An A-Ranked Adventurer’s - Chapter 16

Sharing With The Neighbors

On the day after I finished my first hunt with Loren-san and Kyle.

I wanted to hunt today as well, but unfortunately their bodies needed rest today, so we cant go.

My basic hunting abilities have been acknowledged, but my knowledge of the mountains here was still not sufficient since I was not familiar with them yet. Therefore, Ive decided that I should not hunt alone for the time being.

Even if I have some skills, its very important to factor in the natural environment. Since I dont want to end up helpless in front of monsters, its very important to have a complete understanding of the environment in the hunting grounds.

It was the same thing back in my adventurer days. We had to go back and forth to scout out the areas to collect information before heading off to the monster hunting quests and the quests to collect expensive materials.

There were also desperate times of crisis where we had to head to the quest locations without any time to scout ahead, but since Im just a villager now, theres no need to take such risks.

We will go hunting tomorrow in the mountains as three people again, so today I think Ill bring some meat to Toacks house.

With that said, I headed to his house with the meat after I finished breakfast at my house.

I crossed the bridge over the stream and walked on the grass until his home came into my sight.

Even for being neighbours, we really live close to each other.

As I tossed a fruit that I found growing around his home into my mouth, the sour taste spread inside my mouth and it was refreshing. Eating goji berries in the morning had made all my sleepiness fly away.

Since Im going to eat with him anyways, maybe I should pick some more of these out

I picked out some more goji berries, then I knocked on his door.

Oii, Toack. I brought some meat over

Ohh! Aldo? You can come inside

Shortly after hearing Toacks reply, I entered his home without hesitation.

Good morning

That was not a greeting from Toack that I heard as I entered. Instead, it was Aisha, who was dressed in her work clothes.

Oh, morning. Why are you here, Aisha?

The workbench broke down

Being asked from someone she did not expect, Aisha lifted up the workbench and showed me the front leg that was broken.

It was a wooden workbench that I could tell from first glance was made by Toack based on its edges and shape. On top of that, it seems like its quite past its useful life as most of the wood was blackened deeply, with the broken leg being the most eroded part.

Oh, so you came here to get a new workbench

Yup, thats how it is. Araa, you got some goji berries. Let me eat some too, please

Aisha asked for the berries in my hand, and then she threw them in her mouth after I handed her some.

Nnn~ this sourness is nice

I thought this type of taste would not be liked by ladies, but strangely, Aisha likes it.

Oi, Aldo, give me some too

I tossed Toack some berries since he wanted some too, just as I expected. Then, he caught them nicely and ate them.

Even so, I could have gotten hurt really badly from using this piece of inferior product

Aisha said as she turned around to face Toack, who was deeper inside the house. On her butt, there was some brown dirt attached. From that, I understood it was because she tried sitting on the broken workbench.

The reason why her words were sharper than usual was probably because of that.

Nono, you have been using this for three years now, right? Its only natural for it to break down

When I first bought this, you told me that this can be used for five years

Aisha was still not backing off. Is she doing this because her ass was in pain from that, or is she trying to negotiate a discount for her next purchase?

Its amazing that she could remember the words from three years ago.

Toack then sighed and replied:

You have been leaving the workbench outdoors cause its too much of a hassle to clean up after work, right? Leaving it in the rain makes it corrode faster, so it would break down sooner than I said, you know?

Oh, thats no good. Its Aishas loss. Toack had precisely explained why the useful life of his product did not match what he said, and it was because of Aishas management of the item.

. Chi

And so there wont be any discounts, but go to the warehouse with a trolley and get something that suits you

Even when Aisha glared at him as she clicked her tongue in annoyance, Toack brushed it off lightly and sent her away in order to avoid trouble.

She walked to the warehouse as if the place was her own while looking somewhat displeased still.

Thats why the women in this village are dangerous. They have an insane memory that can recall words from years ago, and when somethings a bit off, they try to get a discount

Maa, how should I put it. Women are no joke no matter where

The housewives who lived in the shopping districts of the capital and female adventurers all had crazy bargaining power. They can talk about this and that and lower the prices like magic.

Even though I was partly at fault there, Aisha is the only person who can niggle at someone with a straight face

Toack said as he put his fingers on his temple.

Ive heard that men are said to be creatures who like to forget things when its convenient to, but I think that women who pretend that they dont remember when they do is not good either.

Well, I dont really care about something like this. You went hunting yesterday and got some meat, right?

He changed from looking like he had a headache to a happy look.

Being able to eat fresh meat can make even someone like Toack happy.

Normally its difficult to tell how hes feeling behind his poker face, but this time his emotions were really showing on his face.

Ah, thats right. Thanks for taking care of me as well, Toack. So, heres some meat for you as my thanks

When I passed him the meat that was wrapped in leaves, Toack quickly unwrapped the meat.

As he moved the green leaves aside, a lump of red meat could be seen.

Ohh! Its a nice red color!! This would be delicious if I grill it with a little salt and pepper

Listening to the mouthwatering words of Toack, I nodded in agreement without thinking.

The venison dishes that Flora and Sophia-san made yesterday were the best.

Above all, the grilled meat was the best Ive had in half my lifetime. Venison would get all dried up if it was grilled for too long.

You can also stir fry it with some vegetables and sweet sauce. Even deep frying it, or stew it with tomatoes

Oi, that sounds good

Since its meat, it would go really well with wine

When I was talking to Toack about ways to cook the venison, Aisha, who came back unnoticed, made a suggestion as she stared at the meat.

What is it? Have you already chosen a new workbench?

Toack asked in surprise.

Just make one thats around the same height as the last one. Besides that, do you have a share of that meat for me, too? You still havent repaid me for acting as your guide and helping you with Flora

I was planning on giving some to you as well, though? Remember? I told you to come by just the other day, and Ill give you your share at that time

Oh. Then, lets eat the venison for lunch at Aldos place

Haa?

From the sudden suggestion of Aisha, Toack let out a dumbfounded voice.

Even if I let my family cook it, its not as delicious as when you and Flora make it

Thats a feeling that I know well. Flora and Toack are both really good at cooking.

Its just, I feel like Im leaving everything to them while being too unreserved.

Oi, Aldo. Is what Aisha saying okay? Dont you have to go hunting today?

No, todays a day off so theres no problem with me. What about you two?

Well, Im in a profession where its easy to make time. My apologies for making you wait for your bed though

Perhaps he was feeling a strong sense of responsibility from a clients order, so he apologized to me.

Theres no problem since you lent me a sofa. Its not a big deal if its a little late. I borrowed some fishing tools from Ergys-san yesterday, so how about we go fishing like we said?

That sounds good. We can have a luxurious course of venison at noon and river fishes at night

It doesnt sound bad to eat like that with everyone. Just from thinking about it brings me joy.

What about you, Aisha?

I thought there wont be a problem with her since she was the one who brought it up, but I will ask just in case.

Theres no problem, Ill just push my job to my little sister. She will be happy and willing if she was going to come home to some of Toack and Floras cooking

Youre going to use your little sister like that?

Its fine, its my special privilege as an older sister since Im always working. Ill get Flora to join us later

Im a little curious as to what type of person Aishas little sister is. Perhaps, she would be the same open-hearted type of girl as Aisha, or a seriously shy type of girl who is her complete opposite.

Brother and sisters are either really similar in personalities or the complete opposite.

.Hey, youre going to tell that famously shy girl Flora to come? Even with me here?

Its going to be okay. I have Aldo here. I dont know if shell talk to you, though