Chapter 10: Speculations!

After the dark tide receded, Thoren slept peacefully until daybreak. He rose from his bed and stretched his body.

“Huh!” he exhaled deeply, feeling refreshed.

Quickly, he took a brief bath and left his room. In the lobby, he found the beautiful girl behind the counter.

“I thought you wouldn’t come down and cooped up in your room,” she said without raising her head.

“Why would I do that?” Thoren asked.

“Who knows? Perhaps you’re affected by the dark tide?”

“Oh, right. I wanted to ask you about the dark tide.” He moved closer and rested his forearm on the counter.

“Do you know where the dark tide came from or what caused it?”

The girl raised her head and rolled her eyes at him. “What do you think? Do you think this is Earth?” She scoffed.

“You should be glad that you managed to survive your first dark-tide experience. Many lost their lives yesterday, and the death rate continues to be high. It is only a matter of time before we lose this stronghold.”

Listening to her grave expression, Thoren furrowed his brow. He realized the situation was more solemn than he had imagined.

Still, a question nagged at his mind.

“Why can’t the powerful awakeners fight against the dark tide? I believe that, with enough of them, humans can overcome it.” To him, there were many powerful awakeners in the town. From what he had seen, there were awakeners above level 10 here.

With such force, they could hold their ground against the Shadowborne Skulkers.

The beautiful girl raised her head, listening to Thoren’s naive question, and sneered. “Do you think we haven’t tried that?”

“Many have tried to discover what the dark tide is or its origin, but they all died. How can you fight what you can’t see?”

“Many speculate the dark tide came from the higher floors, but there is no concrete evidence. Some even speculate that the abyss is ensuring there aren’t many humans on each floor.”

“For me, I don’t care about speculation as long as I can keep myself safe. That is the most important thing. I wish to leave the first floor in one piece.” She shrugged and continued to clean the cups.

“So, no one knows what the dark tide is?” Thoren muttered in disbelief. He had seen what lay inside the dark tide but refrained from speaking aloud.

Still, his curiosity remained unquenched. “Has anyone killed the creature inside the dark tide?”

“Kill? Are you deaf? How can we kill what we don’t even know anything about?” Her voice rose in anger. “We only struggle to defend with all our might.”

So no one had ever killed the Shadowborne Skulker, he thought with a dawning realization.

Before he could pull himself out of his thoughts, the girl asked, “Do you need anything? I’m busy.”

“Yes,” Thoren nodded and quickly ordered a quick breakfast.

“You should have said that from the beginning. Why all the useless questions?” she retorted, but with a bright smile.

When it comes to money, nothing compares to it. Her eyes shone brightly, filled with stars.

Seeing her expression, Thoren shuddered and quickly went to take a seat. In less than five minutes, she returned with a tray full of sumptuous meals.

“That’ll be ten copper coins,” she said before returning to the counter with a smile.

Ten copper coins!

Thoren rolled his eyes but chose not to speak. Although she loved money, her food was quite delicious.

He quickly finished the meal, licking his lips and rubbing his stomach, a look of satisfaction on his face.

“Is she the cook, or what?” he wondered, but decided not to dwell on it any longer.

“Do you know where I can sell herbs?” he asked as he rose to his feet.

“There are many alchemist shops in town. Just find one to sell to. Their prices differ by only one or two coins.” She responded casually.

He nodded, paid the ten copper coins, and prepared to leave the inn.

“Should I keep your room?” she asked from behind him.

Thoren did not respond and quickened his pace. He did not want to have anything to do with her. He could already foresee her inflating the room price if he agreed. Watching Thoren escape, she snorted.

“I’m just going to demand a few coins. Why is he running?”

From the kitchen entrance, a mature girl with large breasts came out smiling. “What do you expect? He is afraid of being drained dry.”

“Nonsense. I’m just asking for a few coins. Is that too much to ask?” the girl retorted.

“Whatever. Prepare, we need to depart quickly. Others are already waiting for us.” The mature girl retreated into the kitchen.

Thoren, on the other hand, arrived at the town’s main street. He furrowed his brow, feeling the thick stench of blood in the air and the dried blood on the ground.

“How many lost to the dark tide?” he wondered, a cold shiver running down his spine.

Now he realized how lucky he was to have such an overpowered talent.

Walking through the crowd, he saw everyone wearing grave expressions. The air was thick with untold nervousness and urgency. Many moved in groups, marching toward the town gate with determined strides.

He threaded his way through the crowd and quickly located a small alchemist’s shop. When he opened the door, a bell rang. He was unbothered as his eyes wandered through the shop. It was small but tidy, with the air filled with the scent of herbs.

On a side shelf lay various bottles with descriptions.

“Customer, how can I help you?” a voice echoed from the far end of the room.

A thick black partition split the room into two sections. Emerging from the other side was a young man with disheveled hair.

“Do you buy herbs?” Thoren asked.

“Of course we buy herbs.” The young man nodded with a light smile. “May I see the herbs?”

Thoren nodded and displayed a single stalk of Blueheart Lotus Flower.

Looking at the Blueheart Lotus Flower, the alchemist’s smile widened. “I will buy one stock for ten copper coins. What do you think?”

“Fine,” Thoren agreed easily and produced all ten stocks.

“Haha. Good.” The young alchemist laughed and accepted the ten stocks, handing Thoren one hundred copper coins.

“If you have more herbs, don’t hesitate to come to my shop. I’ll treat you well.” He moved closer and extended his hand.

“I’m Rowan, an alchemist.”

“Thoren.” He shook Rowan’s hand with a faint smile.

As for revealing his occupation, he did not have intention of doing that.

“Very well. If you need any elixirs for your party, come to my shop and I’ll give you discounts.”

“All right…” Thoren nodded and left Rowan’s store.

Now that he had become a Level 5 warrior, his plan was to level up two more times before nightfall. And for that to happen, he planned to visit the Shadow Cave.

****

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