Inside the bustling tavern, the atmosphere was so vibrant and lively that he couldn't even conjure a thought grand enough to capture its essence. The space was as vast as a school auditorium, with rows of long, sturdy benches stretching across the floor, each accommodating anywhere from 20 to 40 patrons.
The air was filled with the hum of conversation and laughter from well over 150 people, a diverse tapestry of all shapes, sizes, and colors. The tavern was a hive of activity, with more than a dozen waitresses and waiters weaving expertly between the tables, balancing trays laden with mugs and plates. As he stepped inside, taking in the scene, a green-skinned man with impressive tusks approached him, adding to the tavern's rich tapestry of characters.
“Welcome Takanka’s Rest. Are you looking for a room, a table or both?” Marcus explained to him that he wanted both but a solo table. He said that that was an additional 5 silver as he pulled out 6 silver and he handed Marcus a large wooden disk with the number 5 and pointed to where his table was before leading him to the front of the house. This was where he was an Asian looking woman that looked to be in her late twenties with various people coming in and out and talking to her.
She seemed different than the rest. She had jet black hair with fiery red highlights spread about in a wild pattern. Her hair was cropped at her neck giving her a functional but classy look.
She had to be a fighter or warrior of something. Is she just a waitress?
Even with her tunic covering her body he could see the muscle and definition of something like a swimmer or maybe a gymnast. She spoke up quickly.
“I am Khaliun, the owner of Takanka’s Rest. We are out of basic rooms but we have a few business and executive rooms left. Yes, business and executive rooms come with private bathrooms and yes breakfast is included with business rooms and up. Business rooms are 50 silver and Executive rooms are 70.”
He pulled out 51 silver marks and pushed them in front of her as her hands moved so fast even his eyes could not keep as she picked up the extra silver and handed to one of the waitresses coming to her as she nodded and handed him a wooden disk with B7 burned onto the token as he moved along and and sat at his table.
As he sat down he would quickly be approached by the same green skinned man as he handed him a menu then quickly moved away before saying to double tap the table marker and he would come shortly. Marcus picked up the menu and looked over everything and noticed just how everything seemed to be an Asian-African fusion menu with stuff like fufu and jollof rice to smoked duck and egg fried rice. They also looked over the drink menu and noticed stuff like Mazagran and Pu Erh. He decided to give it a good blend of both.
He hit the marker and ordered Shekla tibs with Kimchi Fried Rice and a side of Sobolo and Mango Lassi. His order came out to a total of 20 silver marks and he smiled as he had a few marks left as he looked around and took in his surroundings.
This time he paused and looked like the place as he really took it in before resting his shoulders as he saw various children and families enjoying themselves as people played strange looking instruments and sang songs. He saw older couples slow dance with each other and people who looked much younger dancing more provocatively as his food came and he looked amazing. While he never had kimchi before he had heard about it before and he would give it a fair shake.
As he ate it he smiled, while he never had any of this stuff before it tasted amazing and finished it quickly as he noticed that the place was winding down and people slowly started to leave. As the place died down and people that were staying for the night moved up to their rooms. He had gotten up and walked over to Khaliun.
“Hey, do you know where I can sell goods and buy a watch?”
Khaliun looked him up and down before speaking. “Well you must not be from around here but I would recommend Javier’s General and Exotic Goods. He is considered generally fair to newcomers and will be able to trade most goods that you could have. Also I would recommend you have standard loot gear to join the Slayer Corps if you haven’t already? What level are you now? Level 2 or level 3”
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He thought about this and if this was a trick or a trap but he decided to be truthful. “ I am level 9, almost level 10.” Khaliun stopped everything she was doing and everyone within earshot and turned to look at him before Khaliun spoke again.
Well that’s awkward.
“Level 9 without Lootgear armor? Impossible. There is no way you are level 9 unless you have some glamour over your gear or something. Even then your spear and bag while being standard gear doesn’t even have the well made bonus! I don’t like liars.” Marcus smiled and then asked then pulled out 6 loot coins.
“So how did I get these?”
Khaliun's eyes went wide. “Please put those up before you put a target on your back. I am not sure how you got them but this isn’t normal but give me a second while I put on my goggles.” She went and grabbed her goggles. She looked over at him and was taken aback and said loudly.
“YOU CLEARED A DUNGEON!?! Why are your stats so high? I am level 15 and my stats are not even close to yours. Your strength and constitution scores are monstrous. Mine are both around 12 and that’s considered elite, not exceptional but still. As she moved from behind her desk she motioned for him to sit down as she called the doorman in and he sat down beside as another man took over cleaning up the place.
As soon as she said he cleared a dungeon there were hushed whispers from among the remaining patrons in the Inn. Marcus held up his hand and looked around. “Hey, I am not looking to make this a big deal. I just wanted information, thank you for the help. I think I will head to bed if it is ok.” Khaliun spoke up again.
“Hey, I am sorry if this is overwhelming you but not only are you level 9 but having stats comparable to level 20 to level 30 people is shocking. While there is a range for how many stat points you get per level most people get to somewhere between 1 and 2, maybe 3. Your stat growth must be 5+. If you don’t mind me asking what's your business in Druid’s Grove?”
Marcus thought for a second. “To gain fuel to grow.” as he looked at Khaliun and her doorman. The doorman finally spoke up.
“Are you new to Silveroak or do you come from some distant country because I have never heard of anyone who is over Level 5 without at least a full set of loot armor.” He pointed to the hole in his armor that he totally didn’t notice before. Then suddenly Guin spoke up in his mind.
“Be careful, do not tell them about me. While your growth would be considered exceptional. It is not so far out of the normal that it would raise serious alarms…yet. You still need to grow.“
“Seeing you still have loot coins maybe you want to use more of your loot coins and hope for lesser and minor crates so you can get something you can attune to. I am Jason by the way.“ Marcus smiled at the men before standing up and nodding at each of them.
“I am tired. I think I am going to retire for the night if that is ok with everyone.” Marcus glanced at Khaliun and Jason, his eyes lingering for a moment before he joined the others in heading upstairs. The wooden stairs creaked softly under his weight as he ascended, leaving Khaliun and Jason behind. They exchanged a knowing look, their expressions mirroring a shared understanding, and shook their heads in silent agreement.
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“To clear an entire dungeon before level 9 most likely by himself is incredible. I cleared a dungeon but I was a part of a 6 person team and even then we had lost 2 people in the process. With his high constitution and strength reinforcing his bones and muscles his body is probably tougher than steel. At his growth rate he will be a monster. I just wonder what he will do next.”
