Raine frowned slightly, recalling the scenes of that night.
There had been five Bear Goblins that broke into the inn, plus one lurking in the backyard. According to what Jason quietly revealed later, the three other locations where chaos had erupted had also seen one eliminated at each spot. Calculating it all, a total of nine Bear Goblins were confirmed killed in the town that night.
This number might seem significant, but these were only ordinary Bear Goblins, completely incapable of plotting such a coordinated attack. The true mastermind—an entity possessing higher intelligence capable of commanding these giant beasts—was likely still hiding in the shadows, perhaps even in some corner of the town itself. A trace of hidden worry surfaced in Raine’s heart once more.
However, word had it that the Ring of Steel squad had been investigating the matter with their full effort over the past few days. The number of Sheriffs and patrol guards in town had also noticeably increased. In particular, the squad of guards stationed around the inn all had sharp eyes and excellent equipment. Almost all of them were experienced Black Iron Level Adventurers. With them around, there was no need to worry too much about the inn’s safety; at the very least, a situation like that night, where enemies charged right in, wouldn’t happen again.
As for the rest of the town... Raine let out a soft sigh, temporarily suppressing these chaotic thoughts. He was just a Bottom-level Adventurer. Protecting all of Mottled Town wasn’t his responsibility, nor was he capable of it. All he could do was improve his strength as quickly as possible to face any future crises. Focusing on himself was the wisest choice at the moment.
Raine sorted out his mood and stepped down the stairs. The moment he reached the first-floor lobby, the Adventurer guests who had survived the fierce battle that night enthusiastically greeted him one after another.
"Morning, Raine!"
"How’d you rest, buddy?"
"There’s an empty seat over here!"
The contempt that used to be in their eyes was long gone, replaced by heartfelt respect. Had Raine not stepped forward at the critical moment, rallying everyone to work together and slaying two giant beasts in succession to stabilize the situation, they would have likely become meals for the Bear Goblins.
Wiping glasses behind the counter, Lady Basha also looked up and offered Raine a gentle smile. Looking at the calm, black-haired young man, she couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional. Not long ago, he had been pointed at and mocked for his cowardice and weakness. But now, he was the recognized hero of the entire inn, having won everyone’s respect through his actions.
"Hey! Earth People kid, don’t just stand there, come to this table!"
A rough voice, like rocks grating against each other, rang out. A Dwarf was sitting at a brand-new wooden table by the window. He waved his thick, sturdy arm vigorously at Raine, the motion so wide that he nearly knocked over the empty wine glass next to him.
Raine smiled and greeted everyone one by one before walking over to the Dwarf. His sparring partner for the past few days had been this Dwarf named Sodden. Through their repeated practice sessions, the two had become true friends.
He sat down opposite Sodden, his gaze casually sweeping over the Dwarf’s meticulously braided, thick beard. That quaint brass ring, which had recently been kept with Kent for safekeeping, was once again threaded onto a beard braid. After receiving his compensation, the first thing Sodden did was go to the Blacksmith’s Shop to redeem it. He had been overjoyed about it for quite a while.
"This is the First Ring of my grandfather, ’Hard Palm’ Polk." Noticing Raine’s gaze, Sodden gently rubbed the quaint brass ring, his tone calm and solemn. "He forged it with his own hands back when he ended his time as an Apprentice and became a formal craftsman."
The Dwarf shrugged as if to dispel the overly heavy atmosphere, but his eyes involuntarily darkened with deep emotion. "It’s not worth much, and it’s even a bit rough, but my grandfather told me that a Dwarf’s value doesn’t lie in how much Mithril he owns, but in how much heart and soul he pours into something.
"This ring is the starting point of his life’s work. He wore it when he forged the door knocker of the clan hall, and he wore it when he fought in the Black Tide War.
"And now, it’s here." Sodden tapped his thick beard braid heavily with his knuckles. "It reminds me that whether I am swinging my War Axe or raising a glass to drink, every single one of my actions is connected to my grandfather’s will, connected to his courage that was as unyielding as the mountain rocks."
Raine listened, his gaze shifting from the brass ring to Sodden’s resolute face, a bit of solemn respect welling up in his eyes.
Just like the patterns on the foreheads of the Northern Barbarian Race, beard braids were the chronicles of a Dwarf’s glory. When a young Dwarf came of age, an elder of the Clan would weave his first formal beard braid, marking his transition into adulthood. Upon starting a family, a Dwarf couple would exchange a lock of hair or beard to weave into each other’s braids as an Eternal token of their union and loyalty. As for the Dwarf Warriors returning from bloody battles, their braids would be adorned with marks of honor that only their kin could decipher.
And the metal rings on the braids, particularly the First Ring Sodden mentioned, symbolized that an adult Dwarf had officially received the Clan’s recognition. Only then were they qualified to decorate their braids with metal rings, marking the beginning of their beard recording their own personal story.
It was evident that this brass ring passed down from Sodden’s grandfather was truly of extraordinary significance. It symbolized that Sodden had taken up his grandfather’s mantle and forging hammer, inheriting all of his glory, Skills, and unyielding spirit.
Just as Raine was sighing with emotion in his heart, Lian walked over with brisk steps, carrying a tray.
"Mr. Raine, Mr. Redbeard, here is your breakfast."
The young girl’s voice was crisp as she gently placed two hearty breakfasts in front of them. The breakfast before them was no longer the life-sustaining rations of black bread and bland vegetable soup from before.
In the wooden bowl in front of Raine sat a bowl of steaming oatmeal, thick and mixed with milk and wild honey. Next to it was a plate of golden, crispy flatbread, quickly baked on a hot stone slab using a batter mixed with whole wheat flour. Its edges were slightly curled, emitting a faint, toasted aroma. Besides that, there were a few slices of sizzling bacon and a small block of rich, hard cheese.
A breakfast like this was priced at a full thirty Copper Deer on the inn’s menu. It wasn’t surprising. After all, salt and spices were expensive commodities in the town. Being able to cure flavorful food like bacon inherently meant a hefty cost.
Lady Basha had originally insisted on providing it to Raine for free to repay his kindness. However, Raine was much more financially comfortable now and absolutely refused to take advantage of the widowed mother and daughter. After much persuasion, he finally got her to accept payment for the meal.
Picking up his wooden spoon, he scooped a spoonful of the warm oatmeal into his mouth. The rich milky flavor and just-right sweetness instantly soothed his taste buds. Yet, a trace of regret couldn’t help but flash through Raine’s mind. It was just a pity about that carefully stewed meat soup and the tender chunks of meat from last time. He had only enjoyed it for one day. When he had wanted to go to the kitchen to get a little more the next day, he found that all the leftovers were gone. They must have been devoured by those invading Bear Goblins—what an absolute waste of good food.
As he enjoyed his breakfast, he habitually looked around but didn’t see that familiar figure with the burgundy ponytail.
Kaelin was still absent. Over the past few days, she hadn’t even rested properly for a single day, heading out very early every morning. Raine could clearly feel that she was growing increasingly anxious. It seemed that finding a suitable Caster to break the barrier had become a matter of utmost urgency that could brook no delay. She had drawn herself taut like a bow pulled to its absolute limit, liable to snap at any moment, yet she stubbornly continued to bear everything in silence.
Raine shook his head and sighed softly. As he ate his breakfast, he began to plan out his itinerary for the day.