episode_0102

I gently patted Millia’s shoulder.

You must have gone through a lot of hardship during this time, Millia. Still, don’t get corrupted.

Well, looking at the situation these days, it doesn’t seem like that will happen.

“By the way, Damian, what happened to the great sword you broke back then?

“Are you talking about that black iron greatsword? It’s just as broken as it is. Although I put the pieces together…”

Damian scratched his cheek.

“Why the pieces? If you try to put the broken pieces back together, you won’t be able to use them again.”

Once something like a sword breaks, you have to work hard to fix it before it breaks at that point.

What if it were melted in a furnace and forged anew?

“It was something I received as a gift, but I broke it not long after. I thought that if I just threw it away, I would be belittling Mr. Friede’s kindness.”

“Friede probably doesn’t care?”

It probably wasn’t that much money to him, and he actually saved his life thanks to that weapon. If it’s enough to help me survive against a beast-human warrior, I guess it’s worth it.

Anyway, it went well.

“Follow me. Let’s go to Asha. Millia, you too.”

“Huh? My three swords are fine…?”

“Because of the bow, not the rapier. Your bow is still an ordinary wooden bow. When I think about the dispatch mission, I have to change that too.”

How can you fight monsters with a bow that can’t even kill a troll?

I stood up the two people who expressed disapproval and headed toward the back of the special hall.

—

Asha’s room, which she visited after a long time, was a bigger mess than the last time.

So much so that I realized that just as there is more floor to floor, there is no limit to the mess.

Tanned leathers occupied about 30% of the room, and on the other side, untanned leathers were piled up, clearly showing their original appearance.

All kinds of medicines were lined up and mixed on the desk, giving off a strong smell that made my nose hurt.

The bed was erected and placed against the wall, and the remaining space was filled with complicated mechanical devices.

There was a small sleeping bag next to it…probably her new bed.

No matter how you look at it, it looks like you’re wandering somewhere between a workaholic and a slave.

“Well, there’s no room to move. At this point, wouldn’t it be better to find a separate studio?”

Carefully avoiding the parts lying on the floor, I approached Asha and said something.

Damian and Millia were standing outside the door, not even able to come in.

“I’m currently preparing a studio. There are a lot of empty houses in the system.”

Asha answered calmly and weakly.

The area under his eyes was a little dark, probably because he stayed up all night working.

“Besides, the price wasn’t bad, right? So, I’m thinking of buying a few houses with the money I earned this time.”

Since there is an empty house in the system, that may not be something to say so calmly.

It means that the person who lived there has disappeared.

Well, it would be too much to ask Asha, who is half human, to keep worrying about people’s deaths.

“So, what’s going on? You brought two regular students…were they Damien and Millia? I often trained with Friede.”

When their names were called, Damian and Millia awkwardly greeted each other.

Asha smiled lightly and nodded.

“I thought you were busy working, but it looks like you were watching too?”

“To get some fresh air and take a break, I only watched when I heard the sound of sparring.”

Then you must have been watching with the window open just a moment ago.

This is ventilated air? How much of a strong smell do you usually live in?

“That’s right. Anyway, the reason I came to see you, Asha, is because of these guys’ weapons.”

“Weapon?”

“Yes. Do you remember that black iron greatsword from before? That’s that guy’s weapon, but it broke as soon as I got it.”

“Yes?! No, that can’t be possible? Are you sure you made it right?”

Asha, in shock, raised her head.

Like a conman who unexpectedly meets a customer who comes with a hammer.

Of course, this did not mean that Asha had committed fraud. Because demigods are always thorough in those areas.

On the contrary, since she and I were close friends, she used to make equipment that was several times better than Shiga’s.

The armor I received this time was very satisfying, except for the raw materials.

I think you misunderstood what I meant.

It looked fun, so I thought about teasing it a little, but I stopped.

I wasn’t sure if my joke would work well with the way people think.

“No, I said it a little confusingly. There was no problem with the sword. It broke because it deserved to break. Because Daejeon Love was destroyed during a fight.”

“Ha, was that something like that? I also…”

Asha stroked her chest as if relieved.

“Well, if you fight against Beast Man’s Daejeon Love even though you’re not a master, even a black iron greatsword is worth breaking. So, can I just make a new sword? It’s 30 gold.”

