Traveling Through Tales

Chapter 9 Equipped

Kajima led Shizu and Azi through a door out of the smithy which led to the wooden section of the house. Traversing across what looked to be a living room, they next entered what was considered to be a storehouse, but the door had multiple locks on it.

After a bit of time Kajima was able to remove all the locks and motioned Azi to enter as he informed him.

"There has been an increase in monsters and predatory animals so grab something to help defend yourself. Since we are close to the edge of the village, monster attacks here are becoming more common and there are times where a few stealthy monsters creep in by chance."

Azi nodded at Kajima in understanding the importance of equipping himself for the sake of self-defense.

He then looked around for something he could use and remembered from his memories that he always dreamed of being able to heft two swords in either hand.

As he tried to lift two single handed swords, he realized that he lacked sufficient strength to carry them both or even swing one of them.

He then realized that some swords in the storehouse, while similar in appearance, were all of varied sizes rather than the usual uniform shape in games.

Each sword in real life, especially during the feudal periods, were crafted to be a standard length but were customized by their owners to fit their builds. The swords Azi had picked up were both 1.5 meters in length and were likely one-handed weapons for people much taller than Azi who stood 5 feet at the most, so he put the two swords back and kept looking.

Kajima watched over Azi and was impressed by his decision. Usually, a first timer would just pick up whatever sword he could carry with two hands. So, when he saw Azi's focused look as he contemplated with the two oversized swords in his hands, Kajima had picked up that Azi had attention to detail and the diligence to make decisions with caution.

Kajima believed Azi to be a very laxed person from their previous conversation, so seeing him become all serious was surprising since the change was so sudden.

Azi continued to grab each weapon from the hanging rack in the storehouse as he felt its weight in his hand, gave a few test swings, and examined the blades length and the handle length to ensure that the weapon was close to what he could efficiently use. After going through numerous weapons, Azi decided upon a modest option.

Around his hip was a sheath with a double-edged straight short sword of about 40 to 50 centimeters in length. On his left arm was a small kite shield which had an unknown emblem to Azi embossed on its front. Nodding in acceptance of Azi's selection Kajima asked.

"It seems you have made your choice; how does it feel?"

"Feels a bit unnatural." Azi said. "But it's the first time I have ever armed myself with a weapon. I can at least now say for sure that I was not a soldier in the past."

"Really? That's surprising, you were taking quite a while and looked so focused as you were thinking. I thought you had some experience with weapons. What made you decide to grab those?" Said Kajima as he pointed at Azi's equipment.

Azi thought to himself for a moment and listed out his reasons.

"Weight, my height, how heavy it was in one then two hands, how it felt swinging it, and a few other things but this is the basics of what I was thinking when choosing."

"Interesting. You seem to have an intelligent mind when it comes to analyzing what you can and cannot do."

"Thanks. By the way, should I wear some armor, some tanned leather would do. Metal armor would be too heavy and would chill my body too quickly when out in the snowy weather."

Nodding again in acceptance, Kajima praised Azi.

"Another good observation and decision. I got an old one in the back corner of the storehouse. Hold on, I'll get it for ya."

Kajima entered the storehouse and opened a small box that was in the corner. Inside was a dusty leather breastplate, arm greaves, leg greaves, and boots. Kajima handed them to Azi and began to aid him in putting them on.

"While a bit dusty, I can say for certain that they will still get the trick done."

"Again thanks, I'll be sure to pay you back when I can."

"No need for that, let's just say it is on Ozen's tab hahaha." Kajima laughed as he responded and Azi followed suit, but then realized that he had another question.

"So, what is next Kajima? I have no plans today so I'm free to do whatever you have in store."

"Well, you already got a tour of the village while the northern section is more or less the same as the southern section."

Kajima then turned to Shizu and asked.

"How about we venture into the forest? Shizu, would you care to join us?"

"No thanks." Said Shizu. "I have to meet with Yashimu for the rest of the hunt. We only have 2 days to complete it and I had to use half of today to help Azi out."

"You still have work to do for the hunt?" Kajima said with a raised brow. "I thought you all hunted more than enough to cull the population of monsters and animals?"

"Yes, but Yashimu suggested that we investigate further. I don't know why he suggested that but when I was in charge, I told him we would not investigate. Now that Yashimu has full command, he will likely have me go do some investigations in the forest when I get back."

