"You buyin' or not?" the grumpy store owner glowered at the peasant-looking girl from behind the counter. Of course, she had been loitering around for the past half hour, so it was only natural he'd get a little grumpy. Nonetheless, it wasn't like there was a mad rush of customers in the shop, which was basically a discount stall for newbie adventurers. Cheap or second-hand goods for those who had yet to make a name or income for themselves.
"Fine, fine, I'll take this one!" Lirin tossed the ring in the wooden box onto the counter and started digging for her money pouch. Of course, she didn't realize that the ring she grabbed was not a typical health-restoring ring, as were all the others on the shelf. Even a magician might not notice, since the ring required rather specific circumstances to activate. However, if she was going to start hunting monsters, basic enhancement equipment was needed. Especially since she wasn't exactly built for combat.
"Twenty coppers," the seller stated.
"Twenty?? But it looks old! And there's no way to know how much the magic has worn off! C'mon, cut me a break here, will ya?" Lirin tried to haggle, but the old man scowled.
"Twenty or scram!"
**********
Lirin sighed as she entered her small hovel on the outskirts of the town. Her parents had died in her childhood, and ever since her older brother had worked hard as an adventurer to bring in enough money to keep them alive. However, a month ago, word had come that he had gone missing on a quest. With no money coming in, Lirin decided to do the only thing she knew how, even though she wasn't physically suited for it. Saying she was slender was generous. Even though she had great stamina from sheer willpower, her strength was subpar at best. Nevertheless, she knew everything there was to know about being an adventurer thanks to learning from her brother, so she hoped that could make up somewhat for all her shortcomings.
Lighting a lamp, Lirin began to dig out some of her brother's equipment. To say they didn't share the same frame was an understatement. For all the lack of muscle on Lirin's body, her older brother had it in spades. So while his armor would never fit her properly, it was all Lirin had at the moment to protect herself while she started her new career.
Standing in front of the old mirror, one of the few remnants of her mother's dowry, Lirin held up a large leather armor vest in front of her and sighed at her reflection. Hopefully if she managed to make some money on some lower-level quests, she could buy some armor that would actually fit her. In the meantime, she might as well try to make do and figure out which pieces would suit her best so she would be ready for tomorrow.
Lirin took off most of her clothes, then picked up the vest. Putting on the leather vest, which hung loosely off her body, Lirin sighed again, then picked up the box with the ring she had bought that day. Even though it wasn't particularly stunning, at least it was one thing she knew would fit her. Pulling it out, Lirin slid the ring onto her finger.