Two days ter, Steve was in Arora vilge, taking in as much information about this dimension as he could. Since Alex had decided to go off on her own, not caring about what dimension they were in, he chose to take on the role of an observer. On his way, there were many things he learned. Apparently, those living in this dimension were divided into two species: Faunus and Humans. Faunus were a version of humans but had animal parts as part of their bodies. He and Alex were humans.

  Human, a strange name for cssifying them. Steve thought while curiously looking at the three Faunus situated to his right. Those who looked back at him suddenly tensed up and hurried away, which brought him a lot of confusion.

  He saw Alex strolling around ahead with her usual attitude, greeting people and buying stuff they didn’t really need at the moment. Despite that, he decided to just let her be. There was no point in stopping her, he decided and went to approach a bcksmith.

  “Hello, how may I—Oh, it's you.”

  “Hello,” Steve waved.

  The bcksmith, known as Eldar, grew annoyed already at the mere sight of him. “What do you want, kid?” His tone was hostile, but Steve merely shrugged it off, taking no offense.

  “I would like to buy a sword, please.”

  “Kid, you can create something simir to this, and you want to buy one? Really?” Eldar shot the kid a deadpan look. He had heard about this kid’s stories—how their sembnce was apparently like automated tool-making. Just put some random stuff in, and poof! A sword popped out. It was a strange yet useful sembnce if used correctly. Granted, he wasn't a huntsman, but he had his fair share of working with one. However, that wasn't what made him somewhat hate this kid. It was what he had done after he bought the sword.

  Basically, just yesterday, he had purchased a sword from him, and what did he do after purchasing it? Well, he immediately tried to bend it, smash it onto the ground, and what's worse, he tested its durability with his own sword. It was the biggest insult to a bcksmith like him!

  Eldar loved his swords; every creation was as precious as jewelry in his eyes. But seeing his sword being used like some stick that could be found in the woods made his heart ache. It was enough to fuel the fme of his heart of anger and rage.

  They both locked eyes, with Steve mostly having an expressionless face as he pulled out the lien from his inventory. “Here.”

  Eldar quickly gnced at it and then at Steve. “It’s 30 lien.”

  “Yes, and I want that sword right there.”

  'This kid... how much do I need to put in his brain to make him understand?!' Eldar felt a vein popping out. No matter how many times he yelled or pushed him out of his store, he just wouldn’t leave!

  Steve calmly looked at Eldar, whose expression was akin to a volcano about to erupt. “Why? Is that not enough?”

  And apparently, those words were the st straw for Eldar, as he gripped the table so hard that cracks could be seen.

  “Get. OUT!” Eldar yelled, pointing anywhere—just away from him!

  Steve blinked, staring at him evenly, not bothered one bit by his outburst.

  “So, how about that one?” Steve pointed to another sword.

  Eldar felt he might just kill this kid.

  +++===+++

  Alex, who had a piece of bread in her mouth, jerked back as she heard a loud yell behind her.

  "Oh, look, Eldar is at it again," someone commented.

  "Poor kid," another replied.

  "He should really consider this one; that kid did help in the rescue."

  'What have you gotten yourself into, Steve?' Alex wondered, chewing the piece of bread in her mouth slowly. She watched as Steve tried to communicate with the bcksmith, who seemed utterly done with the conversation.

  "Poor Steve," Alex murmured, still chewing on her bread.

  "Alex!" a familiar voice called out. Turning to her right, Alex saw Kit running towards her.

  "Kit! It's good to see you again. Are you feeling better?" Alex asked with a warm smile.

  Kit nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, the doctor said I'll be fine with only a few minor injuries. She did mention I need to do a check-up every week for a month."

  "That's good to hear." Alex nodded and handed her a piece of bread. "Here, take this."

  Kit's eyes widened in delight. "Thank you, big sis!"

  "You're welcome," Alex said, patting the little girl’s head. She couldn't help but think how adorable Kit was. Of course, cats were still her number one favorite, with baby pandas as a close second. But Kit came close, between third and fourth.

  "Oh, Alex, didn't expect to see you here," a voice called out. It was Kyle, approaching them with a smile.

  "Big bro!" Kit immediately lunged at her brother, hugging him tightly.

  Alex looked at the siblings with a smile. "Steve wanted to check something out in this vilge, so I came along."

  "I see. Where is he then?" Kyle asked, gncing around.