"If it's only an investigation, how does having me and Azi join you sound? I'll be able to show Azi how to properly navigate the nearby forest and a few other essential skills."

"Sounds good to me." Said Shizu. "Azi, do you think you can keep up?"

"Not sure, but I would like to try, and it sounds more interesting than staying in the village all day."

With everyone in agreement, Azi, Kajima, and Shizu then began packing bags with camping equipment, food and water for 3 days, and started to equip their weapons and armor. They also did some last-minute maintenance on their weapons and armor to ensure their integrity.

Kajima was equipped with a halberd that was more than equal to his 2-meter height and he also wore a metal chest plate with thick arm and leg greaves which had a wave-like pattern across their metal surfaces. Under the plates of metal was thick leather armor that acted as insulation to help maintain his body's heat.

Shizu on the other hand had grabbed her weapon that she left with Kajima for maintenance. It was strange as it was a red and white metal umbrella and, to Azi's surprise, held a katana within the umbrella's slightly curved handle.

Shizu then decided to wear some metal leg greaves which had small metal cleats protruding from its surface. When Azi looked at Shizu's attire, he questioned why she would still wear her current outfit.

Her attire consisted of a red and white top with a long straight skirt that went down her long legs that had parts removed that revealed much of the outer side of her thighs and the front of her hip.

Concerned by Shizu's lack of armor and her overly revealing outfit he suggested to Shizu.

"You should really wear some more armor and at least cover yourself properly when you go out of the village. Your outfit also draws too much attention."

Securing the last leg greave, she rose to her feet and said in a placating tone.

"Not to worry Azi, I am used to this attire, and this is actually my usual clothes for when I go on hunts. Extra armor makes it hard to move so I decide not to wear it to ensure that I can move properly."

"Also, I am quite agile." She stated as she puffed out her ample chest which drew Azi's attention for a moment before he quickly looked away to tend to his own business of packing the camping gear.

Noticing how Azi looked at her chest, she though to herself.

'He is still a man, so maybe I can show him my womanly charms as both payback and a way to show off my good side. 2 birds 1 one.'

She then decided to get a little pay back as she drew closer and asked him.

"What are you looking at Azi?"

Azi then turned to the direction of Shizu's voice to respond but was befuddled by the appearance of Shizu's chest so close to his face. At this moment Azi realized just how short he was when compared to Shizu.

He was at best 5 feet in height, but Shizu looked as if she was close to being 6 feet tall.

He was taken aback and could not speak a word for a few moments as he just looked at Shizu's chest. After feeling his mind being thrown around in his head, he noticed his face starting to burn up with a rising heat.

He didn't know why he felt so flustered but attempted to step away to calm down. This was futile as Shizu also took a step forward as she pushed up her chest with her arms crossed under them.

"What's wrong Azi, do you need some help with your armor?" She said with a sultry smile.

"Ummm, no I-I'm fine." Stuttered Azi.

"No, I insist. Let me help you." She said with an ever-growing smile.

A glint sparkled in Shizu's eyes as she continued to give Azi a smile with no trace of sincerity. She then attempted to bear hug him with all her might as she wanted to tease Azi to get back at him for his previous remark and teasing.

Azi noticed her actions and reacted by taking a large step back, but this was followed by another step forward by Shizu and another step back from Azi. Soon this cycle continued until Kajima could only see Shizu with an evil look in her eyes as she chased Azi around his house.

As he ran his face was beet red and had a terrified look as if his life was in danger.

As Azi ran to avoid Shizu's mischief, Kajima said in a soft tone that neither of the two "children'' running around could hear.

"Ah, to be young again. Ha ha ha ha. Isn't that right Luna?" After his words Kajima smiled and reminisced on his past.

While Kajima reminisced, Azi let out a terrified scream as he was eventually caught by Shizu who gave him a forceful bear hug with enough power that his bones could be heard creaking as they strained to keep themselves from snapping.

Azi began flailing around like a puppy in distress. He could feel a pain spread through his body, but he also felt a pleasant softness on his face as it was buried into Shizu's chest. His flailing only lasted for a few moments as he soon passed out from a lack of oxygen. Or was it crushed lungs? Azi was unable to tell at this point.