New Look

That evening, I strolled through the charming streets toward Don's shop, eager to see what treasures awaited me inside. However, as I approached, I was met with disappointment—the shop was closed for the day. The wooden sign swinging gently in the evening breeze proclaimed that it would reopen at 8 a.m. the following morning. With no other option but to wait, I turned my attention to finding a suitable place to spend the night.

After a short search, I discovered a hotel that was part of the Normandy Guild, a name I had grown to trust for its quality and hospitality. As I stepped inside, the inviting scent of fresh flowers wafted through the air, and the soft glow of ambient lighting created a cozy atmosphere. The receptionist behind the desk welcomed me with a warm smile that instantly put me at ease. Her friendly demeanor and helpful nature suggested that I would have a pleasant stay at this charming establishment.

As I approached the wooden desk, I fished my Normandy ID from my pocket and presented it to the receptionist with a polite smile. Her eyes flickered with recognition as she took the ID. She told me that it would give a 5% discount. After I was Eager to settle in, I requested a reservation for a room for ten nights. After a moment, she looked up and informed me that the standard rate for a single night was 5,500 Ran. However, with my discount applied, the cost for a night would only be 5,225 Ran. I did the math in my head and realized the total for my stay would come to 55,250 Ran, which roughly translated to about $552.50 Which was a manageable expense given my current funds.

I handed over the amount, feeling a sense of satisfaction as I completed the transaction. After the payment, I noted that I still had a considerable sum left—4,301,291 Ran—plenty to invest in armor and gear the following day. The receptionist, noticing my enthusiasm, smiled warmly and handed me a brass key, its weight a reassuring promise of comfort.

With a slight nod, she motioned for me to follow her down the softly lit corridor. The warm illumination cast gentle shadows on the polished wooden floors. As we walked, I could hear the faint echo of footsteps and distant conversations, a reminder of life outside. 

Finally, she paused before a sturdy door. She then unlocked it with a practiced motion, the soft click of the latch breaking the silence, and swung the door open to reveal my room. 

The space, though modest, radiated a cozy charm. Tasteful furnishings in warm hues adorned the room, where a plush, inviting bed sat prominently in one corner. A large window framed a lively view of the bustling streets below, alive with the typical rhythm of city life—the chatter of people being heard through the glass.

Stepping inside, excitement bubbled up within me, fueled by the promise of adventures that lay ahead. I took in the comfortable bed, its inviting covers neatly arranged, while a decently sized desk, equipped with a lamp. The next step was a clean bathroom completed the space, its tiles gleaming in the soft light of the lamp.

Grateful for the accommodation, I quickly shed my clothes, mindful of the remnants of the day that clung to me, remnants I was eager to leave behind. Ensuring I wouldn't mar the pristine bed with any unsightly stains, I settled in, the comfort of the mattress lulling me into a deep, much-needed sleep, my mind buzzing with anticipation for what tomorrow might bring.

The following morning, I pulled on my clothes from the previous day, stains of dried blood marking the fabric—reminders of a night I was eager to escape. Their tightness felt like a physical manifestation of my discomfort, and I knew I had to find a replacement soon. As I descended the narrow staircase of the hotel, the aroma of fresh coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the chatter of guests in the lobby. I approached the receptionist with a sense of urgency, inquiring about where to purchase some good-quality clothing . 

She offered a bright smile and recommended a tailor just down the street, saying he had a knack for understanding style. With a renewed sense of purpose, I stepped out into the vibrant city streets, my heart racing as I navigated through the throngs of people bustling along the sidewalks. 

After about five minutes of weaving through the crowd, I arrived at the shop she mentioned: Leo Dotson Tailoring. The storefront was quaint, with a vintage awning that added charm to its appearance. Upon entering, I was greeted by the sight of Leo, a young man about 27 years old. His striking blond hair was tied neatly in a bun, and he wore a classic tailor's outfit—complete with a measuring tape draped casually around his neck. 

As his eyes landed on me, he raised an eyebrow and offered a sarcastic yet warm remark, "Wow, it looks like you desperately need some new clothes." His humor broke the tension, and I found myself laughing in agreement, grateful for his lightheartedness amidst my unease. It felt like the fresh start I had been hoping for, and I was ready for the transformation that lay ahead.

Leo led me into a dimly lit side room, the atmosphere heavy with the scent of antiseptic and the lingering remnants of past encounters. As I stood there, still reeling from the events that had led me here, he gestured toward a small stool and instructed me to remove my bloodstained clothing. "It's disgusting," he remarked, crinkling his nose in distaste. "It's making a mess and it smells terrible." I couldn't argue with his assessment; the fabric clung to my skin, saturated and grimy.

