The quartet cautiously progressed, systematically clearing the path that teemed with Dreadmaw Scuttlers. Positioned at the rear, Lila struggled but managed to rein in her fear, contributing effectively to the team's efforts behind her companions.

Despite their quest aiming to eradicate the spiders, they succeeded in eliminating only half of the infestation.

Upon exiting the dungeon, a faint surge of power emanated from the residual dust collected from the spiders they had vanquished.

As the group rested and regained their energy, they ventured through the vast fields on their way back to Eldoria. The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm glow across the landscape. Haruki’s curiosity piqued, prompting him to ask Thorin about his previous occupation.

“Hey Thorin, what did you do before you joined SteelFury?” Haruki inquired.

Thorin paused for a moment, a reminiscent glint in his eye. “I was a blacksmith when I was a lad,” he answered, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Oh, a blacksmith!” Haruki responded with interest. “That sounds pretty cool. Did you make weapons like the one you wield?”

“Indeed,” Thorin nodded, adjusting his grip on his massive axe. “Crafting weapons was my trade. It allowed me to shape raw materials into something formidable, something that could withstand the toughest of battles.”

Lila, always intrigued by stories of craftsmanship, chimed in, “That’s amazing! I’ve always admired skilled artisans. Do you still practice blacksmithing?”

Thorin’s smile faded just slightly as he replied, “Not as much as I used to. My path took a different turn when I joined SteelFury.”

“Tell us more about it!” Roderick encouraged.

Thorin chuckled softly. “Ah, that’s a story for another time. Perhaps around a campfire one evening.” He diverted the conversation, choosing to share only the lighter aspects of his past, steering away from the painful memories. “Now, let’s make our way back to Eldoria before darkness falls upon us.”

With that, they quickened their pace, heading back to the safety of the town before nightfall, leaving the deeper, darker parts of Thorin’s past untouched for now.

Thorin’s expression was stern as he approached Kilin. “Kilin, I need to talk with you urgently,” he said in a firm tone, gesturing for them to ascend to the next floor, where Kilin’s room was located.

Lila couldn’t help but feel an uneasy tension in the air. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” she murmured to Haruki and Roderick.

As the trio settled back at their usual table, Aria approached them with a warm smile. “How did your adventure go?” she inquired cheerfully.

“Worst,” Lila grumbled, her expression reflecting her displeasure. She slumped into her seat. “My, my, what happened to her?” Aria asked, concerned.

“Quite a lot,” Haruki replied, his face mirroring the events they’d just experienced. “By the way, it seems we only managed to clear half of the spiders from the dungeon.”

“Oh, really?” Aria nodded understandingly. “In that case, you can finish your quest tomorrow.”

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“We can?” Haruki’s eyes lit up with relief. “Yes, quests have certain time limits, and yours will expire in three days, especially since dealing with Dreadmaw Scuttlers is no easy task.”

“Is that so?” Haruki leaned back in his chair, glancing around. “Then, can I have something to drink?” he asked, craving the familiar taste of a beer from Earth.

“Okay, how about you two?” Aria asked. “I’ll pass,” replied Lila, still feeling a bit shaken from the day’s events. “I’d like to have one too,” said Roderick, signaling his interest in a drink. Aria nodded and headed to the kitchen to give the order to the staff.

While they waited for their refreshments, Haruki’s curiosity about the castle mentioned in the paper piqued. “Hey, Lila, could you tell us more about that castle?” he inquired.

Lila’s gaze drifted for a moment as she recalled the stories she’d been told by her parents about the legendary castle. “It was said that a legendary mage lived in isolation in that castle,” she began. “According to the tales passed down to me, this mage was rumored to have defeated the God of War. It was believed that the mage’s power was unrivaled.”

Roderick and Haruki listened intently, intrigued by the story. Lila, drawn into the tales she had grown up with, continued, her voice reflecting a mixture of fascination and reverence. “Legends say that the castle holds immense secrets, including ancient knowledge and powerful artifacts. My parents always believed in the tales and the mage’s extraordinary capabilities.”

“Does this mage still live?” Haruki asked with curiosity. “I don’t know; this story is over a century old. He could be dead by now, but who knows,” Lila replied thoughtfully.

Their drinks arrived shortly afterward. “I hope you enjoy,” Aria said cheerfully as she placed the drinks on the table. Haruki eagerly grabbed the beer, preparing to take a sip. However, as he brought the glass closer, the potent aroma caught him off guard.

“What’s this? Its scent is incredibly strong!” Haruki exclaimed, hesitating to take a sip.

“It’s beer, the cheapest one on the market,” Roderick explained with a grin. “Haruki, don’t tell me, are you weak when it comes to this stuff?”

“Huh? I’ve had countless drinks; this won’t affect me,” Haruki replied confidently, although he couldn’t help but remember a time when just three glasses had a more significant effect than he’d care to admit.

Thorin arrived, visibly agitated. Spotting the three at the table, he strode over to them. “So, enjoying a leisurely moment?” he remarked, his tone edged with irritation. Haruki cautiously took a sip from his glass, a wooden tankard in his hand.

“Whoa! This is seriously strong!” Haruki exclaimed. “Yeah,” added Lila in response to Thorin’s question, “What happened?”

“I explained everything to Kilin, and as an apology, he rewarded me double for the quest,” Thorin explained, his frustration still apparent.

“Ahhhhh—” groaned Haruki after a sip of the beer. “What did he say about what we found?” he asked, trying to recover from the intense drink.

“They’ll be examining the contents of the paper to decipher its true meaning,” Thorin replied, observing Haruki’s reddening face with amusement.

“Speaking of which, were you one of the adventurers scheduled to compete with the PhantomBlades?” Haruki questioned, still recovering from the potent beverage.

“Yeah,” Thorin confirmed. “In less than a week from now, we’ll face them. But believe me, it won’t be an easy task.”

“I know,” acknowledged Haruki with a sudden hiccup, drawing the attention of the others with his flushed face. “I knew it,” remarked Roderick, chuckling softly. “You really can’t handle this, Haruki-san,” he teased before downing his drink in one go.

“Regardless, I think it’s time for us to head back to our inn,” suggested Lila, noticing the effects of the drink on Haruki.

“I’ll carry him,” Thorin suggested. “Oh, no thanks, we’ll manage,” Roderick replied.

“Carry me? That would be fun!” Haruki slurred his words, speaking incoherently due to the effects of the beer, unable to articulate properly.

“Come on, you guys helped me back there, so I’ll return the favor,” he insisted. They hesitantly agreed, unable to decline Thorin’s offer. “Yey!” exclaimed Haruki, still under the influence of the strong drink.