The sun had completely vanished beyond the mountains, and only the moonlight illuminated the streets along with countless stars.
“Ha, what am I doing?”
Of course, I still hadn’t found the inn’s location.
It’s not that I’m a hopeless direction-less person.
To clarify that I’m not directionally challenged, my first evidence is that I’ve never gotten lost in the mountains. The second evidence is that it’s my first time visiting this place.
No matter how good someone is at finding their way, anyone would surely get lost if they suddenly dropped into a completely unfamiliar place like me.
“Definitely.”
I nodded to myself in agreement.
As I wandered while thinking such somewhat useless thoughts, a faintly familiar smell began to drift towards me.
Just as I was pondering what this smell was, a distant memory from the past floated to mind.
‘…The smell of alcohol?’
Well, it wouldn’t be strange for a tavern to smell like that at this hour since it’s more profitable to operate late at night rather than during the day.
And if there’s a tavern nearby, there would inevitably be an inn as well.
‘What’s the reason for that?’
Well, any adult would know.
“Ahem, cough.”
Having had a slightly embarrassing thought, I forced my lips down and moved toward the tavern that was giving off a light smell of alcohol.
I stared at the building in front of me. It had a significantly high ceiling, and despite being two stories, it had quite a height. Whether it was built with wooden planks or if it was due to the tavern’s unique atmosphere, it gave off a somewhat rough vibe.
Above the entrance of the tavern was a sign that seemed to be the tavern’s name—[Sweet Night]—and I could hear various sounds from inside, like conversations and clinking glasses.
For some reason, I started to feel my heart race.
The reason? I had been reborn in a fantasy world, but I had never experienced this kind of thing; I had gone straight into the mountains!
Even if I don’t particularly like this world, everyone has a romantic side.
‘My original goal was the inn, but…’
I have plenty of money, so why not enjoy a light drink?
I entered the tavern with a beaming smile as I opened the door.
As I stepped inside, whether it was indeed this tavern overflowing with romance or not, the space I had imagined unfolded before my eyes.
‘Oh, this is just as I imagined.’
There were various round tables scattered about, and many people were sitting on somewhat uncomfortable-looking wooden chairs, chatting while drinking from oak barrels filled with alcohol.
At what looked like the tavern counter, there was a massive oak barrel that seemed to be a storage for the drinks, and a few bottles with labels indicating they might be pricier, but there weren’t many of them.
Standing there was a man in his forties, bald with a splendid mustache, who seemed to be the tavern owner.
To the left, there was a staircase leading to the second floor, but contrary to the presence there, no noise could be heard from up there. It seemed this place also doubled as an inn.
‘I found it well.’
Isn’t this a case of stumbling upon good fortune?
A smile bloomed on my face as my mouth watered.
‘Saliva?’
“Tsuk-”
After not seeing alcohol for a while, I involuntarily drooled and quickly swallowed.
I wasn’t even that much of a drinker, but seeing alcohol again was indeed nostalgic.
With a slightly flushed face from the embarrassment of drooling, I glanced around.
‘No one saw, right?’
Fortunately, they were all engrossed in their conversations and didn’t pay me any attention.
I moved towards the tavern owner and lightly tapped on the table.
The owner, who was pouring drinks for a while, turned to me with a wide smile.
“Oh, a new lady, what brings you here?”
Even though we had just met, he smoothly started our conversation and asked what I needed.
In some ways, it was natural for a tavern owner to do that, but it still felt a little awkward.
‘Hmm, this is uncomfortable.’
The lively atmosphere made it hard to engage.
Of course, aside from the discomfort, I also had a request.
“Do you happen to have a spare room for about a week?”
“There are spare rooms available. Are you staying alone?”
I let out a sigh of relief internally when he said there were rooms available.
“Hmm, someone will join me in a few days.”
“Then two rooms?”
Well, was there really a need to have Nameless stay separately?
Moreover, ‘If I book two rooms, it would be inefficient.’
Nameless might refuse to sleep next to me, but from a financial perspective, this made the most sense.
After a brief moment of contemplation, I answered shortly.
“One is enough.”
