After a long day of traveling, Hayato and Mia finally found a suitable inn to settle in for the night. As they entered the cozy establishment, whispers of a rumored treasure within the town caught their attention. Curiosity sparked within Hayato's eyes, and he approached the inn counter, where a friendly receptionist named Martha greeted him.
Hayato : (with smile) "Good evening, We'd like to rent two rooms, please."
Mia tugged at Hayato's sleeve.
Mia : "Hayato, let's just get one room. We don't need to be separated."
Martha, noticing the exchange, chimed in.
Martha : "Actually, we do have a room with two beds available. It might be more convenient for you."
Hayato considered Mia's request and nodded.
Hayato : "Alright, we'll take the room with two beds then. And could you also prepare a meal for two? Do you have any vegetarian options?"
Martha shook her head apologetically.
Martha : "I'm afraid we don't have a specific vegetarian menu, but we can serve you a baked potato and a simple salad if that suits your needs."
Hayato turned to Mia and asked.
Hayato : "What do you think? Would that be alright?"
Mia nodded in agreement, and Hayato relayed their order to Martha. As the transaction continued, Martha kindly asked for the payment in advance—3 silver coins for the room and 1 silver coin for each meal per person.
Hayato reached into his wallet but realized he only had a gold coin. He handed it to Martha.
Hayato : "We'll pay with this. Keep the change."
Martha looked surprised.
Martha : "Oh, thank you! That covers your stay for 15 days, including breakfast and dinner."
Hayato and Mia received the room key from Martha and made their way to their designated room. The moment they entered, Hayato couldn't help but express his delight.
Hayato : "Wow, Mia, look at this bed! It looks so comfortable."
Mia smiled back, feeling equally relieved.
Mia : "Yes, it does. We can finally get a good night's sleep."
They settled down in the room, discussing their plans for the next day and how they would explore the rumored treasure within the town. However, their conversation was soon interrupted by a knock at the door.
Curious, Hayato opened the door to find Martha standing there, carrying their ordered meal.
Martha : "Here's your meal. Enjoy!"
Hayato : "Thank you," replied gratefully as he accepted the tray of food.
Before Martha left, Hayato inquired.
Hayato : "Excuse me, is there a place where we can clean ourselves? A bath, perhaps?"
Martha nodded and pointed towards the back of the inn.
Martha : "Yes, there's a bathhouse located behind the inn. Feel free to use it."
Hayato expressed his gratitude, and Martha bid them a good night as she left the room. Hayato and Mia sat down to enjoy their meal, savoring the flavors of the simple yet satisfying food.
Once they finished eating, they decided it was time to relax and refresh themselves. Making their way to the bathhouse, they agreed to take turns and proceeded to enjoy a well-deserved soak in the warm, rejuvenating waters.
As the night grew late, Hayato and Mia returned to their room, feeling refreshed and ready for a good night's rest. They settled into their comfortable beds, their minds filled with anticipation for the adventures that awaited them in the coming days.
Little did they know, their stay in this town would bring them not only a chance to uncover the rumored treasure but also new friendships, challenges, and unexpected twists in their journey.
And so, as the moon rose high in the sky, Hayato and Mia drifted off to sleep, excited for what tomorrow would bring.
___
As the morning sun cast its warm glow upon the town, Hayato and Mia made their way to the inn's dining area. Spotting a couple of vacant seats, they sat down, ready to fuel up for the day ahead. Hayato glanced over at Martha, the inn receptionist, and asked with anticipation
Hayato : "Excuse me, Is breakfast ready?"
Martha smiled and nodded.
Martha : "Yes, it is. I'll bring it to you right away."
Within moments, Martha returned with plates filled with freshly baked bread, savory potato gratin, and glasses of cool water. The aroma wafted through the air, causing Mia's eyes to widen with excitement as she caught sight of the gratin. She couldn't help but let out a small drool.
Hayato chuckled, noticing Mia's enthusiasm.
Hayato : "Go ahead, Mia. Eat as much as you want. It looks delicious."
Mia eagerly dug into the potato gratin, savoring each bite with delight. Her eyes sparkled with contentment as she enjoyed the flavorful dish.
Meanwhile, Hayato took the opportunity to approach Martha at the counter.
Hayato : "Excuse me, Martha. Do you know of any good equipment shops in town? We're in need of some reliable weapons and armor."
Martha nodded, her eyes thoughtful.
Martha : "Not far from here, there's a blacksmith named Edgar. He's well-known for his craftsmanship and quality weapons. And if you're looking for armory, there's an artisan called Radj who specializes in crafting fine armor. They're both quite reputable."
Hayato listened attentively, grateful for the information.
Hayato : "Thank you, Martha. That's very helpful. We'll definitely check them out."
With their hunger satisfied and plans in mind, Hayato and Mia finished their breakfast, grateful for the delicious and filling meal. They bid farewell to Martha and stepped outside, ready to embark on their quest for equipment.
