Vivian was standing in front of a two-story building.
There were a couple of signs plastered on the building. But given that she couldn't read, she wasn't sure if this was the inn called The Silver Wing Inn.
I think this is the one…?
She stepped inside the building.
Upon entering, the first thing she noticed was that there was no lounging area and it reminded her of those cheap sex motels back in her previous world. The only thing she could see was a reception desk, a couple of doors and a staircase leading to the second floor.
Nevertheless, Vivian still let out a sigh of relief.
Compared to the tavern she stayed in last night, this one had its first floor cemented.
She approached the reception desk. Although it was empty, there was a door behind it which was half-covered with a thin sheet of curtain.
"Excuse me, anyone here?"
Knock.
Knock.
She knocked against the desk because there was no bell.
"Excuse me!"
A woman in her late teens came out in a hurry with a flushed face.
"Hi, welcome to The Silver Wing Inn. How may I help you?"
Vivian's eyes blinked a few times.
"I'm looking to rent a room. How much is it?"
"Single or family size?"
"Single."
"Single is 2 silvers per day. Check-in and check-out is at 12:00 noon."
"Does it have its own toilet?"
"No, but there are 4 communal toilets on the first floor. Two for males and the other for females. We also provide a bucket of hot water and a damp cloth for 2 coppers."
"I'll take 1 single room," Vivian said and then placed 20 copper coins on top of the desk. "I'll order the bucket of hot water and damp cloth later once I get back."
"Okay," the woman said and received the coins before turning around to search for a hotel key.
She turned back and gave the hotel key to Vivian.
"Your room number is 205."
"Second floor?"
"Yes, at the right corner. And if you're looking for food, we don't offer such services but there's an eatery at the side."
Why is she telling me this...?
Perhaps it's prohibited to bring food to my room...?
Or is this establishment connected with the eatery she mentioned…?
"I see. Thank you," Vivian said and then left to climb the stairs.
When the woman was finally alone, a man's head poked out of the door's curtain.
The man was in his early 20s.
"Hey."
The woman jumped in surprise and quickly turned around.
"Don't scare me like that!" she said in a harsh whisper.
"Sorry, let's continue."
"We can't. We were lucky it was just a customer. If it was one of our coworkers or worse, the owner, we could've gotten in trouble."
"Come on, my love. I promise to finish fast. I'll also do the thing that you like."
"I don't want to lose this job!" the woman said and looked away.
The man stepped out of the curtain and went over to the woman.
"Come on, my love," the man said as he wrapped his arms around her and planted a small kiss on the back of her head.
"No…!" the woman said as she tried to push him away.
However, the man continued putting his arms around her and then slowly rocked her like a baby.
"Come on, my love. It will just take a minute. You know you're just too beautiful that it drives me crazy every time I see you."
Sensing that the woman was no longer resisting, the man grabbed her hand and pulled her back behind the curtain.
There was a small smile of anticipation on the woman's face.
***
Vivian opened a door and entered a room.
She closed the door behind her and then swept her gaze around.
Her room was located at the side so it had 2 windows, there was a desk and a chair, and there was also a bed -- an actual bed. However, the mattress was the same -- a mat on top of a pile of hay.
Do pillows don't exist in this world…?
She continued looking around.
I guess lamps are also expensive…?
But there are street lamps outside, though…
Just like the previous place she stayed at, there was no proper light source. The only light source will be the ones coming from her window.
She went over to the bed and sat down.
She bounced up and down.
Well, at least this feels more bouncy compared to last night…
She shook her head.
No, the one last night wasn't bouncy at all...
It was just flat that I woke up with all of my body aching…
She let out a sigh.
I really want to rest…
But I need to earn money…
She opened her satchel and took out a coin pouch.
She began checking it.
I only have 9 copper coins left…
She let out a sigh.
Super expensive…
Well, they do say that everything is expensive when you're broke…
She returned the coin pouch inside her satchel and began expecting the room, trying to see if there were peeping holes, trap doors and whatnot. She also checked the doorknob to see if it really closes or not.
A few minutes later…
Vivian opened the door and her hand was still holding onto the doorknob.
She turned her head around and her eyes landed at the bed.
On top of it, there were some of the items, including the satchel and the clothes she bought.
I'm worried about leaving these things…
They'll still be here when I get back, right…?
She thought about the inspection she did.
I didn't find any obvious peepholes but the walls seem too thin…
She glanced at the window.
By Vivian's estimate, it was around 3:00 pm.
I must finish the quest before the sun sets…
She closed the door and locked it with the hotel key before heading downstairs.
On Vivian's body, she was carrying a single coin pouch between her breasts, a small sack for gathering the Treebark's hearts, a kitchen knife that she recently, a black whip, a water pouch hanging on her waist, and the hotel key which she slid inside her right boot.
Back at the Market District, while she was looking for a sack, she came across a vendor selling kitchen knives so she bought one. Naturally, because it was a normal kitchen knife, it didn't have a scabbard. However, it cost her 15 copper coins.
Given that the knife didn't have a scabbard and even though people around carry weapons, they don't unsheathe them or carry them on their hands, so Vivian just slid the knife inside the side of her left boot.
But for the whip, which was about 2ft long, and the small sack, she was carrying them on her hands.
Well, if people who have dark desires think I'm an easy prey because the only weapon in my hand is this whip, and even if they noticed the kitchen knife on my boot and still think I'm easy prey, then much better…
She stepped outside of the building and began walking as quickly as possible.
She didn't dare to run around the city because in head, that would be too embarrassing to do as an adult. In addition to that, even if she decides to walk quickly within the city and then run from the city gate to the forest, she will be out of breath and thirsty by the time she reaches the forest and won't be able to fight properly.