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“Dangit! From the back, you looked like my ideal girl. But nope, it’s my old brother-in-arms! What were you doing in a back alley anyhow, Yuri?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m looking for a craftsman! Everyone knows the best ones keep a low profile!”
“That’s some prejudice you’ve got!”
A few minutes after bumping into each other, Baldy and I were at an open-air café getting something to eat. A nice feature of VR games was it actually recreated the taste of the food. We chomped on a few hamburgers as we chatted about this and that.
“Hey, Baldy, there’s food stuck to your face. No, not there... Jeez, hold still and let me get it.”
“Thanks! So how’d your battles go, Yuri? Could you even fight with your abysmal stats, useless class, and garbage weapon?”
“I’m doing great! This build’s gotten me to level 10 so far!”
“Seriously?! That’s a little higher than the current average! You’ve got skills.”
It was great to hear that I was keeping up with other players. I’d wasted hours chasing rabbits around when I first started, but everything had been a breeze since getting Puffster on my side and changing my tactics.
“But how can you fight when— Actually, sorry, I shouldn’t ask. Good for you, though!”
“Thanks, Baldy. I wouldn’t tell anyone else, but if you really wanna know, you can ask.”
“Nah, I’d better not. It’s only three days until the big PvP event! It’d be unfair if I knew your secrets.”
Ooh! There’s gonna be a big deathmatch event?! Oh, I remember hearing that somewhere. I recalled something about a special arena where everyone would fight until just a few players were left standing...but I doubted I’d do well in a brawl with zero defense. It was yet another reason to find someone who’d craft me some armor.
“You’ll be there, right?” Baldy asked. “It’ll be a perfect chance to get one over on the trolls who tricked you!”
“You bet! But first, I need some advice. You know players that are good at crafting? I kinda want new armor. I’m thinking of getting a cool-looking full-body set!”
“Huh? Yeah, I know a few...but you can give up on full armor right now. The heavier the gear, the more strength you need before you can wear it.”
Wh-Whaaaaaaaaaat?! That’s how it works?! But my strength’s zero! That means I’ll never wear armor ever! And here I was hoping I could hide my weird avatar... I couldn’t help but hang my head in disappointment.
Baldy patted me on the shoulder and laughed. “Bwah ha ha ha! Cheer up, Yuri! I know a crafter who’ll make you some high-spec clothing instead! Making clothes is tough and takes a ton of practice, kinda like using the bow, but I know someone good!”
“Seriously?! Hook me up, Baldy!”
“Sure thing! This crafter’s nuts, just like you. I’ll let them know you’re coming.” Baldy brought up a map in a display window and pointed to it. “Go visit this building. It’s their store.”
Wow! Someone with their own store on day two of the official launch? That’s amazing! “Thanks, brother! I’ll head over right away!”
“No prob. See you, Yuri!”
I threw enough money onto the table for both of our hamburgers as a show of appreciation, then I hurried off. All right! I’m gonna get a manly set of clothes made!
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“Oooh! So this is what a crafter’s store looks like.”
A few minutes after getting the recommendation from Baldy, I was standing in front of a stately brick building on the main street. An array of stylish clothes were on display in the ground floor window, and customers were entering in droves.
Wow! It’s a whole three stories tall! This place is exactly what I’m looking for, I just know it! Which idiot said all the best craftsmen keep a low profile? If they’re good at what they do, they’ll set up shop right on the main street and make a killing! Duh!
“Here goes! Excuse me! I was sent here by...uh...Baldy!” I really ought to learn that guy’s name, I told myself as I stepped into the store.
A blonde girl who’d been seeing to other customers hurried over to me. Or more accurately, she sprinted right at me! “Ahhh, aaaaaahhhhh!” she screeched. “At long last, I’ve found you! The model of my dreams!” The girl grabbed both of my hands and squeezed them tight.
“Wait, what?!”