After settling into his room, Ephraim's first instinct was to check his belongings. His trek through the forest hadn't been without its challenges; he'd encountered a few creatures along the way. Each encounter hadn't just yielded experience points, it had also brought him a handful of items he'd instinctively pocketed.
He pulled out the loot he'd gathered from his bag: a poison sac, a fang, and a piece of the snake's skin, all remnants from the creature that had ambushed him. These materials looked promising, almost like the items he'd read about in web novels back on Earth—things that could be crafted into useful gear or traded for essentials.
"If nothing else, they'll fetch a few coins. And if they're useless, I can always toss them away," he muttered, half-smiling at the thought.
After organizing his belongings, Ephraim decided to head downstairs for a meal and a chance to listen in on the chatter. One of the easiest ways to gather information, he knew, was to simply sit nearby and let loud or tipsy patrons do the talking for him. In a world without electronics or the internet, what else was there to do but talk over food?
A place like this would likely attract all sorts of people, from merchants to mercenaries to traveling strangers with tales to tell. Even if most of the talk turned out to be exaggerated bragging, Ephraim figured he'd pick up on a few valuable details—town gossip, nearby dangers, maybe even whispers of opportunity.
After heading downstairs, Ephraim spotted the innkeeper, the same woman who'd handed him his room key earlier. He approached her, offering a polite nod.
"Bosslady, can I order food here? Drinks too?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.
The innkeeper, a stout woman with a no-nonsense expression, looked up from wiping down a mug. She raised an eyebrow at the title but cracked a small smile.
"Food and drinks, eh? You're in the right place. Got stew and bread tonight—no fancy menu here, so don't go getting picky. Ale too, if that's your taste."
Ephraim chuckled. "Stew and ale sound perfect." After five years as an office worker, he'd had his fair share of drinks; ale wasn't going to be a problem.
The innkeeper gave a satisfied nod and motioned to an empty table. "Good. Find yourself a seat, and I'll bring it out when it's ready."
He grinned, chose a corner, and took a seat as instructed, feeling a little more at ease in the lively atmosphere.
As he waited for his food to arrive, he tuned in to the conversations around him. Much of the talk centered on recent hunts and missions, with groups recounting successful catches and the spoils of their work. But what caught Ephraim's attention was how many seemed to be discussing the same events.
It wasn't just idle chatter; there was a thread of concern woven through their words, hints of something unusual lurking beyond the safety of the town's walls. Ephraim's gaze drifted thoughtfully over the room. If so many people were talking about the same dangers outside, maybe the situation out there wasn't as simple as he'd first assumed.
'That could also explain why I encountered so many monsters on my way here,' Ephraim thought, a mix of relief and unease settling in. 'Lucky to have made it this far.'
But another part of him was already speculating. If the outside was more dangerous than he'd anticipated, it might mean more opportunities to grow stronger.
As Ephraim's thoughts drifted through potential scenarios, Erin—whom he'd mentally dubbed "Bosslady"—approached with his food and drink balanced in both hands.
He'd picked up her name from listening to the other customers, a small detail that somehow added to his growing sense of familiarity with this place.
She set down a bowl of steaming stew, its rich, savory aroma filling the air. Chunks of tender meat and root vegetables floated in a thick, flavorful broth, the spices mingling in a way that made his mouth water. Beside it, a hunk of rustic bread—crusty on the outside, but just waiting to soften with a dip into the stew—completed the meal, hearty and satisfying.
With a final touch, Erin placed a sturdy mug of ale next to the bowl, its amber liquid topped with a light froth. Ephraim could smell the faint hint of malt and hops, promising a smooth and mellow taste to wash down the meal. It was simple fare, but in this moment, it was everything he needed.
Ephraim raised his eyebrows and smiled, his mouth already watering. "This is better than I expected."
Erin laughed, crossing her arms with a mock stern look. "You better clean that plate, or I'll come over and smack you myself. No wasting good food here."
He chuckled, nodding. "Understood, Bosslady. Not a single crumb will be left." He gave her a playful salute, and Erin raised an eyebrow, a bit puzzled by the gesture.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, a spark of curiosity in her eyes.
Ephraim just shrugged, grinning. "A salute from my hometown."
Erin gave him a skeptical look but let it slide, sensing he wasn't a bad guy. "You're a new face around here," she said, her tone softening. "If you want to ask about anything, don't hesitate. I'm happy to help."
Ephraim nodded, glancing at his nearly empty coin pouch. "Actually, I do have a question. Are there any jobs around here that pay decently? Something quick, if possible—I could use some extra coin."
Erin raised an eyebrow, a glint of amusement in her eye. "Looking to earn some coin, are you?"
She crossed her arms thoughtfully. "Well, if you're not afraid of a bit of danger, the guild's always looking for people to take on bounties or help clear out monsters nearby. Pays well enough if you can handle the risk."
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Otherwise, there's always work around the marketplace or with local merchants. Not as fast as bounty work, but safer."
