"Mr. Raine, your stew is here!"
In the warm tavern hall, Lian’s cheerful voice rang out, accompanied by a rich, mouthwatering aroma. She carefully set a heavy tray onto the wooden table in front of Raine. Billowing steam immediately wafted over his face, and his eyes were instantly drawn to the meal.
Inside the earthenware bowl, the broth was a rich, savory brown. Several large chunks of bone-in ribs had been stewed until they were fall-off-the-bone tender. The diced carrots and potatoes, having soaked up the meat juices, looked plump and glossy. Finely chopped green leaves were sprinkled sparingly over the meat and vegetables. Raine pondered for a moment before realizing they were probably crushed basil leaves. He had seen some in his vegetable soup earlier; they had an excellent Effect for removing gamey odors and enhancing the flavor.
Beside the stew sat several large, freshly baked slices of dark bread—perfect for dipping into the thick broth.
A rush of warmth, a mixture of excitement and satisfaction, surged in his chest, nearly bringing tears to Raine’s eyes. This was his first real feast since crossing over into this Otherworld! It was no longer just a meager survival ration to fill his stomach, but an actual meat dish rich with fats and spices!
He couldn’t wait. Grabbing the wooden spoon, he prepared to properly reward his long-suffering stomach. But just as his mouth watered and he was about to dig in, an inexplicable gaze suddenly locked onto him, making him frown.
Because he had returned a bit early, it wasn’t yet the peak lunch hour. There weren’t many Adventurers in the tavern hall, leaving the space somewhat empty. Following the sensation, Raine quickly traced the gaze to a corner against the wall. Surprisingly, it was the Red-bearded Dwarf he had just briefly encountered at the Blacksmith’s Shop.
The Dwarf clearly hadn’t expected Raine to suddenly look his way. Upon being caught, he jerked his head away as if burned, pretending to study the wooden mug in front of him intently while his thick fingers drummed awkwardly against the cup. He tried hard to put on an "I don’t care at all" facade, but his slightly twitching nostrils and the uncontrollable bobbing of his Adam’s apple completely betrayed his deep craving for the food. Slumping in his chair with his signature Great Shield leaning by his feet, he looked less like a heroic Warrior and more like a rain-drenched Owl Bear cub.
Lian, who was standing nearby, also noticed Raine’s line of sight. She quietly leaned in and kept her voice extremely low. "Mr. Raine, do you know that heavily bearded guest? He looks so fierce. He’s been sitting there ever since he came in and has already chugged three large pitchers of water, but he hasn’t ordered anything else."
She was evidently a little afraid of this silent, rugged guest from an Alien Race.
Raine immediately understood. The Dwarf had already been strapped for cash back at the Blacksmith’s Shop. Coming to the tavern was likely just to find a place where he could drink water for free and rest his feet for a while. Seeing the Dwarf’s desperately calm yet undeniably destitute figure, Raine’s furrowed brows relaxed. Although he wasn’t particularly wealthy himself right now, it would be a breeze to buy the man a meal. Befriending a principled Dwarf was never a bad thing.
His mind made up, a thoughtful glint flashed through Raine’s eyes. From the scene at the Blacksmith’s Shop earlier, it was easy to see that this Dwarf perfectly embodied all the traits of his race: stubborn, straightforward, valuing oaths and promises, and hating to owe anyone a favor. If he were too direct, it would probably just backfire. After thinking for a moment, he quickly formed a plan.
He picked up his fragrant bowl of stew and walked over to the Dwarf’s table on his own initiative. Under the other party’s somewhat astonished and wary gaze, he calmly sat down.
"We meet again, Big Guy," Raine said, his tone peaceful and carrying just the right amount of respect. "I heard at the Blacksmith’s Shop earlier that you have quite a high level of expertise in Forging."
Raine had learned this form of address from the Sloppy Ranger; to a Dwarf, "Big Guy" was a sincere compliment. As he spoke, he unfastened the new Short Sword at his waist, placed it gently on the table, and slid it toward the Dwarf.
"I acquired this Short Sword by chance not long ago, and I’m a bit curious about its material and origins. I wonder if you might share your insights on it?" He deliberately kept his posture humble as he voiced his "request." As for what material the sword actually was, he didn’t really care that much.
The Dwarf sitting opposite him clearly recognized Raine as the black-haired young man from the Blacksmith’s Shop. He didn’t reply immediately, only pressing his lips tightly together amidst his thick beard, maintaining his vigilance toward strangers. However, his eyes once again darted toward the bowl of stew sitting so close by, and a heavily suppressed swallow sounded from his throat.
Without waiting for the Dwarf to make a decision, Raine turned his head to look at Lian, who was still standing nearby, and said gently, "Please serve this Big Guy another portion of stew. Double the amount of meat and bread, and bring him a large mug of ale."
He looked back at the Dwarf and shrugged. "I’ll treat you to a drink and something to eat, and in return, you tell me the information I want to know. It’s a fair trade."
Lian complied and quickly returned with an extra-large bowl of stew piled high with meat chunks, along with a large wooden mug filled to the brim with frothy golden ale. THUD! She placed them heavily in front of the Dwarf and then quickly ran off.
The Dwarf kept his head bowed. His calloused hands rested in fists on his knees, staring motionlessly at the hearty meal in front of him as if it were a terrifying beast.
Raine didn’t rush him. He simply picked up his own spoon, scooped up some broth with a piece of carrot, and blew on it. "The food has already been served. You can’t just let these carefully cooked delicacies end up in the slop bucket, can you?"
Those words seemed to hit the Dwarf’s weak spot. He snatched up his wooden spoon, grabbed the double-portioned bowl of stew, and silently buried his head to feast. He scarfed down the food so ravenously that his beard was soon covered in breadcrumbs. God knows how long he had been starving.
Raine refocused his attention on his own long-awaited meal. He brought a spoonful of the rich, mellow broth to his mouth. The combined flavors of savory meat, sweet vegetables, and aromatic basil instantly exploded across his taste buds. The slow-cooked rib meat melted in his mouth, while the carrots and potatoes, infused with the essence of the stew, were soft and deliciously sweet.
At this moment, this simple bowl of stew was undoubtedly superior to any exotic delicacies he had eaten before crossing over. He ate slowly, savoring the warmth of the food as it spread gently from his stomach through every fiber of his being.
Directly across from Raine, the Dwarf—who had already polished off his meal and chugged the last drop of ale with a loud GLUG GLUG—suddenly wiped his hands solemnly on the hem of his clothes. He then picked up Raine’s Short Sword and began examining it closely.
As soon as he unsheathed the blade, a look of utter surprise washed over his heavily bearded face. His body stiffened involuntarily, and his light brown eyes widened into round saucers.