Tyler had arrived back in Veridia, and now stood inside Hector's shop. He was speaking with Hector, who had a thoughtful expression, his hand resting on his chin

"You said you were looking for a house," Hector began, his voice rumbling with his usual warmth, "but not just any house. You need a big one? Preferably… a house bigger than the shop?"

Tyler nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. The thought of finally having his own space, a place to call home, brought a sense of excitement and anticipation. "Yes." He hesitated, then asked, "Do they even sell houses in Veridia?"

Hector grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He looked directly at Tyler, a hint of pride in his expression. "Yes, of course. There are still a few houses for sale in town."

"Oh," Tyler said, intrigued, "So… where exactly do they sell these? Where do I need to go?" He wasn't expecting to be able to buy a house so soon.

Hector stroked his chin, deep in thought. "Hmm, it's a bit complicated. I don't really know how to give directions at well. A lot of twists and turns there. It's on the edge of town, but…" He paused, then clapped his hands together, his decision made. "You know what? I'll take you there."

"Really?" Tyler asked, surprised and grateful.

"Yeah," Hector replied, a broad smile on his face. He glanced at Emily, who had been standing behind the counter, listening intently to their conversation. "Emily, we'll be right back. Look after the shop, all right?"

Emily, a look of calm attentiveness on her face, nodded. "I will."

"Okay, we'll be right back," Hector said. He and Tyler then headed out of the shop and into the bustling town of Veridia.

Walking side-by-side, their boots echoing on the cobblestones, they passed children laughing as they played amongst themselves. The scent of baking bread and woodsmoke filled the air.

Tyler asked, "How much do you think a big house will cost?"

Hector considered, "Well… more than two hundred."

"Two hundred gold?" Tyler asked, his eyebrows raising in surprise.

Hector nodded, his gaze steady on Tyler. "Yeah. It *is* a big house that you want." The price would certainly be a hefty one. He wondered if Tyler had the funds.

"Yes," Tyler replied, confirming his intentions.

Hector said, "Well, how much gold do you have?"

Tyler paused, looking upward as he did the mental math. "I think I have about two hundred and five… wait, no… two hundred and nine. I just… I know it's two hundred and something."

Hector's eyes widened. "Two hundred? What a surprise. That is a lot of gold." He looked at Tyler with a mixture of respect and curiosity. "I knew you had a lot, but… it's because of a quest, isn't it?"

Tyler nodded, saying, "Yep. I took on a quest as soon as I arrived in Lyria, and it gave me thirty-five gold."

"Thirty-five gold?" Hector asked, clearly impressed. "Were you fighting some kind of boss monster?"

Tyler shook his head. "Not really, no." They turned a corner, taking a different road. He continued, "The monsters were just… kind of hard to defeat, in a way. That's probably why the quest rewarded so much money."

"Right, that makes sense," Hector said, nodding. "Plus, you're a B-Rank, so…"

"Yeah," Tyler agreed.

Hector said, "I still can't believe you leveled up this fast. What is your secret?"

Tyler looked at Hector, a nervous sweat beginning to bead on his brow. He tried to sound casual, though the truth felt heavy on his tongue. "Um… I just hunt. A lot. All the time. As you can tell."

Hector looked at him, a concerned expression on his face. "Oh… aren't you afraid you're going to die at some point if you keep on hunting like that? You should stop sometimes and enjoy yourself."

Tyler said, "No, not really. I already knew the potential risks of this job before I took it."

"Ah, yes, of course," Hector said, nodding. "But then again, if you didn't want to hunt, you could just craft." He gestured with his hand, as if envisioning the possibilities.

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Tyler then said, "I wish… but not really. You see, as you already know, most of my materials for crafting are monster materials. That's how people are able to get the skills from the materials."

Hector's eyes lit up with understanding. "Ah, I remember now. So… you need to keep hunting and crafting at the same time." He shook his head, clearly impressed. "Never thought that could ever be possible, to be honest, being able to work these two jobs at once."

Tyler said, "Yeah."

They passed near the town well, then the church, continuing their walk.

