As I entered the inn, I took a moment to adjust to the dim, smoky atmosphere. The place was surprisingly busy, with small clusters of people huddled around tables, most of them looking like they'd been living rough for quite a while. The whole scene was like something out of a low-budget fantasy crime movie.
I turned my gaze to the receptionist, a woman with a knowing grin and a raised eyebrow, clearly aware that I wasn't your average guest. She waved me over, her eyes twinkling with some kind of mischief as she said, "Welcome! Looking for a room for the night?"
"Maybe," I replied, cautiously taking in my surroundings. Several pairs of eyes watched me from various corners of the inn, some sizing me up, others just looking plain suspicious. I couldn't shake the feeling that one of them might try something, so I activated Multi-Eye Vision for an extra layer of protection. My field of vision expanded, giving me a full view of the room and everyone in it. Anyone who thought they'd sneak up on me was going to be sorely disappointed.
Approaching the receptionist, I asked, "Do you have any rooms available?"
"We sure do," she replied, that sly grin never fading. "One night's stay will cost you one gold coin."
Ah. Money. The one thing I still didn't have. I gave her a polite nod, hiding the mild panic behind a blank face. "I'll be back with the coin," I said curtly, before turning on my heel and walking out the door.
The moment I stepped outside, I noticed the same group of men who'd been eyeing me as I entered. They stood by the entrance, arms crossed and expressions oozing hostility, clearly waiting for me. A smirk crept onto my face. If they wanted a fight, I had just the thing for them.
Without hesitation, I raised my hand in their direction and activated Shadow Grip. Darkness pooled around each man, binding them in place like shadows come to life. Confusion flashed across their faces, and they struggled against the restraints, each one muttering or shouting, bewildered by the invisible force holding them still.
"What the—what's going on?" one of them blurted, his voice tinged with panic.
"Someone's messing with us!" another growled, his eyes darting around as he tried to understand what was happening.
I strolled over, arms crossed, studying each of them with interest. One by one, I used the system to analyze their stats.
Man #1:
• Level: 3
• Strength: 12
• Dexterity: 8
• Endurance: 10
• Skill: Quick Hands - Increases the speed and dexterity of pickpocketing attempts.
Man #2:
• Level: 4
• Strength: 14
• Dexterity: 10
• Endurance: 11
• Skill: Iron Stomach - Allows the consumption of otherwise toxic or spoiled food without consequence.
Man #3:
• Level: 4
• Strength: 11
• Dexterity: 9
• Endurance: 12
• Skill: Steady Nerves - Reduces the effects of fear and anxiety in high-stress situations.
Man #4:
• Level: 3
• Strength: 13
• Dexterity: 7
• Endurance: 10
• Skill: Keen Eye - Improves detection of valuable or hidden objects.
Man #5:
• Level: 5
• Strength: 16
• Dexterity: 11
• Endurance: 13
• Skill: Shadow Step - Briefly allows the user to blend into shadows, moving unseen for a short distance.
Most of them weren't much higher in level than me, maybe by one or two points, but they all had skills that, in some way, fit their… let's say, "career paths." I eyed Man #5 in particular. Shadow Step looked interesting—being able to move unseen in shadows could come in handy for sneaking around a place like this. A grin pulled at my lips as I considered what I'd do next.
"Alright, gentlemen," I said, mockingly polite as I reached into their pockets one by one, retrieving a handful of gold coins from each of them. They squirmed, cursing and growling, but none of them could break free of Shadow Grip.
"Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing?" one of them snapped, glaring daggers at me.
"Oh, relax," I said, inspecting the small pile of coins in my hand. "It's not like this money was yours to begin with, right? Why complain now?"
They fell silent, their expressions shifting from anger to frustration as they realized they didn't have a leg to stand on. I could almost see the wheels turning in their heads, the resentment boiling beneath the surface, but they couldn't exactly argue with me. These were the kinds of guys who'd happily rob anyone if they could get away with it.
"You son of a—" one of them started, but I held up a hand, cutting him off. I didn't need to hear any more of their complaints.
I turned my gaze to Man #5, the one with Shadow Step. Now, that skill was tempting, and the best way to get it was obvious. With a slight smirk, I raised my palm toward him and activated Eternis.
He didn't even get a chance to yell. One moment he was there, the next, he collapsed, his body hitting the ground with a dull thud. The other four men fell silent, their faces paling as they realized I'd just killed him in cold blood.
The system chimed again in my mind.
[Congratulations! You have leveled up!]
[New Skill Acquired: Shadow Step]
Perfect. Another skill added to my growing collection, and one that seemed particularly fitting in this shady town. I released the remaining four from Shadow Grip, watching them stumble as they regained control over their bodies. They stared at me, a mixture of fear and rage in their eyes, but none of them dared to make a move.
"Word of advice," I said, pocketing the coins I'd collected, "don't mess with strangers. You never know who's got the upper hand."
Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and headed back into the inn, leaving them there, speechless and terrified. It felt good, honestly. This place was a mess of chaos and danger, and I'd just shown that I could hold my own.
As I re-entered the inn, I spotted the receptionist, who was still behind the counter, eyeing me with a smirk as I approached. I held up one of the gold coins I'd swiped from the would-be robbers, waving it in front of her.
"One room, please," I said, my tone polite but with a hint of coldness.
The receptionist's eyes sparkled with interest, and she took the coin with a nod. "One room it is," she replied, clearly unfazed by my attitude. She handed me a rusted key, motioning toward the stairs. "Room's up on the second floor, third door on the left."
"Thanks," I said, turning to head upstairs.
As I climbed the creaky steps, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. This place was rough, dangerous, and downright insane, but I was starting to understand how things worked here. Strength, cunning, and a dash of fearlessness—those were the only currencies that counted in a place like The Hollow Pit.
Reaching my room, I unlocked the door and stepped inside. It was small, with a rickety bed, a single chair, and a window with a cracked pane. Not exactly luxurious, but it was a roof over my head, and that was all I needed for now.
As I closed the door and slumped onto the bed, the system screen popped up, showing my updated stats and new skill. I felt a sense of pride at the progress I'd made, and maybe even a little thrill at the power I'd gained. In a world like this, I'd take every advantage I could get.
Tomorrow, I'd figure out my next steps. But for now, I could rest easy, knowing I'd handled myself well in The Hollow Pit.