Chapter 60: Invitation

Compared to River Valley Town's exceptional liveliness and prosperity far exceeding ordinary towns, Karanfor was much more desolate.

Whether the number of pedestrians on the roads or the density of various shop buildings on both sides, both were far inferior.

Even the ratio of adventurers to ordinary people on the streets had reached a level of "three to seven" or even "two to eight."

Out of ten people, those whose adventurer identity could be clearly seen were only two or three.

And you had to know, Karanfor was already the human settlement with the highest proportion of adventurers in the nearby area, apart from River Valley Town.

I was quite surprised by this.

It was also because since the beginning of my crossing, I'd always traveled back and forth between River Valley Town and Mist Forest, and didn't have an accurate understanding of the relevant situation.

Looking at it now, the number of adventurers in this world was far less than I'd imagined.

Following the caravan to an inn on the west side of Karanfor.

After arranging rooms for everyone, caravan captain Jeff didn't break his word and directly treated everyone in the caravan to a sumptuous lunch.

Honestly speaking, the taste was mediocre.

Forget the White Sparrow Tavern's deluxe set meal—it might not even compare to the halfling's stew from before.

But after all, it was someone else treating, not spending my own money.

Overall, I was quite satisfied with this meal.

Worth mentioning was that, unlike the clear water and meat soup configuration on the road here, after arriving at Karanfor, many alcoholic drinks appeared on our table.

Still in the middle of the mission, to be safe, I didn't drink freely like those fellow adventurers beside me.

I only drank a few cups lightly, satisfying my craving.

With my Constitution at a high "8" points, after drinking these few cups, it actually wasn't any different from clear water.

Insufficient wine but full stomach afterward.

Sitting at the dining table, I considered whether to directly return to my room to rest and take a nap, or take advantage of the early hour to go out and find an unpopulated place to practice combat skills for a while.

My shoulder was suddenly patted.

Turning to look.

I saw the halfling Alton, eyes wide, staring at me without blinking:

"Staying in the inn is too boring. Let's go out and find some fun, how about it?"

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

And the career direction of "bard" also made him unconsciously want to collect locally circulated poems and strange anecdotes whenever he arrived in an area.

After several days on the road, and even having experienced combat side by side, he and I had developed some rapport.

So now he actively came over to invite me.

I didn't directly agree, but instead asked in return:

"Find fun? Where?"

But Alton seemed to already have a destination in mind.

He pulled out from his pouch that copper coin engraved with the goddess of fortune's portrait, pinched it in his hand, and lightly tossed it up.

"I heard near the inn, there's a tavern called 'Full Money Bag,' seems pretty interesting."

"Full Money Bag?"

My brows furrowed lightly.

Just now during lunch, I'd heard a few adventurers at the table mention this tavern's name, and roughly knew what kind of dealings went on inside.

Nine out of ten bets lose.

I'd risked my life fighting desperately to finally save up this bit of gold coins—I wouldn't waste money in that kind of place.

I was about to refuse, just opening my mouth, when I suddenly saw in the halfling's hand—

That coin being constantly tossed up, falling, spinning in the air.

As if thinking of something, my eyes suddenly brightened.

"Uh... going to take a look is fine."

......

The two of us, full of enthusiasm, hadn't yet managed to walk out the inn's front door before we stopped in our tracks.

I saw captain Jeff standing at the inn entrance, chatting with a burly blond man.

Seeing us two approach, he couldn't help waving at us, smiling:

"What a coincidence? I was actually planning to introduce you later, but now it's just right."

Jeff slightly turned his body, his gaze looking at the man beside him:

"Ingram, Karanfor's best sheriff, and also an old friend of mine."

"Eh, you're too kind!" The other party appeared very modest, repeatedly waving his hands. "I'm just an ordinary townsperson, not as good as you say."

My gaze swept over him as I studied his appearance:

Blond half-long hair hanging to his ears was meticulously combed and neat, his features deep-set and three-dimensional, his face handsome; he wore a clean and tidy set of standard armor, with a well-maintained metal mace hanging at his waist.

"These two are the adventurers serving as caravan guards this time, both very skilled. Thanks to them, I can stand here safe and sound now."

Hearing this, the sheriff's attitude was warm and friendly, nodding at us both.

"Oh, then I really must thank you both, otherwise the meal big brother Jeff owes me couldn't be repaid."

"Hahaha, you're still thinking about that?"

Having escaped from the dangerous wilderness, Jeff was obviously in very good spirits.

Facing the other party's teasing, he laughed heartily while patting Ingram's shoulder, the palm and metal shoulder guard colliding with a dull sound.

And the other party didn't mind either, as if they truly were old acquaintances, responding with a hearty laugh.

It was just a chance encounter, a small interlude. We two didn't want to interrupt their reminiscing, only exchanging brief pleasantries before parting ways again.

Walking out the door, behind us I could still vaguely hear Jeff and the sheriff's conversation.

"Come on, I happen to be free today, I'll treat you to something good!"

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

"We've known each other so many years, why be polite with me, come come come!"

"Really no need, I already ate."

"If others said that I might believe it, but you... who doesn't know you'd never rest before finishing work."

"I'll just go back and randomly cook something to fill my stomach, really no need to spend money."

"Never mind that, this time I..."

......

......

The sky was overcast.

Gray-black heavy leaden clouds silently piled up in the sky, cold wind wrapped with dense moisture blew past the street corner, rolling up several crumpled waste papers.

I swept my gaze left and right at the desolate street beside me, then looked at the "Full Money Bag" tavern before me with its money bag symbol painted on the tightly closed door.

"Is this the place?"

Beside me, the halfling stood on tiptoe.

One last time tossing up the lucky coin.

Spinning, falling, gripping tightly in his palm.

Then tucking the copper coin into the interlayer of his clothing.

"Yep! Let's go in."

Alton walked straight forward, pushing open the door.

The cold atmosphere of the street was swept away, replaced by the warm air under firelight and soft lamplight.

And that hidden deep within the collision of dice cups, concealed in the clamorous voices—driven by human desire—

Fanaticism and madness.

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