Chapter 60: Invitation

Compared to the bustling liveliness of River Valley Town, which far exceeded that of an ordinary settlement, Karanfor was much quieter.

Whether it was the number of pedestrians on the streets or the density of various shops and buildings on both sides, it fell far short.

Even the ratio of adventurers to ordinary people on the streets reached around three to seven, or perhaps even two to eight.

Out of every ten individuals, only two or three could be clearly identified as adventurers.

One had to bear in mind that Karanfor was already the human settlement with the highest proportion of adventurers in the surrounding region, second only to River Valley Town.

Xanan found this rather surprising.

This was largely because, ever since his initial transmigration, he had constantly traveled back and forth solely between River Valley Town and the Misty Forest, leaving him without an accurate understanding of the broader situation.

From what he could see now, the number of adventurers in this world was far lower than he had imagined.

Following the caravan, they arrived at an inn on the western side of Karanfor.

After their respective rooms were arranged, Jeff, the caravan leader, kept his promise and treated everyone in the caravan to a lavish lunch.

To be honest, the taste was ordinary.

Leaving aside the luxury set meals of the White Quail Tavern, it could not even compare to that pot of stew made by the halfling previously.

Still, since someone else was treating and he did not have to spend his own money, Xanan was overall quite satisfied with the meal.

It was worth mentioning that, unlike the plain water and meat broth served during the journey, their table in Karanfor featured plenty of alcoholic drinks.

Since they were still in the middle of a mission and for the sake of caution, Xanan did not drink to his heart's content like the other accompanying adventurers nearby.

He only took a few sips just to satisfy his craving.

Thanks to his remarkably high Constitution stat of eight, drinking these few cups made virtually no difference from drinking plain water.

After finishing a meal that left him full if not thoroughly drunk,

Xanan sat at the dining table, pondering whether to return directly to his room to rest and take a midday nap, or to take advantage of the early hour and go out to find a secluded spot to practice his combat techniques for a while.

Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

He turned his head to look.

He saw Alton the halfling staring straight at him with wide, unblinking eyes:

"Staying cooped up in the inn is so boring. How about we go out and find some fun?"

As a lightfoot halfling yearning for travel, his innate curiosity made it impossible for him to stay in one place for long.

Moreover, his career path as a bard naturally compelled him to collect local poems and anecdotes whenever he arrived in a new region.

After several days on the road and having even shared life-and-death experiences in combat, he and Xanan had forged a certain degree of friendship.

Thus, he took the initiative to extend the invitation.

Xanan did not agree immediately, but instead asked in return:

"Find some fun? Where to?"

Alton, however, acted as if he already had a destination in mind.

He pulled out the copper coin engraved with the image of the Goddess of Fortune from his waist pouch, pinched it between his fingers, and gently tossed it into the air.

"I heard that near the inn, there is a tavern called 'The Full Pouch'. It seems quite interesting."

"The Full Pouch?"

Xanan frowned slightly.

During lunch earlier, he had heard several adventurers at the table mention the name of this tavern, and he roughly knew what kind of shady business went on inside.

Nine out of ten gambles ended in a loss.

He had risked his life and struggled bitterly just to save up this handful of gold coins; he was not going to waste his money in such a place.

He was about to refuse and had just opened his mouth when his gaze suddenly caught sight of something in the halfling's hand—

That coin was being tossed upward continuously, falling, and spinning in mid-air.

As if he had thought of something, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Ugh... I suppose taking a look wouldn't hurt."

...

The two eager individuals had not yet managed to step out of the inn's front door before they came to a halt.

They saw Captain Jeff standing outside the inn entrance, chatting with a sturdy, blond-haired man.

Seeing Xanan and his companion walking over, Jeff waved at them with a smile and said:

"What a coincidence! I was just thinking of introducing you two later, but right now is the perfect time."

Jeff turned slightly, his gaze shifting to the man beside him:

"Ingram, the best bailiff in Karanfor, and also an old friend of mine."

"Oh, you flatter me!" The man appeared very modest, waving his hands repeatedly. "I'm just an ordinary townsman, not nearly as great as you make me out to be."

Glancing over him, Xanan scrutinized the man's appearance:

His golden, shoulder-length hair was meticulously and neatly combed, his facial features were deep and well-defined, and his face was handsome. He wore a clean and orderly standard-issue cuirass, and a well-maintained metal-ribbed mace hung at his waist.

"These two are the adventurers who served as the caravan guards on this trip, and their skills are extraordinary. Thanks to them, I'm able to stand here safe and sound right now."

Hearing this, the bailiff maintained a warm and friendly attitude, nodding at the two of them.

"Oh, then I truly must thank you both, otherwise that meal Brother Jeff owes me would never have been repaid."

"Hahaha, are you still dwelling on that, you rascal?"

With the caravan having safely escaped the dangerous wilderness, Jeff's mood was clearly very good.

Faced with the tease, he laughed heartily and slapped Ingram on the shoulder, his thick palm colliding with the metal pauldrons to produce a dull thud.

And the other man minded not at all, returning a hearty smile as if they truly were old acquaintances.

Since it was just a minor interlude encountered by chance, Xanan and Alton had no wish to interrupt their reminiscing. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they bid farewell and parted ways.

As they walked out the door, the sound of Jeff and the bailiff's conversation could still be faintly heard from behind.

"Come on, I happen to have time today, let me treat you to a good meal!"

"Hehe, no need, Brother Jeff, I was just joking with you."

"We've known each other for so many years, why are you being so polite with me? Come, come, come!"

"Really, no need, I've already eaten."

"I might believe others if they said that, but you, kid... Everyone knows you never rest before your work is done."

"I'll just go back and boil something myself to fill my stomach, you really don't need to waste your money."

"Don't worry about it, since I came over this time, I..."

...

...

The sky was overcast.

Heavy, grayish-black leaden clouds piled up silently across the dome of the sky, and a cold wind laden with thick moisture swept across the street corner, whipping up a few crumpled balls of waste paper.

Xanan glanced left and right at the deserted street beside him, then looked ahead at the closed doors of "The Full Pouch" tavern, which bore the sign of a money bag.

"Is this the place?"

Beside him, the halfling stood on tiptoe.

He tossed the fortune coin into the air one last time.

It spun, fell, and was tightly gripped in his palm.

Then, he tucked the copper coin into the inner layer of his clothing.

"Yup! Let's go in."

Alton stepped forward directly and pushed open the door.

The chilly atmosphere of the street was swept away instantly, replaced by the warm air and soft lighting cast by the fireplace fire.

And hidden deep within the clatter of dice cups, buried beneath the clamor of human voices, driven by human desire—

Lay the frenzy and madness.