The morning hunger had grown unbearable, the gnawing emptiness in their stomachs overshadowing even their predicament. Marcus, lounging on the single armchair in the corner, finally stood up with a determined look on his face.
"That's it. I'm going to talk to the manager," he declared.
Eleanor raised a brow, her back resting against the wall. "And what exactly are you planning to say?"
Marcus grinned. "Just watch and learn. I've got this."
Jason groaned, rubbing his temples. "We'll be lucky if you don't get us kicked out."
Sophia leaned forward, her arms crossed. "Marcus, if you do anything stupid—"
"Relax, you're talking to the negotiation king," Marcus interrupted, smoothing his hair back like a used-car salesman. "You all just sit tight. I'll handle it."
"Sure you will," Eleanor muttered under her breath, exchanging a skeptical glance with Liam.
As Marcus left, Jason shook his head, muttering, "We're doomed."
---
The inn's lobby was quieter in the morning, the warmth of the crackling fireplace contrasting with the cold stone walls. Behind the counter, the manager—a burly dwarf with arms as thick as tree trunks—was polishing a mug. His brows furrowed the moment Marcus approached.
"Back again?" the manager grumbled without looking up.
Marcus leaned casually on the counter, trying his best to look confident. "Morning, boss. Slept like a baby in those rooms. Great place you've got here."
The dwarf glanced at him, unimpressed. "What do you want?"
Marcus cleared his throat. "So, uh, about the rooms. I was wondering—shouldn't food be included in the price? You know, like a breakfast deal? Seems only fair."
The manager snorted, setting the mug down. "Fair? You paid for a bed, not a feast."
Marcus frowned. "Come on, man. We're starving. It's a pretty standard package at most inns."
"This isn't most inns," the manager replied, folding his massive arms across his chest. "You want food, you pay for it."
Marcus rubbed his chin, pretending to think. "Alright, how about this? We trade one of the nights we paid for in exchange for meals. Just one night. That's reasonable, right?"
The manager's eyes narrowed. "You'd give up a night's stay just to eat?"
Marcus nodded earnestly. "Desperate times, you know?"
The dwarf stared at him for a long moment before bursting into laughter. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious," Marcus replied, leaning in as if sharing a secret. "I mean, look at me—do I look like I can survive on empty stomach fumes?"
The manager shook his head, muttering something under his breath. "Fine. One night, but that's it. Don't come crying to me if you're out in the cold tomorrow."
"Deal!" Marcus exclaimed, slapping the counter with a triumphant grin.
The manager grumbled as he scribbled something in his ledger. "You're either brave or just plain stupid."
Marcus pointed at him, winking. "Why not both?"
---
When Marcus returned to the room, the group was less than thrilled.
"You did what?" Eleanor's voice echoed, her face a mixture of disbelief and rage.
"Relax!" Marcus said, holding up his hands. "I negotiated. We've got food now."
"You sold one of our nights?" Sophia asked, her tone incredulous.
Marcus shrugged. "We'll probably be out of the game by then anyway. What's the big deal?"
Jason sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is why we don't let you handle anything important."
Eleanor stepped forward, glaring. "Do you even think before you act?"
Marcus puffed out his chest. "Hey, you're welcome for the food, by the way. You'd all still be sitting here whining if it weren't for me."
Liam stood between them, raising a hand to calm the tension. "Alright, enough. Let's just eat and figure out our next move."
Grumbling, the group followed Marcus downstairs to the inn's restaurant.
---
The restaurant was alive with the hum of morning activity. Wooden tables were scattered across the room, many occupied by patrons eating hearty meals of steaming stews and bread. The air was thick with the aroma of roasted meats and exotic spices, making their stomachs growl even louder.
The group settled into a corner table, their eyes scanning the menu etched onto a slate board by the entrance. Marcus stared at it, his expression one of utter confusion.
"What the hell is 'Grilled Slime Steak'?" he muttered.
"Just pick something," Eleanor said, her patience wearing thin.
"But what if it's gross?" Marcus asked, squinting at the menu like it held the secrets of the universe.
"Everything here is probably gross," Jason replied flatly. "Just order already."
After several agonizing minutes of Marcus debating between "Roasted Wyrm Ribs" and "Fried Bog Beetles," Sophia finally snatched the menu from his hands. "You're impossible. We're all having the stew."
"But I don't want the stew—" Marcus began.
"Stew," Sophia said firmly, glaring at him.
Marcus sighed, slumping back in his chair. "Fine."
When their food arrived, the group dug in with gusto. The stew was surprisingly delicious, a rich blend of spices and tender meat that warmed them from the inside out.
Marcus, however, continued to complain. "This doesn't taste like any stew I've ever had. What kind of meat is this?"
"Probably something you don't want to know about," Jason said, smirking.
Marcus grimaced but kept eating. "Well, at least it's better than starving."
---
As they finished their meal, Marcus waved over a server. The woman who approached was an elf with curves that defied logic, her outfit leaving little to the imagination. The top half of her ample chest threatened to spill out of her tight bodice with every step, and her hips swayed with a confidence that turned heads.
Marcus's jaw dropped as he stared, completely mesmerized. "Uh, I'll have some ale, please."
The elf smirked, leaning down to place the drink in front of him. Her movements were deliberate, and Marcus's face turned crimson as her chest brushed against his arm.
The woman turned her attention to Liam, her gaze lingering appreciatively. "And for you, handsome?" she purred, leaning closer.
Before Liam could respond, Sophia grabbed his arm and yanked him to her side, glaring at the elf with enough intensity to set something on fire. "He's good, thanks."
The elf straightened, her smirk widening. "If you say so." She walked away, her hips swaying even more dramatically.
Marcus leaned toward Liam, whispering, "Dude, she was totally into you."
Sophia shot him a glare. "Not helping."
Eleanor chuckled, shaking her head. "You're lucky, Liam. You've got your very own bodyguard."
Sophia huffed but didn't let go of Liam's arm, her expression daring anyone to comment further.
Marcus grinned, raising his mug. "To surviving another day in this crazy game!"
"The Day's not over yet dude"