The tall and robust woman placed all her belongings on the nearest table. Turning towards Ravel, she smiled affably and said,

"Little lad, it's quite a rarity to see someone as young as you working here."

Ravel merely responded with a forced smile and a nod. Mentally, he scoffed: It's not like I have a choice!

The woman appeared to be extremely talkative. Noticing that the young fellow before her didn't engage in conversation but merely offered a strained smile, she didn't take offense. Instead, she continued,

"When I first grasped a sword and set out to hunt magical beasts, I was even younger than you. I was terrified back then. Those magical beasts were all so ferocious..."

"Are you a demon hunter?" Ravel, seemingly intrigued, couldn't refrain from asking.

"Sort of. Demon hunters typically refer to those who specialize in hunting vampires, werewolves, and demons. I've hunted werewolves in the past, but most of the time, I hunt magical beasts. I think 'lone hunter' would be a more fitting title for me," the woman said, stroking her smooth chin, her tone slightly uncertain.

Upon hearing this, Ravel instinctively glanced in Glen's direction. Seeing that the latter didn't seem to be paying attention, he turned back.

Although Glen wasn't looking their way, he heard every word of their conversation distinctly.

He didn't give much thought to the tall woman's words, regarding them merely as a form of entertainment. A chat with such a loquacious individual was worth listening to, far superior to those storybook tales.

"So she's not a demon hunter..." Ravel thought, his tone tinged with disappointment.

Compared to demon hunters who specialize in hunting malevolent creatures, hunters who primarily hunt magical beasts seem rather mundane.

It's not due to a significant disparity in their strength but rather an unfounded adoration that has emerged at some unremembered time.

"Little lad, please refrain from wearing such a disappointed expression. It's rather impolite," the tall woman said, half-jokingly.

"I'm not. I'm just a bit more curious about demon hunters," Ravel hastily explained.

The woman let out a soft snort, cast a glance at Glen by the distant window, and then inquired, "Is that your employer?"

"Yes."

"He's also quite young. To be able to purchase such a tavern, he's more accomplished than I am."

The woman then regaled them with some of her adventures. At first, Ravel was indifferent, but as he listened, he became increasingly engrossed. Before he knew it, he was engaged in a lively exchange with her.

Luther approached Glen. Fixing his gaze on the two at the bar, he said to Glen, "Sir, my son mentioned that he's rather intimidated by that lady."

"Didn't you hear her just now? She's a hunter, specializing in hunting magical beasts. Naturally, she exudes an intimidating aura," Glen replied, sitting upright.

"Then I'd best keep my distance from her." With that, Luther walked to another corner.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Just then, Carter and Cagin pushed open the door and entered, their hands laden with various items.

They approached Glen's table with cheerful smiles. Disregarding the fact that they were soaking wet, they placed the wrapped goods on the table.

"We're truly sorry, sir. The nearby dessert shops and bakeries were all closed, so we had to go to the one farther away," Carter explained.

"But the food is still warm, and it didn't get wet," Cagin added.

"Thank you for your efforts." Glen then beckoned to the others in the distance, "Come on over, everyone."

The aroma of the food had already whetted the appetites of everyone in the tavern. At Glen's invitation, including the female hunter, they all gathered around.

"Sir, I was wondering..." The female hunter gave Glen a sheepish smile.

"Give her a portion," Glen said to Carter and his brother.

The latter two cast a curious glance at the female hunter but didn't hesitate. After all, it wasn't their money.

"Thank you ever so much, esteemed sir!" The female hunter happily accepted the portion of food. Although it wasn't enough to satiate her, it sufficed.

She extracted five copper coins from beneath her soft armor and placed them on the table.

Glen didn't stand on ceremony and accepted them promptly.

The others also took their share of the food and found places to eat.

Luther, along with Carter and his brother, chatted and chuckled softly as they ate.

Glen had a hearty appetite and quickly finished his portion, though he was only about sixty percent full.

He opened the main door of the tavern and looked out at the rain that showed no signs of abating. He mused that it probably wouldn't stop for the entire day.

He closed the door again and walked towards the female hunter.

The latter was also a voracious eater. She had already finished her meal and was now organizing her luggage.

Sensing Glen's approach, she smiled and asked, "Is there something I can do for you, sir?"

Although she wore an amiable expression, Glen didn't miss the subtle hint of wariness in her demeanor.

"I heard you say that you're a hunter. May I ask, did you just return from a hunting expedition?" Glen asked, wearing a friendly smile.

However, the female hunter's wariness increased a notch. She subtly moved her hand closer to her broad sword while still smiling and said, "Yes, I obtained a small harvest and was planning to sell it for a good price."

Glen nodded, paying no heed to her wariness. He said directly, "How about selling it to me? I might have a need for those items."

The female hunter was taken aback and then waved her hand. "That won't do. The goods already have a buyer. It's the established rule. I'm sorry, sir."

Upon hearing this, Glen didn't press the matter. "Very well."

He then took out the beast's tooth given to him by the old man and handed it to the female hunter. "Do you recognize this?"

The latter took the tooth, examined it closely, and furrowed her brow. "It looks familiar. I'm sure I've seen it before, but it's extremely rare. I can't recall it at the moment."

"I have a need for this, and similar items. Can you procure them? I will offer a generous reward," Glen stated his intention.

The female hunter studied it for a long time. Finally, she seemed to have some inkling and nodded at Glen. "I can give it a try. But based on my experience, this item is far from inexpensive. I estimate it will cost at least two gold coins."

Glen was slightly taken aback but quickly composed himself. "No problem."

To his surprise, upon hearing this, the female hunter suddenly stood up and firmly grasped his hand with both hands, which were as large as Glen's, shaking it vigorously. "Sir, you're a highly valued client! Rest assured! I, Blood Axe, swear by my honor that I will fulfill this commission!"

Glen exerted a bit of force to free his hand. "I'm looking forward to it."

After that, the female hunter, whose name or nickname was Blood Axe, waited in the tavern for a while longer. Seeing that the rain still persisted, she decided to leave without hesitation.

It seemed that she had something pressing to attend to.

Glen didn't want to wait any longer either. So he asked Carter and Cagin to go and purchase two raincoats from this world for him and Ravel.

These raincoats were crafted from the skin of a certain amphibian and boasted excellent water-resistant properties.

This time, he didn't offer to pay for the others. But the two brothers didn't decline.

After receiving the raincoats from them, Glen and Ravel set off in the deer-drawn cart, braving the rain.

He paid no heed to the others. They were all adults. Surely they wouldn't be unable to make their way home because of a bit of rain?

The road was a quagmire. The wheels of the deer-drawn cart became stuck in the mud several times, requiring someone to get out and push. It took a great deal of effort to finally make it into Baiyek Town.

Surprisingly, although it was pouring heavily outside the town in the forest, inside the town, it was as if no rain had fallen at all, maintaining its usual state.