As the carriage rolled along, Elvina observed the passing landscape with a serene expression. Unlike her initial encounter with the contraption, she now sat calmly, her curiosity tempered by familiarity. Glancing at Ian, she noted his silence throughout the journey.
Last night when she was about to approach Ian, Mira appeared out of nowhere and had approached with a request, a plea to protect Ian. Elvina, after a moment's contemplation, nodded in agreement. The bond between her and the young man had grown in the short time they spent together, and she felt a responsibility to ensure his safety.
In a silent exchange, Mira handed her a bag similar to the one used for transactions. Elvina had quickly grasped the concept of money in the human world, understanding that it played a pivotal role in fulfilling their various needs.
As the carriage rumbled on, Elvina's thoughts drifted to the broader implications of this human practice. She couldn't help but recall the little boy from the town who, driven by desperation, had resorted to stealing. Money seemed to dictate the lives of these humans, and she wondered about the implications of such a system on their society.
The carriage came to a halt in Blood Haven town, a place known for its association with mercenaries. As the passengers disembarked, Elvina wrinkled her nose at the pungent odor that hung in the air, a stark contrast to the cleanliness of Hollow Town.
Ian led the way, his familiarity with the town evident. Elvina followed closely, her keen eyes absorbing the chaotic scene that unfolded around them. Blood Haven was a hub for those seeking the services of mercenaries, be it for hired assassinations or personal protection. The town had earned its name due to the blood-soaked history that accompanied such transactions.
As they walked through the crowded streets, Elvina noted the diverse array of individuals present—mercenaries, clients, and those merely caught in the crossfire of the town's tumultuous atmosphere. The air was charged with tension, a testament to the volatile nature of the mercenary trade.
Every corner seemed to conceal secrets, and Elvina's emerald eyes darted around, absorbing the nuances of this unfamiliar place. In a town built on trust and betrayal, she remained vigilant, recognizing the thin line between those who sought protection and those who posed a threat.
The streets of Blood Haven whispered tales of shadowy dealings, of contracts sealed with gold and promises tainted with uncertainty. As Ian navigated the chaotic labyrinth of mercenaries and potential employers, Elvina felt the weight of this town's reputation settle upon her shoulders. In the midst of the clamor, she remained a silent observer, her curiosity and caution intertwined.
Blood Haven, was a cacophony of chaos. Elvina observed the scene with a mixture of fascination and disbelief as people swaggered around with weapons prominently displayed, the metallic tang of fresh blood lingering in the air. Conflict appeared commonplace, and brawls erupted with a sense of normalcy that would shock those unaccustomed to Blood Haven's peculiar way of life. A distant cry for help fell on deaf ears, lost amidst the rowdy bets on impromptu fights.
As they traversed the lively streets, the Iron Bar emerged ahead, prompting Elvina to mutter her bemusement at the prevalence of bars in human towns. The allure of such places remained a mystery to her, a sentiment compounded by the prevalence of violence in this particular town.
With Ian donning his hood for anonymity, Elvina sighed and followed him into the tumultuous establishment.
Inside the Iron Bar, the uproar reached a crescendo. Laughter, screams of delight, and the acrid scent of smoke assaulted her senses. She rubbed her nose in irritation, navigating through the lively crowd to reach the crowded counter.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Ian, undeterred by the chaotic atmosphere, produced a wooden token, placing it purposefully on the worn surface of the bar. The bartender, an individual hardened by the peculiar clientele, regarded Ian with a nod of recognition.
“I need two mercenaries with class S rank”
“Class S rank, their basic information cost 1000 gold, 10000 for immediate information and 100000 for vip customers.”
“How about class A?”
“Class A basic cost is 10 golds, for immediate information 100 gold, and 1000 gold for vip customers” the barman camly said as if he said this many times.
