Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 39: Guildmaster's Assembly

"Mmm... how can I help you today, sweetie?" asked the woman with a hand on one hitched hip, the gentle words escaping painted and puckered lips.

Daisuke's expression remained unchanged, a testament to his Composure Stat and his respectful acknowledgment of the transgender community.

"Hi. I'm looking to buy some gear."

"Well, honey," she blinked her thickly lashed eyelids, the sheen and luster of her hair outshining any girl Daisuke had seen before. "You've come to the right place."

With a nod, Daisuke browsed the equipment on display. "I'm on a bit of a budget though. I'm looking for something functional but not too expensive."

The woman's eyes lit up with excitement as she pulled a measuring tool from her back pocket with a flourish, like it was a weapon. "Fabulous and stylish! Got it!"

"Wait—what?"

Before Daisuke could protest, the woman was spinning him around like a top and taking his measurements in a blur of movement. Zephyr spilled out from underneath his shirt like cookie dough, completely disoriented.

"Oh my~" the woman beamed like a child, lifting the pupper as if it were a fluffy marshmallow. "Who's this little cutie?!"

"B-Blergh," Daisuke struggled to prevent himself from regurgitating the valuable food he had just consumed, which would have been equivalent to squandering a few copper coins.

Before he could still the mutinous grumble of his stomach, the spirited woman was already shoving him into a changing room and taking a seat outside, legs crossed. Meanwhile, Zephyr was happily gnawing on his bone.

The curtain of the changing room shifted and out shuffled Daisuke, clad in a bulky suit of armor. "Don't think... these are good for mobility," he muttered while struggling to remain balanced.

The store owner chuckled and shook her head. "Perhaps not the best choice for you."

"Rawrwu~"

Next Daisuke donned a flamboyant and extremely revealing outfit. He glanced at himself in the mirror, his eyes dreary. "Pretty sure I would get arrested for indecent exposure in this one," he quipped, earning a hearty laugh from the owner.

Now Daisuke emerged wearing the store's finest ensemble fit for a Duke. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, but he couldn't help but sigh. "I'd probably have to start auctioning off my organs to afford this one," he joked, a wry smile playing on his lips.

The store owner grinned awkwardly. "And I'm pretty sure you need those to survive."

"Kyuu~"

"Well, we do have more practical options," she offered. "Let's find something that suits both your style and your budget."

Daisuke sighed noisily. "That was my request from the very start."

The woman stuck her tongue out mischievously.

PAJIK!

A blood vessel bulged at Daisuke's temple.

***

"Budget-friendly and stylish—ahem, I mean functional. I've got just the thing!" assured the store owner as she led Daisuke to a rack of clothing. "Let's start with these pants. They're sturdy, comfortable, and only two gold fifty silver!"

Daisuke nodded when he came back from the changing room. "I like these."

"A marvelous choice!" she agreed, her hands gesturing in approval. "Now, let's consider your upper body." She presented him with a long-sleeve shirt with partial metal plating at the front. "This one's a steal at just three gold fifty silver and offers excellent protection."