The rough-looking man leading the group blinked, his frown deepening as he took in the sight of a twelve-year-old child acting as the receptionist.
His posture slacked, and instead of immediate aggression, doubt crept into his tone.
"Hello there, kid," he said, crossing his arms and tilting his head. "Tell me, what has Jennifer promised to reward you with for working here?" His eyes gleamed with amusement. "I'll double that. Just take the money, walk out of here, and don't let yourself get conned by another lady again."
A chuckle rumbled from his throat as he took out a handful of gold coins—more than five in total—and displayed them openly. Then, leaning down until his broad frame brought his face level with Nile's, he flashed a grin. The expression cracked his rough, battle-hardened features, making him look strangely like an elder trying to advise a naïve child.
"Remember, boy." His tone became mockingly serious. "The more beautiful they are, the more catastrophe they bring."
The statement left the entire room stunned.
Jessica and Jennifer's eyebrows twitched.
Arin and Lyra, who had been quietly watching, exchanged glances, uncertain whether to laugh or remain on guard.
As for Veena—
Her choking giggles escalated into full-blown laughter.
She hurriedly reached for the nearest cup, taking a sip of water in a desperate attempt to clear her throat, but her shoulders shook uncontrollably.
The sight of Nile being treated like a clueless kid, coupled with the man's completely misdirected advice, was simply too much for her.
And yet—
Nile's expression remained perfectly neutral, his smile never fading.
His fingers tapped idly against the counter, and though his stance was relaxed, there was a glint in his eyes—one that the intruders failed to notice.
The game was still his to play.
The rough man's amusement lingered, but before he could press further, a lean-framed goon standing behind him took a step forward. Unlike his brutish leader, this man's sharp eyes never left Nile, and his expression was serious, almost wary.
"Boss," he said, his voice low but firm. "Don't be fooled by his age."
The words cut through the air like a blade, instantly shifting the mood in the room.
The leader furrowed his brows and straightened slightly, glancing at his subordinate in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
The lean man didn't hesitate.
"This kid—he's the owner of that shop that collapsed last night."
A ripple of surprise coursed through the room.
Nile's fingers, which had been tapping lazily against the counter, came to a halt. His smile remained, but his eyes narrowed just slightly.
The goon continued, his voice growing sharper.
"He also sensed my spirit sense when I probed him in the market today, despite still being at Level 1 cultivation. That kind of sensitivity is anything but normal." His gaze flickered to his leader. "And that's not all."
The leader's face darkened, sensing something big. "Go on."
The lean man exhaled, his expression turning grim.
"I also found out that this kid just made a deal with Fortune Trading House worth over 10,000 low-grade mana stones."
The entire room fell into stunned silence.
It was as if an invisible shockwave had just exploded in the inn.
The leader's eyes widened, his previous lighthearted demeanor vanishing. His fingers curled into fists, and he sized up Nile again—this time, with newfound seriousness.
Even Jennifer's playful smirk momentarily faltered, her gaze flickering toward Nile as if trying to reassess him.
Jessica's grip on the book she had been holding tightened, her expression turning unreadable.
Uncle James' eyes narrowed slightly, but his demeanor remained calm—as if he had already expected something like this.
As for Veena—
Her laughter immediately ceased.
A deep frown appeared on her face as she processed the implications of what had just been revealed.
Because it wasn't just about Nile.
It was about all of them.
Their every action since entering this inn—possibly even since the collapse of the building—had been under constant surveillance.
And they had never even noticed.
The realization sent a chill down everyone's spine.
Nile, however, simply leaned forward, resting his elbows on the counter as he locked eyes with the lean goon.
Then, in the same calm, almost lazy tone as before, he spoke.
"Oh? And here I thought I was just an ordinary kid."
His smile deepened, but the sharp glint in his eyes made it clear—
The game had just begun.
The lively atmosphere of the inn was abruptly disturbed again as the door swung open with a loud creak. Three figures entered—two burly men with an air of intimidation, flanking a boy dressed in fine yet practical robes. The lead goon, a bald, scarred man named Brug, walked with an imposing presence, while the leaner, sharper-eyed goon named Laz followed closely behind.
The boy in the center barely acknowledged the bustling inn as he stepped forward with confidence. His voice, laced with impatience, rang through the room.
"What is taking so long here? Just clear out everyone!" Mason commanded, his tone filled with entitlement. "My brother said I could use the Level 3 cultivation room here for as long as I want, and I don't—"
His words died in his throat as his gaze swept across the room, finally registering the familiar faces seated at a nearby table. Jessica. Veena. James. And most notably, Nile.
The sudden recognition sent a ripple of tension through the room. Mason's confident smirk faltered for just a second before he quickly composed himself. But that fleeting moment did not go unnoticed.
Nile met his gaze with a calm yet knowing look, the memory of their past clash still fresh in his mind. Jessica, arms crossed, watched with an amused yet guarded expression. Veena's gaze was unreadable, but there was an unmistakable hint of scrutiny in her eyes. And James? He simply leaned back, a smirk playing at his lips, as if waiting to see how things would unfold.
Brug and Laz, unaware of the shift in the atmosphere, remained alert, waiting for their young master's next command.
The room seemed to hold its breath.
Would Mason proceed with his arrogant demand, or would the presence of these particular individuals force him to reconsider?