'If I remember correctly, the guard captain called this city, the "City of Balkaar," right? It should be since he called himself the 'The Guard Captain of Balkaar City.'' He said inside his mind while touring the city casually.
As he walked around the city, countless people gazed at him with strange looks. Most people were also mumbling about something to other people as well while looking at him.
'Of course, they would. My clothes look strange, after all.' He said while glancing at his clothes.
Honestly though, if the guard captain didn't point out the clothes he was wearing, he wouldn't have noticed at all. Normally, his appearance in a dream would coincide with his appearance in the real world. But, this time, it was different.
He was wearing a black formal suit with a black necktie, one that you would wear if you work at a big corporation.
Although, he did wonder why he was wearing such a thing in a dream though.
But anyways, not that he really minds the gazes, but it was a bit of a hassle and uncomfortable.
'I should probably buy some clothes.'
As he said that, he coincidentally stopped by a clothing store.
[Gazelle's Clothing Store]
That was the name sign of the clothing store.
He opened the door and entered.
Clack.
Ding~
A clear sound of a shopkeeper's bell chiming could be heard as he opened the door.
"Welcome!"
"Hello, I would like to buy some clothes."
"Sure thing, just look around and see what fits you~"
"Ok." Sein nodded.
The shop owner was quite welcoming.
That was his first impression.
Anyways, he looked through some clothes, and after a while, he picked something that suited him.
"I would like to buy this."
"That's seven copper coins in total."
I reached out into my pocket and pulled out the pouch given to me earlier by the Guard Captain.
In his pouch was a total of one silver and thirty copper coins.
He took out seven copper coins from it.
"Here you go."
"Thank you for your purchase." The shop owner said with a warm smile.
"Yes, thank you as well." I nodded, satisfied.
I walked out of the shop wearing the clothes I purchased.
"Please come again."
Ding~
Clack.
Growl…
As soon as I stepped out of the shop, my stomach growled.
I looked at my stomach in surprise.
"Eh, even in dreams, I could still feel hungry?" I murmured in surprise.
One particular thing about his dreams was that he could feel any kind of sensations from his five senses in the dream. He can even feel pain. If it was a normal dream, he wouldn't feel pain whatsoever.
The first time he had these strange dreams, he died a gruesome death by a monster in a place that was too dark to see. What's worse, he didn't die quickly. So, at that time, he felt all sorts of sensations, with the pain of death becoming the top sensation he felt.
But, this also begs the question, if he could feel pain, was it still a dream? And, if it was, wouldn't one usually wake up when feeling even a slightest of pain?
That's the strange thing about it. He doesn't wake up with what is usually common to others.
And, in these dreams where it feels indiscernible to reality…
How does he actually get out of it? The answer is simple actually. You probably know it already.
He also learned it the first time he got into these strange dreams too.
It's either he dies or kills himself. Or the dream expels him like the previous time, which he actually just recently found out.
Of course, there were also certain instances where he got woken up from others waking him up. But, that was rare. It only ever happens most of the time when he takes a nap in the office.
Anyways, since he was hungry, he looked for a good restaurant that he could find.
Sniff. Sniff.
A delicious scent wafted through the air in an inconspicuous alley.
"Ohh! Something smells good." Sein mumbled.
He followed that scent.
As he followed that scent, he wandered between alleys and alleys, until he ended up in an inconspicuous restaurant situated in an otherwise also inconspicuous alley.
He looked at the name sign above the restaurant's door.
[Persley's Bar]
"Oh." He exclaimed.
'So, this is a bar.' He surveyed the outer appearance of the bar.
After a moment of deliberation, he pushed open the door.
Ding~
Many people were at the bar eating and drinking, and the sight resembled a typical fantasy bar.
'Woah.'
Sein was amazed at the sight.
When he was a kid, and even until now, he would sometimes imagine being in a bar in a fantasy world. So, seeing his imagination materializing before his eyes, he could not help but wonder at the sight of it.
"Welcome!" A waitress welcomed him.
"Hello."
"Just a table for one?"
"Ah, yes, just a table for one."
"Ok, I'll guide you to your seat."
The waitress led him to his table.
"Just raise your hand if you're ready to order now."
She gave him a menu.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." She smiled and left.
He looked at the menu.
The menu consisted of appetizers, main, desserts, and drinks. Not much different from menus in reality. Though, if one were to find a difference, it would be that the dishes listed in it are different in names but are quite similar in reality.
For example, a dish called 'Alazel' from the main course is a dish consisting of steak, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables as a side dish.
In reality, it would just be called 'Steak with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.'
But anyways, it looks good. So, Sein raised his hand to signal to the waitress.
"Have you decided to order?"
"Uh, yes. I would like to have this 'Alazel'."
"Ok. And any more to add?"
"No, that's all. Oh, and also, water please."
"Ok! Coming right up!" She said with a smile.
Sein waited at the table.
Somewhere just slightly from his right side of view, a Bard was singing a song. It was quite a soothing melody, fitting for a fantasy world bar.
♫~ ♫~~ ♫♫~
Sein listened to it with glee.