Hector said to Tyler, "You're probably going to make a lot of money doing this. To think that you have more than two hundred… you're able to buy a house if you want it… in just a month."

Tyler said, "Yeah, it's unbelievable that it happened. I think I'm just… lucky."

Hector said, "To have the ability to craft a skill like yours… and to be a hunter at the same time… your skills are so different from each other. Almost as if you were… a hero." He then caught himself, a familiar thought bubbling to the surface. *Ah, there it is again.* He let out a nervous laugh and said, "Yeah. Could you imagine? But I'm not really a hero. It's just the way it is."

Hector chuckled, saying, "Well then, you're one lucky bastard."

Tyler chuckled a little as well.

Hector then said, "We're close."

"Really?"

"Yes, we've been walking for a while."

Hector stepped off the cobblestone path, entering what appeared to be a shop. Inside, sat a man with round, thick glasses. He had a combination of brown and gray hair, and a neatly trimmed moustache. He was engrossed in reading a thick book, seemingly oblivious to their arrival.

The man, still engrossed in his book, only looked up when Hector cleared his throat. "Hello, gentlemen," he said, his voice a dry, papery rustle, like turning the pages of the ancient tome in his hands. He pushed his spectacles up his nose, peering over them at the pair. "How can I help you today?"

The shop itself wasn't what Tyler expected. It wasn't a bookstore, as his initial impression might have suggested, but a meticulously organized office. Rolled scrolls and neatly stacked parchment filled shelves lining the walls. A large oak desk dominated the center of the room, covered with stacks of official-looking documents, inkwells, and quills. The air smelled faintly of old paper and beeswax.

"Good day, Mr. Abernathy," Hector boomed, clapping the man on the shoulder. "Bringing a young friend here. This is Tyler. He's looking to purchase a property."

Mr. Abernathy, a man of perhaps sixty years, straightened up, his eyes lighting with a professional interest. He had a practiced air about him, the kind of demeanor that came from years spent negotiating and dealing with clients. "A property, you say? Excellent. The market is… steady, in these times. Name's Abernathy. I oversee the transfer of land and dwellings here in Veridia." He gestured with a frail hand to a chair in front of his desk. "Please, sit. Let's see what we can do for you. Now, what exactly are you hoping to find?"

Tyler sat down, and Hector leaned against the edge of the desk. "A big house," Tyler said, "With some space."

Mr. Abernathy steepled his fingers, considering. "Ah, yes. Room to breathe. I have just the property in mind." He pulled a small, leather-bound book from a drawer and began flipping through the pages. "Built a few years back, sound construction. Located just a little outside the main part of town… gives you some privacy. It's on the market for 210 gold, a fair price considering the location and the upkeep. I can show it to you if you are interested." He looked up, his eyes twinkling behind his spectacles. "Are you interested?"

Tyler glanced at Hector, who gave him a subtle nod. He then looked at Abernathy and said, "It sounds really good. Can we see it?"

A slight smile played on Abernathy's lips. "Certainly. It's my pleasure to assist you. Follow me, gentlemen. It's a short walk."

They walked for a short while, the house seemingly on the edge of town. Finally, they arrived. The house was made of sturdy red brick, a two-story structure with a steeply pitched roof. It stood isolated, set back from the road, about four hundred meters from any other buildings. It was surrounded by a small, overgrown garden, and a sturdy wooden fence.

Mr. Abernathy unlocked the front door with a rusty key. "Been standing empty for a few months, but the foundations are solid."

Inside, the house was empty. The floors were made of polished wood, reflecting the sunlight that streamed through the windows. There were several rooms downstairs, a kitchen, a dining area, a living room. Upstairs, several bedrooms. There was no basement. The air smelled of dust and old wood.

Tyler walked through the house, running his hand along the wooden banister. "It's… nice," he said, picturing the possibilities.

"Yes," Hector said, "It's a fine house. But… two hundred and ten gold… that's a bit steep, isn't it, Abernathy?" He knew the price of land here, he's seen a few houses.

