CHAPTER 38: OLD MARREK

Later that night, Leonard and Anika sat outside their inn.

The air was cool now, and the street was quiet except for the occasional bark of stray dogs in the distance. The two of them sat on the ground as they waited for Gareth to arrive.

Leonard was silent, while Anika softly hummed a tune. She was tracing shapes on the dirt with a stick she just found somewhere.

"You looked so calm earlier, like you knew the rats would never come near us. How did you even know that?" She asked as she turned her head to the side. She had been curious about it since earlier.

"Let’s just say... I had a little help." Leonard chuckled under his breath.

"Help?" She tilted her head to the side, getting even more curious.

"Yup," Leonard nodded. He was trying to find words that could explain his situation without directly saying that it was from a System.

"Let’s just say after being on the streets for so long, I know how those rats work," Leonard muttered again.

Anika blinked, her lips curling into a faint smile as if that answer satisfied her.

"Oh, okay. I understand that." She gave a small nod and went back to drawing shapes on the ground to ease her boredom.

Leonard only chuckled at that. Deep inside, he was relieved that she took his answer, even if it sounded so brain-dead.

After that, silence fell between them.

A few moments passed before the sound of footsteps reached their ears. Their gazes immediately went up. They waited until a pair of figures came into view.

From the darkness emerged Gareth. His frame was broad as always, but tonight he wasn’t alone. Walking beside him was an old man who looked to be in his 60s.

The man had a long, snow-white beard that reached down to his chest. His hair was also just as white. It was tied back loosely, revealing a weathered face that was marked with age.

Still, despite his oldness, there was no weakness in the way he walked. His steps were stable, his back was straight, and his shoulders were still broad.

Even in the dim lighting, the outline of his muscles could be seen beneath his simple clothing. Though his hands were filled with small scars and old calluses that spoke of his decades of labor.

"Gareth..." Leonard immediately stood up to welcome the two. He also offered his hand to Anika, so she could stand up.

Gareth gave a small nod to Leonard.

"Boss, this man here is Old Marrek," Gareth gestured to the man with a small grin. "He’s the one who’ll be making your furniture."

Old Marrek’s eyes crinkled as he gave a small bow. His voice, though it was deep, carried a certain calm gentleness to it.

"Good evening, young man. And young lady."

"Good evening, sir," Leonard returned, "It’s an honor."

Marrek gave a faint chuckle, stroking his beard.

"No need for that. Gareth tells me you’re setting up shop here in town. That’s why he came rushing to me, saying that you all needed my help."

"That is right," Leonard nodded at it.

"Now then. Let’s go directly to business. Tell me what you need, and I’ll tell you how many days it will take and how much silver it will cost."

"Do you want to look at the location first?" Leonard asked the man. He thought that he had a better experience when measuring things in sight.

"Sure," Old Marrek muttered before stepping aside.

Leonard exchanged a glance with Anika before they both set off toward the place that would soon become their shop. Marrek followed closely while Gareth trailed from behind as if ensuring that all of them were safe.

After a long time of walking, they finally arrived at the same place. The street was bright and full of life with people going in and out of inns and restaurants.

"Here, Marrek." Leading them inside the dim space, Leonard took a quick look at the surroundings.

"I’m thinking of having circular tables, chairs, lighting, and all of that. Can you see how many can fit in this place?"

Old Marrek stepped into the room without hesitation. His eyes swept the area once, then twice, as if he was already measuring every corner in his head. He walked slowly along the wall, his fingers brushing over the rough wood.

"Hmm... yes," he muttered, his beard twitching as he stroked it.

"The space is wide enough. Five circular tables will fit here well. If you want eight chairs for each, that will be forty chairs in total."

Leonard’s eyes lit up a little. That was exactly what he had in mind.

"That’s right," Leonard nodded. "Five tables with eight chairs each."

Marrek gave another hum, then walked toward the far end of the room. He pointed with a scarred finger.

"And over here, I can place a long table with 4-8 chairs. It won’t take up too much space, and it will give a sense of privacy. So maybe you and your friends can sit here."

"Alright, I like that," Leonard said, surprised at how easily the old man understood his needs.

Marrek turned his gaze upward next, toward the beams and ceiling.

"Lighting will be important here. You should have lanterns fixed in the right places. It should not be too bright, and not too dim. You want customers to see the inside clearly, but not feel like they’re in a marketplace."

"I also like that," Leonard smirked faintly. "You really know your craft, Old Marrek."

"I’ve seen plenty of shops, young man," Marrek replied calmly. "Some thrive because they think of the small details. Others die because they overlook them."

Leonard’s respect for the man grew even more. He dug into his pouch and pulled out a single die, letting it roll gently in his palm before holding it out for Marrek to see.

"There’s one more thing," Leonard said. "I’ll need five of these. I want each one to have the exact same size and exact same weight. And also a customized cup to cover and shake them with. It should be strong enough that it won’t wear out too quickly."

Marrek took the dice carefully between his fingers. His thumb rubbed over its edges with practiced precision, as though he could weigh and judge it just by touch.

After a moment, he nodded.

"This is poor work." The old man sighed and shook his head as if disgusted by it. "I can do better than this, young man."

Leonard let out a breath of relief. That was the most important part of this.

"So then," Marrek finally said, turning to face them all. "

For the 5 circular tables, 40 chairs, 1 long table with 4 chairs, the lighting, and the dice with a custom cup... give me seven days. Eight if problems come up. As for cost..." He stroked his beard again, eyes narrowing slightly as if calculating numbers in his head.

"85 silver coins. It should be a fair price for the labor and materials."

Leonard froze for a second.

"7 days..." That was too long, especially with his mission. He needed the shop ready in six days.

"Old Marrek," Leonard began carefully, "7 days is good, but... we can’t wait that much. We need the shop to open in 5 days."

Old Marrek paused, his hand still resting on his beard. His gaze stayed to Leonard, squinting a little as if saying Why the rush?

For a moment, Leonard worried the man might outright refuse him.

But instead, the Old man gave a slow nod.

"5 days?" he repeated, as if thinking whether it was possible or not.

"It can be done. But not by me alone. I will need to call in extra men to work with me and that will cost you more."

"Of course. Name your price." Leonard straightened his back immediately.

Marrek studied him for another long moment, then finally said, "120 coins. That will cover their wages, the rush in materials, and the work of finishing early."

Anika gasped softly beside him at the expensive price, but Leonard didn’t even blink. His answer came instantly.

"Alright. As long as it’s good, I’ll pay."

Marrek’s eyes widened just slightly, then chuckled in approval. The old man gave a small grunt. "Then it is settled. Five days it shall be."