Despite my insistence, the group decides we should not visit the blacksmith yet.
It's apparently not a good time.
But.
It's not an unreasonable time.
The rain is slowing down, and we have plenty of daylight left.
But.
Apparently it's taboo to visit the blacksmith after midday in this area.
System helper has explained, exhaustively, multiple times. Without my permission.
I still don't understand why we should actually abide by the superstition. It's not like it matters if I'm rude if the end result is defeating the demon king, right?
Plus, once I'm done with him, I can move on to another world, so it just won't be my problem.
But.
The others seem concerned. And.
They're the ones who are supposed to be the experts here.
So.
I guess.
Whatever.
"Master, you're so rude."
The fact is, if I can't sell that bracelet I don't really have the funds to buy anything.
I could do quests to get gold for new armor, but...
No, it's not worth it. It's more exciting to try to fight the demon king with starter equipment anyway.
...Well, not really.
But I can't help this upgrade. I've been thinking new armor would be better than these unwieldy robes, but if it's stronger somehow, that will only make the demon king fight easier. I want it as hard as possible, if it's my only challenge in this world.
"Master, no, if you underestimate the demon king you'll die!"
I've died once before anyway. It's not like I want to go and die again, but if I did, it'd give me another world and another chance at a different load out, right?
"Master, no, no, no! You have to earn points to use perks!"
That's easy, I don't want any perks anyway.
"Master, please, I'll tell you anything you want to know, but you have to promise to stay alive!"
You're being incredibly dramatic...
"--Ryo?"
I blink. Elara has, at some point, gotten incredibly close.
She waves a hand in front of my face.
"You're zoning out."
"Huh?"
"You've been staring at the wall for five minutes. It's weird."
"Oh."
I guess I've been thinking for a bit, haven't I?
I sigh. "I'm fine. I was just thinking."
"Are you hungry~?" Meera chirps up. "I space out when I'm hungry!"
...Does she?
She can get even more air headed than usual?
Or perhaps she's always been hungry since I've known her...
"It's not hunger."
I stand up. "I'm gonna go look around the town."
"In the rain?" Meera makes a face. "Miss Meowkins won't like that."
"So stay here with her. I'm going to take a walk."
"Master, you're not thinking about selling that bracelet again, are you?"
No.
...Yes.
But I already tossed it to Meera. I'm not going to demand it back now.
And it's not like she'll let me sell it, either.
So.
I guess I don't need the money anyway.
Still, if I'm going to sit around in town and rest for the day I might as well explore it.
I'm not big on exploring open worlds for no reason, but I hate waiting around even more than that.
So.
Exploring it is.
"I'll join you." Kael stands and walks after me. "I'm not quite ready to settle down for the night anyway."
"...Do what you want."
I'm not really in the mood for company.
But I suppose I can't complain.
He's not as quiet as Arin, but he's definitely no Meera.
Kael is reserved, and seems to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder, but it's not a personality that bothers me too much.
We walk out of the slightly too-toasty tavern into the rain.
The change in temperature probably should bother me, but it doesn't. Probably one of those random perks that System Helper rattled off before.
Kael pulls up his cowl, but I can't be bothered.
If the people here are naturally suspicious of elven things putting the hood up probably will only attract negative attention anyway. The last thing I want is to get locked into some ridiculous quest about that.
Kael sighs. "You really should put up your hood. You'll stand out as a foreigner."
I glance over at the man. "Why does it matter? I am one."
He looks me over, and shrugs. "Your call. You just seem to be someone who doesn't want to be bothered."
...He's not. Wrong.
"Fine." I pull up the hood, and adjust it a bit. It's a little awkward, and not very comfortable, but it'll do. If lifting the hood will give me less trouble than leaving it down, I might as well lift it.
We walk through the rain, and the town is still bustling.
Even with the weather, there are crowds of people, and merchants shouting, and stalls and shops and food and noise.
Clearly the rain is common enough here that the locals pay it little mind.
"What are you looking for?"
"Nothing in particular." I shake my head. "Got no money for it anyway. I just don't feel like being cooped up."
He nods. "That's fair."
After a bit of silence, he speaks again - disturbing my image of a man who's reserved and quiet. "Are you intending to wear new armor over your robes?"
I'm not, actually.
"...Actually, decided not to get armor. Can't afford it anyway."
Kael squints at me. "You want to fight the Demon King without armor?"
I shrug. "A naked run's usually a great test anyway."
"A--what?"
"Nothing."
I don't have the words to explain that, and I'm not going to try.
It's not important anyway.
Kael shakes his head. "...You're an odd one."
I guess.
But I'd say to my perspective this whole world is strange and odd to an extreme that ends in madness.
So we're even there.
I look away and keep walking, trying not to draw any further attention to myself.
If I'm being properly cautious I wouldn't be out here wandering around, like a blinking target for random annoying side quests. But I really did need a walk.
And if I keep watching, maybe they won't be able to catch up.
It's an entertaining and comforting thought, at least.