43 Breaking Up

Gerard stood in the lobby of Gander's workshop. He held a large mace in the air. He swung it as a test, and divine retribution did not come for him. Gander created the perfect weapon with minimal instruction, just as one would expect from a master artisan.

*So, even if it's a weapon, I can touch and use it, so long as I'm not using it like a weapon.*

"Do you like it?"

"It's perfect in every way, Gander."

"Great! Then wait until you see your armour!" Gander ushered him into the back room.

Pieces of metal armour with a green sheen sat on a bench. Gauntlets, spaulders, greaves, cuisses, and a cuirass. Enough coverage to protect from most danger.

"What's the material?"

"My own mixed blend of steel and orichalcum. It's a little heavier but much more durable than steel on its own. It naturally protects you from cold and heat, as well."

"That is amazing, Gander. Are you sure I can have these?"

"The weapon and armour are both yours. Nexum has already paid for it."

While Gerard began to equip his new armour, Sprite stepped closer to Gander.

"Um, excuse me. Where's my armour?" Sprite glanced around the room.

"You have to go and pick it up. I'll write you a little map."

"It's okay. We've got one of Lucian's maps." Gerard brought out the map.

"That works, too." Gander grabbed the map from Gerard and stuck two fingers on Solares, pulled them apart, and the map zoomed in."

Gerard's mouth dropped. He stared blankly as Gander pointed to their destination.

"This is where... What?" Gander stopped to look at Gerard's dumbfounded expression.

"You can do that? That's like a map application!"

"A map what?" Gander furrowed his brows and tried to make sense of the

"Oh, a magical device that shows you your location in the world. It's complicated."

"Do you have one of those?!" Gander's eyes sparkled.

"No, unfortunately. It's a relic of an old world."

"That's a shame. Anyway, follow these streets, and you'll end up at Hubert's tailor shop."

"Thank you, Gander. I'll return if we ever need to upgrade, repair, or replace our gear."

"Not for the next six months, you won't."

"I won't?"

"Nope. I'll be heading into Solares' dungeon."

"Solares has a dungeon?"

"The first to ever be discovered on the continent! They call it the infinite labyrinth. It's where I get most of my materials."

"Why haven't I heard about this yet?" Gerard looked at Sprite.

*It must have been a new addition to this world or knowledge I wasn't provided with.*

"Not many adventurers bother with the dungeon because of the extreme risk involved, and I don't think the guild actively advertises it, either."

"So, what is it, and how do I enter?"

"From what I understand, you need a party of four D-ranks, three C-ranks, two B-ranks, or you need to be A-rank or above to go alone. As for what it is, it's a dungeon with more than seventy-six floors, filled with monsters, relics, and materials."

"So, I can't enter it yet. Why seventy-six floors?"

"You'll get there. Using my gear, you'll rise through the guild ranks easily. Seventy-six is the lowest anyone has ever reached. It's a pitch-black floor that doesn't light up from torches or magic. The monsters there seem to create darkness and relentlessly attack anyone who enters. Even I don't bother going that deep."

"I see..."

"Something to look forward to if you become strong enough. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to prepare." Gander closed the helmet of his suit and started filling a large bag with dozens of items.

Gerard peered into the neverending darkness inside the bag.

*Another interdimensional storage bag...*

Gerard left the workshop with Sprite in tow. They followed Gander's directions, and before turning the final corner, Gerard realised what store Gander referred them to.

Gerard took a deep breath and opened the door to the tailor shop.

"I'd know that stitchcraft anywhere!" The overly opinionated worker that sold Gerard his clothes rushed forward.

"Hello, again. We're looking for Hubert." Gerard did his best to avoid eye contact.

"I'm Hubert. I remember I told you to sharpen your appearance, but you look like a completely different person! What's your secret?"

*Of course, it would have to be you.*

"Oh, you know, I just decided to make a new body to inhabit."

"Haha, you joker. Fine, don't tell me your secrets. What are you here for?"

"Sprite, my companion, has special armour waiting for her. Gander sent a request."

Hubert circled around Gerard to inspect Sprite.

"When I received your measurements, I just knew it. A woman of complete perfection!"

"Gross." Sprite stepped back.

Hubert's face went pale. He cleared his throat and laughed it off.

"Please be professional. Can you show us her armour?" Gerard stood between them.

"I'll have to dress her. It's a complicated outfit."

"And I'll have to tell the king that your practices involve the harassment of your female clients."

"The king? You don't have to do that. You can help her; it's not that difficult." Hubert sputtered and waved his hands around frantically.

"Good."

"Come with me."

They followed Hubert to a room in the back. A long-sleeved blue dress with a gold lining designed for battle hugged a mannequin in the centre of the room.

"It's so cute!" Sprite stood beside the dress in a flash, and walked around it.

"It's one of my best works. When Gander said that money wasn't an issue, I poured as many resources and time as possible into this."

"But it's only been a day?"

"For someone with the tailor class, that's more than enough."

"I see, well-"

"Enough chatting! Can I try it on?" Sprite smiled like a child shifting side to side with excitement.

"Use one of those change rooms." Hubert pointed to one of the square rooms that lined the back wall.

Sprite carefully lifted the dress off the mannequin and stepped towards the changing rooms.

Hubert stepped in front of her and held two pairs of long socks.

"Socks?"

