"Ah... it is true we all receive basic military training in the palace," Lilia replied, her expression turning sheepish as her gaze dropped to the table. "I... I practiced with a bow during my academy years."
She swallowed hard, looking up with an embarrassed grimace. "Uhm... but please don't expect too much from me, Master. Even during active training, I was only able to hit the center of the target a handful of times—and those targets weren't even moving."
I held back a smirk, nodding slowly.
Well, I know that all too well, I thought dryly.
In the game, her early-game accuracy with ranged weapons was so notoriously low that almost every player benched her at first.
However, there was a massive hidden mechanic she was entirely unaware of: her base stat distribution possessed latent growth parameters that were god-tier for an assassin.
Once a character reached a certain level milestone, they could undergo a specialized class change.
The moment she transitioned away from the bow and unlocked the specialized melee Assassin class, her character instantly transformed into one of the highest-damage, top-tier frontline combatants in the entire meta.
I then rise from the table. "Don't worry about it for now, just trust me. Let's figure that out later after we see the equipment shop."
She nodded slowly, acknowledging the blunt necessity of gearing up for the road ahead.
We quickly finished our business at the inn and headed out into the bustling, dusty streets of Hils City, making our way toward a reputable weapons and equipment store near the garrison district.
The shop was filled with the heavy scent of iron, oil, and treated leather. I immediately began to browse through the cluttered iron racks, selecting a sturdy, lightweight set of reinforced leather armor for Lilia and a finely balanced steel longsword for myself.
"Try this on," I instructed firmly, handing her the heavy pieces of leather armor. Then, reaching into the weapon racks, I handed her a standard iron short sword and a beautifully crafted steel dagger.
After seeing the specific weapons I had picked out for her, Lilia completely froze. Her jaw dropped slightly as she stared at the short blade in her hands.
"I'm completely certain I told you just a moment ago that I was only practicing with a bow, didn't I, Master?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly in utter bewilderment.
Seeing her dumbfounded, highly confused face looking up at me was honestly somewhat funny. I let out a small chuckle, leaning against the counter.
"I know what you said. Just take it and try it on. I'm certain that a short sword is much more suited for your natural movement than that clumsy bow."
She could only stare back at me with a deeply puzzled expression, but she obediently carried the gear behind a changing curtain.
While she was getting fitted, I turned back to the vendor's counter, selecting a master-crafted longsword with a reinforced crossguard for myself, along with a few high-grade health and mana potions to restock our traveling satchel.
The transaction cost me a few Silver coins—a drop in the bucket compared to the massive value of the 2 Gold coin Ogre General Core and 10 Gold coins from before sitting securely in my pouch.
A few minutes later, the leather curtain pulled back, and Lilia stepped out.
Even though the reinforced leather armor was practical and lacked any royal ornamentation, it hugged her slender waist and perfect figure flawlessly, providing excellent mobility for her legs.
The short sword and dagger looked intimidating in her grip, instantly hinting at the powerhouse she was destined to become once we unlocked her true potential.
With our preparations finally completed, we made our way directly toward the massive East Gate.
If we wanted to reach Vels City within the borders of the Venix Kingdom, crossing through this specific fortified checkpoint was our only viable option.
Beyond this gate lay a grueling, dangerous path.
Before reaching our final destination, we would have to stop at three small, scattered frontier towns, navigating our way through the treacherous Forest of Death, the suffocating depths of the Dark Valley, and a vast, unforgiving desert.
The entire journey spanned a massive distance of nearly 200 kilometers. If we chose to travel entirely on foot, traversing such hostile terrain could easily take us several grueling months.
"I'm going to buy a horse-drawn carriage," I said, my eyes scanning the surrounding streets for a reputable carriage merchant.
"If we want to cross the border and reach Vels City quickly, we'll absolutely need one to speed up our journey."
Lilia only nodded and started following beside me.
The frontier city was alive with the vibrant, chaotic sounds of merchants loudly hawking their wares, children playing in the alleyways, and the distant, rhythmic clang of a blacksmith's hammer echoing from the garrison district.
My eyes carefully scanned the crowded marketplace until they finally landed on a sturdy-looking carriage shop situated at the far edge of the square.
The establishment, adorned with a hanging wooden sign depicting a galloping stallion, was run by an elderly man with a heavily weathered face and a practiced, friendly smile.
He was a retired veteran adventurer who now spent his quiet twilight days crafting, selling, and repairing traveling carriages for merchants.
The elderly man greeted us warmly the moment we approached, wiping his grease-stained hands on a rag. "Good morning, travelers! What can I do for a fine pair like you on this beautiful day?"
I stepped forward, explaining our immediate need for a highly reliable, durable carriage capable of handling the long, rocky journey to Vels City.
Gideon nodded thoughtfully, stroked his grey beard, and led us toward the back of his lot, showcasing a well-maintained wooden carriage that looked exceptionally sturdy—easily robust enough to handle the rough, unpaved terrain that lay ahead.