With his legs crossed and chin resting on his hand, Marius sat on the bed, his gaze fixed on the goddess who sat on her knees before him, her head lowered.
"How did you find me?" He had a straightforward question that he wanted answered for obvious reasons. He felt like he was dealing with a mentally unstable ex-girlfriend, similar to a yandere archetype.
"Being a goddess, I possess the ability to perceive and trace souls," Ayla answered, glancing up. She had a hollow gaze as she looked straight at his chest.
Marius let out a sigh, tiredly rubbing his eyes with one hand. He had already said if she found him, he would let her stay with him, so he lazily fell backward, waving his hand in the air. "Whatever. Just sleep on the floor."
"At once, hero." Ayla, in a cat-like manner, started getting ready to sleep on the floor by placing her face against the rug.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Good noble, I have brought your food and water."
The sound of the innkeeper's voice on the other side of the wooden door jolted Marius, causing him to sit up abruptly and facepalm.
It slipped his mind that he had placed an order for food and water. 'I need sleep…'
"Hold on for a moment." Getting out of the bed, Marius stole a glance at the goddess and whispered, "hide yourself." He pointed toward under the bed.
Ayla nodded, stood up without making a sound, and made her way to the bed. She gracefully positioned herself on her hands and knees and expertly maneuvered underneath it.
Seeing that the goddess was fully hidden, Marius walked over to the door and opened it. Only to be greeted by the innkeeper, who was wearing only a nightgown that exposed her cleavage.
Holding the tray of food in one hand and a cup of water in the other—she leaned against the side; she displayed a seductive expression. "Your meal has arrived."
"Perfect timing." In one swift motion, Marius took hold of the tray and water, and then closed the door on her face using his leg.
His tiredness, hunger, and thirst were so overpowering that he couldn't muster any interest in the older woman's willingness to offer herself to him.
The spirit was willing, but the flesh was spongy and bruised.
It took a moment for the innkeeper to comprehend the reality of being rejected—as she stood motionless on the other side of the door. As the blow struck her, her mind was overwhelmed with a rush of thoughts.
Wearing a look of defeat, she walked down the stairs to her husband, ready to place blame on him.
Taking a seat at the desk, Marius cleared away the parchment scrolls and inkwell, making room for the tray and glass of water.
With his food before him, he inhaled its fragrance. "Smells good." He was drooling.
"A Horned Rabbit dish with a side of vegetables. Hero, may I hand feed you to complete my quest?"
With a near leap, Marius spun around, only to find the goddess standing behind him. Her hands clasped behind her back. Looking over his shoulder at the food.
As with previous instances, he could not sense her or anything at all.
"Um, sure?" Marius knew he might as well help her on her quest, even if it only granted her 1xp, since she was joining his party.
He didn't want to surround himself with people who were deadweight.
"Then if I may, hero." Ayla grabbed the fork and speared a piece of the horned rabbit, then directing it towards Mariu's mouth. "Say ahhhhh."
"Ahhhh." As soon as he tasted the food, he was pleasantly surprised by its deliciousness. Though the food on Earth was superior. He longed for his favorite dish: macaroni & cheese.
Digesting, Marius asked, "did you complete your quest?" He wiped his mouth.
Ayla gave a nod in response to that question as she heard the mechanical voice in her mind.
[Congratulations! Daily Quest Completed]
[Quest: Hand feed the hero — Progress: 1/1 — Completed]
[+1 XP]
"Nice. Have you progressed in your level or are you nearing progression?" While savoring another bite of the Horned Rabbit, Marius posed yet another question.
It's better to maintain a somewhat social atmosphere. He preferred not to awkwardly have a meal in silence while being stared at.
Ayla called out, "Character Profile. It seems I'm a little off, hero."
-----------------------
Character Profile:
Name: Ayla Elysium Grace
Age: (⚆_⚆)???????
Race: Divine
Level: 1
Experience: 8 / 10
Hit Points: 10 / 10
Mana: ∞ / ∞
Class: Holy Healer
----------
Marius took a sip of water while briefly looking at her experience. "Tomorrow, we can get you to level 2." He wanted to ensure she didn't lag too far behind.
Ayla swiped away her Character Profile. "If I may ask, what are the plans for tomorrow, hero?"
"Well, I saw a sign that mentioned there's an adventurer's guild in this village. I want to register, make some coins from quests, and level up."
Despite being able to pretend to be noble, because of the clothes he was wearing—he understood that this charade was not sustainable, nor would it be wise for the long term, given how weak he was at the moment.
His intention was to steer clear of becoming a target for bandits or anyone seeking to harm a noble. He also speculated that the word had gotten out, and it was widely known that he was present in the village.
He understood that selling his current clothing would help him blend in and avoid standing out. He intended to get around to that.
Furthermore, he was completely broke. He couldn't always bullshit others in order to get things and whatnot forever.
'I also want to remove that annoying collar of yours.' Marius said inside his head.
For obvious motives, he chose not to vocalize it. After thinking it over, he decided to take a chance and see if she would be indebted to him or could at least help him find his way back home if he were to remove the collar.
Moreover, the fact she doesn't blink is really unsettling for him. Sends a shiver down his back.
"Smart choice, hero. That way you can help those in need." Ayla gave a thumbs up.
"Sure…" Marius mumbled as he went back to eating. 'Whatever makes you sleep at night'. He rolled his eyes.
When he finished up his meal, and his stomach was full, he pushed the stool away and got up. "Time to get some sleep." He would leave this mess for the innkeeper.
Marius turned off the lantern, then walked to the bed and climbed in, ensuring he tucked himself in and got cozy. He then closed his eyes.
"You're welcome to have the leftovers if you'd like." He yawned.
With that said, Marius dozed off.