After walking for five uninterrupted minutes, Raizel and Lam finally arrived at their destination.

It was a modest two story wooden tavern marked by a weathered wooden sign swinging gently in the breeze. Carved into the signboard was the image of a curled-up fox, eyes shut in peaceful slumber: The Sleepy Fox.

Raizel glanced around the street to confirm the surroundings.

"Ringgg!"

Satisfied, he opened the tavern door, and a soft chime rang from the bell above, announcing their arrival.

Inside, the warmth of the interior greeted them at once.

The scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread hung in the air. Wooden tables and chairs were arranged neatly across the polished floor.

Several patrons were already seated, eating and chatting in hushed tones. The atmosphere was relaxed; quiet, but not dead. Lively, but not rowdy.

A few curious gazes drifted toward the pair as they stepped inside. The contrast between Raizel's striking white hair and crimson eyes, and Lam's poor appearance, made them stand out like a flame in the fog.

"Welcome, guests! Welcome!" came a hearty voice from the side.

A middle-aged man stepped forward with a broad, cheerful smile. He had a thick beard that covered most of his face, a large belly that bounced slightly with each step, and a white apron wrapped securely around his neck. In one hand, he held a metal spatula that gleamed under the lantern light.

From his look and smell, Raizel assumed he was the cook here.

"New travelers, huh?

Come on in! Hungry? Thirsty? Or are you looking for a place to rest your bones?" he asked with a laugh, his voice warm and welcoming.

Raizel gave a subtle nod and stepped closer.

"We're looking for rooms to stay. The rooms should be clean and quiet. Preferably with a bit of privacy."

The man looked surprised.

"So, you two are not a couple...That's why something felt off when I first landed my eyes on you," he commented in realisation.

Lam looked hurt. The cook obviously meant Raizel and her weren't suitable for each other.

She knew it too, and that's where it hurt her the most.

The bearded man continued cheerfully, "You've come at the right time. We've got a few rooms available. Would you like meals included with the accommodation? And how long do you plan on staying?"

"Yes, include the meals," Raizel replied with a nod. "But as for how long… we're not sure yet."

"Ah, no problem! Flexible stay it is then. Follow me, I'll show you the rooms."

With a smile, the man turned and began climbing the creaking wooden stairs.

Raizel and Lam followed close behind, the steps echoing softly beneath their feet.

On the second floor, a short hallway led to six doors—four smaller ones on one side and two slightly larger rooms on the other. The air carried a faint scent of polished wood and lavender, and the corridor was dimly lit by glowing magical orbs embedded in the ceiling.

"These four here are good for solo stays. Comfortable enough for one person to rest, study, or sleep."

He then pointed to the two doors on the opposite side. "And these two are meant for couples. A little more space, soundproofed partitions for privacy, you know what I mean right, haha."

Raizel glanced at Lam, who blushed faintly and looked away.

"Don't worry," the man chuckled knowingly. "You can each have your own room if you'd like. It's off-season, so there's plenty of space. Most folks around here live in their own homes anyway. Only two travelers and one couple are staying here at the moment."

He led them into two separate rooms side by side.

Raizel's room was simple but cozy, illuminated by soft, magical lights embedded in the ceiling.

Inside was a wooden bed with clean sheets, a small writing desk, a wardrobe, and a washstand in the corner. The scent of lavender lingered here as well, a soothing contrast to the dust and chaos of the road.

Lam peeked into her own room and gasped softly at the neat interior. "Beautiful!"

Raizel also nodded in approval. "This'll do."

"Glad to hear it!" the man said, clapping his hands together. "I'll leave you to settle in. Dinner will be ready in an hour—come down whenever you're hungry."

"Wait!"

However, just as he was about to leave, Raizel stopped him.

The man tilted his head. "Yes?"

Raizel smiled faintly as he said, "You haven't said anything about pricing yet. Did you forget? Or are you trying to scam us?"

The man scratched his head, embarrassed. "What are you saying, Guest? I—Bromak—would never do such a thing," he said righteously.

"Okay, I get it already. Tell me the price per night."

"Sigh, It's just 10 bronze coins per night. With the meals included, it should be fair, right?" Bromak offered.

"10 bronze coins per night? Isn't that too much?" Lam said, wide-eyed.

Raizel was pondering. He initially had about 2,000 bronze coins. And he had already spent 80.

So with the remaining money, they could live for three months without a hitch.

Still, he bargained. "8 bronze coins, or leave it," he said, looking firm.

"Deal!" the man agreed almost instantly.

Raizel clicked his tongue. Maybe he had failed in bargaining once again.

With that, the cheerful man made his way back downstairs, leaving the two travelers to finally rest.

"Lam, you should probably head to your room now. And after an hour, make sure to have that lunch alone. Because I'll be disappearing for a while," Raizel explained.

Lam nodded in understanding.

"How long will you be gone, Sir?" she asked.

"Hmm… I should be back by afternoon. When I come back, we will go looking for a job for you, and I'll also try to find an adventurer's guild for myself."

"I understand... I'll do as you say," she replied obediently.

With that, while Lam went into her room on the left, Raizel quietly disappeared from his own room.

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