Around midday, San reached the tavern.

  Just like yesterday, it stood there—lonely and abandoned, as if built on the edge of existence itself.

  This time, no one would stop him.

  With determined steps, he approached the dusty veranda.

  Now that he was standing right in front of it, he could finally make out the tavern’s name:

  "The Burning Goblin."

  A strange name, he thought.

  But he didn’t let it bother him.

  Something about this building drew his attention.

  He couldn’t help but feel the need to find out what it was that kept calling him here.

  He stepped onto the veranda.

  The wooden planks creaked and cracked beneath his feet as he made his way to the entrance.

  Just before stepping inside, he thought he heard a sound from within.

  A rattling?

  He ignored it and entered.

  Inside, it was even dustier than outside.

  The moment he stepped in, he started coughing from the thick, stale air.

  It’s impossible for anyone to actually be in here, he thought.

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  Yet, to his surprise, several patrons sat at the grimy tables.

  They were all older folk—people who, he guessed, had probably been coming here for years.

  They looked at him with grim, mistrustful eyes.

  After taking a moment to observe his surroundings, he walked toward the bar.

  The entire tavern looked as though it had been cut out of another place and pasted here.

  He recalled hearing that there was a region in Eroden where designs like this were common.

  A dry, almost desert-like area.

  As he reached the bar, the bartender stepped forward.

  A tall, menacing-looking man with a thick scar across his face gave him a brief scowl.

  Then, out of nowhere, the man suddenly broke into a wide smile and spoke in an unexpectedly cheerful tone.

  "Good day, sir!

  What can I do for you on this fine day?"

  San was momentarily speechless.

  The man’s appearance didn’t match his personality at all.

  Still, he was too nervous to say that out loud.

  "I…

  I was just in the area when I happened to notice this building.

  Something about it caught my attention, so I decided to come inside."

  "Wonderful! That makes me happy to hear!

  Would you like to learn more about this place?"

  "Sure. Why not?"

  "Why not, indeed!

  Well, this establishment was built by my father.

  Fifty years ago, he moved to Kunkan and created both his home and his business here—a tavern with a hotel built above it.

  It was quite popular back in the day.

  Most of the guests you see here now have been regulars for decades."

  That explained the patrons.

  "Fifty years? That’s quite a long time."

  "Isn’t it?

  He built this place exactly ten years after Kunkan was founded.

  Speaking of which—

  Were you at the recent anniversary celebration?"

  "No, I only arrived here yesterday."

  "Ah, what a shame.

  Anyway, ever since I took over the business five years ago, things have been quieter than they used to be…"

  At that, the mood dropped.

  "Would you perhaps like to stay for a night?" he then asked.

  "Oh. No, thank you.

  I already have accommodations.

  …

  Actually, I just remembered something important I need to take care of.

  If you’ll excuse me."

  "Oh, of course!

  Naturally, naturally.

  I wish you a pleasant rest of your day."

  With that, San turned to leave.

  Just before stepping out of the tavern, he heard it again.

  A scratching sound.

  Like something being dragged across the wooden floor.

  It came from above.

  He hesitated for a moment.

  But after a brief pause, he decided to ignore it and continued walking back toward the garrison.