Chapter 71: The Squid Tavern

Black Rat Street.

“Where is the Squid Tavern?”

“I-it’s… right in… that alley.”

“Go in, take the first fork to the very end…”

A skinny man in worn leather armor stammered, his lips trembling.

“Thank you, kind passerby.”

Vivian said with a friendly smile, patting his shoulder.

“Don’t rob people anymore. Next time you run into me, I won’t be so patient.”

“Y-yes.”

The man’s legs gave way, and he knelt on the ground.

He only managed to stagger to his feet after the petite figure disappeared into the alley.

Leaning against the wall, he gasped for breath.

“Huff… I thought I was going to die.”

He roughly snapped his dislocated right hand back into place and clutched his pounding heart.

Remembering the scene from just moments ago, he was still filled with dread.

He might never want to rob anyone on Black Rat Street again.

Vivian and Nolan passed through the gloomy alley, stepping over a road flowing with sewage.

The two arrived in front of a tavern.

It had no name, only a wooden sign hanging at the corner of the wall.

On the sign, painted in pigment, was a squid with its tentacles splayed menacingly.

Orange-red firelight shone from the two windows on either side.

Even standing at the door, the noisy clamor of voices could be heard through the wooden door.

“Are you ready, Vivian?”

Nolan turned around, looking down at Vivian, who barely reached his chest.

He wore a dark gray wool coat, the collar open, revealing the edge of a white shirt underneath.

Below were black riding breeches, a shortsword hanging at his waist, devoid of any ornamentation.

“Let me look at it one more time, don’t rush.”

Vivian took out the small note Edward had given her and studied it carefully.

She was wrapped in a black dress made of cotton, washed so many times the edges were gray.

The collar was high enough to cover her entire neck, and the hem fell past her thighs.

A homemade little bat hairpin was pinned in her hair on top of her head.

Her black hair lay softly against her slightly chubby cheeks.

Tonight, they were here to gather information, not to capture cultists.

There was no need to dress so conspicuously; they had both changed into their most comfortable clothes.

“I’ve memorized it. Let’s go in.”

Vivian folded the note and put it back in her pocket.

She lifted her smooth chin and strode forward with a confident step.

Ding-a-ling-ling.

With the light chime of a bell, the heavy oak door was pushed open.

The familiar mixed scent of ale and smoke rushed to meet them.

Vivian’s red eyes casually scanned the surroundings, observing the tavern.

A fire burned in the hearth in the main hall. Against the walls on both sides were worn wooden tables.

A group of burly men surrounded a table, slapping it as they played a drinking game.

A bard played an out-of-tune lute, providing them with clumsy accompaniment.

Vivian and Nolan exchanged a silent glance.

As if by mutual agreement, they walked to a table farthest from that group of men and sat down.

Behind the bar, the one-eyed owner wiped a tin cup.

He glanced up at the two strange new guests but didn’t say anything.

The owner came to their table, giving a slight bow as he asked:

“What can I get for you two?”

Vivian cleared her throat lightly and spoke:

“I’ll have some ham and eggs, a nice fried steak.”

“Plus all the side dishes, with a thick sauce poured over it.”

The one-eyed owner was slightly taken aback, then said:

“That will cost quite a bit, miss.”

“I know. And a large mug of light ale.” Vivian smiled.

The owner gave a slight nod and returned to the bar.

He picked up a tin cup and then placed it upside down on the counter.

Vivian’s vision suddenly blurred.

When her mind cleared…

The noisy drunks, the out-of-tune bard—they had all vanished in an instant.

Only the owner remained in the tavern.

“Please come in, guests.”

He stepped aside, revealing a hidden door behind the bar.

“Tsk tsk tsk, to think our Ma’en City has such a secret gathering hidden underground.” “That old fool Derek is useless, not even knowing the avenues in his own backyard.” Vivian clicked her tongue, taking a jab at Priest Derek in passing.

“He’s just a priest devoted to his studies. Don’t be too hard on him.”

Nolan stroked Vivian’s hair, speaking up for Derek.

“Fine, I’ll let him off this once.”

Vivian narrowed her eyes comfortably, enjoying the pleasant feeling of having her head patted.

Wait, no!

I am the indomitable Vivian!

No patting!

She abruptly slapped Nolan’s hand away and glared at him fiercely.

Nolan gave a gentle smile, innocently spreading his hands.

Vivian snorted coldly, pushed open the hidden door, and walked in.

After passing through a short passageway, it opened up.

Inside was a spacious room.

The layout wasn’t much different from the tavern outside.

But in the very center of the hall, there was an enormous chest.

There were also far fewer people here.

Most were seated alone, except for a table at the very back, which was surrounded by several figures.

Just then.

A man in a black mage’s robe walked up to the large chest.

He pushed the lid open with effort and took a burlap sack from his pocket.

Clatter, clatter, clatter.

A variety of items poured out of the sack’s opening.

There were glittering gold coins, silver tableware, and gem-encrusted necklaces.

Vivian’s eyes went wide.

“How much money is that…”

She murmured under her breath.

The man closed the chest and silently returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.

“Nolan, I want to be a thief too…”

“Sure, just don’t call me when you get beaten up.”

Nolan shrugged, saying with a look of indifference.

“Just kidding.” Vivian waved her hand.

With that, she took Nolan’s hand and led him to a table to sit down.

But they waited for a long time, and no one came to attend to them.

The two just chatted quietly while observing their surroundings.

“Which one is our target?” Vivian asked.

“I can’t tell which person has a big tail either.”

Nolan’s gaze swept across the room.

A black mage, a bald, burly man, and a few adventurers in leather armor.

“How about I beat them all up.”

Vivian clenched her fist, flexing her hands and feet.

“Low-profile operation, remember? I promised Edward.”

“We can’t harm Big Tail Rat.”

Nolan shook his head, rejecting Vivian’s suggestion.

“Then I’ll just ask a kind soul.”

Vivian directly turned around and walked towards the table nearest to them.

Sitting at the table was a bald, burly man with a face full of rough features.

His head was smooth and shiny, with a fierce, shallow scar running horizontally across his forehead.

It stretched from his temple to his brow bone, looking particularly menacing.

“Sir, I’d like to ask you about something.”

Vivian tried hard to squeeze out a smile, greeting him politely.

The bald man crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair.

He glanced up at Vivian, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

“I know you. Vivian, the wandering physician of Ma’en City, right?”

“That’s me. May I ask…”

Before she could finish, the bald man raised a hand to stop her.

“There’s nothing free in the Scavenger’s Guild, Miss Vivian.”

The bald man sat up straight and took out a gold coin.

Clink.

He casually tossed the coin onto the left side of the table, then placed his right fist on the right side.

“Wealth, or strength.”