CHAPTER 22: THE KINDNESS OF A STRANGER

Ethan didn’t sleep that night, preferring to meditate throughout the night while keeping a high guard, sending light pulses of mana throughout his room every few seconds.

He opened his eyes just as the sun rose over the horizon and the first ray of light came through the window; reminding him that it was time to leave that place and finally begin his mission.

His eyes scanned the room carefully as a sense of detachment from reality took over his body, as if he could see beyond anything.

"System, what are my chances of advancing alive?" Ethan asked.

He had already realized that tonight’s meditation had greatly changed his perception and control over mana, but he still wasn’t sure how close he was to advancing once again.

[About 70%.]

"Hm..." Ethan exhaled deeply as he contemplated those figures.

He was determined to deal with that man called Gobini as quickly as possible before leaving that city and perhaps heading east and down south towards the capital.

"It’s not enough..." he muttered as he let his mana flow out of his body.

He needed to get stronger if he didn’t want to have to spend months or years in that city.

After a long sigh, Ethan got dressed and prepared his sword before leaving the establishment and walking through the streets of Stormerga.

Streets that were slowly filling up with farmers, hunters, travelers and adventurers.

In the midst of so many people, he went completely unnoticed.

Walking slowly, he observed the establishments around him in search of something that would serve him a good breakfast.

He had even thought about having something to eat in that establishment where he had spent the night, but after what had happened to that waitress, he decided to avoid places with "special services".

"Good morning, friend! You seem to be lost, do you need any help with anything?"

As he walked, Ethan heard a husky male voice and felt a strong hand grab his shoulder.

Turning in the direction of the voice, he came face to face with a man who could only be considered a brute.

He was over two meters tall, with a slightly aged, virile face and short black hair.

On his back, he carried a large staff and despite his intimidating appearance, he still kept a gentle smile on his lips.

Ethan watched the man strangely, looking for any sign of bad intentions for a few seconds.

"I’m fine," he replied, seeing no sign of bad intentions in the man’s words, "just looking for a place to have a good breakfast."

"Breakfast? I know a tavern that makes divine scrambled eggs! Would you like me to take you there?" The man grabbed Ethan’s shoulders and looked at him expectantly.

Again, Ethan didn’t reply immediately, and although he judged the man’s words to be sincere, he simply couldn’t help seeing a hint of ulterior motives in his smile.

Ethan was ready to refuse the man’s request and go on his way when a system notification sounded in his head and made him change his mind.

[System: A new quest is available for you!

{The kindness of a stranger

Description: A man comes up to you and kindly offers to help you find something to eat, despite his sincere smile, he still carries a hint of ulterior motives, as if his goals were different. Follow him and find out what he wants.

Difficulty: F

Rewards: 100 corruption points}]

’That could be interesting...’ Ethan smiled mentally as he nodded at the man.

"Great! My name is Robert by the way, I’ve come with my group of adventurers to hunt some monsters and earn some gold..." Robert smiled as he offered Ethan a handshake.

"Ethan, just a wanderer from the south." Ethan returned the handshake before they both started walking side by side through the streets of Stormerga.

"South? We came from there too, we were doing some hunting missions for the farmers of the Plains of the Gentle Sun. Are you from there?"

"No... from a small fishing village on the banks of the river Nilia, you must not know it..."

Ethan lied and after a short walk, the two men finally arrived at a wooden establishment with a humble and even slightly decayed appearance.

"Don’t let the poor appearance fool you, this place is the safest and most comfortable inn in this part of town..." Robert laughed, opening the door to the establishment.

"A place where I’m sure I won’t wake up with a blade stuck in my neck? I doubt it."

Ethan sneered at the man’s words, keeping a slight smirk on his face and looking around cautiously.

"Hahahaha! Well... I guess that’s too much to ask around here." Robert scratched his head as he entered, knowing full well that the outer regions of Stormerga were a haven for the corrupt, prostitutes, drug dealers and murderers.

Entering the tavern next to Robert, Ethan noticed that it was empty, with the exception of a small, peculiar group made up of two short, ordinary-looking, men.

There was also a woman with black hair, a beautiful face and a slender body, smiling next to a fourth man.

This one was as short as a child, with a pair of pointed ears, a large black beard and the face of an old man in his 70s.

"A dwarf?" Ethan muttered as his gaze locked onto the most eye-catching figure in the group.

"What are you looking at, fucker? Do you want me to gouge your eyes out?" Seeing Ethan’s gaze focused on him, the dwarf roared angrily and grabbed the axe at his waist with a menacing face.