The tool shop that Lilia guided us to was located near the Adventurer's Guild. It was an impressively large store.

“Welcome!”

This shop was far bigger than mine, with a quick glance revealing at least seven or eight staff members. During preparations for my outdoor shop, I’d visited various smaller stores and stalls to get an idea of pricing, but this was my first time entering such a massive store.

“This shop is huge!”

“It’s such a spacious store!”

“This is one of the largest shops in town,” Lilia explained. “While its items are a bit expensive for beginners, adventurers who have moved up in rank often shop here.”

“That makes sense.”

Even stores catering to adventurers have their niches. Looking around, the prices on items like pouches and flasks seemed quite high. Presumably, the quality and durability justify the cost.

“Oh, are these potions?”

“They’re so pretty!”

While browsing with Lilia and Fia-chan, I noticed shelves stocked with blue liquid-filled glass tubes. Next to them were yellow antidote potions and green mana potions in glass bottles.

“Yeah, potions are essential tools for adventurers. Although they’re pricier here, the quality is excellent. I usually carry potions from this shop when I’m on quests,” Lilia said.

Indeed, potions are a must-have for adventurers. However, the glass tubes containing them looked somewhat crude, with uneven surfaces and inconsistent shapes. They weren’t fully transparent but rather semi-opaque.

When I first arrived in this world, glass containers for spices were sold at high prices, and now I understood why. Producing refined glass must be quite challenging. Used potion containers are apparently bought back for a fee and recycled.

“Maybe I should stock some potions in my shop too. They could come in handy.”

“There’s no need to stock them,” Lilia advised. “Potions have expiration dates, and their effectiveness diminishes over time. As long as you’re in this town, you can easily get them when needed.”

“I see. So they have a shelf life and lose potency over time.”

It seems there’s more to using potions than I initially thought.

The shop also carried a variety of tools for adventurers, including backpacks, dismantling knives, camping tents, and sleeping bags. For someone like me who enjoys camping gear, simply browsing the store was a delight.

For now, my shop’s planned inventory doesn’t overlap much with this store, so there shouldn’t be any problems. However, as my outdoor shop levels up, I might eventually sell tents and sleeping bags.

The quality of this world’s tents and sleeping bags is clearly inferior to those in my previous world. Depending on the price, it might outshine the competition. Well, leveling up is still a ways off, so I’ll think about it then.

After visiting the tool shop, we continued exploring the market and various stalls with Lilia and Fia-chan. Lilia’s day off seemed to involve visiting shops necessary for adventurers and enjoying good food.

Though it might not qualify as a proper day off, if it helps her unwind, that’s all that matters. Personally, I enjoyed visiting shops unique to this world that I wouldn’t normally go to.

Since cooking dinner today felt like a hassle, we decided to eat at the inn I’ve been frequenting since arriving in this town.

“This inn has taken care of me ever since I came to this town. Their food is amazing,” I said.

Fia-chan had been here once before, but it was Lilia’s first visit.

“Oh, Tetsuya-san, welcome back!”

“Welcome, oniichan!”

The innkeeper and Albera-chan were as lively as ever. Since my outdoor shop is opening tomorrow, I decided to skip the alcohol and ordered some food and juice instead.

“Lilia, Fia-chan, tomorrow’s going to be busy with the grand opening, so I’m counting on you!”

“Leave it to me!”

“I-I’ll do my best!”

We toasted with juice, added some outdoor spices to the inn’s dishes, and enjoyed a delicious meal.

“Today was a lot of fun. It was great to learn more about the kinds of shops adventurers frequent,” I said.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. You looked so excited the whole time that guiding you around felt worthwhile… though I didn’t expect you to enjoy it that much.”

“Tetsuya-oniichan looked super happy! I had a lot of fun too, especially since I’ve never been to such a big store before.”

Apparently, I had been visibly excited while touring the blacksmiths and tool shops. But it’s hard not to be! Just seeing the items in those stores is enough to make my inner adventurer light up.

Blacksmithing shops, in particular, are a dream for any guy. Even though I have no use for fancy weapons or armor, watching dwarves swing their hammers is truly inspiring.

Thanks to this enjoyable day off in another world, I feel recharged and ready. Tomorrow is the grand opening of my outdoor shop. Time to give it my all!