Everyone hates me in this new world and they will pay for it

"Now, enough talk. I'll introduce you to the blacksmith and the merchant. Both shops are right next door," she said, stepping out of the Guild.

Next door was the blacksmith's shop, also known as Torvin's Forge. It was a simple house with a large sign that read "Weapons Repaired." Upon opening the door, a faint bell chimed and the blacksmith appeared, along with a blast of searing heat. He was a tall, skinny man with long, light-colored hair and a long beard. He wore a tattered, cut-up apron, and a prominent scar marked his left shoulder, likely from an accident with a mold. His eyes were tired, and he was sweating like a pig due to the high temperatures needed to shape his weapons. The place was simple. A large counter separated the customer area from the blacksmith's workspace. Beside it, various swords and shields were displayed with their prices stamped on them, along with a small picture of the man with his family on a festive day.

"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in... How's it going, Shapira?" the man asked, holding a hammer and a red-hot sword he had just finished shaping.

Shapira approached with Arthur, leaning on the counter.

"Hello, Torvin. I disappear, but I always come back. You should be used to it by now," she replied, smiling, as she picked up a dagger from the stand.

Torvin mirrored Shapira's movement and leaned on the counter as well.

"That's true. After all, you always disappeared when we needed you, even on missions. Your negligence could have led us to ruin, you know that, right?" he replied, taking the dagger from Shapira's hand.

Shapira smiled and responded.

"I always trusted my companions very much. And look at you all, alive and well."

Torvin returned the friendly smile, leaning to his right to observe Arthur.

"And who's this?" he asked, curious, spinning his hammer.

"I'm looking after him for now. A favor for my sister. He's Morgan, a newly arrived Rank E adventurer," she replied, patting Arthur's back, who took a step forward.

"A pleasure to meet you, Torvin," Arthur exclaimed, offering a shy and awkward smile.

"The pleasure is all mine, kid," he said, but something at Arthur's hip caught his attention. "I see you carry a fine sword. May I see it?"

Arthur nodded, placing it on the dusty counter.

Torvin picked up the sword, inspecting it under the light. Soon, he tested its edge on his glove, which it cut through almost instantly.

"It really is an excellent sword, kid. An uchigatana like this isn't easy to come by. But I think I've seen this sword before…"

He turned his gaze to Shapira, awaiting an answer.

"Yes, it's whose you're thinking of," she affirmed. "It's the old man's sword. I lent it to Arthur temporarily. After all, it was just sitting at home, and he doesn't have the money to buy a decent one."

Torvin was surprised but handed the sword back to Arthur.

"That old man would kill you if he knew you lent it to a Rank E adventurer. You know that, right?" Torvin responded with an ironic smile on his face.

"I'm sure of it. But he's not here anymore, is he?" she retorted, smiling maliciously.

Torvin stepped back from the counter, wiping his hands on an old cloth.

"He really isn't. And it's not like what you do with it is any of my business. Do what you think is right," he said, tossing the cloth aside.

Torvin approached the counter again with a greedy, smiling gaze.

"Anyway, how can I help you on this fine afternoon? A shield for the boy, perhaps? Or a new sword for you? I have some that just came out of the fire."

Shapira shook her head, looking indignant, and replied to him.

"Always a mercenary, Torvin. You never change," she said. "I just came to introduce the kid. After all, he'll need maintenance for this sword. We're also looking for some work. Do you need any materials?"

Torvin's expression changed instantly. He became visibly uninterested in the conversation about work.

"I always accept silver and aluminum; they're great for swords. A bit of raw wood wouldn't hurt for making shields, either. I buy them for a few silver coins…" He then looked at the boy. "And kid, if you need it, you can come here. I'll fix the sword for you. Just be careful, okay? You can't always repair a blade."

Shapira gave the boy a warning look. The boy felt a chill run down his spine; he got the message. He would definitely be careful with his uchigatana.

"O-of course, I'll be careful. After all, it's not even mine, and I definitely can't afford a new one," he replied, giving a nervous laugh to hide the fear in his eyes.

Torvin crossed his arms and shook his head, smiling as he teased Shapira.

"Always scaring people, demanding respect. That's the Shapira I know."

Shapira then shot the same glare at Torvin, who also felt the chill down his spine instantly.

"Hey, calm down, I have nothing to do with this. I'm just kidding, geez…" he replied, raising his hands as if surrendering. "Now, if you have nothing else to say or buy, I need to get back to forging. Get out of here."

He turned back to the hot furnace, obviously fleeing from Shapira.

Shapira smiled, amused by it all. She knew the effect she had on others and quite enjoyed it.

"We're leaving. See you later, Torvin."

Arthur added:

"Later, Torvin! I'll be back soon."

Torvin just waved a hand, still with his back to them, and the two left the blacksmith's shop.

"There, now you just have to meet the merchant," Shapira said, watching Arthur leave the shop.

"It's on the other side of the guild. Come on, follow me."

Arthur nodded, walking alongside Shapira.

"Shapira, have you and the blacksmith been friends for a long time? He mentioned something about adventures. Were you on the same team?" he asked, curious, as he watched the carts on the street.

"I've known him for a long time, kid. And yes, we were on the same team some years ago… But what? Closed?"

Arthur and Shapira finished their walk to the merchant's, but there was a huge sign that read "Closed, be back soon." The boy turned his attention to Shapira, who looked irritated as she muttered.

"That damned lazy bum, always shirking his work…"

"Come on, kid. I think I know where to find him," she shouted, walking deeper into the town.

"Okay," Arthur agreed, quickening his pace to follow her.

"Back to the subject… Me, my sister, Torvin, Zamir, and him…" she stopped talking suddenly. Her face changed completely, filling with sadness and pain.

"Him who?" Arthur asked.

"It doesn't matter. Anyway…" she said, changing the subject. She obviously didn't want to talk about it.

Arthur was confused and didn't know how to react. He decided to just finish listening to the story. After all, if he tried to ask about it again, he would probably get a beating. He figured he could get more information about this mysterious fifth member later on.

Shapira continued, talking about the past.

"We formed a team. It might not look like it, but that blacksmith knows how to fight very well. He was our front line, always taking the damage for us, our wall. Back then, he was strong and muscular, but when the group split up, he decided to become a blacksmith. The guy was always passionate about forging and ended up getting skinny like that… it's pathetic, a waste of a great adventurer, but it's his choice, what can you do," she said, her voice nostalgic, seeming to imagine those times.

"I really liked that time. It was just us, battling monsters and always getting into one scrape after another. It was tough, but it was a lot of fun, you know?"

She continued smiling, mesmerized by the nostalgia.

"Until that day… That damned day."

Shapira stopped walking, clenching her fists as she stared at the ground, her expression a mixture of anger and sadness.

Arthur noticed her sadness. He then placed his hand on the girl's shoulder and gave a gentle smile. It was the way he found to try and give her a little support.