Chapter 16:" The brave Tavern"

We left the lira's city harbor, our hearts light. Our first mission as adventurers was complete, and we couldn’t be more proud. We headed straight to the adventurers' guild to report its completion. The streets of Liras bustled with people as midday approached, and by the time we arrived, the guild was already packed as usual.

“Hey, Elle! We’ve finished our mission,” Van called out to the guild's receptionist, a graceful elf with pink hair and piercing emerald eyes. She was often the first face adventurers saw upon entering the guild.

I handed the parchment from Mr. Robert, the proof that we completed the mission.

Elle took it, examined it carefully, and placed it under the counter.

“Congratulations,” ells smiled warmly. “Do you plan to take another mission right away?”

Jason rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks flushing slightly. “Not yet. We need some rest first.” It was hard to deny that the elf’s beauty had an effect on him.

She was stunning, and like many elves, she had an otherworldly elegance. I had heard that elves lived in isolation at the northern edge of the continent, avoiding most other races who desired them for their looks and their long lifespan. Elves could live up to 300 years—more than three times the lifespan of humans.

Elle handed us a small pouch. “Here’s your payment for the mission. Well deserved.” Inside, each of us found 15 silver coins—a sizable reward. It wasn’t hard to see why so many people from small villages risked their lives to become adventurers. The money was much better than anything we could earn living in a village

“Goodbye, Elle!” I called as we left the guild.

Jason waved shyly as we stepped away from the counter.

“What now?” Niro asked once we were outside.

Van’s eyes lit up. “Let’s visit the tavern where Rina works. We promised to stop by, remember?”

“That’s a great idea,” Jason agreed. “She was really kind to us.”

We all nodded, eager to see our friend again. After deciding to meet her that evening, we headed to a nearby restaurant for a quick lunch before returning to the inn to rest.

---

As evening descended, we wandered through the vibrant Northwest district, our eyes searching for the tavern where Rina worked. The district transformed after dark—no longer the bustle of merchants haggling or shouting their wares, but a lively scene filled with the sound of laughter and the tempting aroma of roasting meat drifting from every corner.

Adventurers and townsfolk crowded the area, sharing food and drink after a long day. Magic stone lanterns hung overhead, casting a warm light that flickered across the cobbled streets. Travelers passed by—some in groups, others carrying supplies or meals. The buildings, with their wooden signs and open windows, had a rustic charm. The entire street buzzed with life and energy.

I noticed that many dwarves were scattered along the street and entering taverns. Their love for alcohol was undeniable, driving their desire to connect with humans.

“Are we heading in the right direction?” Niro asked, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.

“Yeah, it’s just around the corner,” Jason replied. “There are so many taverns here it’s hard to tell them apart, but we’re almost there.”

At last, we spotted the sign—The Brave Tavern. A large, weathered wooden board hung over the entrance, creaking softly in the evening breeze. Laughter spilled from inside as patrons moved in and out, filling the street with noise.

“This must be it!” Van said, pointing toward the door.

We stepped inside, immediately hit by the smell of ale and grilled meat. The tavern was packed, nearly every table occupied. Most of the customers looked like adventurers, many still in armor with weapons resting at their sides.

The interior was warm and inviting, with lanterns casting a soft glow over thick wooden beams and sturdy furnishings. Groups crowded around tables, drinking, talking, and sharing stories from the day.

At the center, a group of adventurers sat with their weapons nearby, their armor scuffed—fresh from a quest. Despite the bustle, the tavern felt cozy and welcoming, as if the noise was part of its charm.

“There’s a table by the window,” Van said, guiding us to a rare empty spot.

As we settled in, I scanned the room for Rina’s red hair but found no sign of her."

“Excuse me, here’s the menu,” a sweet voice chimed in, pulling me from my thoughts.

A cheerful waitress, probably around our age, stood before us with a bright smile. Her light brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, a dark brown headband keeping any stray strands in place. She wore a white blouse beneath a dark brown apron, her green eyes lively and warm. Her approachable demeanor made it easy to feel at ease.

"Thanks," Jason said, taking the menu. "We’ll have fried chicken, four ales, grilled deer meat, roasted chicken with herbs and fruit, and a grilled meat skewer with veggies and potatoes."

