After the nuns confirmed they would look after Marle's eight siblings, and after saying goodbye to her brothers and sisters to leave for a bit, Marle took Dash and Shel for a walk in the city. Dash immediately asked Marle to show him a decent shop for protective clothing so that he and Shel could buy outfits suitable for daily wear and as basic defense.
Of course, Marle took them to her acquaintance's shop, where she had bought the protective gear she was currently wearing. While walking toward the shop,
"You'll still guide us to the Demon Mafia headquarters tomorrow, right?" Dash asked.
"Of course, I hate breaking a promise," Marle replied.
"Good. Once we get there, head straight back here. Just leave Shel and me there," Dash said.
Marle immediately stopped walking. Dash and Shel turned back to look at her.
"What's wrong?" Dash asked.
"I'm coming too. I have a score to settle with them as well," Marle replied.
"Yeah, just let her come," Shel said to Dash.
"They work with the Grandias Kingdom and they destroyed my village. There's no way I'm just going to sit back and watch you two avenge me," Marle stated.
"Hmm, I see… alright. Sorry, I just thought you'd be better off staying with your siblings," Dash replied, looking gently at Marle in front of him.
Marle immediately looked at Dash and smiled, then she walked closer to Dash and stood on her toes a little. "SMOOCH," she kissed Dash on the cheek, startling Dash who touched his cheek. Shel just smiled.
"What was that?" Dash asked, holding his cheek.
"A thank you for letting me join. Let's go," Marle replied, walking past both of them.
"Just accept it. Come on, let's go," Shel said, linking her arm through Dash's.
They started walking again until they finally reached a shop that was a bit secluded because it was at the end of a street on the right side of the city, and there were no other shops besides the building that seemed to function as a store. Marle opened the shop door and peered inside.
"Excuse me, Uncle Fritt?" Marle said.
There was no answer from inside the shop, so Marle opened the door and invited Dash and Shel inside. Once inside, Dash saw many suits of armor displayed on stands. Almost all of them were full armor sets in various shapes, depending on the race and need. On the shelves, there were also many protective helmets of various shapes, from open-faced to full-face. In addition, on the walls and in several buckets, there were many weapons like swords, spears, axes, maces, and long knives of various shapes, sizes, and uses.
"Whoaah," Dash muttered.
"Marle, is this a blacksmith shop?" Shel asked.
"Yes. I bought my protective gear here. I work as a Hunter, you see," Marle answered.
"You're a Hunter?" Dash asked.
"Yep. Are you two also?" Marle asked.
"We both just signed up today. What's your rank?" Shel asked.
"I'm Rank A, but I always go solo. The reason is I don't trust anyone. I don't want to have a team because they might stab me in the back," Marle answered.
"Ah… I see," Dash replied, looking around.
Marle walked to the counter and "TING," she rang the bell on the counter table. Suddenly, someone was heard falling inside and grumbling. "SRAAK," the curtain behind the counter opened. A Goblin man with a beard, a long nose, wearing goggles, gloves, and an apron came out.
"Oh Marle, perfect timing. Your custom weapon is ready, just a moment," the Goblin named Fritt said from behind the counter.
"I'm not here for that, Uncle," Marle said.
"Then what? What do you want?" Fritt asked, turning again.
"They need protective clothing, and maybe weapons," Marle replied, pointing at Dash and Shel, who were standing behind her.
Fritt stared at Shel, then seemed to size her up, but when he turned to look at Dash, "CLANK… CLANK," he immediately stumbled backward, hitting a row of shields on the wall directly behind him.
"Huh… you… what are you?" Fritt asked, pointing at Dash with a strained expression.
"He's a Dragonkin. Do you have any protective clothing suitable for him?" Marle asked.
Fritt moved forward from where he was leaning. He immediately examined Dash closely, even adjusting his goggles. Fritt climbed onto the counter, then crawled closer to Dash, getting closer and closer.
"Hey," Dash said, looking uncomfortable as Fritt looked at him from a very close distance.
"Ah, sorry. It's my first time seeing a Dragonkin," Fritt muttered.
Then Fritt touched Dash's hand and tapped his scales. He also touched Dash's stomach and chest. After remaining silent for a moment, observing Dash,
"He doesn't need protective clothes. His skin is tougher than any armor in here," Fritt said, stroking his beard.
"Yeah, I don't need protection, but I need pants," Dash replied.
"Hmm… wait a moment," Fritt replied.
He immediately jumped down from the counter, then opened the curtain and went inside. Dash turned to look at Marle.
"You come here often, right?" Dash asked.
"Yes. I always buy and repair my gear from Uncle Fritt. I think he's the best blacksmith and craftsman in this city," Marle answered.
"Wow, really? Thank goodness you brought us here," Shel replied.
Not long after, Fritt came out carrying one set of martial arts clothing and one set of bikini armor made of leather, complete with arm guards and a waist bag attached to the belt.
"Try wearing this," Fritt said, handing the set of martial arts clothing (similar to a karate gi but black and made of leather) to Dash.
Dash took it, and he immediately walked to the changing room provided in the corner of the shop. Soon after, Dash came out wearing the pants, complete with the belt, but the top didn't fit his body.
"Can I just buy the pants?" Dash asked, handing back the top.
"Oh well… you're supposed to buy the full set… but okay, I'll make an exception today because you're the first Dragonkin to visit my shop. Those pants and the bikini armor I brought out earlier are made from Behemoth hide, so they're guaranteed to withstand any weapon," Fritt said, taking the top back.
"Thank you, Uncle Fritt," Dash said, looking at his new pants and smiling.
"Alright, now it's my turn," Shel replied.
Shel immediately grabbed the set of leather bikini armor from the counter and took it to the changing room. Fritt turned to look at Marle.
"Oh right, your weapon. Just a moment," Fritt said, going back inside.
"What weapon did you order?" Dash asked.
"A multipurpose knife. It can be used for fighting and field dressing game. I don't really need a weapon because I can use magic, but it's good to have one just in case, and for practicality, I need one. Do you not need a weapon yourself?" Marle asked in return.
"No need. This is enough," Dash replied, showing his pants.
The changing room curtain opened. Dash turned, and his eyes immediately widened. Shel came out wearing the leather bikini armor set, complete with arm guards and boots. Shel looked much sexier than before. Marle, who turned, saw Shel, then saw Dash mesmerized, immediately stood between Dash and Shel, spreading her arms in front of Dash.
"Hey… don't look at her like that," Marle said, pouting.
"Sorry," Dash replied, turning his face away. "I've seen everything without clothes... but it turns out that outfit is even more tempting... aah... what am I thinking," Dash thought.