Abernathy, who had been watching Tyler's reaction with a knowing smile, gestured to Hector. "A fair price, my friend. But for *you*, and your good friend here…" He paused, then said, "How about we call it 190 gold? A special price. A true bargain for a house like this."

Tyler, after a quick glance at the house, and a nod to Hector, spoke to Mr. Abernathy with a smile on his face, "Deal."

Abernathy, with a practiced air, led them back to his office. He retrieved a stack of official-looking documents and set to work. He had Tyler sign his name with a quill on several copies, filling in details with his careful script. In the end, with the exchange complete, the house was his.

Having been given the documents and proof of ownership for his new house, Tyler and Hector were already walking back towards Hector's shop.

As they strolled along, Hector chuckled and said, "So you own a house now, eh?"

"Yeah," Tyler said, a grin spreading across his face.

Hector clapped Tyler on the back, pulling him in with a playful grip. "You lucky little bastard! Your house is so much bigger than mine! Let's… let's trade, what do you think, huh?"

Tyler laughed, pulling himself free of Hector's grip. "No way! I really like that house."

Hector sighed, feigning disappointment. "There's nothing I can do about it, I guess. So… when are you moving in?"

"Yeah, about that," Tyler said, his expression turning thoughtful. "Where can't I… buy furniture right now?"

"Furniture?" Hector considered. "Well, there are two shops where you can buy furniture, but…" He paused, then brightened. "You know what? Luckily, we're already closer to one right now."

"Really?" Tyler asked, intrigued.

"Yeah, unless you want to go to the one in the marketplace." A memory flickered in his eyes, a hint of amusement. "But that one's mostly known for selling barrels…"

The memory of Tyler's previous experience buying a barrel resurfaced in his mind, the woman's abrasive customer service and the way she spoke to him. He shook his head, a slight shudder running through him. "No, I'd rather we check out the closer one first."

"Alright," Hector said, nodding in agreement. "How much money do you think you have left?"

Tyler did a quick mental calculation. "I don't know… about fifteen to twenty gold, maybe?"

"Hmm," Hector mused. "That's enough to buy some chairs… and probably a bed. I'd say it's enough to buy a bed. Let's go." He turned, his pace quickening, as he started to walk forward.

Tyler and Hector made their way to the furniture shop. As they arrived, Tyler saw that this shop was significantly different from the one in the marketplace. It was larger, better lit, and far more inviting. Inside, various pieces of furniture were arranged to showcase their designs. Chairs of all shapes and sizes surrounded tables of different styles. There was a table with a gleaming glass top, surrounded by elegant chairs. There were also small, simple beds meant for one person. And then, more luxurious options: a queen-sized bed, and a grand king-sized bed. Sofas and plush chairs, seemingly designed for comfort, were arranged in inviting groupings. A real selection.

However, when Tyler and Hector spoke to the shop owner, a stern but efficient woman, they learned that their remaining funds would allow them to purchase only the most essential item: a bed.

Tyler, after careful consideration, chose a simple, sturdy single bed. It cost him fifteen gold. Afterwards, he promised to return and buy more furniture as soon as he could. The woman, though professional, was clearly intrigued as Tyler, with a flash of blue, easily transported the bed into his inventory. She barely concealed her surprise, but both Tyler and Hector simply shrugged it off as the workings of his unique skill.

They left the shop, the setting sun casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. As Tyler was walking back towards *Hector's* shop, he turned to Hector.

"Hector…"

Hector stopped, turning to face him. "What?"

"I think I'm going to go back to the house now," Tyler said, a hint of weariness in his voice. "Just going to rest there a little."

"Oh," Hector said, understanding dawning on his face. "Your feeling tired? It has been a long day, after all."

Tyler smiled. "Yes. Came back from hunting, then… all of this. So, I think you understand."

Hector nodded and gave him a friendly grin. "Well, yeah. I was going to close the shop soon, anyway. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yeah," Tyler said, a sense of anticipation building within him. "See you tomorrow." He knew he had a long journey ahead of him, but he had a place to call home. A place to rest. And that felt… good.

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