The waitress nodded, jotting everything down. “I’ll be right back with your food.”

Before she left, I added, “Actually, we’re here because we know someone who works here—Rina, from Sanderson’s territory.”

“Oh, Sister Rina?” The waitress brightened at the mention of her. “She’s in the kitchen right now, but I’ll let her know you’re looking for her.”

“Thank you. Just let her know Van, Jason, Caelan, and Niro are here,” Van said.

A few minutes later, the waitress returned, balancing trays of food with practiced ease. She carefully placed the platters down, the aroma making my stomach growl.

“Sister Rina says she’ll join you when she’s done in the kitchen. She’s quite busy at the moment,” she informed us.

Caelan smiled. “No rush. We just wanted her to know we came.”

The waitress gave a polite nod and left us to our meal. We dug in, the flavors even more satisfying after a long day. The conversation shifted between casual topics and light jokes until, finally, Rina appeared, wiping her hands on her apron as she approached.

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“Guys! I’m so glad you came!” she said with a wide grin, pulling up a chair. “I’ve been working all evening, but I couldn’t wait to catch up with you.”

“Sister Rina, are you sure it’s okay to sit with us? Aren’t you still on duty?” I asked, feeling a bit guilty for pulling her away from work.

Rina waved dismissively. “Don’t worry, I have permission to take a break. Most of the customers at this hour are just ordering drinks and snacks. The kitchen’s quiet now.”

“Well, we don’t have many exciting stories to share yet,” Niro chuckled, leaning back. “Our first mission was delivering fabric around the city for two weeks.”

Rina laughed. “That’s a solid start! Trading companies pay well. What about you, Caelan? Any trouble so far?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “No trouble. Why would you think I’d have any?”

She smirked. “Well, aside from your appearance, you’re just so well-mannered. If I didn’t know you were from Sanderson’s territory, I’d have guessed you were a noble. It wouldn’t surprise me if people misunderstood you.”

“Actually,” Jason chimed in, “I’ve noticed that too. Even at the dinner table, you sit and speak like you’ve been trained by nobility or something.”

I shrugged, feeling the weight of their stares. “It’s just how I am. Nothing special.”

“Even the way you explain things is formal,” Niro added with a grin. “Don’t worry about it, Caelan. It suits you.”

"Before I could respond, Rina leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eye. 'Speaking of which, remember the waitress who took and served your order? That's Mayi. She asked about you, Caelan. She seems interested in you.'"

“What?!” I nearly choked on my drink, feeling my face heat up.

Van burst into laughter. “First Elle, now the pretty waitress here. It’s always you!”

“Wait, how did Elle get involved in this conversation?” I protested.

Jason smirked. “Is it that hard to notice? She treats you differently than the rest of us.”

Niro nodded in agreement. “It’s pretty obvious, Caelan.”

Van grinned, raising his mug. “Cheers to you, the lady magnet of our group.”

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. There was no winning with these guys.

Their laughter echoed through the room, and even Rina joined in, shaking her head at the teasing. The easy warmth of the moment wrapped around us, pulling us all into a relaxed bubble that seemed to stretch lazily into the evening.

But just as the laughter started to die down, the calm atmosphere was shattered by a commotion at the table across from us.

"A drunk customer harassed a waitress, gripping her arm tightly. She struggled to pull away, but he refused to let go. His voice grew louder, anger flashing in his eyes

Before we could react, someone intervened-a tall,blonde man dressed in formal attire.He wore a gray dress shirt with sleeves rolled up, a black vest, and matching pants.A loosely knotted tie hung around his neck,His expression was calm but commanding

Without hesitation,he stepped forward,seizing the drunk by the collar with one hand."if you can't respect my staff, you can leave," he said his voice was low and cold as steel.

The drunk growled, swinging a fist in retaliation. The man Dodge effortlessly,his movements fluid and precise.In the blink of an eye, his fist connected with drunk's chest -a strike so swift and forceful that echoed faintly through the tavern.

The impact was devastating.the drunk's eyes widened in shock as his body arched backward.For a brief moment, he seemed suspended in mid-air, his feet lifting slightly off the ground.Blood spraved from his mouth as his head snapped back,arms flailing uselessly at his sides.