  Alex gestured towards the sides. Kyle followed and saw Steve still talking to the old man Eldar, who looked like he was about to murder him by the way he was acting—yelling and smashing his smithing table with his bare hands. He had never seen Old Man Eldar that angry before.

  Kyle grew worried and looked back at Alex. "I think you should check up on him."

  Alex shrugged, waving her hand dismissively. "He'll be fine. He's had worse."

  "I-I see," Kyle said, still unconvinced. He made his way towards Steve, leaving Kit with Alex.

  “How many times do I have to tell you to get this through your thick skull?” Eldar roared, teeth grinding against one another.

  "Thick skull? Is that a rare item?" Steve asked, genuinely puzzled. *Was it the same as a wither skull?*

  Eldar's face turned red with rage. "How—You—FUCK!" he screamed, ready to explode again. Just then, Kyle called out to him.

  "Yo, Old Man Eldar!"

  Eldar blinked, his rage pausing as he recognized the voice. "Kyle?"

  "Hey, Eldar! You should really keep your voice down. Folks are watching, you know?"

  "How can I, with this stupid motherfu—"

  "Oi, do I have to remind you that 'folks' involves kids as well?" Kyle cut him off, gesturing to the curious children watching the scene with wide eyes. Eldar finally noticed the crowd and grumbled, crossing his arms.

  Kyle sighed in relief and turned to Steve. "You really are something, huh? What did you do to get Old Man Eldar this riled up?"

  "I just want to buy a sword, that's all," Steve said ftly.

  "Ah, how about this? I'll buy it for you," Kyle offered with a smile.

  Steve considered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll pay you back ter."

  Kyle shook his head. "No, it's on me."

  "You'll pay for it? Why?" Steve asked, surprised. It was rare for someone to give something for free. Especially vilgers—they're very stingy with prices. Only if you save them from a raid will they decrease the price.

  "It's for saving my sister," Kyle replied earnestly. Ever since he learned they saved his little sister, he had been trying to find a way to repay them.

  Steve fell silent but nodded. He accepted Kyle's reason. It was simir to the vilgers' way of saying thank you, except for the free part. "Then I'll just wait over there," he said, pointing to a nearby bench.

  Alex nodded back. "Of course, I'll meet you there."

  "Thank you, Kyle. Also, I want that sword right over there," Steve said, pointing to a specific weapon.

  "I'll make sure to get it for you," Kyle assured him, then turned back to Eldar.

  "You overheard our conversation, right?" Eldar finally spoke, noting the crowd had begun to disperse after Steve left.

  "Yeah, I get it. Still, Eldar, would you refuse me the chance to buy a sword?" Kyle asked, his face turning serious.

  "If it's for—" Eldar began.

  "You already know," Kyle interrupted. "Listen, Eldar, they saved my little sister. The only family I have left. This is just my way of repaying them. You understand, right?"

  Eldar didn't respond immediately, locking eyes with Kyle. "Alright, just this once. I'll consider it."

  "Thank you, Eldar," Kyle said sincerely. “I really mean it.”

  "Yeah, yeah, just pick already."

  ++++===++++

  “Here you go, Steve, just as promised.” Kyle handed the sword as agreed.

  Steve held the sword in his hands. The sword shimmered with a bright light, reflecting the sunlight onto him.

  Kyle watched Steve inspecting the sword like a sword master. ‘I wonder what he is going to do with it,’ he thought.

  The next moment, however, wasn’t what he expected. Steve raised the sword high up in the air and struck a random tree. That wasn’t all—he even attempted to smash the sword on the ground repeatedly.

  Kyle couldn’t find the words to say at the moment. *Is he crazy?*

  “It’s sturdy, but it’s missing something,” Steve muttered, pulling out a different sword. This one was green in color, with an authentic, almost ancient look and feel to it. Kyle was mesmerized by the bde but also quite confused.

  'How did he do that?' He had heard a few things about Steve’s weird sembnce, but witnessing it firsthand was different from just hearing about it.

  Steve made the sword collide with the green one, and sparks flew off. Kyle watched in total shock as the sword he bought from Eldar was cut in half like it was paper.

  'No way. I thought Eldar’s handmade sword was the toughest there is,' Kyle gulped. 'What kind of man is he to produce something like that?'

  Steve's face took on a disappointed look. He gnced at Kyle. “It seems that it’s rather fragile.”

  Kyle’s brows twitched. *I don’t think it’s the sword's problem,* he thought. “Ah, I see. Yours seems very tough.”

  “Indeed. It’s made out of diamond, though not enhanced, it’s still quite strong—not as strong as netherite, but still strong.”

