Will I End Up As a Hero or a Demon King (WN)

Chapter 123

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Chapter 123 – Accessory Store

“Next, we go to the accessories store, right?”

“Yes, sorry? I had to ask you to wait until we got back to the inn.”

I could always talk about what I was doing with Yagov-san and what kind of things we were trying to develop.

But Riste was the center of attention wherever she went.

Even if we were just walking towards her, the eyes of almost everyone we passed were on Riste, and they were on me, too.

When that happens, it’s hard to talk about things you’d rather keep a secret outside, especially since Riste’s height exceeded 170 cm due to her high heels.

With a height difference of more than a head, it’s hard to have a secret conversation like this when I’m looking up at her to talk to her.

“Ah, this is the store, right?”

“What should I do?”

“I don’t think there’ll be a problem if we go in together… if you’re interested, Riste, why don’t we go in together?”

If I go into the Commercial Guild with Riste, she’ll definitely stand out.

I wanted to avoid it because I was afraid of the repercussions, but here, despite being somewhat conspicuous, people would not associate me with otherworldliness.

“I see. Then I’m also interested, so I’ll come with you.”

“O-okay.”

What is this strange feeling of intimidation that I learn at a certain frequency?

While I was wondering about this, I opened the door and noticed that the store had completely different sections on the left and right.

“(I guess the right side is for women, with lots of jewelry, and the left side is for hunters, with lots of rugged designs?)”

“Welcome. How can I help you today?”

“…..”

“Um, I’d like to buy some accessories for hunters.”

“Huh? Oh, yes… I understand. Please follow me.”

The shopkeeper called Riste first.

With a broad smile on her face.

That’s only natural since I’m like a mysterious servant or slave who’s like air at her side.

If I suddenly started talking, the shopkeeper would be surprised.

“Riste, you can look at the items as much as you want. I don’t think it will take long.”

At that moment, the shopkeeper turned around with a startled expression on her face.

Her gaze was directed at Riste.

“(If it wasn’t me, was she thinking of a goddess named Riste? Ria said that many people take the name of a goddess, but seeing this reaction makes me uneasy…)”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. These are accessories for men, including hunters. Please sit down and wait a moment.”

When I was told this, I sat down on a chair placed in front of the counter, but the shopkeeper disappeared into a staff room-like area in the back.

Maybe someone who specializes in hunter accessories is coming?

While I was looking at the accessories in front of me and wondering about them, a glass and a wooden cup were soon brought to us, and the shopkeeper said

“Please have a drink while you wait.”

For some reason, a glass was politely handed to Riste, but a wooden cup was just placed in front of me.

“(This indescribable difference…)”

I’m not going to complain because they’re offering me one as well, but if they’re going to prepare it anyway, why not give me the same one?

“Hah. The types are earrings, rings, and then necklaces?”

“These are the three types of ability-enhancing accessories for hunters. Which ability do you want to improve?”

“Hmm? Abilities? If that’s the case, then I guess it’s Strength?”

“Hmm?”

“Hmm?”

“We don’t have that kind of ability…”

“Hmm?”

While I tilted my head in confusion, unable to understand, the shopkeeper, perhaps thanks to Riste, explained things to me in a kind and detailed way.

First of all, accessories that are used for purposes other than mere decoration can be divided into three types: earrings, rings, and necklaces.

And it seems that the way to choose them when you want to improve your abilities is to equip two of the same type.

Conversely, like the limit of bestowal, even if you wear ten rings, it is said that the effect of improving your abilities is limited to two rings, and this is the common wisdom that has been verified over many years and is common sense in this world.

This “ability” is also a little different, and first of all, in this world, no value for ability is revealed.

So when we talk about improving abilities, we’re talking about different things, and the creator makes the accessory hoping for one of four things: ‘increased attack power,’ ‘increased magic attack power,’ ‘increased speed,’ or ‘increased accuracy.’

It seems that accessories are worn in a way that makes them like an amulet in order to benefit from them.

If that’s the case, then, of course, there are things that are worrisome.

“Are all the skill improvements the same? Or are there variations?”

If they’re all the same, then I’d just go with the best design, but if there are variations, then I’d prioritize the skill value, and the design would be secondary.

The priority is low for things like the avatars you often see in games or equipment that focuses on appearance.

“There are differences in ability. It is said that it depends on the skill level of the creator who has the Decoration Creation skill.”

As she says this, she points to the accessories on display.

“The ones on the left from here are those that have been appraised and are considered to have a ‘minor’ ability. And the one on the right from here is the one with a ‘small’ ability.”

