The inn's wooden doors creaked open with a gust of warm, roasted spice-scented air. A young girl, no older than sixteen, approached with a polite smile.
Mie Lin:
"Welcome, sir. I'm Mie Lin. How may I help you today?"
Qing Yan (groaning, clutching his stomach):
"Yeah, yeah—skip the welcome speech. I'm starving! Bring me the best dish you've got, please!"
Mie Lin (startled, bowing slightly):
"Y-Yes, sir. That table by the window is available. Please make yourself comfortable. I'll be back shortly with our finest meal."
She hurried away, vanishing into the kitchen.
Qing Yan made his way to the table, slumping into the chair like a man who hadn't eaten in a century. His fingers tapped the wood idly as he glanced out the window, then narrowed his eyes slightly.
Qing Yan (thinking):
Hmm… what should I do about the rats that's been tailing me since I left the guild? That night shift manager must've sent them. Total 5 of them, all at mid-Soul-Spark Realm.
Heh… should I let them admire my beautiful face and flawless body a little longer? I just hope they don't fall for me — that'd be awkward… huhu…
No rush. Let's watch them for now. I want to know exactly who they are and what they're after.
—Cut to a figure cloaked in a black robe, seated a few tables away. His hood shadowed most of his face, but his attention was razor-sharp.
Black-Robed Man (via telepathy):
"He's smiling weirdly… I don't know why, but I suddenly felt a chill. Everyone, stay alert. Observe every move—every single action."
Comrades (telepathic response):
"...…Understood."
—Back to Qing Yan.
Mie Lin (returning with a tray):
"Sir, here's our specialty dish. It's the best the inn has to offer. Please, enjoy."
Qing Yan (eyes widening, drooling):
"Ohhh… it smells divine!"
Without another word, he dug in, devouring the meal like a man possessed.
Qing Yan (mouth full):
"Haahhh… How long has it been since I tasted something this good?"
He finished the first bowl in minutes.
Qing Yan (raising his hand):
"Can I have one more?"
Mie Lin (giggling nervously):
"O-of course! Right away!"
Then came the second bowl. Then a third. A fourth. By the time he reached his fifth, his stomach looked dangerously inflated.
Qing Yan (leaning back, satisfied):
"Gaaawwh… That hit the spot."
Mie Lin (nervous smile):
"Sir, would you like anything else?"
Qing Yan:
"Yeah. A room for the night."
Mie Lin:
"Certainly! It's 3 silver per night, and your meal totals 5 silver. Would you prefer to pay now or when checking out?"
Qing Yan (tossing her eight silver coins):
"I'll pay in advance."
Mie Lin:
"Thank you, sir. Follow me — I'll show you to your room."
She led him upstairs to a modest but cozy room with a soft mattress and warm lighting.
Mie Lin (bowing):
"This is your room, sir. I hope you enjoy your stay."
Qing Yan (already walking toward the bed):
"Yeah, yeah… You're dismissed."
He collapsed onto the mattress, arms spread like a king reclaiming his throne.
Qing Yan (sighing):
"Aahhh… such a soft bed. Finally, some proper rest after all that madness."
—Cut to the black-robed man downstairs.
Black-Robed Man (telepathy):
"He's gone to his room. Stay on watch. Don't let your guard down."
As he stood to leave, a waitress approached him.
Waitress:
"Sir, your total is one silver coin."
Black-Robed Man (patting his robe):
"Yes, just a—wait… huh?" (his expression changes)
"Where… where is my coin pouch?!" (he stands up, visibly panicked)
"My pocket—where is my pocket?!"
Waitress:
"Is there an issue, sir?"
Black-Robed Man:
"N-no, give me one second."
—He speaks telepathically.
Black-Robed Man:
"H-hey…"
Comrade (telepathically):
"Yes? Something wrong with the target?"
Black-Robed Man:
"N-no…"
Comrade:
"So?"
Black-Robed Man (telepathy, embarrassed):
"C-Can you lend me one silver…?"
Comrade (flatly) :
"…Say that again?"
Black-Robed Man (meekly):
"Can you lend me 1 silver… please?"
Comrade (sighing):
"Tsk. Fine."
A silver coin appeared in his hand, cloaked in black smoke.
Black-Robed Man:
"Thank you. I'll repay you soon."
As he paid the waitress, his thoughts raced.
Black-Robed Man (thinking):
I swear I had my purse with me. Where the hell did it go…?
—Cut to Qing Yan, now sprawled out on the bed, tossing a small coin pouch up and down in his hand.
Qing Yan (thinking):
"Huhu… you should be honored to pay for gazing upon my divine beauty."
"To think he had two gold coins and thirty silver coins tucked away… Heh. Looks like I won't need to go bounty hunting anytime soon."
—
[TO BE CONTINUED]