Chapter Twenty-One
The three of them next went to the massive smith Karo, who worked in a side corner of the market. He was a hulking man, thick-bearded, his voice as rough as if the iron itself were speaking.
"Looks like you're heading out on a job?" he said, tapping a hefty blade.
"Yes, and we need your help outfitting our weapons and armor."
Karo smiled, then looked them up and down. "You're lucky — I'll give you a discount. The internal fittings for weapons usually cost seventy silver coins, but for you… fifty each."
Each of them paid fifty silver coins, and the preparations began.
…
The first thing they received was a leather cuirass: a practical, lightweight armor made from the hide of a desert beast known as the Awr, boiled and treated in special sand oil to give it unusual stiffness. The cuirass was reinforced with thin metal plates placed only over vital areas — chest and shoulders — without restricting movement. Its color was a deep brown nearly black, with a dull metallic sheen at the plates' edges. (Such armor — light and easy to move in — was exactly what we needed for long desert missions, Daniel thought.) [Armor: 10 defense points]
Next came the short sword, reminiscent of old Roman blades but lighter, about 70 cm long and designed for one-handed use. The grip was comfortable and the weight balanced. [Sword: 7 attack]
Then a small hand shield, roughly 35 cm in diameter, lightweight and easy to wield on the forearm. It was made of hardened wood covered with a thin metal layer. The rim curved to deflect strikes rather than absorb them; a protruding iron boss at the center could parry blows or be used to shove an opponent. The inner handle was padded with soft leather to protect the hand from bruising. [Hand shield: 14 defense points]
Finally, they got a small hand crossbow no longer than 20 cm. Light and easily fastened to the thigh or belt, its frame was crafted from "Green" wood — a desert species prized for its lightness and resilience. Its limbs were wrapped in leather strips to absorb tension. The trigger was simple and responsive; bolts were quick to load. It even included a small metal sight for basic aiming.
Its color was a yellowish brown with rust specks along the edges. The crossbow wouldn't pierce heavy armor, but it was perfect for quick strikes or hitting exposed targets within twenty meters. [Crossbow: 12 attack]
…
They took everything and, once their gear was complete, set off on their first journey beyond the kingdom.
At the great outer gate they were greeted by Amadou, the captain of the guard, who received the mission sheet and stamped it with a special seal before fixing them with a long look.
He said in a calm but pointed voice, "So you chose the mercenary life after all, huh?"
Sanjay puffed out his chest and answered with too much enthusiasm, "Of course! We have to become stronger so what happened won't happen again!"
Amadou raised an eyebrow and said, "You fool… this work is more dangerous than getting kidnapped."
"Wha—?!" Sanjay's eyes widened and his mouth fell open in astonishment.
Daniel stepped in to ease the tension, speaking quietly, "But we took the safest option, didn't we?"
Amadou smiled faintly and shook his head. "True. It's good you three are going together. Joining a large group brings greater reward, but don't forget—"
He stepped closer and lowered his voice as if imparting a guarded secret, "In the mercenary world it's easy for someone to turn on you and kill you… then take everything you own. Trust no stranger. Never."
The four exchanged looks. His words weren't exaggeration but plain truth.
Amadou added, glancing behind them with caution, "I'll delay anyone who comes after you for a few minutes. Someone might follow you… move now."
Lucas nodded, waving his hand. "We appreciate it. We took precautions. No one followed us when we arrived."
The three dashed through the gate and mounted their horses with steady confidence. They'd spent two full weeks training — especially on riding and handling mounts — and their command of the animals was smooth, as if they'd been born in the saddle.
Yet amid the rush, Sanjay's mind wasn't fully present. Amadou's words echoed like an alarm bell:
(They could turn on you and take everything…)
He stared out across the vast desert as if seeing it but not seeing it, then shook his head to collect himself and asked loudly, "Why didn't anyone tell me there's a chance we could be killed by other mercenaries?!"
Daniel and Lucas looked at him as if the question had come from somewhere else entirely. Lucas said, with a touch of sarcasm, "Did you read the books Daniel brought?"
Sanjay flushed, embarrassed. "I read… some of them."
This time it was Daniel's turn to ask, "How many books did you actually read, Sanjay?"
He hung his head and whispered like a confession, "I tried the book on noble houses… I couldn't finish it. I stopped."
Daniel and Lucas exchanged a look that mixed frustration with annoyance, then both sighed audibly.
Daniel said, "Focus. There may be people watching beginners outside the walls. Not everything dangerous out here is a monster."
"What?!" Sanjay's eyes opened wide and he began frantically scanning left and right and behind them, as if danger might strike at any moment.
…
Two cautious days of travel passed. They followed a safe route marked on the maps until they finally reached the mission site.
Their task was to hunt a beast called "Nobu." Daniel opened his monster book and began reading aloud while they dismounted and rested.
"In the book, this creature looks like a rabbit from our world, but roughly the size of a dog," he read.
Then he continued from the page:
---
Name: Nobu
Classification: Small wild creature
Danger Level: Very low
Behavior: Shy, non-aggressive, renowned for extraordinary speed — even faster than horses.
Physical Description:
Fur: Gradually shifts between light brown and grassy green depending on its environment.
Eyes: Large and round, a warm chestnut color, gleaming in sunlight.
Tail: Short and fluffy, flicks rapidly during running to help balance.
Legs: Relatively long, built for high leaps, allowing quick escapes via a series of sudden hops.
Special Abilities:
— Super hearing: can detect the slightest movement from dozens of meters away.
— Instant reaction: it jumps immediately when it senses danger, without hesitation.
— Dust trick: when cornered, it stomps the ground with its hind leg, releasing a cloud of dust that briefly conceals it and lets it dash away.
Notes:
Nobu cannot be captured easily except with special bait or a well-laid trap, or through long patience. Its fur is sometimes used to craft heat-resistant cloaks.