The town bustled with activity as they made their way through the lively streets. Following Martha's directions, they soon found themselves standing in front of Edgar's blacksmith shop. The rhythmic sound of hammers hitting anvils filled the air as they entered the establishment.
Hayato approached Edgar, a burly man with a weathered face and calloused hands, and greeted him politely.
Hayato : "Good morning. We heard you're the go-to blacksmith in town. We're in need of some reliable weapons. Do you have anything suitable?"
Edgar's eyes gleamed with pride as he assessed Hayato's request.
Edgar : "Ah, travelers in need of sturdy weapons, eh? You've come to the right place. I have an array of weapons that will surely meet your needs. Follow me."
Hayato and Mia followed Edgar deeper into the shop, their eyes widening at the sight of a wide selection of well-crafted swords, axes, and other formidable weapons. Hayato carefully examined each one, testing their weight and balance, while Mia admired the intricate details.
After much consideration, Hayato settled on a finely crafted katana that felt like an extension of his own arm. Satisfied with his choice, he thanked Edgar and made the necessary payment.
With their newfound weapon in hand, they proceeded to Radj's armory, eager to find suitable armor to complement Hayato's new weapon. Radj, an elderly and wise-looking man, greeted them warmly as they entered his establishment.
Radj : "Welcome, travelers. I can see you're in search of quality armor. Fear not, for I have just what you need," assured them.
Hayato and Mia spent time discussing their requirements with Radj, who carefully measured them for a perfect fit. Mia marveled at the craftsmanship displayed in the armory, admiring the intricacy and strength of the various armors on display.
Finally, after careful consideration, Hayato selected a sturdy suit of armor that provided both protection and freedom of movement. With the transaction completed, they expressed their gratitude to Radj for his expertise.
Equipped with their new weapon and armor, Hayato and Mia felt a renewed sense of confidence and readiness. They bid farewell to the craftsmen, Edgar and Radj, and stepped out into the bustling town once again.
Hayato and Mia made their way to the bustling Adventurer Guild, their newly acquired equipment adding a touch of confidence to their demeanor. As they entered the guild, the familiar atmosphere of camaraderie and the sound of lively conversations greeted them.
Hayato's eyes immediately focused on the guild quest board. He approached it with purpose, scanning the available quests, searching for ones that suited their capabilities. With a determined expression, he plucked a few F-rank quests and a single C-rank quest from the board.
Carrying the quests in hand, Hayato walked over to Lyra, the friendly guild receptionist.
Hayato : "Lyra, we've chosen some quests. Could you please check if they are suitable for us?"
Lyra took the quest papers and examined them carefully, her eyes scanning the details. As she reviewed the C-rank quest, her eyebrows furrowed with concern.
Lyra : "Hayato, I see you've taken a C-rank quest. However, F-rank adventurers are typically not allowed to take on quests of that difficulty. It requires gathering swift wolf claws, fangs, and hides."
Hayato's face showed a brief moment of hesitation, but then he reached into his bag, skillfully disguising his item box ability, and pulled out the intact corpse of a swift wolf. The creature showed no signs of decay, as time froze within the item box.
Lyra's eyes widened in surprise as she witnessed Hayato pulling out a large swift wolf from a seemingly small bag. The adventurers in the guild lobby, including Mia, were equally astonished. For Mia, her surprise stemmed from the fact that the wolf's corpse remained intact.
Curiosity getting the best of her, Lyra couldn't help but inquire.
Lyra : "Hayato, is that bag of yours a spatial bag?"
Hayato awkwardly nodded, feeling a mix of relief and self-consciousness.
Hayato : "Yes, kinda."
___
Meanwhile, at the town gates, the guard rang the warning bell, alerting the townsfolk to the imminent danger. A massive creature soared through the sky, its presence casting a shadow over the town. It was Glutmeister, one of Lord Schattendämon's powerful dragons.
Glutmeister's deep voice echoed through the air as he issued his demand.
Glutmeister : "Hand over the elf and the Sturmkrieger killer, or face the wrath of Lord Schattendämon!"
As a warning, he unleashed a powerful blast of dragon breath into the sky, the flames illuminating the heavens.
Hayato and Mia, having arrived at the town center, heard the dragon's words mentioning an elf and the Sturmkrieger killer. Their expressions hardened with determination as they exchanged a brief glance.
Hayato's voice carried a resolute tone.
Hayato : "Mia, it seems trouble has found us. We can't let innocent lives be harmed because of us. Let's face this threat head-on and protect the town."
Mia nodded, her elven eyes filled with determination.
Mia : "We won't back down. We'll face whatever challenges come our way, together."
With a shared resolve, Hayato and Mia prepared themselves to confront the looming threat, standing ready to defend the town from the impending danger.