Author: Thank you for reading

Sorry if some things I did just now confused you guys, there isn’t really a way I know of to organize the post list without deleting the post itself and reposting.

I updated the side chapter, so might want to reread the ending of that too.

I saw your comments too, lol really sorry.

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Hank and Lock are fully aware of our plans and agreed to watch the store for us while we are away. Since we are in good terms with the two and their disciples, they have a good discount.

Our store is one of the few, if not the only, cheap restaurant with high sanitation and delicious food. Normally such things are found in those overbearingly rich oriented stores, but with highly inflated prices.

I’ve also been trying to think up some specialty menu’s but the ingredients aren’t diverse enough. Maybe if i come across something good I can make limited time specials.

I’ve also noticed people entering with an odd air about them. Most people tend to keep their distance, they may cause some trouble. However Hank said it’d be fine to ignore them for now.

As per Hanks recommendation I went to the blacksmith known as Rust, not a name that would warrant reliability for his trade. He was a dwarf with ash all over him, his real skin and hair color is hard to distinguish. But his eyes say it all. Strong and discerning are the two things that come to mind when I see his eyes.

He was pretty hard to talk to, seeing as he didn’t say anything at all and just looked at me. At least he didn’t use [squint eyes].

Shiro and Puerial just looked around the shop trying to find anything useful or interesting. I asked if they wanted any money to go shopping but they declined.

Rust handed me a book and said one word “Read”. It wasn’t thick but it wasn't thin either. However the contents wasn't hard to grasp and I read it relatively quickly. Most of it was about common metals and their properties and uses. However there were a few things that weren’t mentioned like types of alloys, or refining metals for higher quality.

When I was done Rust took the book and presented me with a bunch of metals. After pointing out each one and their properties he nodded.

Since I didn’t have time to learn right now since I wanted to see Abra and confirm some of the reports from my investigations on the other town, I requested to learn from him when I return. He only said it was fine and ventured off to do his business after we bought some things.

The weapons we got were mostly on the simple level and most of our gear was simple though, some of these things even gained a + sigh after I enhanced it or reached the next rank.

Our gear was actually pretty good compared to before.

Spoiler :

X6

UndergarmentsClothesRank: F-Description:A pair of linen undergarments.Effects:Softness up (Small)

Textile strength up (Small)

Wear resistance up (Small)

X6

Chest PieceClothesRank: F-Description:A decent brown linen shirt.Effects:Softness up (Small)

Textile strength up (Small)

Wear resistance up (Small)

X3

Leg PieceClothesRank: F-Description:A simple pair of dark brown linen pants.Effects:Softness up (Small)

Textile strength up (Small)

Wear resistance up (Small)

X3

GlovesClothesRank: G+Description:A pair of brown linen gloves.Effects:Softness up (Small)

Textile strength up (Small)

Wear resistance up (Small)

X3

CloakClothesRank: F-Description:A long grey cloak that has been modified to better conceal the wearer's appearance.Effects:Textile strength up (Small)

Wear resistance up (Small)

X3

FootwearClothes/ArmorRank: F-Description:A pair of tough dark brown leather boots.Effects:Comfort up (Very Small)

Durability up (Small)

Traction up (Small)

X2

BracersArmorRank: G+Description:A sturdy pair of dark brown leather bracers.Effects:Durability up (Small)

X2

Leg guardsArmorRank: G+Description:A sturdy pair of dark brown leather leg guards.Effects:Durability up (Small)

X2

Chest guardArmorRank: G+Description:A sturdy piece of dark brown leather chest armor to protect the heart.Effects:Durability up (Small)

Sturdy Iron GreatswordWeaponRank: F-Description:A thick and unwieldy greatsword. Not many can fully use this type of weapon properly.Effects:Durability up (Small)

X3

Simple Iron DaggerWeaponRank: F-Description:A relatively sharp iron dagger.Effects:Durability up (Small)

Sharpness up (Small)

Simple Wooden WandWeaponRank: G+Description:A wooden wand that helps magical accuracy.Effects:Magical targeting up (Very Small)

Durability up (Small)

Everything we had was all fitted and designed for comfort and the wearers preference, underwear included, maintenance wasn’t too difficult as well. We opted not to get anything too flashy for now to avoid attention, not like this city had anything really good for sale. Any magic items were priced way too high for what they did so I avoided those.

My research revealed that somehow dungeons would spawn magic items but I don't know how yet. I’m hoping to get some when we ventured in the one nearby after finishing up with our current plan.

Since our movement speed was a lot higher than before it would only take 6-7 days to reach starter town. But first we will stop at Labrindel to confirm the situation. The reports were not very clear, but it seems the former slaves pretty much took over after the ruler was overthrown. I don't know much else.

