The sun is shining high in the sky, and birds are singing everywhere!

Take a look, have a glance!

Top-notch weapons are left unwanted!

My heart aches so much…

It's been a month since I gave the double-edged sword to Nord, and during this time, I haven't sold a single weapon. The hero's number remains at 576. Although I console myself that the slow sale of weapons is due to fewer people going to fight the demon king in winter, it's still uncomfortable to see my painstaking work unsold.

In the original world, Xu Wei once said: "Pearls are worthless at the bottom of a pen, thrown away carelessly among wild vines."

My situation is roughly similar to his, but I am a bit stronger. In winter, I work as a carpenter and sell homemade snacks to make money, so life is generally manageable. And since I can repair houses and furniture, it's not a problem to support myself, Ilan, and the little furball.

However, I began to doubt myself.

Although Nord once said that my craftsmanship is slightly better than his father's, I still have little fame.

Ah—so annoyed, so irritated, I don't want to do anything today—

Knowing that Ilan hasn't woken up yet, I stretch lazily like a child on the counter.

—Knock knock knock.

Familiar villagers, like Lisa, don't knock and just push the door open. The chances of it being a guest are slim as I haven't sold anything lately. I wonder who it could be…

Opening the door, I see a row of white-armored spears, and at the front is a girl in her late teens.

She has silver-white hair similar to Ilan's, along with silvery-white eyelashes. Her body is hidden under a white cloak. She's quite a beautiful girl, but her green eyes reflect a dangerous look. In short, she's very capable. She possesses a maturity that shouldn't be present in her age group.

Though laymen may sense the cold arrogance and murderousness emanating from her, it's rather childish to me.

Compared to those with expressionless faces, those full of smiles are far more terrifying.

After making a preliminary judgment, I ask her:

"May I help you with something?"

She stands straight, not afraid to meet my gaze.

Then, she pulls her hand out from her cloak, and I seize the opportunity to see that she's wearing a delicate white armor underneath, with a sword at her waist. A quick glance reveals it to be about 80 centimeters long. It's a sword that focuses on speed and skill.

In her hand is a parchment, seemingly some kind of proof.

"I am Karona, the investigator in charge of this area. Recently, a forest species managed to sneak in here. Please tell me what you know."

"Forest species? What's that?"

I ask.

"They look similar to humans but have very long ears and are good at using bows and arrows. Here is a portrait; please cooperate."

After I asked what a "forest species" is, her guard visibly dropped.

I take a look at the portrait... is this Baro? The drawing is way too abstract... Miss Investigator, you may never find Baro with this portrait. No, my OCD is acting up again; I have to control it…

"I haven't seen this person."

She nods.

"This portrait is too abstract, isn't it?"

I still can't help but say it.

She glares back at me:

"I drew it."

I don't know what to say, but they're already preparing to leave.

"Brother, is it a guest?"

Just then, Ilan appears behind me, fully dressed and timidly asking.

That's bad.

Karona's gaze instantly shifts to Ilan, who is scared and tries to hide behind me.

"I haven't met this person before."

Her gaze is full of suspicion. Now I need to come up with a way to get through this.

"Ah, yes. It's because Miss Investigator rarely visits us. I took her in last year and let her work in our store."

"Oh, I see. But her skin is too pale, isn't it?"

I want to say yours is pale as well, but I must resist at this moment.

"…Ah, haha. Actually, ever since she experienced that disaster, she's been very fearful and always hiding at home, staying away from sunlight."

"Which disaster?"

Successfully shifting the topic.

"Yes. A year ago, during a battle between humans and demons, her parents were killed, and she came back covered in blood all by herself…"I never lied.

At that moment, Karona showed a genuinely sad expression. Although her face was expressionless, her heart was not strong.

"I'm sorry, but could you please take off your hat for me to see?"

So persistent!

What to do...

Think...

"I… can't."

"Why not?"

She suddenly leaned in close to me, scrutinizing my face carefully. To be honest, her face was quite close to mine, even seductive, but she didn't seem to notice. I could even feel her breath.

"Because...because Ilan, she is bald!"

I yelled.

Karona's expression instantly darkened. What to do, should I run?

No, I should try harder!

"Although you can see white hair around the hat, the top of her head is barren! Look, Officer, this child once had beautiful white hair like yours. But…it was an accident! Our pet donkey ate her hair, and once it ate it, it never grew back!"

Then, Karona cried.

Tears streamed down her cheeks and fell onto the floor.

It's not that I'm a psycho, but Karona's tearful face was way better looking than her cold, frosty expression.

"Such a young girl, yet she can only... live wearing a hat..."

Her tone was filled with self-blame and guilt.

I sighed with relief, and just as I thought Karona was about to leave, another surprise occurred.

The tiny furball that appeared out of nowhere was eating Karona's hair.

"Waaaaaaaaaah-"

A scream rang out, and Karona quickly drew her sword and cut off the hair that was in the furball's mouth. Then she swung the sword, but to no avail, because it was already in my hand.

Unlike Durant and Baro, Karona could see me taking her sword, but her body couldn't keep up with the reaction. However, simply being able to see my actions deserves praise. When she reaches my age, she might surpass me. But since I didn't seriously try to take the sword, it can't be determined.

"Give me back my sword! And stop running, you beast!"

Now, I'm more concerned about what's in my hand than the angry Karona, frightened Ilan, the furball happily running away, and the warriors pointing their guns at me.

This sword is made...

Even better than mine!!!

"Officer, where did you get this sword?"