“Got it. Don’t need meals then?”
This too can be taken care of by eating outside with Nameless.
“No need.”
“Okay, if you go upstairs, the room at the very end is yours. Here’s the key.”
“What about the payment?”
The owner waved his hand dismissively and handed me the key.
“Just pay when you leave the room later.”
“Got it.”
“Oh, wait, write your name down over there, too.”
I followed where he pointed and shifted my gaze to see a list of the people using the inn in the corner of the table.
Next to the list was a spot to write down the date of entry and exit.
‘Oh, this must be for keeping track of payments later.’
I nodded and grabbed a pen, writing down Cheon Ha-rang and Cheon Mu-myeong.
“Can I go now?”
“Of course~ Make yourself comfortable.”
The owner, a man in his forties, winked with a sly look. My stomach churned a bit, but I did my best not to show it, lest he get hurt.
“Y-yeah…”
Having moved to the assigned room, I dropped my belongings in an appropriate spot and stared at the bed.
‘Hmm, there’s only one bed.’
Not only was there just one bed, but there was also only one blanket. It was indeed large, but…
Nameless would definitely be displeased, and I worried about that.
Since Nameless seemed to have developed a discomfort with sleeping in the same place as me after reaching puberty, it was only natural.
“Ha…”
Nameless would surely make a fuss and insist on sleeping on the floor, but should I force him to sleep next to me?
Lost in thought, I shook my head and lay down on the bed.
This problem can be resolved after Nameless arrives.
I snuggled my beloved wooden sword and closed my eyes.
– Cheon Mu-myeong
The Master dashed off in an instant, eventually disappearing like a dot.
“Ah, indeed.”
I thought I had improved, but I still couldn’t keep up with my master’s pace.
‘When will I ever reach my master’s level?’
As I lamented my own situation while running for a while, I suddenly sensed a presence.
At first, I thought it was my master waiting for me, but the smell was different.
‘Who could it be?’
Surely no one lives in the Demon Realm, no, they can’t.
Because people know this fact, there shouldn’t be anyone here except adventurers who briefly come to the Demon Realm to carry out quests.
I placed my hand on the sword at my waist, on guard.
Two people appeared. One was a large man with uncommon white hair and golden eyes, carrying a beautifully ornamented great sword on his back.
The other was a woman with flamboyant blonde hair and blue eyes, notably tall for a woman and wearing what looked like a nun’s outfit that one would wear in a church.
Seeing the nun’s attire on the woman put me at ease; at least she wasn’t an enemy.
It felt awkward just standing there facing them, so I decided to speak first.
“What brings you here?”
“Hello! We came to purify this Demon Realm.”
‘Purify the Demon Realm?’
The woman spoke with a gentle tone, sporting a small smile. She certainly seemed to be a nun.
On the other hand, the man remained silent, only gazing at me. His expression was unusual, making me feel tense.
I figured it would be best to take my leave quickly.
“Well, understood. Since I’m in a hurry, is it alright if I leave first?”
“Oh! Just a moment! Do you know why the mana density in this Demon Realm is oddly low?”
It’s because my Master devoured all the mana, but…
‘There’s no benefit in revealing that.’
It’s a truth I should keep hidden, especially considering that the Demon Realm harbors both mana and magic.
I smiled somewhat mischievously and spoke.
“I’m not sure. Perhaps it just faded over time?”
“Oh… I see. Thank you for your time, I know you must be busy.”
“Not at all, I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help.”
As I lightly bowed my head and prepared to leave, the silent man finally spoke.
“Wait, what’s your name?”
He asked with his brows knit together, as if he had a headache.
I pondered how to respond. If that nun is of high caliber, she might see through my lies.
I decided to be honest instead.
“…Nameless. Why do you ask?”
I didn’t provide my surname; looking at my shabby clothes, it was clear I’m not someone of nobility, which might lead to unnecessary questions if I mentioned my title.
Upon hearing my name, the man briefly conversed with the nun before apologizing with an awkward smile.
“Sorry, I must have confused you with someone I know.”
“…Yeah, then I’ll be going.”
I quickly left the scene to chase after my Master.
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