Ian, clearly taken aback by the exorbitant prices, hesitated before reluctantly pulling out a small bag from his pocket. As he poured ten gold coins onto the counter, the barman swiftly collected the payment with an air of practiced nonchalance.
"I need basic information on available Class A adventurers in Blood Haven," Ian declared, his voice edged with frustration.
The barman nodded, his response rehearsed and unwavering. "Class A basic information costs 10 gold. Here you go." He handed Ian a scroll, the basic details of the adventurers outlined within.
Elvina, intrigued by the unfolding events, peered over Ian's shoulder to catch a glimpse of the information. However, her confusion only deepened as she read the limited details. "Priest and cat?" she mumbled, exchanging a perplexed glance with Ian, who seemed equally bewildered.
The barman, accustomed to such reactions, maintained his composure. "That's the basic information we offer. For more detailed insights, you can pay for immediate or VIP services," he explained matter-of-factly.
Suddenly, someone approach them behind.
It was a big man, with bald head. He was wearing a brass armor, with yellow teeth, he was about to put a hand to her shoulder.
His unwelcome advance toward Elvina prompted her to swiftly step back, avoiding the grasp of his oversized hand. The onlookers burst into laughter at his clumsy attempt, and Elvina, with a hint of disdain, pinched her nose to ward off the unpleasant stench that accompanied him.
Undeterred, the big man redirected his attention to Ian, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder. Ian, feeling the uncomfortable grip, attempted to resist, but the man's strength proved formidable
“Kid, we cant help but hear you need a class A adventurer? Why don’t you stick with us, well make sure your money was well spent.”
“Hey let go!” Ian tried to remove the big man’s finger, but the grip was so strong that he wince in pain.
Elvina seeing Ian expression suddenly her eyes became sharp as she was about to do something-
“Bang!””Gyah!”
Suddenly, a sharp sound echoed through the bar, followed by a pained cry. The big man found himself sprawled on the floor, surprised and humiliated. The patrons fell silent, witnessing the unexpected turn of events
The big man huff, and about to stand up when a feet came down at his chest. He tried to remove the feet but to no avail.
“Don’t try to stand up, Iggor”
When he heard the voice, he suddenly became rigid as horror came to his face.
“B-big sister!” he look at shadow above in in horror
“Who gave you the courage to bully newcomers eh” she narrows her eyes at him
“I-im sorry” he stammered
A woman with long black hair and beast-like ears emerged, dressed in minimal leather armor that accentuated her presence. Her entrance commanded attention, and some patrons couldn't help but be captivated by her appearance.
“Standup”
“Yes!”
As he stood up tremblingly.
“What are you waiting for? Scram!”
Then he rushed to the exit without another word.
As the atmosphere in the bar gradually returned to its chaotic normalcy, the woman turned her attention to Ian and Elvina, her piercing gaze scrutinizing their presence.
“You two, follow me.”
-
The trio entered a room adjacent to the bar counter. After entering the room, the beast lady reclined on a couch as she crossed her feet, emanating an air of boredom, while a man in priestly robes meticulously counted money in the corner. He has short green hair, and he was wearing glasses, an air of scholarly exuded him. As if a revelation struck them simultaneously, Ian and Elvina exchanged a knowing glance.
“I need your help—” Ian began, only to be promptly interrupted by the priest.
“1000 gold coins for our service,” he declared, not bothering to lift his gaze from the currency in his hands.
Ian's expression shifted from determination to dismay as he pulled out his pocket money and counted it. The result left him swearing under his breath, realizing it fell far short of the required amount. Elvina, observing his predicament, produced the pouch of money given by Mira.
“Here,” she said, handing it over to Ian.
In a daze, Ian accepted the pouch, feeling its weight and discovering it contained thousands of gold coins. Flabbergasted, he tried to voice a question, but Elvina simply uttered one word.
“Mira.”
With newfound resources in hand, Ian's determination returned. He faced the two individuals in the room and spoke with urgency, “I need your service; please help me save my family!”