As Sein waited at the table, he naturally glanced around at the people sitting at the bar. To be more specific, he glanced at a certain group of people near his table.
Their group consisted of three guys with two of them having armor, and another just a cotton shirt.
They were discussing something interesting in a whispered voice, so Sein couldn't help but sneak a peek and attentively listened to what they were talking about.
"So, it's another monster stampede this year again, huh?"
"Yup. Apparently, this one is gonna be more tougher than last year, or so I heard."
"Really?"
"Uh-huh." He nodded.
"Where did you hear it from?"
"I heard it from a reliable source. Someone connected to the city guards."
"Then, it must be serious." One of them spoke with a grim face.
"…"
"…"
"…"
The three of them were silent for a moment.
Then, one of them picked up their mug and drank it, afterwards, they wiped their mouth and then asked, "Any information on what monsters are going to appear in the monster stampede in three days?"
"Actually, I have some info. But, I don't know if it's true or not as I only heard it from some guys I know."
"Oh, really?" Their interest was piqued.
The guy filled them in with a somber face, "Yes. If it's true, then the monsters appearing will be Ogres, Wyverns, Goblins, and finally…"
He hesitated for a while before finally saying, "Demonic beings."
The two of the three of them went silent for a minute before saying in shock, "…What!" They both slammed the table simultaneously.
Everyone looked at them.
"A-ahem. Sorry." Both of them calmed down and took their seats back.
"Are you for real?" One of them asked in denial.
"I'm still not sure yet, but apparently, rumors about it are spreading around. So, it must be true."
"Damn. This is the worst news I've had this month."
"Same…"
"Wyverns and Ogres were already terrifying enough… but now, demonic beings?"
"Tsk…"
Clack.
Suddenly, as Sein was attentively listening to their conversation, a plate being placed sounded.
"Ah. It's here." Sein's eyes turned to look at the table as it sparkled.
"Here is your 'Alazel'. Please enjoy!" The waitress said with a warm smile.
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it." Sein returned it with a warm smile of his own as well.
The waitress left him to his own accord.
"Ohhhh~" Sein exclaimed in delightful surprise.
The plate was piping hot with smoke. And in it, was a huge piece of steak, with mash potatoes and roasted vegetables on the side.
It looked absolutely appetizing and delicious.
Sein's mouth was practically drooling.
"Let's eat!"
He grabbed his fork and knife, then sliced away at the steak.
"Ohh!"
The steak was incredibly tender, yet, at the same time, was also firm.
He pierced it with his fork, then brought it to his mouth.
His eyes widened.
It was hot. But, most importantly, it was freaking delicious!!!
The steak was full of juice and was so incredibly tender that it felt like it was melting in his mouth like honey. It was neither salty nor sweet, it was exactly just the right amount of spice. It was savory!
In fact, the few times he chewed on it before going into his throat seamlessly, it gushed with juice with every gnaw.
He gulped.
Next, he scooped up the mashed potato. It also looked incredibly good. It had a fluffy texture. He could tell that the chef was incredibly skilled in making it. However, what's important is the taste after all.
So, he expectantly brought it into his mouth with gusto.
'Mhmm!!~'
It was as he expected!
It was creamy and had a rich flavor in it! What's more, it had a nice consistency in it!! It was truly fluffy in texture!!!
'Then, what about the roasted vegetables?' He thought, as he looked at it with fervent interest.
'There's only one way to find out!'
He stabbed a few roasted vegetables and shoved it into his mouth.
His eyes widened abruptly once more.
'Damn!' He exclaimed internally.
The roasted vegetables were also good. It was just roasted right, not too cooked, yet, not undercooked either. Most importantly, it was fresh! So fresh, he could tell!!
As Sein took a few bites of 'Alazel', he noticed a gravy pitcher at the side near the steak.
'Hm? A gravy pitcher?' He thought.
He grabbed it and took a look at it.
It was gravy!
He was so focused earlier on the steak that he didn't even notice it.
Anyways, he poured it over the remaining steak. The gravy was still hot as he could still see faint smoke coming out of it. And as he poured it over the steak, a faint scent of aroma lingered into his nose.
It was intoxicating to say the least.
'The combination of gravy and steak already produced such an alluring smell. What more, if I put it into my mouth?'
He gulped in excitement.
So, with that thought, I didn't waste any more time and quickly placed it inside my mouth.
"MHMM!!!" I exclaimed.
The people at the bar heard his exclamation and turned their heads to look at him.
But, he paid it no mind and continued with his meal.
'The gravy took the steak to another level!!' His eyes couldn't stop widening.
It was already good before, but with the gravy, it ascended to another realm on the spot.
'Damn, this is so good!!!'
It was so good, he swore.
It didn't take long for Sein to finish the plate with no crumbs nor sauce left in it.
"Ahh~ I'm full. That was a good meal." Sein said in satisfaction as he put his hand on his stomach while lounging on the chair.
"Ah, right!" He suddenly remembered something.
He looked beside the table next to him.
They were now gone.
He was so focused on his meal that he momentarily forgot them in his head.
"Oh well, it can't be helped. This 'Alazel' was just too delicious after all." Sein murmured as he patted his stomach.