The tavern was even noisier than expected.
A drunkard nearby was loudly boasting about his youthful exploits, slapping the sturdy wooden table with such force that the bottles and jars on it jumped. A group of burly men were playing a drinking game, one foot on the table, veins bulging as they glared at their opponents. In the corner, a couple clinked glasses, the woman’s red lips stained with wine as they kissed passionately.
The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of roasted food and the rich scent of fermented grains.
The tavern’s owner was a slightly plump middle-aged woman with a dark headband, a thick braid, and a blue checkered apron. Her skirt flared out at the hem, adorned with a frilly lace trim. She held a tray high, deftly weaving through the crowd to deliver mugs of beer to the patrons.
“Lina! A dark ale1! Make it cold!”
“Lina! Over here too! Fill it up! Lots of foam!”
“Lina—”
The calls came from all directions. Shen Lin pulled his hat low to hide his face and quietly took a seat in a corner of the tavern.
Two middle-aged men nearby were discussing their day. One was ranting, “That bastard Benson! He’s shortchanging me! If it weren’t for me and my crew filling in, the flower stands in the central square wouldn’t have been set up so smoothly! When I went to settle the payment today, he only gave me a few gold coins! A few gold coins!!!”
“He’s notorious for being stingy. But since all the goods from outside have to go through him, and we rely on him for many of our raw materials, even the mayor can’t compare to his influence.”
“Pah! What does he think he is?” The man downed his drink in one gulp and pushed the empty mug toward the counter. “Enough of this. I’m heading back. I need to figure out how to pay the workers under me.”
“If you’re really in a bind2, I can lend you some.”
“No, no.” He fished out a silver coin and two copper coins from his pocket and slapped them on the counter. “I’ll catch you next time for a drink.”
Shen Lin noted the name Benson. Just then, a young man behind the counter asked cheerfully, “What can I get you, sir?”
Shen Lin glanced at the menu board and squinted. “A light rum, please.”
“Mixed with lime juice, soda water, and mint, with a slice of lemon and light ice,” the young man said with a wink, expertly mixing the drink. “Kids sneaking out from home always like this flavor.”
Shen Lin smiled politely. “Thank you.”
“Enjoy your evening.” The young man quickly prepared the drink and slid it over to Shen Lin.
Shen Lin bit on the straw made of rolled paper but didn’t actually drink. He listened carefully to the conversations around him.
KP: “The environment here is too noisy. If you want to know something, make a Listen check.”
“Sure.”
Shen Lin rolled for Listen and succeeded.
KP sighed: “…A pointless check.”
“Just luck,” Shen Lin said humbly. He knew luck was fleeting, and he was simply more fortunate than most.
Soon, two men sat down at the empty table behind Shen Lin.
One of them said, “Did you finish the trade list? I’m torn between getting seeds or fabric. Elina’s been complaining every day about her old clothes.”
“Seeds? Lily seeds? You’re still trying to grow lilies? The soil here isn’t suitable. Haven’t you experimented enough?”
“I know, but I just can’t give up! We’re both gardeners, but somehow only Layla can grow such beautiful lilies.”
“She’s just more dedicated, haha! You just can’t admit that a little girl is better at gardening than you!”
“Shut your mouth! How could I possibly be worse than a little girl?” He took a swig of his drink and grumbled, “…Fine, you’re right. Why am I so fixated on lilies? The peonies and carnations I grow have been well-received. People should play to their strengths! I’ll get some fabric this time and make Elina a new dress.”
“Have the outsiders arrived yet?”
“No idea,” the other man said mockingly. “You know Benson. He acts like he holds the lifeblood of the town, keeping the outsiders’ affairs tightly under wraps. We won’t know what they’ve brought until the day of the trade. But…” He lowered his voice, “The last ritual failed. They might be more cautious this time. We’re all worried they might not bring as much as before.”
“That would be terrible. We’ll manage, but the next generation will suffer. After all, the next outsiders won’t come for another ten years.”
