaïr turned his head away, slightly embarrassed, and mumbled, "My way of using the Sword and Shield is a bit... special."
"You really shouldn't use the Sword and Shield anymore. Switch to a different weapon. It'll be better for you, and better for it."
--------------------
Notes: The main character's primary weapon in the future will not be the Sword and Shield, but he is using it for now as his fundamentals in all areas are still unstable.
The so-called 'Western Continent' refers to the Japanese-style region of Yukumo Village and Kamura Village. Since the official materials have not clearly specified the location of these areas on the world map, but there is another continent to the west of the Old World, this book has set the Japanese-style region on the Western Continent.