Entering Eylorriel for the first time, I wander around for a few minutes by following the main road. After a few minutes of walking. I reached what looks like to be a bustling business area. I should buy a map for the city, don't want to stumble into a slum or a red-light district by mistake.
For five copper coins, I bought a decent map from a vendor. Let's see. Looking at the map of the city, the current location I'm in is the business sector, so I need to find the nearest inn. Ah, here's an inn, pointing my finger on the map. Following the map's direction, I reach the inn.
When I reached the inn, I gave a short glance at the building. It looks aesthetically pleasing to the eye due to the beautiful architecture and the name carve on the sign is Alenamen's Rest.
But, before I could enter the building. I notice two guards walking by, the people giving way while others strangely look away, especially beastkins who are even more on edge due to how their hair stands up, tails looking stiff, and the pitying looks they gave.
"Hey there, are you new?" The first guard asks me with a sly smile.
"Yes, I am. I just arrived a few minutes ago. Is there a problem?" I ask, also feeling on edge due to the people's attitude.
"No problem, we just want to check your documents." The second one said, glancing at his partner with the same smile. This situation is screaming trouble.
"O-ok, here." Going into my backpack, I grab the document and hand it to the guards.
"Everythings in order, right?" He said while staring in my eyes. Shit did they found out!?
When suddenly, the door of the inn burst open. A young, short girl with cat ears suddenly came out angrily.
"Hey! You two metalheads! Don't harass people right outside my Papa's inn!" A young girl with twitching black cat ears and a tail swishing with anger, with bright yellow eyes, suddenly came out angrily shouting.
"It's the brat again." the first guard clicks his tongue.
"Who are you calling a brat!? Get out of here before I tell my big brother of your stupid antics!"
"Fine, we're going." Said the first guard, annoyed and leaving quickly.
"Wait!" I shouted at the guards. "My documents!"
"Take it! We don't need it anyway!" Angrily throwing it back at me and catching it.
'That was a close call.' I thought while sighing with relief.
"Excuse me, are you here to get lodging?" She asks me with a fierce but exciting look.
"Ah, yes. I'm a bit new here, so I want a place to rest." Her eyes widened with my answer.
"You've come to the right place! We serve meals here every morning, afternoon, and evening! And my Papa cooks the best food in the city!" Happily proclaiming.
"By the way, the names, Felix." I introduced myself.
"Then my name's, Mia! Come on! Let's go meet up with Papa!" So I followed her inside the inn.
Clink, clink, clink, the bell attached to the door jingle as we enter.
"Papa! We have a customer!" She says to the man in his late 30's with similar black cat ears, tail, and eye color behind the counter.
"Welcome to Alenamen's Rest. I'm Cameron Alenamen, the owner of the inn."
"Ah, hello, I want to stay in a room with a single bed for a week with meals."
"Certainly, that will be a total of 70 coppers, including the meal." I hand him the required amount of coin before giving me a key.
"Your room number will be eight, have a good stay."
"Thanks." I then went to my room.
After unpacking my stuff, I lie down on the bed, thinking about everything that happened before fatigue finally catches up. Dragging myself to the sweet embrace of slumber as the sun's warmth weakens as it sets in the horizon.."
[In Another Part of The City]
Two figures wearing cloaks walk in the streets of Eylorriel with the setting sun as the background. While walking, they silently analyze their surroundings with honed scouting skills. They notice four people following them on the ground while two others are on the roofs watching.
"Fuck, they caught on to us again!" The cloaked figure cursed while whispering.
"They got mages using perception magic." The other suggested, who is slightly shorter.
"How did you know?"
"Simple, I can feel the spell. Especially if it's the same attribute as mine, which is dark magic."
"So, do you know any countermeasures?"
"Sadly, I don't have the light attribute to counter it." Sighing as the figure shook their head.
"This is fucking bad. If we don't escape, both of us will get captured and even worse get tortured to death."
"Don't complain, you're the one who let us get spotted in the first place!"
"Me? How the hell would I know that someone was sleeping in there!? It was dark!"
"That was supposed to be your job! Good thing I manage to pass it to our allies after we escape. Or we would be in serious trouble if we haven't!"
"Then why didn't you send that one!" Pointing at a piece of paper sticking out of the pouch.
"I can't."
"Why? Is something important written there?"
"I'll tell you later. But first, we need to shake those tailing behind us."
"I have an idea."
"What?"
"We should go to the red light district."
"The what!? That's no time to joke around! Do you want me to stab you!"
"Not in that way, ok! It's crowder over there at night. We should use that opportunity to lose them."
"This is a bad idea, but we got no choice."
"Then let's go!"
"Why the hell are you so excited!?"
Afterward, they suddenly split up and went to nearby alleyways.
'Stay safe, Sis.'
'Come back in one piece, Big Brother.'
They respectively thought to themselves before slipping into the alleys.
[2 Hours Later]
Knock! Knock! Knock! "Sorry to disturb you, but dinner is ready!"
Hearing quick raps on the door, I slowly woke up from my sleep.
"I'll come in a minute." Yawning as I answer Mia, guessing by her voice through the door.
"Ok!" After answering her, I can hear her footsteps going farther from the room.
A minute or so later, I went to the dining area. When I arrive, I notice eight other people waiting at the table. So I sat on the only available seat, which is beside a large muscular man.
"Greetings, what's your name?" With a deep voice, he greeted me.
"Hello, my name is Felix."
"And I'm Roni Tyree, so why is a young lad like you here?"
"Me? Well..." Think of something quick! "I'm a traveler."
"So how long and how many countries have you been traveling aye?"
"Uhm, I've traveled to a few countries." Mostly the truth.
"Young lads have so much energy these days, so good for you!" Now let's ask him a question.
"So how about you, why are you here in Eylorriel?
"Me? Ah, long story short, I'm an adventurer who came to challenge the great dungeon!"
The dungeon? I think I noticed a dungeon northeast from the city on the map.
"I want to defeat the dragon and loot the treasures it's guarding!"
"A dragon? Really?"
"Certainly, if you reach the deepest part of the dungeon, you will see the beast!"
As we talk to each other, some of the people listen or join in the conversation. After a minute later, food has been served.
"I hope you enjoy the meal."
Wow, everyone, including me, made us droll at the sight of the delicious food.
'Thank you for the food!' I happily thought to myself as I dig in.