Chapter 93: Liquor and an Inn for Three

It was a long journey, and with no time to relax, they finally arrived at the dwarven city.

But now that they found themselves in a line to be inspected so they could enter the city.

It didn’t take long for trouble to show up.

The man who had been in the center of the line earlier.

He was now heading toward Ryan, and he was definitely massive.

Protruding from his back was what looked like an enormous hammer, and the entire handle of the hammer was covered by an immense shield that resembled a tortoise shell on his back.

"What are you saying, brat? Do you think this is a game? For your own sake, I’m getting you out of here." The man with the shield said as he continued walking toward him.

"Ryan... I’m going to kill that guy." Karol whispered, gripping her staff tightly.

"Take it easy, we shouldn’t draw attention in this place. Otherwise, coming here will have been in vain."

"But..."

Before Karol could say anything else, the man grumbled again.

"What are you two whispering about? Understand this, it’s better if you leave this place on your own."

Ryan sighed.

Then he looked at him with annoyance.

’I guess every place always has types like this.’

"What’s with that look? Do you think you can stand up to me?"

But the man right in front of Ryan raised his voice.

"Are you sure that’s what’s worrying you, or is it something else?"

"What do you mean, you bastard?"

"Seeing how you’re dressed, and how the people behind this kid are dressed, I gather you’re together, and you’re trying to get him to leave because right now there’s only room for eighty adventurers."

The man speaking pointed to the rest behind Ryan.

"You guys just want to take advantage of the fact that they’re B-Rank, and you want to secure your entry to the mines, don’t you?"

’Wow, so that’s all it was.’

"So, the problem is that they arrived too late and don’t want to be left out, huh... don’t you think that’s a bit much? Seriously, adventurers like you exist? You make me sick."

After Ryan finished those words, the adventurers behind them and the one carrying the massive shield began to grumble.

"What did he say...? What’s with this idiot?"

"Do you have any idea who you’re trying to mess with?"

"Since when are B-Ranks so haughty?"

Ryan raised his hands, although his expression showed fake resignation.

"Oops... sorry, I thought I just thought it, but I said it out loud."

"Young man... you’d better stop provoking them like that..."

"It’s too late for that." The man with the shield growled as he pulled out his hammer.

Ryan placed his hand lightly on the hilt of his sword.

’I wanted to test my chimera... damn it... I’ll have to wait and use it in a more suitable place.’

"Ryan..." Irina whispered.

The adventurers behind him began to pull out their weapons.

Ryan looked at them out of the corner of his eye.

"Debt Collapse," he whispered.

Around twenty adventurers fell unconscious. Motionless on the ground.

Almost immediately, murmurs began; the people at the front of the line started talking among themselves, not understanding how they could all be defeated at once.

"What... what the hell did you do?" The big guy with the shield began to stutter.

Then Karol took a step forward, pointing at the guy with her staff.

"That’s enough, you’re all far too annoying."

"Agh!" The man with the shield began to scream. Hundreds of electrical discharges coursed through his body, and after a few seconds, he fell to the ground.

"So it was that woman who defeated all those guys?"

"Yeah! There’s no doubt, it was her."

"She’s very powerful..."

In that way, after a while, the people in the line calmed down.

Then one of the dwarven guards opened the gate, and the line began to move; each adventurer was inspected and noted on a list.

Each was given a number, and that number represented the expedition squad they would assist.

’They’re very meticulous about who comes in, huh? It’s good to have the relic that alters my stats.’

Finally, it was Ryan’s turn.

He was the first of his group to enter; they gave him number 115.

Then Karol entered with number 133.

And finally Irina with number 140.

They were talking about finding an inn to spend the night.

Then the adventurer who was in the line, right in front of Ryan.

He approached them.

"I see you’re in very good company; it was good that your friend took care of those guys. I’ve heard of them, they like to cause trouble."

"Tell me about it," Ryan responded.

"Do you want to drink something? I’ll treat you since you had a rough time; you’re new around here, aren’t you?"

"How do you know?"

"Well... adventurers like you stand out a lot; it would be hard to forget you if I’d seen you."

’We stand out?, and to think it was Karol who came; I don’t want to imagine the disaster Helen would have caused.’

"I appreciate it, but right now we have to find an inn, maybe another time."

"Don’t worry, the best inn in this place is exactly where I’m going to invite you for a drink."

"In that case, then let’s go."

Ryan and his group went with that adventurer.

It didn’t take long; the inn was actually near the entrance.

They sat at a table for four, and a waitress brought them wine and beer.

"What a great flavor!" The adventurer said as he placed the empty mug on the table after drinking it.

"I agree with you."

’It’s been a long time since I’ve had a drink.’

Karol was also drinking, and she seemed to be enjoying it.

Unlike Irina, who seemed to struggle with every sip.

After drinking for a while, the adventurer thought to ask for their names.

"I am Liam, and these are my companions, Karol and Irina."

’I practically only changed two letters, but I couldn’t think of anything else when I registered at the entrance...’

"It’s a pleasure, Liam. I’m Mark. And you know, normally there isn’t such strict control in the city, but all that started because in the nation of Varvylon some idiot dared to free a demon and attack the holy knights. Can you believe it?"

Ryan turned his gaze toward Karol; she was laughing.

"Yeah... I heard something like that. I can’t believe someone was capable of doing something like that."

"That’s what I’m saying. What kind of idiot is so stupid to oppose the church? But the unsettling thing is that he was able to flee; he was a very strong person. Right now, no one knows where he is."

"Hey, Liam," Karol said with a mocking smile.

"Look at this, Irina has fallen asleep. It seems drinking doesn’t suit her at all."

"Yeah, we’d better take her to the room."

Then, the conversation ended there.

Ryan carried Irina in his arms, and they went up the stairs to go to the room they requested.

Only two beds.

Ryan laid Irina on one of the beds.

"Liam..." Karol said, approaching him.

"You don’t need to call me that here."

"I know... but you know...?"

She kissed him passionately.

Then she pulled her lips away and looked him in the eyes.

"Remember? I said that this time I wouldn’t let anyone interrupt us."