Didn’t they say they wanted to return to their families, or is it more complicated than what I initially thought?

Best to see for ourselves.

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It took us no more than 3 days to reach Labrindel, even if the way had a few bandits and magical beasts (just weak {Swift Wolves} and a really stupid {Rage Hog}). Those poor bandits were nothing but a waste of time, nothing but a few small copper. The {Rage Hog} however awarded me with a magic core. I wish those things were more common.

The gates to the City had the same familiar looking guards but this time one of them was wearing a slave collar. It was pretty ironic actually since I noticed it was one of the original guards. The other was one of the former slaves.

As we approached the same questions were asked to determine our purpose, this time without the harassment. Since I have nothing to hide I revealed myself to the former slave and was met with a broad smile.

My uncommon black hair was a dead giveaway to my identity.

After asking about the situation some things cleared up.

When the Lord and his family fell most of the former slaves left to get their families, a lot of them already knew each other and lived together before they were captured.

The ones who remained enslaved the remaining city guards, which weren’t as skilled in combat, to take over the city.

I have to hand it to them for managing to enslave so many guards so easily. Well with their speed and coordination it's not impossible, maybe just really annoying. No they probably also used the new slaves as well to do it too. Very efficient.

The ones who left returned with all the families who were still alive and are using the City as a new home. Now the City is no longer controlled by a human and is ruled by a group of beast-kin's, humans, and an elf who each manage a specific role.

Since they were all enslaved together there isn’t much infighting. Any fighting that does happen usually pertains to how to manage the area.

The surrounding territories are hostile and have already tried to force them out. Discrimination is very high in this area but they are managing. They plan to abandon the city when they build up enough resources to make a new home somewhere else.

They asked if I wouldn’t mind joining them but I declined and said to leave a location at the restaurant I’m running so I could visit. Even if we weren’t a permanent member of their group, they were pretty happy to have us around.

I can already bet once they leave, the influential groups in the area will fight to seize the city.

Not my problem though, any residence not wanting to be involved can just leave.

After we all celebrated the fact that we survived, they didn't know our status, we all spent the night in a decent inn. I was still vigilant though, and kept a sharp eye out for any danger the entire time.

When morning came we bid our farewells to the former slaves. They are already preparing to leave in a few months, now that they have stockpiled a lot of provisions over the past year. The group plans on taking about 150 of the more skilled enslaved guards to manage their new homes defense. The rest don't matter to them.

The entire group number enough to make a small town as long as the area is regularly subjugated of monsters. If things go well it can grow pretty well.

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My group didn’t waste time and ventured back to our original destination, Puerial took a moment to think after we reached the place we first met though.

As we approached the city, I felt a bit of anger rise up in me. This place didn’t leave a lot of good memories beside being with Shiro and Abra.

As we approached the Gate we met with some shifty looking guards who made some odd signals as we passed them. From the corner of my eye I spotted someone in an alley making subtle responses.

We may be being targeted.

After confirming my analysis with Shiro and Puerial, we all agreed to stay together. Better not to make a scene.

Abra wasn’t in the Tailoring store so we only had one place to check.

To be honest I was more afraid of the smell than the people we will more than likely face.

As we walked down the roads of the slums, we met more than a few try hard thieves who ended up with broken hands. The more younger groups were only met with some minor injuries and a warning. If they persisted then they too would have their hands broken.

To the ones who seemed a bit more level headed I offered them a deal, I wanted them to wait for us tomorrow at the gate. My relationship with the orphanage back in Tarthus was getting a lot better. So hopefully if things work out they can have a better life there than what they have here.

This was also something I wanted to have Abra involved in. She is too good for this place and I’d rather have her in a safer area. I never could figure out why she stayed in this pit though.

As we approached the run down building, the smell in the area became a lot more pungent. I think the main reason this place stinks so bad is because of that building.

When we approached I had a bad feeling, but it wasn’t over anything dangerous.

As we got to the door some idiots tried to stand in our way but we just knocked them out. The place was even worse than I remembered and I have a skill for that.

Shiro and Puerial seemed to be trying to use me as an air filter, not that I blame them.

The rest of the people in here tried to start trouble but were also knocked out, I would rather not stain our weapons in filth.

The fat man who wanted to be called Boss burst through a door yelling about the noise. Behind him was something I didn’t want to see. It was also the cause for me to take his worthless life in the most gruesome ways. Shiro seemed to have similar thoughts as she already brandished her dagger. Puerial remained to the side, she seemed to realize this was something between the two of us and decided not to interfere.

This thing in front of me is going to pay.

Abra don't worry you're going to be fine now.

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A/N: Sorry again for confusing you guys earlier.