The blonde man who delivered the blow remained steady, his gaze cold and unyielding.

Silence fell over the tavern as the drunk collapsed in a heap.The blonde man turned to the drunk's companions,his voice cutting through the stillness.

"Pay your bill and leave." he said simply.

“That’s Mr. Edmond, the owner of the tavern,” Mira whispered, a note of admiration in her voice. “He’s always protecting us when things get rough. He’s unbelievably strong.”

Jason nodded, eyes wide. “He took that guy down so fast."

As the evening wore on, we continued chatting, and Rina took the chance to introduce us to some of her coworkers.

First was Cena, a woman with long, light brown hair tied into two neat braids. Her calm, friendly expression made her easy to approach.

Next, we met Karen, a dwarf woman with long, wavy dark green hair, giving her a natural, earthy appearance She had a curvaceous build and a broad, sturdy frame that reflected her dwarven heritage. Karen carried herself with the strength and confidence typical of her kind, and as we soon learned, she was one of the tavern’s chefs.

Mayi, a 17-year-old human waitress, and Peter, a 19-year-old human waiter with messy red hair, rounded out the younger staff. Peter seemed full of energy, darting between tables and often running errands.

Lastly, Mr. Ben stood behind the counter, his narrow, slightly slanted eyes lending him a serious, focused expression. Thick, furrowed eyebrows and a neatly trimmed beard outlined his jaw and chin, further emphasizing his stern demeanor. Like Karen, he worked as a chef.

Of course, there was also Mr. Edmond—the owner—who had just saved the day.

As we settled into the warm atmosphere of the tavern, it felt good to know we had friends here. Rina, beaming with pride, introduced us as the newest regulars, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“We're definitely going to be regular customers here. Aside from the fact that Rina works here, the food is amazing,” Caelan said, grinning.

Jason, Niro, and Van nodded in agreement.

“We’re happy to hear that you enjoy the food,” Mr. Edmond replied.

It was hard to believe this was the same man who had effortlessly knocked out that drunk earlier. Now, his demeanor was warm and approachable, like a kind uncle. If we hadn’t witnessed him in action, we’d never believe he was so skilled in combat. Looks can truly be deceiving. You really can’t judge people by their appearance, I thought to myself, all of us still recalling the earlier incident.

We laughed and exchanged goodbyes as we left the tavern, the lingering glow of lanterns following us into the cool night air. But as the streets grew quieter, so did my mind. My thoughts drifted, circling the same question I hadn’t been able to answer—where to start my search for a way home. Despite all the time I’d spent in this world, I still had no clue how to return to mine.

“Hey, Caelan?” Niro’s voice broke through the fog of my thoughts.

“Hm?” I replied absently.

“You’re spacing out again,” he said, nudging me lightly. His usual smirk tugged at his lips, but his eyes held a trace of concern.

“Oh, sorry. What were you saying?” I asked, shaking off the distraction.

Jason frowned, his tone growing more serious. “Are you okay? Sometimes, even though you're with us, it feels like you’re somewhere else.”

I forced a smile, hoping to ease his worry. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind, that’s all. Don’t worry about me.”

Jason’s gaze lingered for a moment before he finally nodded. “Alright… but if you ever need help, you know you can count on us, right?”

“I know. Thanks, Jason.” I flashed him a reassuring smile, hoping to put him at ease.

“Anyway,” Jason continued, his voice lighter now, “I was asking about our next mission. What do you think we should take on next?”

“Let’s check out what missions are available tomorrow. It’s probably best if we get to the guild early so we can grab something well-paying that’s not too dangerous,” I suggested.

“Good idea. We’ll do that,” Jason agreed.

The following weeks were filled with missions, late-night talks, and shared victories. The four of us worked well together, and the more time we spent as a team, the more confident we became. But as we grew stronger, Jason, Niro, and Van started seeking out higher-ranked, more dangerous missions to raise their adventurer ranks.

I, on the other hand, had no interest in climbing those ranks. While they chased after fame and prestige, I was content with simple, low-ranking tasks—enough to get by. My focus was elsewhere, locked on the distant goal of finding my way back home.