Once I had shed the clothes, Leo approached with a measuring tape in hand. He was methodical, taking down each measurement with precision. I caught glimpses of the sheet he scribbled on—an official record of my dimensions that felt strangely personal. After measuring my height, waist, chest, inseam, and even my shoe size, he stepped away, disappearing into the back room while leaving the measurement sheet behind, carelessly resting on the stool. 

The numbers stared back at me, emphasizing my physical presence in stark detail: Height 192 cm (6 feet 3 inches), Waist 34 inches, Chest 42 inches, Inseam 35 inches, and Shoe Size 12. Each statistic felt like a part of my identity, a canvas of my stature, and I couldn't shake the feeling that these measurements would soon become more than just numbers. They were about to play a significant role in the path that lay ahead.

As I carefully examined the sheet of fabric in front of me, Leo emerged from the back of his shop, his arms laden with a colorful array of shirts, pants, and various cloth materials for custom-made clothing. A warm smile spread across his face as he approached. "I can provide some outfits that will fit your build, but they won't be perfect since your physique is quite unique," he explained, his tone earnest. "For that reason, I would like to custom tailor your outfits to ensure they fit you just right." 

I considered his proposition and decided to go ahead with the custom tailoring, but I also opted to purchase a few of the premade outfits as a temporary solution. Leo's face lit up with happiness at my acceptance of his offer. 

I made my way to the changing room, excitement bubbling inside me as I tried on the premade outfits. They fit reasonably well, better than I had expected, though Leo's words echoed in my mind: they were far from perfect. After a bit of deliberation, I selected a stylish ensemble to wear for the day, carefully folding the remaining outfits and bringing them back to the front of the store where Leo awaited.

Curious about the total cost, I inquired with him. "The total for all eight outfits you're holding, along with the one you're wearing, comes to 34,550 Ran," he replied, gesturing to the garments. When he converted the amount into dollars, I realized it was about $345.50, which I promptly paid without hesitation.

My interest piqued about the custom outfits, I asked Leo for more details regarding their cost. He looked thoughtful before answering, "If I make ten custom outfits, the total would be around 100,000 Ran, or about $1,000." After a moment's consideration, I decided to pay that amount upfront. I could see the surprise flicker across Leo's face; it was uncommon for customers to pay in advance like that. Still, I felt it was only fair given the personal nature of the order.

Once we completed the transaction, I left the shop, feeling a sense of satisfaction with my purchases and the arrangements made for my custom outfits. With my new clothes in hand, I headed toward Don's workshop, eager to create my armor and continue my journey.

As I entered Don's shop, the rich scent of tanned leather enveloped me, and my eyes were immediately drawn to an array of leather armor sets neatly displayed on the walls. Each piece gleamed under the shop's soft lighting, showcasing intricate stitching and detailed craftsmanship. Behind the counter stood a robust man with a weathered face and a knowledgeable glint in his eyes—clearly, this was Don, the owner.

I approached him with a friendly demeanor and asked, "Are you the owner of this shop?" He nodded with a warm smile, confirming his identity and radiating an air of confidence.

I reached into my storage bag and carefully pulled out a finely crafted piece of advanced leather, its surface smooth and supple. Holding it up, I inquired if Don could transform it into armor. His expression turned serious but enthusiastic as he assured me that he had the skill to do so. However, he warned that the crafting process would take some time. I nodded, signaling that I was more than willing to wait.

He proceeded to explain the costs involved, emphasizing that the price would reflect the quality and effort of the craftsmanship. I sensed that it would be significant, but I had mentally prepared myself for this. After a brief moment of reflection, I agreed to the terms and saw the glimmer of appreciation in Don's eyes.

Don carefully took the advanced leather from my hands, handling it with the reverence it deserved. He informed me that the armor would be ready for pickup in three days. Intrigued and slightly anxious, I then asked about the total cost. He told me it would be 350,000 Ran (approximately $3,500), which surprisingly turned out to be more reasonable than I had anticipated.

Relieved and eager to see the final product, I paid him upfront, appreciating his transparent dealings. With the arrangements made, I turned to leave Don's shop, my mind already racing with thoughts of the new quest waiting for me at the main guild building. As I exited, I felt a renewed sense of purpose, excited for the adventure that lay ahead.