Just like what Xia Nan had seen in various films, anime, and novels in his previous life.
The owner of the White Sparrow Tavern was a middle-aged man with a pair of mustaches, focusing intently on polishing a glass.
Having seen countless adventurers, the owner naturally wouldn't give Xia Nan a second glance just because of his youthful appearance.
Even when he walked straight over to the bar and sat down, the tavern owner merely raised his eyelids slightly.
"The lodging is one silver coin per night, right?"
Referencing the information provided in the [adventurer's manual], Xia Nan confirmed.
The other person nodded slightly.
"And what about long-term stays, any discounts?" Experience from the past life prompted Xia Nan to continue asking.
"That depends on how long you stay."
Upon hearing this, he nodded and didn't ask further questions.
The "1 silver coin/night" rate at the White Sparrow Tavern was already among the relatively cheap rates in town. Any lower, and neither comfort nor safety would be guaranteed.
Although long-term rental offers discounts, if one intends to delve deeper into the adventurer's trade, this kind of temporary accommodation lacks a sense of belonging.
Moreover, there are certain risks involved with storing items or daily living.
In fact, Xia Nan was more inclined to buy a property of his own in town.
Of course, provided he had a certain understanding of the surrounding environment and sufficient funds.
"Perhaps he could try chatting with some real estate agents?" he mused to himself.
Meanwhile, driven by hunger pangs, Xia Nan's gaze lingered on the menu hanging on the wall.
"Set menu number 3, please."
The price was two silver coins, equivalent to a day's wages for a laborer.
It included a large portion of tender and fragrant stewed meat, a bowl of rich mushroom soup, several slices of white bread with butter and cheese, and a large mug of refreshing ale.
As a meal, it might be a bit pricey.
But for Xia Nan, who had just finished a dangerous journey and made a "fortune," it was the best choice to soothe the body and mind.
Honestly, the taste was quite good.
The stewed meat was savory and flavorful, the mushroom soup especially fresh and sweet, particularly when paired with toast, allowing the flavor of the soup to seep into the bread, complemented by a small slice of soft, sweet and salty cheese.
Even Xia Nan, who was used to modern gourmet cuisines in his previous life, found himself somewhat amazed.
Of course, it might also be because he had been munching on jerky and flatbread in the forest for many days, causing everything to taste wonderful now.
With the meal settled in his stomach, his whole body seemed to be warmed and nourished.
Sitting at the bar, Xia Nan's gaze swept over the tavern.
Surprisingly, although he had arrived in an Otherworld with a Western-style fantasy background, since crossing over, he hadn't actually seen many intelligent beings of other races.
Probably one or two out of every ten people he met.
And most of them were dwarfs and half orcs; he hadn't seen any dwarves or elves that frequently appeared on screens in his previous life...
Suddenly, Xia Nan's gaze paused.
"Here's one."
By the window in the tavern, at a rectangular wooden table, sat four figures of varying forms:
A slender and beautiful young girl with blonde hair, in her early twenties, arms crossed in front of her chest, legs crossed, exuding a nonchalant aura;
Next to her was a slightly chubby man dressed in luxurious and flamboyant attire, trying to flatter the girl with a fawning expression.
But what caught Xia Nan's attention was the last figure, a tall man sitting alone at one side of the wooden table.
With silver hair implying elven blood flowing freely down his shoulders, tied neatly at the back, he had delicate and soft features, fair skin, and the unique silver-gray eyes of an elf.
But upon closer inspection, one could tell, though his ear tips were sharp, they were not as elongated as those of elves. Though he appeared thinner than an average male, he wasn't as slender as an elf either.
"So, probably a Half Elf?"
Xia Nan speculated with his meager Otherworldly knowledge.
"Carrying a longbow on his back, that's consistent with my traditional impression of elves' profession choices. However, are these four a team?"
"Wait! There are four?"
He suddenly realized he had overlooked something.
Like a TV remote that was right under his nose but never found, or a phone held in hand but assumed lost.
As he noticed something wrong, the figure he instinctively ignored finally appeared in Xia Nan's sight.
A middle-aged man wearing tight-fitting clothes, with an unremarkable appearance.
Compared to the three others around him, there was nothing noteworthy about him, as if he were just a bystander sitting at the same table.
And it was precisely because of this that, when Xia Nan realized something was amiss, his heart skipped a beat.
His eyes skimmed over the short dagger wrapped in coarse cloth at the man's waist and then retracted as if electroshocked.
"Wood, what's wrong?"
Hai'an tightened her somewhat loose ponytail, and with the corner of her eye catching her guard's unusual behavior, she couldn't help but ask.
"It's nothing, young master."
Wood slightly furrowed his brows, glanced at a certain direction at the bar for a moment before turning back and replying.
"No need to be too tense, although we're near the Mist Forest, this is River Valley Town after all. With so many adventurers coming and going on the street, nothing dangerous will happen."
Upon hearing this, Wood's originally expressionless face couldn't help but show a hint of helplessness.
"Young master, precisely because there are adventurers here, we should be more careful."
Of course, Hai'an understood what her guard was implying. Perhaps due to his acknowledgment of the other's abilities or maybe because of his disposition, he merely responded with a smile:
"Relax, the adventurer's association is right next door to this tavern. Who would dare to cause trouble here with such audacity?"
"Rather than worrying about these things, let's take this opportunity to discuss our future plans."
To this, guard Wood could only furrow his brow even more deeply.
"Young master, although I've mentioned this a countless number of times, I must remind you again."
"Mist Forest is exceptionally dangerous!"
"Even for me, venturing deep within doesn't guarantee a safe return, you..."
"Alright, alright." The silver-haired Half Elf waved his hand. Though his face did not show impatience, he still interrupted his words, jesting, "Then let me reiterate, our objective this time is at the outskirts of the Mist Forest, the outskirts!"
"Alright." Wood had actually mentally conceded long ago. Otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed him to come here, "But there's one condition you must agree to."
"What is it?"
"We need to add a few more people to our group."
Following his guard's gaze, the Half Elf looked at the two people opposite him, showing some agreement on his face.
"You're right."