Waking up in the inn, looking at the same scene which came to me on my first day in this game, I stretched out a bit, yawning as I welcomed the morning sunlight in my vision.

Then, as I went through all the skills, stat changes and titles, a smile formed on my face.

It was worth it. Just that… I wish I could have saved a few seconds if I had been more careful. I mumbled, looking at the one digit locked stat before closing my status and getting out of bed.

Slowly getting out of the bed, as I walked towards the wooden door, opening it, I exited the room before making my way towards the reception.

-Yeah, I have been thinking of visiting another town.

-What about you?

-So, what would you like to order?

The bustling inn made me look at the distinct atmosphere, much different from the quietness and emptiness from before. Though there were only the people from the settlement, they had a far more cheerful vibe than before, each of them laughing at even the silliest of the jokes and talks.

I wonder if I should disturb Tierra. I pondered before at least looking out for her.

My eyes first scanned the tables. There were some drinking the morning coffee with a heavy sandwich, while a few of them had alcohol even this early in the morning. A few simply sat in silence at an empty table, reading a book as they waited for their order, while I saw two people exiting the main gate after finishing their business here.

There she is!

Tierra was serving the dishes at the far end of the inn, carrying two large alcohol just in one hand and a huge tray of dishes in the other. Beside her, there were also Lila and Aerie carrying jugs of water with them each, their smiles plastered on their faces. The drinkers were mostly farmers who had finally received a chance to sell their goods in their neighbouring towns.

Though before deciding to talk with Tierra, another face came into my vision.

Lierra Porti, the Witch of Darkness.

Sitting at the second last table, she wore the same black dress as last time. Her back rested against the wooden table as her deep red pupil observed the outer scenery with a calm gaze. Noticing the scythe placed beside the coffee on the table made me smile a bit. It was an odd combination… but not a bad one.

She slowly moved her snow-like hands, picking up the coffee cup and then gracefully drinking the coffee in small sips. A bit of coffee stuck above her nose, which she slowly cleaned with her napkin before putting the cup down.

Her red pupils then slowly shifted their direction before landing on me, her observer. They widened slightly before a slow smile blossomed on her face.

As I moved closer to her, the tavern slowly quieted down. Those around me, those who knew me, looked at me with slight surprise before murmuring in a low voice. I could make their murmur, something around the questions of 'Is that him?' 'That is Ezekiel?'

Though, noticing my direction of movement, they slowly quieted down before focusing on their own work so as not to disturb us. Some of them even stood up and slowly made their way out of the restaurant. Those few with whom my gaze connected, bowed politely to me before mouthing a silent grateful thanks.

"May I sit here?" I asked in a polite tone, making her chuckle before nodding with a beautiful smile.

Sitting opposite her, I was just about to talk to her about her situation before Tierra also joined with the two children. She seemed to be carrying a grateful yet serious expression on her face.

Seems like she has a quest, huh? Good. I thought as I saw her sitting beside Lierra.

The two children, each gave me a bunch of flowers, bowed politely before running behind their mother and aunt, before giving me a curious look. When my eyes connected with theirs, I waved at them. And then, embarrassed, they both hid again, making me chuckle.

"Ezekiel. First of all, once again thank you for protecting this town," Tierra spoke as she looked at me with a grateful expression, before she turned serious and then said,

"But if it is not too much, can I ask you one other small thing?"

[New Quest: Lost Links

Grade: Uncommon

Type: Search and Find

Description: The devil is gone, but the danger still lurks. The settlement folks are too scared to search the house where the devil once resided, and are asking for your help to look into it. All that you find can be yours, but in return, purge any residual darkness present in the air.]

A search and find type quest, huh? I looked at the quest window before nodding at Tierra to accept it.

Quests like these often pop up in the game, allowing the players to look into haunted mansions or dangerous places that need at least one last check before they can be determined safe. The rewards are often random, ranging from a bunch of coins to even rare items at times.

Tiera nodded before asking me a bunch of questions regarding my health. Asking if I was okay, and if there were any aftereffects of fighting the devil. I explained that the devil didn't cause any problems, but the power that I borrowed from the gods to purge him made me considerably weaker.

"For the next 24 days, I don't think I can fight at all," I gave a regretful smile, to which she widened her eyes before asking if there was anything she could do.

Oh, I can extort?

Pondering what I could ask of her, I spoke,

"Is it all right to keep anything that I find in the Elder's house?"

"Sure," she nodded as there doesn't seem to be any problem with that.

More often than not, you have to return a portion of things you find in these types of quests, but if I can be exempt from that, that would be really nice.

"All right. Do you want to eat something first, or should we head immediately?" She asked in a bit of a hurried tone. From her eyes, a sense of worry could be seen, which made me understand that the people in the settlement, even though they were really happy, were also at unease with nobody to check the house.

"I don't have a problem with doing it now, but why not ask the other three first? Surely they could have helped you out. There was a priest among them too," I spoke, to which Tierra gave a slight smile before speaking,

"They said that they cannot take the rewards of your hard work anymore. It won't sit well with them."

Hearing that, I paused for a brief moment before laughing out loud.

I can imagine Blaze fighting against taking that quest. I thought about the right uptight player before a joyful smile appeared on my face.

It truly felt nice.

To have good and kind people in my life, that is.

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