Chapter 25: Give Up Your Supplier

The next few days were filled with bloodshed as I watched Callie continually struggle with her fight on the first floor of the dungeon. Her progress was slow and at times it felt as if she wasn't making any progress at all.

Her cute, smiling face was now streaked with blood and dirt as she continued her unending quest to become stronger. I often wondered why she fought so hard to gain that power. It couldn't be that she simply wanted to get stronger. No, there had to be something driving this determination.

"Let's take a break." I led Callie to a resting spot near the edge of the dungeon where we had a wall to our backs.

Her usual exhaustion cast dark circles under her eyes and I began to worry about how many potions she had been drinking each day. It was too late to feel guilty, for I was the one giving those potions to her. All for my own selfish gain.

Mostly I was just done with this dungeon. I knew every monster, every location of those monsters, and exactly how much force to take down those monsters. I was completely and utterly bored.

How many times had we defeated this dungeon? How many days had we been down here? I lost track of it all. I cursed my foresight to pack several provisions and water in my bag. I probably had enough herbs now to stock a pharmacy at this point as well.

Is this what they called grinding in video games? No, I needed to refocus. Despite my boredom, Callie was still having a tough time taking down monsters. While I felt very little growth, Callie was simply growing very slowly.

She was starting to show a little bit of muscle density since we had been down here, but her healing capabilities had hardly seen any progress. I was starting to wonder if healers somehow progressed differently than others.

The more experience I gained in taking down monsters, the more powerful my attacks became. However, this same principle did not seem to be working for Callie. If that were the case then why did the healers train this way?

"The healer you talked to before. Did they give you any clues about how to train to become stronger?"

"No. He said that it is up to the individual to find their way forward."

Well that was cryptic. What did it mean? My head hurt just thinking about it. Whatever it was she was obviously not finding it here taking out weak monsters that were not any stronger than what beginners typically took on.

"Maybe we need to take a different approach to your training."

"Like what?"

"Honestly, I have no idea. I highly doubt that continuing what we have been will increase your stats any further. Besides I have been letting you fight mostly alone and that is not how healers fight."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"I am thinking that maybe we need another party member that can help as the main attack force and you try sticking to the back and focus on healing for now."

"Do you think that will work?"

"It is the only thing I can think of at this point. Let's leave the dungeon and visit Dyno. I want to ask him something anyway."

"Ok!"

Just like that the glowing smile returned to her face. Hearing that we would be leaving the dungeon must have come as a great relief to her. Judging by her current state we each needed a bath and some time outside of the dungeon.

We were not too far from the exit circle and we did not encounter any more enemies on our way out. It was almost like the dungeon was grateful we were finally leaving. Or maybe that was my mind interpreting my relief to finally be leaving this place.

We scanned our cards on the way out and agreed to meet at Dyno's store the next morning. I watched as Callie hurried away. It must be difficult for her to spend so much time in the dungeon considering how weak she was.

*********

Dyno's store was empty of customers as usual. I found it odd that despite coming to this place several times over the last few days to stock up, he never seemed to have any other customers.

"Welcome. Did you come to get some maintenance done on your weapons?"

I handed over my blades and waited patiently at the counter for Callie to show up. It didn't take long before I heard the elevator ding and Callie walked into his store.

"Good morning!"

I waved to Callie who joined me at the counter. It seemed a good night's rest did her a world of good. Her usual cheery self was on full display, brightening up the shop.

"Oh, hello there!" Dyno called from the back where he was finishing up my blades.

"Hi Dyno! I have been putting my staff and armor to good use in the dungeon!"

It was heartwarming to see their interaction. Dyno wiped his hands on a piece of cloth before bringing my blades back to the counter.

"Was there anything else I can assist you with today?"

I inspected the spotless shine of my blades before returning them to my bag. I pulled out the usual empty bottles of potions from my bag to have them refilled.

"You go through way too many potions. Don't tell me the little miss here has been drinking them all?"

I averted my eyes from Dyno's heated gaze. I really didn't want to admit that I had been pushing Callie too far in the dungeon. I needed her to become strong and this was the only method that had come to mind at the time.

"Dyno, don't be mad at Kai. She was only trying to help me to become a better healer. Besides, I look fine."

Dyno's gaze moved over to Callie as he inspected her closely. I secretly applauded myself for not stopping by last night and waiting until this morning. Gradually, Dyno's eyes softened as Callie started posing in different cute ways.

"Ok, but I don't suggest overusing potions. We still do not know what could happen if you take too many."

"Actually, I was wondering about your supplier for the potions you sell here."

"You won't find them cheaper anywhere else."

"No, that is not it. We have been spending a lot of time in the dungeon, so I was hoping we could maybe get these herbs off our hands. Besides, I already use you exclusively for armor, weapons, and maintenance. It can't hurt your business too much by introducing us, right?"

I pulled out a pile of herbs to show Dyno the crazy amount of materials we had collected. He scrunched up his face in disbelief and sighed heavily.

"Fine. I will introduce you to my supplier, but you have to promise to take it easy on the little miss here."

I quickly agreed and almost jumped in excitement. I thought it would take much more convincing to get Dyno to give up his supplier. I did not miss the twitch on his face when I mentioned I was giving him my exclusive business.

For independent crafters it was important to have continued business. Whether that meant getting materials from hunters or having them only buy their equipment from one place. It was very important to them to have these relationships.

Dyno hung up the thick apron he had tied around him and pressed a few buttons behind the counter.

"I will close up shop for a few moments and then I will take you to Clay."

I was guessing his supplier was named Clay. I didn't expect to immediately get to meet this person, but it seemed that today would be filled with good fortune. Callie and I exited the shop while we waited for Dyno by the elevator.

"Clay is not very good around new people, so you need to be understanding."

Dyno's explanation of Clay was vague and left a lot to be desired. I wondered why someone, who was clearly good at brewing, sold his potions to Dyno's shop, but I would guess it had something to do with not being good around new people as Dyno said.

I was instantly very curious to see who this Clay character was and how I could develop a good relationship with him. I would need him to create many potions for me if I was to survive in the more difficult dungeons and eventually that mysterious tower marked as extreme difficulty.

I only hoped that whatever issue Clay had with new people could be easily resolved.

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