Alina barely had time to catch her breath before Dante dragged her toward the village tavern. The smell of ale and roasted meat filled the air as they stepped inside.
The dim candlelight flickered against the wooden walls, casting long shadows over the rough crowd of adventurers drinking and laughing.
"Alright, Farmer," Dante said, plopping onto a barstool and waving for the bartender. "You've earned yourself a drink."
Alina rolled her eyes. "I don't drink."
Dante grinned. "Good. More for me." He ordered a mug of ale and leaned back, studying her. "So, tell me, where'd you learn to fight like that?"
Alina hesitated. If she told him the truth—that she had once ruled this world, that she had commanded armies, that she had nearly killed a god—he'd laugh in her face.
So she lied.
"Self-taught," she said. "Been fighting since I was a kid."
Dante raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. And yet, you're a Level 2 Farmer?"
Alina's grip tightened on the hilt of her sword. "It's… complicated."
Dante smirked. "I like complicated."
Before she could respond, the tavern doors slammed open.
A burly man in heavy leather armor stomped inside, his face red with fury. He was nearly seven feet tall, built like an ox, with a massive battle-axe strapped to his back.
Alina's instincts screamed danger.
"Where the hell is she?" the man bellowed. His eyes scanned the room until they locked onto Alina. "You!"
She didn't flinch. "Do I know you?"
"You took my quest!"
Alina blinked. "What?"
The man stomped closer, towering over her. "That Corrupted Slime was my kill! I put in the request, and now the system's saying the bounty's been claimed!"
Alina exchanged a glance with Dante, who looked amused.
"So?" she said, crossing her arms. "You
should've killed it faster."
The man's veins bulged.
"You don't get it," he growled. "That was a special bounty. The rewards were mine. You just stole from me, Farmer."
Alina slowly stood. She wasn't about to back down from some overgrown brute throwing a tantrum.
"And what are you gonna do about it?" she challenged.
The room went silent.
Dante whistled under his breath. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
The man cracked his knuckles. "I'm gonna teach you your place, little girl."
A system notification flashed.
> [Duel Challenge Issued: Brutus Ironjaw vs. Alina (Farmer)]
[Accept?] <
Alina grinned. Perfect.
She pressed "Yes."
The tavern erupted in cheers as tables were shoved aside to clear a space for the fight.
Dante leaned against the bar, smirking.
"You're either really brave or really stupid."
"Maybe both," Alina muttered, rolling her shoulders.
Brutus charged.
His fist swung like a hammer—fast, brutal. Alina barely ducked in time, feeling the wind of the strike rush past her face.
Too slow.
She sidestepped and swung her broadsword—only for it to glance off his armor.
Shit.
Brutus grinned. "That all you got?"
He threw a knee into her stomach.
Alina gasped as pain exploded through her ribs. She stumbled back, her vision blurring for a second.
The brute was Level 15. She was still just Level 2.
She couldn't win with brute force.
Think.
Brutus swung again, but this time, Alina didn't dodge.
She ran straight at him.
At the last moment, she dropped low, sliding between his legs and slashing at his unprotected calf.
Brutus roared in pain as blood splattered across the floor.
The crowd cheered.
Alina spun, using the moment of distraction to strike again, this time aiming for his exposed ribs.
Brutus barely blocked in time, but she saw the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
Good.
She was faster.
She pressed the attack, dodging, weaving, striking at weak points. Every time he swung, she was already moving, her blade cutting through gaps in his armor.
Brutus grew angrier.
"Stay still, damn you!" he bellowed.
Alina grinned. "Make me."
Brutus lunged forward, putting everything into a final, reckless punch.
Alina sidestepped—and slammed the pommel of her sword into his temple.
Brutus collapsed.
A system notification flashed.
> [Duel Won: +80 EXP, +2 Agility] <
The tavern exploded into cheers.
Dante clapped. "Not bad, Farmer."
Brutus groaned on the floor, clutching his head. "Damn it…"
Alina exhaled, rolling her shoulders. She was getting stronger.
And soon, she'd be strong enough to face Ethan.
As the fight ended, a figure watched from the rafters.
Ethan.
His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he observed his wife clawing her way back up.
"Impressive," he murmured. "You don't break easily."
A dark smirk curled on his lips.
"But let's see how long you last."
With a flick of his hand, a new monster was unleashed.
Alina had no idea.
Something far worse than a Corrupted Slime was coming.