ROAAR!

BANG!

They all flinched, but they realized that no matter how much the mob tried to go to them, they were blocked.

"This…"

Before they could even absorb what was happening, a sort of readable screen appeared in front of them, making them flinch.

Fortunately, the screen was similar to how their status gems showed them their information, so they weren't too shocked.

[You have entered the Wanderer's Refuge.]

[Entrance Fee is 1 Gold or 1 awakened core. Please pay within five hours, or you will be escorted out.]

[Within these lands, you are to follow the rules]

They read the various rules like the No Harm rule, the No Trespassing Rule, and so on.

[Note: The Innkeeper and any of the staff reserves the right to kick out anyone who affects the peace of the inn.]

[If you wish to stay within these lands, you must agree to all rules within a minute or risk becoming blacklisted.

P.S. Blacklist can only be lifted by the Innkeeper or the Inn Spirit.]

[Do you accept these conditions? Yes | No]

[00: 00: 59]

"Did you accept the rules?"

They nodded, though they were in a daze. They each took out an awakened core and watched as something swished by, taking it, though no one could see what it was.

Some were also wondering how the screen appeared, while some were still staring at the barrier.

BANG!

Marcus stepped forward, standing in front of the rabid mob trying to get in, but could not. They were completely blocked by something he could not see.

It was Leiah who reacted first, as expected of someone with elven blood. "It's a barrier," she said, eyebrows raised.

This also made the others gape, looking around, though they couldn't sense much except a slight shift in the atmosphere. If the monsters weren't willingly pounding their heads on it, they wouldn't have noticed it was there at all.

Did barriers always work that way? They had no idea.

"This is amazing…" Marcus said, unconsciously raising his hand to touch the 'shield'.

ROAAARRR!

Marcus screamed when his hand went past the so-called barrier, but fortunately, he was pulled back just in time before he was bitten.

"They can't get in, but non-beasts can go through without much problem," Finn explained.

Marcus rubbed his nose, embarrassed. "Ah, that makes sense," he said, wanting to change the topic. "How big is it? The barrier, I mean?"

"Just the scope of the inn," Finn said.

"That's big," Durgan said, and he was only thinking that he meant it was the clearing where the structure was. If he knew that the land of the Inn was even bigger and deeper into the forest, he'd be even more shocked.

Unlike Marcus, he had encountered a similar one before. "I'm assuming this is a barrier stone or a barrier rune. This alone makes a few gold a night worth it. The small runes are already quite expensive; I cannot imagine how much such a big one would cost."

Finn's eyebrows rose at this. As they reached the inn's threshold, he turned a bit. "How rare is it in the safe zones?" he asked.

"Which one? Barrier stones or runes?"

"Both."

"Well, runes are not common, but they're not impossible to gain as long as you have decent money," he said. "Barrier stones, on the other hand, at least in human cities, would be something only nobles in Towns and Cities had," he said, before turning to Leiah. "Runes are generally made by elves, so Leiah might know more."

Leiah looked away, not wanting to talk to him. Finn gave an awkward smile while the others shook their heads.

Finn preferred to be on good terms with his customers though. At this, he stopped and turned, and the half-elf almost bumped into him.

He smiled. "Many handsome men are scum, aren't they?" He asked, making her eyebrows furrow as she stared at him.

"Self-aware, at least!"

"Eh, I have lived an honest life," he said, confident. He was too busy surviving to form relationships. He was handsome and charming, so he had been asked out a lot, and he had gone on a few dates in the past, but none of those made him want to go on a second date, let alone philander.

Hearing him say this with such confidence, the guests were then reminded of how 'sheltered' he was.

Therefore, there was probably no chance for him to become a 'scum'. They looked at him in pity, and Leiah felt uncomfortable, feeling a bit guilty all of a sudden. Finn smiled and just went along with this misunderstanding.

Anyway, he led the way to the structure, and the guests observed it closely as they approached. It was made of wood and stone and was slightly elevated from the ground by a sturdy stone foundation.

It was framed by lush trees and shrubs that surrounded it, and there was also outdoor furniture that attracted people to relax.

Finn's lips twitched at the few new furniture around. The garden even had those recliners. Since they were in a bit of a plateau amidst a slope, there was a nice and vast view of the forest in certain parts of the lot with fewer trees.

The guests also looked around, eyes filled with curiosity. In their eyes, the whole place looked good and well-maintained.

That said, they were surprised to see that it was really the only structure there. There was no village.

However, it still gave off the feeling of protection.

Finn smiled. "The journey home is dangerous. Staying in my inn will definitely increase your chances of survival," he said. "I know you guys are in a rush to make reports, but wouldn't it be better to return safe and sound, and with complete limbs?"

Finn paused his steps and stopped right in front of the inn's door, expanding his arms in a welcoming motion. "Welcome to the Wanderer's Refuge! And I do hope you enjoy your stay."

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