  'Diamond? Enchantment? Netherite?' Kyle felt his brain wasn't working. While he could understand the concept of diamond, a sword made out of it? 'Is he really serious about that? Only rich people like the Schnee could afford something like a diamond, but a sword made out of it? It’s basically just flexing.'

  “You alright, Kyle?”

  “Uh, yeah, alright. Hey, where are you from again?”

  Steve blinked. “The Overworld.”

  “Ah,” Kyle shook his head, ughing silently. “Of course, of course. I better go now. I’ll see you soon, Steve.”

  Steve nodded and bid farewell.

  “Come on, Kit! It’s time to go.”

  “Coming, Big Bro!”

  Steve watched as Kyle left with his little sister. Alex crept up behind him shortly after.

  “So, how’s your day going?” she asked.

  “Disappointing,” Steve lowered his head. “It seems that the tools in this dimension are fragile, which I did not expect.”

  “Mhm, so you’re telling me that it’s worse than gold?”

  “Not exactly,” Steve shook his head. “While its toughness is quite weak, its durability is useful in some ways.”

  “Oh, that’s pretty cool.” Alex nodded, her gaze, however, lingered elsewhere—more precisely towards a certain person right at the gate, who was being stopped by the same guards in the same situation they had two days ago. And, of course, with a crowd of people watching the scene. “Hey Steve, why don’t we go over to the gate? It seems something interesting is happening there.”

  ++++======+++

  “State your purpose, human!” the guard demanded, raising his spear.

  “Alright, chilx with the hostilities, boys. It’s not a good way to greet a guest.” A person wearing a red, tattered cloak spoke. His name was Qrow Branwen, a huntsman. “I’m not here for a fight; I came here for peace. See, my hands are raised.”

  “Like we’ll believe that with your weapon behind your back.”

  “Are you really worried about that? Please, I’m sure all of you can take me down before I can use it,” Qrow mused, but the only response he got was hostile gres. *Geez, and here I am, saying I’m difficult to talk to.*

  Qrow looked over the guards and saw two—not Faunus, but humans—approaching them. A smile curved over his lips. It seemed that the people he was looking for came to him instead.

  “Uh, Vick, he’s smiling.”

  “Be on guard; he may be thinking of something malicious.”

  Qrow ignored the two guards and waved his hands high up in the air. “Yo, a little help here?”

  “What is he—Oh, Vick. They’re here.”

  “Who—Oh, them.”

  “What should we do?”

  “Sigh, I don’t know. Just let them be. As long as this guy doesn’t enter the vilge, then we’re good.”

  Qrow wore a smirk as the guards stepped aside, letting the two people he wanted to meet come to him.

  “Sup, I’m Qrow.”

  “Hello! I’m Alex.”

  “I’m Steve.”

  “Ah, of course. The two people I’ve heard about tely,” Qrow nodded, eyeing the two of them. He noted that neither of them was carrying any weapons. 'What kind of fool would not bring a single weapon, especially to an area prone to Grimm?'

  “Oh, Steve, we’re famous!” Alex said excitedly.

  “Yeah, Alex, we’re famous.”

  “I am so happy!”

  “Ahem,” Qrow cleared his throat, bringing the two’s attention back to him. “So, I’m here to talk to you two. Would that be alright? I just have some questions. Don’t worry, they’re very easy to answer.”

  Alex opened her mouth but was cmped down by Steve. Alex’s eyes quickly turned to him in a questioning manner.

  Steve ignored her and looked at Qrow. “You’re lying,” he said, his tone ft with no hint of anger or suspicion.

  Qrow blinked and ughed. “I never expected that you could tell. Fine, it’s not that easy, but it’s simple and very important to me. Would that be alright?”

  At that, Steve nodded. “Okay.”

  Qrow smiled. 'That was easy,' he thought as he csped his hands together. “Great, great. Why don’t we—”

  “I’m sorry, but you can’t enter here. They can, but you? No,” the guard sternly spoke, which made Qrow pause mid-sentence. He rolled his eyes.

  “—I mean, why don’t we find a spot in the forest to talk?” Qrow pointed in a random direction of the forest.

  “Alright!” Alex replied cheerfully, pulling Steve in the process as they followed Qrow.

  The three guards watched in total silence as the three figures started to disappear into a section of the forest.

  “Those two are idiots for following a stranger.”

  “Just let them be. On the bright side, maybe they will never come back here”

  “Yeah.”