She gave him a quick once-over, appraising him with a hint of approval. "You look like you've got some fight in you. Might do well with a guild job."
Ephraim couldn't help but smile slightly to himself. 'So there really are guilds here... Are they going to be like the adventurer guilds I know?' He pictured bustling halls full of quests pinned to boards, seasoned warriors, and rookies like himself scrambling to make a name.
"Could you point me in the direction of the guild?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual. "And anything I should know if I want to start taking jobs there?"
Erin nodded. "You don't need much—just bring yourself. They'll have you fill out a form, get you registered with the basics."
She leaned in slightly, adding, "Once that's done, they'll assign you jobs that fit your rank. You won't be taking on anything too dangerous right away, but there's always plenty of work for anyone willing."
"I'll get someone to guide you there later," Erin said with a warm smile. "For now, just enjoy the food."
Ephraim returned her smile and, without further delay, dug into his hearty meal, savoring each bite.
Then, mid-mouthful, a voice drifted into his mind. It sounded like a young man's voice, strained and almost tearful: "Older sister... what am I supposed to do now?"
He paused, looking around, but no one nearby seemed to be addressing him. The people around him were engrossed in their own meals or conversations.
After a few more glances, he noticed a young man sitting alone in a corner, staring blankly at his food, an unmistakable shadow of sorrow on his face.
"Hm? Is this... empathy?" Ephraim wondered, linking the experience to the skill he'd gained. "It must have activated on its own."
After a moment's thought, Ephraim picked up his bowl and ale and walked over to the young man's table. Sliding into the seat across from him, he set his food down and leaned forward with a slight smile.
"Young man, you look like you could use some help. Mind if I sit here?"
The young man looked up, startled, as if he hadn't noticed anyone sitting down. His eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the stranger's sudden approach.
"Oh—uh, I didn't see you there," he stammered, a bit taken aback. "Is there… something I can help you with?"
Ephraim shook his head, offering a calm smile. "Actually, I thought maybe you could use some company. You looked like you had a lot on your mind."
But in the back of his mind, Ephraim couldn't help but think, 'This guy smells like he's about to hand me a quest.'
The young man hesitated, glancing down at his hands, which were gripping the edge of his plate. "I… well, I didn't expect anyone to notice." He paused, his expression wavering between uncertainty and relief, as if grateful yet unsure where to start.
Ephraim gave him an encouraging nod, hoping he'd open up but he didnt rush him to talk. "Let's just eat first, we need to give our bodies the nutrients it needs" he again lifted his hands to take his bread and dip it in the stew.
The young man nodded slowly, seeming to relax a little at Ephraim's easygoing approach. "Yeah… you're right," he murmured, finally picking up his spoon and taking a small bite of his own meal. The tension in his shoulders seemed to ease as he ate.
Ephraim focused on his own food, not pushing for conversation, letting the silence between them feel natural. Sometimes people just need space, he thought, dipping his bread into the rich, steaming stew and savoring the taste.
After a few bites, the young man glanced up, his gaze hesitant but more open than before. "It's… my sister," he said softly. "She… well, she left on a job a few days ago and hasn't come back yet." He paused, taking a shaky breath. "I don't know what to do."
Ephraim kept his expression calm and reassuring, waiting to see if the young man would say more. 'Sounds like a quest', he mused, but he pushed aside his excitement, keeping his tone gentle. "That's rough. I can only imagine what you must be feeling right now."
He then asked, "Have you tried asking the guild for help?"
The young man replied, "No, I don't have enough money to pay for their help."
"How about telling me more details so I can decide if I am capable enough to help you. We can start with your name. I'm Ephraim by the way."
The young man looked at Ephraim, a hint of hope breaking through his worried expression. "I'm Roran," he said quietly. "My sister, Lira… she's been taking on odd jobs for a while, but this time she accepted something more dangerous to earn extra coin."
Ephraim nodded, his expression thoughtful. "What kind of job did she take?"
Roran shifted uncomfortably, his hands gripping the edge of his plate. "She went into the forest west of town to gather some rare herbs. Normally it's safe enough, but lately, there have been more creatures roaming the area." He lowered his voice. "People say it's because of some… disturbance."
"Disturbance?" Ephraim echoed, filing the detail away.
Roran nodded, his brow furrowed. "Yeah… but no one seems to know exactly what kind of disturbance. Just rumors about people going missing after going outside town or more monsters showing up. That's why I'm worried—my sister hasn't come back after leaving town a few days ago."
He looked at Ephraim, his expression caught between hope and desperation. "If you're willing to help, I'd be grateful. I know I can't offer any real payment, but… if we find my sister, I'll do whatever I can to repay you. I could even be your lackey."
Ephraim raised his eyebrows at the offer but kept his thoughts to himself, thinking, 'A helper who knows this town could make things easier.'
With a small, reassuring smile, he nodded. "I'll check in with the guild first to see if they have any information on these disturbances or your sister's whereabouts. After that, I'll see what I can do. Can't promise anything, though. Sound fair?"