I was perplexed by this for a moment; there was not as much disparity in the complexity of how basic weaponry was made versus regular daily use tools (unlike back on Earth where guns were a lot more meticulous in design compared to everyday items). But after contemplating on this for a mere second, I came to the rather simple conclusion to this dilemma.
Duh, guns need more energy. I’m stoopid.
That meant that the mana crystals of weapons were far more dense than the ones used for something like a music box. Satisfied with my totally, completely, like literally epoch-making revelation, I continued down the market street, searching for a place to buy masks.
Unfortunately, as I had expected, the only mask shop I could find sold performance masks— masks which had an intricate design, but absolutely no durability to it. And worse off was how some of them covered barely any parts of my face, while others were completely oversized, stretching up to the tip of my pointed hat.
So I gave up on that endeavor, and asked the shop owner for directions to the nearest smith. The man not only helpfully did so, but he even was nice enough to offer some recommendations when I told him what I was looking for.
"That sounds like a battle mask. I hear some people use light metals or other materials like part of a Monster’s shell, and enhance its durability with mana crystals to protect their face in war. Although I don’t see why you wouldn’t wear a regular helmet if that’s the case," said the shopkeep, before raising his brow in confusion. "Why’re you asking though?"
"Oh, I’m just curious," I answered politely, then bowed my head. "Thank you for the help."
"Sure, no problem little Miss."
With that, I eventually found myself at a smith. Not a blacksmith, since those only work with iron. But a smith. Someone who worked with all kinds of metals, and even other materials that were hard and malleable. The burly man gave me an odd look when I first arrived, but after some quick deflection and steering the topic to what I wanted to buy, I was on track to getting what I wanted.
"Hm, from what you’re asking me, mithril sounds like it’d be a good fit. Unfortunately, my supply of it is pretty low, making it more expensive, even considering the small size of this… mask."
"How much are we looking at?" I asked.
"I’d say roughly 30 gold? Just for a simple thin mask the size of your face," the smith replied, to which I nearly sputtered.
30 gold? That’s literally all my money! Luckily, I managed to keep my face cool, although I could feel my hand instinctively cover my coin pouch protectively.
"I-I see," I said, voice hiding a tinge of hesitation. I cast a glance around the room, trying to see if anything else caught my eye, while hinting at the man that I could not afford it. "Uh, do you have anything else? That’s light, and slightly durable? It doesn’t have to be the strongest material, just enough not to break from a drop to the floor."
"Well, if you’re not limiting yourself to just metals, I’d say go for some wisened wood, but those are on the pricier side of things too." The smith scratched his head, thinking it over. "If you don’t mind Monster parts, I’d say go for something like a String Scorpion’s shell for something hard, or a Horned Wolf’s pelt if you prefer something leathery. For the latter, it’s not easy to scratch and tear, but you just have to get a frame for it made so it’d fit on your face. However, if the frame is not good, any blunt force could break it and it’ll fall off easily— which I suppose is not something you want?"
"I’d prefer if that wasn’t the case."
"Good, since I don’t have those in stock anyways," the smith said with a laugh. "I’d have to direct you to a tanner, and I don’t want to chase away any potential business!"
"Of course not," I agreed with him. "So how much would it cost to get a mask made from that?"
"I don’t have much in stock, but the thing is, it’s all leftovers from years ago since no one ever wants to buy parts from things like a scorpion or a spider. They don’t mind wearing the skin of a cow as everyday clothing, but when it’s from a spider? Suddenly, they go running for their lives. Even though silk is made from worms..." the smith trailed off with a sigh, and walked over to a box. He began rummaging through it as he continued. "Since you’re showing to be a brave young girl for daring to wear parts from a scorpion's shell, I’d give you a discount. Let’s say— 4 gold for the whole thing?"
"I’ll make it 5 if you can get it done before sunset," I said simply.
The smith grinned, holding up a large gray plate. "Deal. It’s easier to work with than metal. I don’t even have to melt it down! Just got to cut out the right size, then heat it up a little bit. So you’ll see it finished in three hours, how about that?"
"Sounds good to me." I smiled, as the man began calling for his apprentices; he was about to start discussing something with the two young men, when I added. "By the way, could you leave two small holes for some mana crystals?"
"I could do that without a problem. But what for, though?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.
"I want to get a tinkerer
