Chapter Eight: Lilia's Shop
When Akira arrived in the city, he immediately decided to look for a shop to sell the monster core. Alice pointed him toward a specific store, and he headed there without hesitation.
Lilia, the shop owner and receptionist, was busy managing her work when the doorbell rang.
"Hello… who's there?"
She froze mid-task, shock spreading across her face as she saw a boy covered in wounds enter the shop. Unsure whether to throw him out or treat him as a customer, she had no time to decide—Akira had already walked straight up to the counter.
"Can I sell this?"
Akira placed the monster core on the counter, watching Lilia's reaction closely.
Realizing he posed no threat, she chose to treat him as a customer.
"Yes, you can."
"I also need medicine."
"Of course. Let me examine the core first."
Lilia took the core and placed it inside a device on the counter.
"Alice, what is that device?" Akira asked.
"I told you before. The value of monster cores depends on mana. That device measures how much mana it contains."
The device beeped as the measurement ended.
"Twelve thousand…"
Akira was stunned. It was more money than he had ever earned in his life.
Seeing his reaction, Lilia misunderstood, thinking he was worried it wouldn't cover the cost of treatment.
"Don't worry. The amount also covers medical expenses. Would you like the treatment now?"
"Yes, please."
Lilia entered the back room and returned moments later carrying a first-aid kit. She pulled a chair closer to the counter.
"Come, sit down," she said calmly, avoiding direct eye contact.
Akira sat silently, exhaustion and hesitation evident on his face.
She opened the kit, took out a pair of scissors, and cut open his worn shirt, revealing inflamed wounds and deep scars.
She paused, her gaze fixed on the injuries, then sighed softly and took out disinfecting tools. As she cleaned the wounds, Akira groaned with each touch, clenching his fists tightly.
Noticing his pain, she stopped for a moment… then extended her right hand.
A faint green glow emanated from it.
Akira felt a gentle warmth spread across his skin as the pain gradually subsided.
A faint notification echoed in his mind:
[HP increased by +1]
The same notification appeared repeatedly. He ignored it in silence.
Alice watched from the side, saying nothing, but she understood exactly what was happening.
After finishing the treatment, Lilia tightly bandaged the wounds and handed him a small wooden box.
"There are some clothes inside. Wear what fits—I'll adjust the size later."
Akira took the box and changed in a corner. When he returned, Lilia glanced at him briefly.
"A bit large… but better than nothing," she said with a small smile.
"Do you need anything else?"
Akira hesitated, then looked at Alice.
"Alice? Do we need anything else?"
"Ask her for some knives," Alice replied without hesitation.
"I need knives."
"Wait a moment."
Lilia entered the storage room and returned carrying two different blades.
Holding up the first, she said, "This is a cutting knife. Durable, but not very sharp."
Then she raised the second. "This one's closer to a dagger… but don't expect high performance."
She placed both knives on the counter, then pulled out a small pouch from beneath it.
"This is for carrying your belongings. Light and easy to handle."
Akira nodded. "Anything else?"
She shook her head. "No, that should be everything."
Returning to the counter, she began calculating.
"After treatment, first aid, clothes, and equipment… the total comes to six thousand."
Akira's expression stiffened slightly. He hadn't expected to spend half his earnings so quickly.
"Six thousand…" he muttered.
"It's a fair price. Don't worry," Alice said reassuringly.
Lilia noticed his hesitation and frowned slightly.
"If you're thinking of negotiating… I'm sorry, I can't lower it."
"No, it's fine. Thank you," Akira said, bowing politely.
"You're welcome. Come back anytime," Lilia replied with a gentle smile.
Akira left the shop carrying his belongings. Lilia closed the door behind him and watched as he walked away.
"A child hunter…" she murmured to herself. "I hope he survives and comes back someday."
Akira and Alice walked away together.
"She didn't cheat us, did she?" Akira asked.
Alice smiled faintly. "No. In fact, she didn't charge us for her extra services."
"Extra services?"
"She used healing skills on you."
"Weren't those counted as treatment fees?"
"No. Healers usually charge enormous sums—starting from ten thousand and reaching millions. She chose not to."
"Why do you think she did that?"
"I don't know. Maybe a whim… or maybe she's hiding from something. Either way, don't tell anyone. Keep it a secret."
"…Alright."
"And stay away from the 'Light Order.' They're extremely hostile toward dark mages."
"I won't bother them unless they bother me."
Alice didn't press further. She knew it wasn't that simple.
Later, Akira arrived at the inn Alice had chosen.
The first floor resembled a restaurant, bustling with activity.
Wearing the standard clothes of new hunters, with a visible wound on his neck, Akira entered the inn. He drew some attention at first, but people soon returned to their business.
At the reception desk, the clerk smiled.
"How can I help you, kid?"
"I need a room for one night."
"That'll be 800 without meals. With food, it's 1100."
Akira's stomach growled loudly. He hadn't eaten since morning.
After a brief pause, the clerk smiled knowingly. "Add the meal?"
"Yes… please."
The clerk handed him a small metal key.
"Room 26, end of the hall. Food will be sent upstairs shortly."
Akira paid and headed upstairs. In his room, he devoured the food hungrily.
"Akira, slow down. Eating too fast will hurt your stomach," Alice warned.
"…Alright."
After finishing, he lay down on the bed and quickly fell asleep.
Alice sat quietly on the chair, watching him.
"He's reckless… but he has potential. For the future, I need to make him strong enough."