"Crafted from the same materials as your dress. They'll reach your thighs and protect your legs from most damage as well.

"Really?"

*He's a complete pervert, but if Gander recommended him, it must be true.*

Sprite grabbed the socks and rushed into the changing room at the far left of the room before pulling the curtain closed.

Gerard watched Hubert like a hawk while Sprite changed.

"I'm done!" Sprite opened the curtain to reveal the outfit.

The dress, although far from revealing, enhanced all of Sprite's physical features. The thigh-high socks hugged her legs tightly.

Hubert started to cry, and Gerard found himself lost for words. Neither of them could do anything but stare.

"What's wrong, you two?" Sprite scrunched up her face.

"Beautiful! You're an angel!" Hubert clasped his hands together while tears streamed down his face.

"It... You... You look good." Gerard blushed.

Sprite spun around, and the dress lifted up, revealing her lack of underwear.

"Really?" Sprite giggled.

"Hubert!" Gerard turned to the tailor, who had his eyes fixed on Sprite's lower half.

"Yes?"

"I have no doubt that you saw that. For your lack of professional etiquette today, you'll make underwear for Sprite."

"Indeed, I saw it all. It would be my pleasure." Hubert released a lecherous grin.

*A true pervert. He doesn't even deny it.*

"But I don't like underwear!" Sprite puffed.

"It's okay. Hubert here will make underwear so comfortable you won't even know you're wearing it. Won't you, Hubert?"

"Yes, of course, that's exactly what I will do!" Hubert ran out of the room. Moments later, he arrived with a matching set of blue underwear. After some convincing from Gerard, Sprite returned to the changing room to redress.

"These aren't that bad, actually." Sprite opened the curtain and smiled.

"Now for the true test." Hubert dropped his carefree attitude.

"Test?"

"Yes. Punch her, preferably in the stomach."

"Punch her? Why?"

"If you trust Gander, trust me. If anything bad happens, I'll make your clothing for free for the rest of my life. I swear on my business."

Gerard frowned but took a step forward.

"Don't move, Sprite."

"What? Why w-"

Gerard pivoted back and readied his fist before springing forward. Gerard's knuckles made contact with Sprite's armour, and she slid across the ground.

"What was that punch? I didn't even feel it." Sprite patted her stomach and tilted her head.

Gerard held his fist carefully on his hand.

"If I exerted any more force, I would have shattered my hand..."

"Are you happy with the results?"

"Very. Thank you, Hubert." Gerard shook Hubert's hand before leaving his store.

---

Gerard and Sprite stood before Camilla at the adventurer's guild.

"There won't be any knights coming this time, right?" Camilla looked anxiously at the entrance.

"I don't think so. We want to take on another quest." Gerard rested against the counter while Sprite fiddled with her new dress.

"I'll find something. Please wait just a minute." Camilla grabbed two stacks of quests from the counter and walked out to the back with them.

"He's going for another quest with her?" One of the adventurers at the table closest to them spoke with his companions.

"Of course he is. He uses everyone else to protect him. His companion, Brutus, and Lee." Another adventurer replied.

"Does he even have strength on his own?" A female spellcaster looked Gerard up and down.

Gerard sighed.

"I've got a favour to ask of you, Sprite." Gerard looked at the adventurers who were still speaking about him.

"Why does it feel like I won't enjoy this?" Sprite moved her focus from her dress to Gerard.

"Because you probably won't. I'd like you to Join the Magical Research Institute as a researcher. Learn about all sorts of magic, and grow in their ranks. Once they learn about your class, you may be watched closely, so be careful. I'm going to work hard to get to C-rank like you, and then we can go back to adventuring."

"Why?"

"As it is now, people think I'm just taking a backseat during quests when we're together." Gerard gestured to the adventurers, still carelessly speaking ill of him.

"It doesn't matter what they think, though."

"It's not just that, though. If we're the same rank, we'll be able to climb the ranks together, and I won't be barred from doing certain quests with you."

"So, we would have even more adventures together? Then I'll do it. I'll join the MRI, learn from them, and meet back up with you soon?"

"Is that okay?"

"Well, I'm not happy about it. It's not the worst decision you've had, though."

"What's the worst?"

"Not saying. You're still selected as my guidee, so any experience you gain will be shared with me no matter how far away you are, and you'll still gain extra. You'll still have System Access, but you won't have me to talk to, so the System will only relay important information or information that you ask for."

"That's fine; I'll see you later, then."

"Now?"

"Is there a better time?"

"I-I suppose not." Sprite's eyes lost their usual gleam.

"Don't worry. I'll be back, and we might meet at the inn if we both stay there the night. I've paid for the next two months with the money from our quest." Gerard stepped forward and hugged her.

Sprite lost herself in the warmth of Gerard's embrace. She gripped him tightly. Sprite eased her grip and smiled; she stepped back, waved, and ran out of the adventurer's guild towards the Magical Research Institute.

"It's time to get going, then. First, I need to get myself the Quartermaster class so I can use this mace." Gerard ran his finger over the heavy weapon on his back.

Camilla returned with the quests and sat one on the counter.

"Camilla?"

"Yes?"

"I'd like the hardest D-rank quest that you've got." Gerard smiled widely.

Camilla breathed deeply, closed her eyes, and sorted the available quests out in a pile on the counter.