After listening to their conversation, Shen Lin was left with more questions than answers. He considered engaging them to gather more information.
But was it a good idea? Shen Lin weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
Attempting to interact could yield more clues. He might learn about the “trade with outsiders” or what happened ten years ago. However, the cost was that his Stealth would be compromised, significantly increasing the risk of being discovered by the townsfolk.
He still didn’t understand the town’s attitude toward “outsiders.” It seemed like a relationship based on mutual benefit, but the “outsiders” they referred to were likely Cain and Dylan, not the “sacrificial offerings” like themselves.
As he pondered, the young man behind the counter muttered, “It’s getting late. Why hasn’t the messenger arrived yet?”
Messenger? Wasn’t that Cain’s alias here? Shen Lin glanced at the young man.
Someone nearby said, “The ritual is approaching. He’s probably too busy to come to the tavern every day now.”
“But…” The bartender pulled out an old pocket watch from a drawer. “He left this here. I remember him saying it was his wife’s keepsake, with a photo of his daughter inside. If he knew he’d lost it here, he’d definitely come back for it.”
“Well, I don’t know then. Maybe something came up. Just hold onto it for him.”
Another man, clearly drunk, hiccuped and sneered, “Hic, why bother with an outsider’s stuff? Everyone knows the messenger and Benson are in cahoots. The goods from outside go through the messenger first, then Benson distributes them to us. What we get is entirely up to them.” He shot a sideways glance at the bartender and smirked coldly, “You’re close with the messenger. You must’ve gotten your hands on some good stuff, huh?”
“You’ve had too much to drink,” the young man said with a smile, wiping a glass. “I care about every customer who comes here. I removed the sweetgrass from your drink because it aggravates your cough. Doesn’t it taste smoother and more refreshing now?”
The man’s bleary eyes flickered, and he awkwardly looked away, coughing softly. “Ah, not bad.”
The first man laughed heartily. “Little Luther’s always so thoughtful, haha!”
The tavern owner, Lina, passed by and placed a large mug of beer in front of them. “Thanks to Luther, business has been great. This one’s on me. Enjoy your evening.”
“How generous!”
“Cheers!”
The group happily shared the beer, clinking mugs and reviving the lively atmosphere.
Shen Lin observed quietly. He glanced at the young man called Luther. The dim light from the oil lamp hanging from the beam illuminated his gentle features. Unlike the typical Western high nose and deep-set eyes, his facial features leaned more Eastern, and his smile was warm and endearing.
Just as Shen Lin looked at him, Luther keenly sensed Shen Lin’s gaze, Shen Lin lowered his head and subtly averted his eyes.
At that moment, Luther whispered, “It’s fine. This drink isn’t expensive. You can slip out later. I won’t tell Aunt Lina. But you should head home soon. Your parents must be worried sick.”
Shen Lin mumbled an acknowledgment. People working in taverns naturally overheard more clues due to the environment, and Luther seemed particularly sharp. He might be a good breakthrough to uncover some information. Moreover, if Luther was willing to cover for him, it reduced the risk of exposure from excessive interaction.
KP chimed in: “Luther is very perceptive. Direct interaction might reveal your identity as an outsider. I agree that players should rely on their own experience and skills to interact with NPCs, but sometimes using your character’s abilities can increase the chances of success.”
KP was right.
Shen Lin lowered his eyelashes, considering KP’s advice. Luther clearly remembered the habits of every patron, indicating exceptional observation and memory. However, his willingness to help Shen Lin was based on the assumption that Shen Lin was a local, not an outsider. If his true identity were discovered, Luther might quietly turn him in without Shen Lin even realizing it.
As for his skills…
As Orion, a performing arts student, Shen Lin’s character sheet highlighted two main skills: Disguise and Charm.
Other skills useful for interaction, aside from Charm and Listen, were only at 20 or 30 points, making failure much more likely.
After careful consideration, Shen Lin calmly accepted the situation: “I’ll use my skill: Charm.”
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