“In addition to the great sword, I’d like to ask for a bow too… Wait a minute, Millia-!”

“Huh? Did you call me Hashal?”

Millia, who was talking with Damian, turned to me.

“I’m thinking of making one of your bows, but I thought I should ask your opinion first. It’s time to decide whether to focus on the speaker or increase the power.”

There are two main ways archers grow.

If the power of a single blow is important, you may move towards a bow with stronger tension, a larger arrow, and ultimately shoot an arrow like a parasol from a bow that is taller than your height.

On the other hand, if you want to subdue your opponent through rapid fire, you should use a bow and arrow that is good enough to fire fire with your own strength.

In other words, it is the difference between a cannon and a machine gun.

If either one reaches its extreme, it will eventually converge into one.

“It’s so sudden…Hashal, what do you think?”

“Well…if you’re not dealing with people, I guess power is better, right?”

A person can be neutralized with a few quick arrows, but monsters with strong vitality ignore light arrows.

Either hold on to it or just regenerate it.

“Then please do so. You’re going to go fight with monsters, right?”

“Okay. Then come over here. You will need to check how much tension is appropriate.”

—-

After I left the room, Millia turned to Asha.

After Asha checked Milia’s strength with a few tools, she sent her back.

“How about it?”

“It’s still too much to reach an iron bow, so I’ll have to move towards a composite bow. I’ll even give you a great sword for 45 gold.”

Of course, I didn’t have 45 gold right now.

Instead, I have a solid plan.

He lowered his voice and quietly approached Asha.

“Listen, Asha. I have an amazing business plan?”

“Business plan?”

Asha tilted her head.

“Okay, if you listen, you’ll be surprised too, right? This is so-called free warranty support.”

“I only collected words that half people dislike.”

“No, listen carefully. I’ve been looking into it, and it’s surprising that no one has tried something like this before?”

He held Asha’s shoulder lightly and continued speaking.

“The point is simple. When you sell a product, you enter into a contract that if you bring in a defective product, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge. As for the deadline… I think half a year would be appropriate?”

Asha’s eyes changed to look at me like she was looking at a fraudster.

“Why on earth are you doing something like that? Just sell a new product and that’s it.”

“This is the so-called differentiation strategy. Think about it, Asha. People naturally like it when someone treats them well and gives them something for free, right? But, what would everyone think if a merchant offered a free after-sales guarantee?”

The arms that were on Asha’s shoulders were spread wide to both sides.

“Ah, that merchant is a good merchant who cares more for his customers than for his own benefit! If they say they’ll fix it without paying even if it breaks, they must be quite confident in the quality!”

Shout in an exaggerated, theatrical tone.

“-Don’t everyone think that way? In a word, it means winning the trust and favor of customers. All you have to do is not charge any repair fees!”

Asha seemed a little embarrassed and took a half step back.

“Uh…uhh, does that happen? But what does that mean?”

I thought you understood this much.

“There are two merchants who receive the same amount of money. One is just a merchant, and the other is a merchant famous for having solid credit and perfect post-processing. Who will people choose? Of course I will choose you! If I open a business in the future, a huge number of requests will come rolling in?”

“I know what you mean, but wouldn’t it be a loss if everyone comes to you asking for repairs? They may force you to break it and come back.”

That was a sharp point.

Actually, that’s a problem with the after-sales service system, but… it wasn’t a big problem here.

This is a world where a duel system exists to beat the heads of malicious buyers.

“Asha, this is something you made with your skills, but how many times would it break in just half a year? Also, you can tell the extent to which it was forcibly damaged, right? In that case, show proof that it was forcibly damaged and say that free repair is impossible.”

“That’s right…? Still, they might keep insisting.”

“You can at least challenge him to a duel. The pride of the people is so famous that few people would question it any further without being prepared to break their heads.”

Asha grabbed her head.

He looked like he was wondering whether or not he could trust this scammer.

“Uh…ugh…! My father told me to be careful because anyone who tells you they have a good business plan is a scammer…!”

“Think carefully. Am I going to scam you Asha? We are friends. Advice for a friend. Think about the future, Asha. If the entire Red Copper Clan chooses this approach, it could one day take over the entire industry, right? You will truly become the golden king!”

It was a truly lengthy persuasion to exchange the 30 gold price of the great sword for free.

Asha’s eyes were spinning.