Mira tugged on Lys's arm, weaving through the throng of shoppers that filled the market square like a living tapestry. As far as Lys could see, women dominated the crowd, mothers bargaining over spice sacks with vendors, young ladies giggling as they sampled fruit from carts, elderly ladies shuffling with baskets hooked over their elbows.
For every man Lys spotted, six or seven women bustled around him, their voices blending into a constant hum of chatter and laughter, making Lys finally realize this world really had a huge number difference between men and women. Till now, as he was only inside the village and barely saw many people, nothing seemed wrong to him yet.
Yes, there were more women than men, as he saw these days while roaming inside the village, but this?
This really opened his eyes. He finally understood that the goddess wasn't joking when she said this world is collapsing on its own. And somebody needs to fix it. Not that he thought she was joking with him, but still!
Lys gulped down his saliva and started walking with Mira, as she was looking around the market. The air was thick with the scent of roasting skewers and blooming herbs, and the sun slanted low, casting long shadows that danced across the dirt-packed ground.
"Over here!" Mira said, her voice rising above the din as she pulled him toward a freshly erected stall. The wooden frame still gleamed with fresh varnish, and a canopy of dyed fabric fluttered overhead, shielding piles of spools, jars, and tools from the afternoon glare.
The shopkeeper was a middle-aged woman with callused hands and an apron smudged with vibrant stains. Though she might be a middle-aged woman, her sturdy build still framed her body very tightly, like a young model. Her face was average, but her sexy body very much so compensated for her average face, somehow, making Lys stare at her body for a while, before the woman turned toward them.
She looked up from arranging beads, her eyes crinkling in a welcoming smile, seeing both of them. "Ohh, dear customers! Come, come, take a look. Fresh from the city roads, all for crafters like you."
Mira's eyes widened as she saw how this woman instantly recognized her as a crafter. With a smile, she leaned over the counter, her fingers hovering over a spool of thread that caught the light like captured moonlight. She picked it up, turning it in her hands. The material was smooth and cool against her skin. "This is beautiful, what is it? Does it break easily when you weave?" Mira asked the woman, a smile still on her face.
The shopkeeper chuckled, her voice warm and gravelly from years of shouting prices. "That's enchanted silk, dear. Tough as iron but soft as a whisper. It holds enchantments well, too, perfect for fancy work."
Before Mira could respond, her gaze shifted to a jar of shimmering powder nearby. She unscrewed the lid carefully, dipping a finger in to test the texture, which sparkled like ground stars. "And this? For dyeing? Does it wash out in rain?"
"Aye, glow-dye from firefly husks," the woman replied, leaning in to demonstrate by sprinkling a pinch on a scrap of cloth. It lit up faintly in the shade, casting a soft blue hue. "Mix it with water, and it'll shine at night."
Lys stood a step back, letting Mira explore on her own. He reached for a small carving knife on the edge of the display; its handle was etched with faint carvings that glowed faintly under his touch, shocking him a little. He got curious about it. So, he triggered his appraisal skill to test how this skill works, and at the same time get some info on this knife.
As he focused his skill on it, a blue text flickered in his vision along with some text.
<< Appraisal Result: Fine Carving Knife (Tier 2) >>
Material: Enchanted Steel with Rune Inlay
Properties: Increases precision in crafting by 15%. Reduces material waste.
Hidden ability: Slight mana conductivity for basic enchantments.
Market Value: 10 Silver Coins
He set it down with a thoughtful nod, the weight of the tool lingering in his palm. Glancing over, he saw Mira fingering a bundle of plush fabric, her nails tracing the intricate weave that shifted colors subtly in the light. "How are you going to use that for your mats or buckets?" he asked, sidling up beside her.
Mira looked up, her lips curling into a secretive smile. She shook her head, red hair catching the sun like flames. "Who says I'm sticking to mats and buckets now?"
Lys tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "Then what's the plan? I figured you'd build those mats and buckets I saw at home, you made yourself. Didn't you say you wanted to make things because I said they were good?"
She pointed across the stall, her finger landing on a row of dolls perched on a high shelf, their painted eyes staring out blankly. "That. I'm aiming to make one of those, an anima doll."
Lys reached up, and the shopkeeper noticed, plucking one down with a careful hand. "Here you go, lad, handle it gently; it's a delicate piece."
The doll fit neatly in his palm, its wooden body smooth as polished stone, limbs jointed with silk that flexed without a creak. The face was delicately carved, cheeks rosy with paint that seemed to blush under scrutiny. Lys focused again, the appraisal blooming in his sight.
<< Appraisal Result: Basic Anima Doll (Unenchanted) >>
Material: Enchanted Wood, Silk Joints, Mana-Infused Paint.
Properties: High durability. Compatible with basic enchantments for movement and simple tasks.
Hidden ability: Can channel curses as a proxy vessel.
Market Value: 1 Gold Coin (Enchanted version: 10+ Gold)
His breath caught, 'Huh, 1 gold coin for this simple doll?! What the fuck is this?!'
The thing felt alive in his hand, its weight balanced perfectly. Then his eyes got stuck on the hidden ability section on his skill screen. It says this doll can act as a poxy vessel for curses!
'Yeah, should have figured that this is not just a toy,' he realized, turning it over to examine the seams. He muttered to himself, "If it can be used to act as a proxy for curses, then does that mean…"
Before he finished, the shokeeper spoke up, "Oh, boy. You know about this? And here I thought country villages might not have heard about it yet."
Mira twisted her brow at that, "Hey, I also know about it, you know."
"Well thats a given. You are a crafter after all. But I figured the boy would have no idea what it was. But it seems I was wrong. Weird. I'm never wrong when judging people."
Interrupting the shopkeeper woman, Lys asked Mira, "And how're you planning to enchant it? That part sounds tricky. Can you even use magic and stuff? I thought you couldn't."
Mira arched a brow, opening her mouth, but the shopkeeper beat her to it, wiping her hands on her apron with a knowing grin. "Of course, she can't use magic, boy. She can just make the doll, ain't I right, girl?" The big woman had a satisfying grin on her face, thinking she had finally gotten it right.
Mira just blushed a little at that.