Chapter 18: Hai’an

Just as I had seen in various movies, anime, and novels from my previous life, the owner of the White Sparrow Tavern was a middle-aged man with a twirling mustache, intently wiping a glass.

Having seen countless adventurers, he didn’t spare a second glance at my youthful appearance.

Even when I walked straight to the bar and sat down, he only raised his eyelids.

“Lodging is one silver coin per night, right?”

I confirmed, referencing the [Adventurer’s Handbook].

He nodded slightly.

“What about long-term stays? Any discounts?” My past-life experience prompted me to ask.

“Depends on how long you stay.”

I nodded, not pressing further.

The White Sparrow Tavern’s “1 silver coin/night” rate was already among the cheaper options in town. Anything less would compromise comfort or safety.

While long-term rentals had discounts, for someone aiming to dive deeper into the adventuring trade, a temporary place like this lacked a sense of belonging.

Plus, storing items or daily living carried risks.

I leaned more toward buying a property in town.

Of course, that required understanding the area and having enough funds.

“Maybe I can find some real estate agents to talk to?” I mused.

Meanwhile, urged by hunger, my gaze drifted to the menu on the wall.

“Set meal number 3, please.”

It cost two silver coins, a day’s wage for a laborer.

It included a large portion of tender, fragrant stewed meat, a bowl of rich mushroom soup, a few slices of white bread with butter and cheese, and a big mug of crisp ale.

For a meal, it was a bit pricey.

But for me, fresh from a dangerous journey with a “fortune” in hand, it was the perfect way to soothe body and soul.

Honestly, the taste was decent.

The stewed meat was savory, the mushroom soup sweet and fresh, especially with the toast soaked in it, letting the broth seep into the bread, paired with a small slice of salty-sweet soft cheese.

Even having tasted countless delicacies in my previous life, I was mildly impressed.

Of course, it might’ve been because I’d been gnawing on jerky and flatbread in the forest for days, making anything taste good.

The food settled in my stomach, warming me up.

Sitting at the bar, my gaze swept through the tavern.

It was surprising, but despite being in a Western fantasy world, I hadn’t seen many non-human intelligent beings since transmigrating.

Maybe one or two out of ten people.

Most were dwarves or halflings; I hadn’t seen a single dwarf or elf from the big screen of my old world…

My gaze paused.

“Well, there’s one now.”

By the window, at a rectangular wooden table, sat four distinct figures:

A slender, pretty blonde girl in her early twenties, arms crossed, legs up, looking aloof;

beside her, a flamboyantly dressed, slightly chubby man, fawning over her with exaggerated gestures.

But what caught my attention was the last figure, sitting alone on one side, a tall man.

His shoulder-length silver hair, tied neatly back, marked his elven blood; his features were delicate, skin fair, eyes the silver-gray typical of elves.

But closer inspection showed his pointed ears weren’t as long as a full elf’s, and his frame, while slimmer than a typical man’s, wasn’t as delicate as an elf’s.

“So, probably a half-elf?”

I guessed, drawing on my limited knowledge of this world.

“Carrying a longbow on his back, fitting the classic elf profession stereotype. But are these four a team?”

“Wait, four?”

I suddenly realized I’d overlooked something.

Like a TV remote right in front of you but thought lost, or a phone in your hand mistaken for missing.

When I sensed something off, the last person I’d subconsciously ignored came into view.

A middle-aged man in tight combat gear, utterly unremarkable.

Compared to the other three, he had nothing notable, as if he were just a passerby at the same table.

And that was exactly why, when I realized something was wrong, my heart sank.

My eyes flicked over the short dagger wrapped in coarse cloth at his waist, then snapped back as if shocked.

“Wood, what’s wrong?”

Hai’an tightened his slightly loose ponytail, noticing his guard’s odd behavior from the corner of his eye and asking.

“Nothing, young master.”

Wood frowned slightly, glancing toward the bar, observing for a moment before turning back.

“No need to be so tense. We’re near the Mist Forest, but this is River Valley Town. With adventurers everywhere, there’s no danger.”

Wood’s expressionless face showed a hint of exasperation.

“Young master, it’s exactly because it’s full of adventurers that we need to be more careful.”

Hai’an understood his guard’s meaning, but whether due to confidence in Wood’s strength or his own personality, he only smiled and said:

“Relax, the tavern’s right next to the Adventurer’s Guild. Who’d dare cause trouble here?”

“Instead of worrying, let’s discuss our next steps.”

Wood’s frown deepened.

“Young master, I’ve said it countless times, but I must remind you again.”

“The Mist Forest is extremely dangerous!”

“Even I might not make it out safely if we go too deep. You…”

“Alright, alright.” The silver-haired half-elf waved a hand, not annoyed but cutting him off with a playful tone. “Let me repeat: our goal this time is the forest’s outskirts, just the outskirts!”

“Fine.” Wood had already relented, or he wouldn’t have let Hai’an come here. “But one condition—you must agree.”

“Name it.”

“We need to recruit a few more people.”

Following his guard’s gaze, the half-elf glanced at the two across from him, his face showing agreement.

“You’re right.”

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