The atmosphere inside the slowly moving carriage became silent and awkward. Not a single one of them spoke after Fyar’s earlier compliment.
Cyhas turned her face away, staring at the passing scenery of trees. Her cheeks flushed. She took a deep breath, then glanced at Fyar briefly.
"Th... thank you, Sir Fyar," she said, her voice soft and slightly stuttering.
Ugh, even if this is just a dream, it’s still embarrassing, Fyar grumbled in his mind. He maintained his flat expression, hiding the awkwardness he felt. This is the first time I’ve ever said something like that to a woman...
About three hours later,
the creaking of the carriage wheels slowed. In front of them stood a sturdy stone city gate. It was quite large, with carvings of snake heads on both sides. Two guards, clad in iron armor from head to toe, stood erect at their posts. One of them recognized the approaching carriage and stepped forward, raising a hand to signal them to stop.
"Good afternoon, Sir Eutas. May we ask the purpose of your arrival?" the guard asked. His tone was relaxed.
Eutas leaned forward slightly and waved. "Good afternoon, Robert. It’s just me and my daughter. We’re just returning from a trade matter. Do you need to conduct a check?" Eutas replied with a smile
"no need....that would just be a waste of time. Enjoy your time in Elfier City, Sir Eutas," the guard replied. With a gesture from him, the heavy city gate was slowly opened, allowing their carriage to enter.
"You know them? Are you famous here?" Fyar asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes, you could say I’m quite well-known in this city," Eutas replied gently.
"Can you drop me off at an inn that has a bar?" Fyar requested.
"Of course, of course, Sir," Eutas smiled.
"Just call me Fyar," Fyar said. The formal address bothered him.
Eutas chuckled softly and nodded. "Alright, Fyar."
Fyar then turned to Cyhas. "Is there some kind of academy or a place to train here?"
Cyhas met his gaze with a smile. "Yes. You can ask the adventurers at the inn later. They might be able to take you, but... they will probably ask for a reward."
Even in a dream, people are still greedy for money, Fyar complained inwardly. He just replied briefly, "Okay."
Soon, the carriage stopped in front of a busy-looking establishment. The building was made of dark wood and stone, rising three stories high. A carved wooden sign depicting a foaming beer mug hung above its entrance.
Fyar got out of the carriage. Eutas and Cyhas gave him fifty gold coins, a few pieces of bread wrapped in cloth, and a leather waterskin. After saying their goodbyes, Fyar stepped into the inn.
The smell of roasted meat, ale, and woodsmoke immediately greeted him. The atmosphere inside was exactly like what he often saw in fantasy movies or games. The room was spacious with a low ceiling supported by large wooden beams. A few elves with their pointed ears sat at one table, while at another, a group of thick-bearded dwarves laughed loudly.
When Fyar walked in wearing his all-black, modern clothes, several conversations paused. A few pairs of eyes turned in his direction, staring with curiosity. Well, this is understandable, Fyar thought. He ignored their gazes and walked straight to the reception desk in the corner.
"How much for one night here?" Fyar asked the attendant behind the desk.
"Seven silver coins for one night, Sir," the attendant replied.
Fyar took a single gold coin from his pocket and placed it on the counter. "I’ll take it for two nights."
The attendant took the gold coin. "Alright, Sir. Two nights comes to a total of fourteen silver coins. A perfect match for this one gold coin. Under what name?"
The attendant wrote Fyar’s name in a large ledger, then handed him an iron room key.
Fyar’s room was on the second floor. It was a simple room, containing only a wooden bed, a small table, and a single chair. Fyar put his things on the table, then sat down. He unwrapped the bread and began to eat. The bread tasted good. there was a mix of sweet and savory milk flavor. Even though he still believed this was a dream, the sensation of taste was very real.
After eating and drinking, Fyar lay down on the bed. He pondered for a moment before finally closing his eyes and falling asleep.
Several hours later, Fyar woke up.
When he opened his eyes and saw the same wooden ceiling above him, his expression changed. Panic began to creep over him. He sat up quickly, his heart pounding. He was still in the same place. He hadn’t woken up in his own room.
This meant... he wasn’t dreaming.
Damn it, what’s going on!? I’m not dreaming? How is this possible? What the hell happened to me? His mind raced wildly. Wait, this makes no sense! I’m not the main character of a novel or a game! How can I be here? Damn it, damn it, damn it! I thought this was just a dream. Could it be because I shot that mirror? But how could that...
He got off the bed and began to pace back and forth in the small room, his hand on his chin.
Agh, anger and panic won’t change anything. I have to calm down and think about what to do.
After several minutes, Fyar forced himself to stop. He let out a long, heavy sigh and sat back down on the edge of the bed. He muttered to himself, "Well... fate. Panicking won’t change a thing anyway."
Fyar walked to the window and opened it. The cool night air flowed in.
After a few moments, he decided to go downstairs, planning to order food and a drink to calm his mind.
As he reached the ground floor, a bar attendant greeted him. "You look terrible, Sir. Are you alright?"
This attendant was different. She was a young woman in her twenties with black hair tied back and wearing glasses. Her face showed genuine concern.
"I’m fine," Fyar replied flatly. "By the way, you’re not the attendant I saw this afternoon."
"Oh, Mr. Reuhar? His shift is over, so he went home. It’s my turn to watch the bar now." The woman smiled brightly. "By the way, this is my second day on the job! And oh my gosh, I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Laura, Sir. It’s nice to meet you!"
"Fyar," he replied shortly, giving a slight nod.
"Alright, Sir Fyar! What would you like to order?" Laura asked cheerfully.
"Uh, just something good. I’m new here, so I don’t know the names of the food," Fyar answered.
"Okay, Sir! Hmm, let’s see." Laura tapped her chin. "The popular dishes here are worm meat, fried fish, and the meat of a monster called a Wafeor. For drinks, we have earth chocolate and plain water. Please choose!"
Huh? What kind of food is that? The only normal things are fish and water, Fyar thought. Whatever, I’m not in the mood to think about useless things right now.
"Two servings of fish and plain water," he ordered. Fyar took out another gold coin and placed it on the counter. "Keep the change."
Laura’s eyes widened behind her glasses. "K-keep the change? A-are you serious, Sir?"
Fyar nodded. Laura immediately bowed her head deeply. "Thank you, Sir! Thank you very much!"
Fyar only grunted in response and walked to the farthest table in the corner of the room. While waiting, he took a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket.
At least I didn’t forget to bring these, he thought as he lit one.
He exhaled the first cloud of smoke and leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. The smoke curling from his mouth and the strange object he was smoking drew the attention of several nearby patrons.
A few moments later, three people approached his table. They were a party of adventurers. The leader was a sturdy man with neat black hair. To his right stood a woman with short green hair and sharp blue eyes, wearing mage robes. To his left was a long-haired redhead in traveler’s attire. The most update n0vels are published on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝔫𝔢𝔱
Ugh, what’s this? Am I going to get hassled like in the movies? Fyar thought, feeling too tired to deal with anyone. Whatever. If they try anything, I’ll just shoot them.
"Are you new here?" the man asked in a firm tone, his eyes scanning Fyar from head to toe. "Your clothes are strange. What is that you’re smoking? Are you an adventurer? Do you have a party?"
Whoa, one at a time. you weirdo, Fyar scoffed internally.
Fyar sighed, slowly exhaling a plume of smoke. He then deliberately took another cigarette from the pack. He lit it casually, then . He offered the newly lit cigarette to the man in front of him.
"Try it," he said . "It’s good."