“(Hmm… the price for ‘minor’ is about 30,000 beeke, and for ‘small’ it’s about 200,000 beeke. They’re not that expensive.)”

“All of our inventory has been appraised, so unlike street vendors, there are no false claims.”

“Oh… I didn’t know that.”

“Without an appraisal, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between ‘micro’ and ‘small.'”

“You’re right, I can’t tell the difference. By the way, do you have any accessories above ‘small’?”

“Unfortunately, we don’t. I’ve heard that some stores in the capital and other places deal in accessories with a ‘medium’ ability.”

I see, I see.

So the limit of what you can buy in the world is up to the medium ability level.

I guess anything higher than that, like large, can’t be made by the people of this world because their skill level isn’t high enough.

I don’t think the reincarnated people would intentionally ask the Goddess for a skill like Decoration Creation.

And there’s something else that bothers me… this.

“I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet, but is it possible for you to create something from scratch with slightly better materials for the purpose of bestowing?”

“Of course. In that case, we can discuss the design with you, and if necessary, we have a bestowal specialist in our shop, so we can handle the bestowal as well.”

“What? You have a bestowal specialist here?”

“Yes. Some accessories are mainly bestowed, so…”

“If you can’t answer this, it’s fine, but is this bestower a level 2 skill user?”

“What? That’s right, but did you know him?”

“Oh, no, no. I had the Commerce Guild check out the bestower.”

I see, I see, so there was someone with a level 2 skill here.

Then, it might not be necessary to get someone with a level 3 to act as an intermediary.

If they are an accessory specialist bestower, they probably have skills that are in demand.

So what should I do from here?

“Looking at Paisa-san’s bestowing case, it might be possible to achieve up to a double bestowing by using high-quality materials like mithril. And when I look at the accessories for hunters, they don’t use any jewelry at all, just ores, so if it’s just a matter of the amount of simple materials, it seems like it would be much cheaper than weapons. If one of them manages to get a double grant for 5 million, or even 10 million, I’ll still have a certain amount of savings, so I won’t have to live in fear of running out of money.

The only problem is that the stats of the accessories themselves are either ‘micro’ or ‘small.’ If I order one here, it will definitely be one of those two. What if it’s ‘micro’ when it’s made of high-quality materials? Wouldn’t that be ridiculous? Or rather, what’s the difference between ‘micro’ and ‘small’?)”

My thoughts went round and round, and the shopkeeper got worried when I stopped talking.

“C-customer…?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was trying to think of the right answer… I’m sorry.”

“(Hmm… I shouldn’t force a conclusion here, should I?)”

First, I’ll collect skills in the F- and E-rank hunting grounds, where it doesn’t seem to matter if I don’t have any accessories.

Then I can just give them the answer in the meantime, and more importantly if I keep thinking about it, I’ll keep Riste waiting.

Then I guess this is what I should do now.

Maybe I can find out something.

“For now, I want to try out what kind of accessories are available, so please give me two necklaces with a ‘minor’ attack power increase. I don’t care what the design is.”

“Huh? Oh, yes! Thank you very much!”

The necklaces are the easiest to wear and won’t get in the way of hunting.

I’ll hunt with and without them and see if I can feel any difference.

If it works, the presence or absence of the necklace might show up as a change in my ability stats on the status screen.

Having made a decision for the time being, I turned around and saw that Riste was looking at the section of the store that sold women’s jewelry.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve decided what to buy, so I’ll be done soon.”

“Don’t worry about the time. It’s a valuable opportunity to see such things in person.”

“Did you find anything interesting?”

I couldn’t help but look at the display shelf with the women’s ornaments lined up―I see, I see.

The prices vary, but the cheapest start at less than 100,000 beeke, and the most expensive go up to a little over 10 million beeke.

Just like on Earth, the size of the jewel seems to be directly related to its price.

“Yes, many things. We don’t have the custom of wearing jewelry.”

“I see…”

I think it would be rude to ask if she wanted to wear one here.

If I asked, I could see a future where I would be refused.

But I think Riste’s behavior was a little strange at times…

It takes a lot of courage to say something like this, but I guess this is where I have to make a decision.

“I-I think these earrings would look good on you. They’re the same color as Riste’s eyes, and they’re not very noticeable when you put them in your ears, but I think the way they catch the light is really nice. Or maybe this silver necklace would go really well with this outfit. I don’t have a lot of money, so I can’t afford anything too expensive, but I think I can afford something like that…”

“That’s okay.”

“Eh? But I think it would look good…”

“I’m declining.”

“Oh, I see… I’m sorry.”

The unusual atmosphere froze the shopkeeper, and I looked up timidly.

Riste was staring at me, looking more sad than angry.

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