Chapter 21: A Hostile Visitor!

In the real world, evening had come.

Because of the town’s lockdown, the tavern closed earlier than usual.

After sending off the last rowdy group of drinkers, the “Oak Barrel” tavern finally fell into a brief silence.

Li Qiuchen began wiping the tables, preparing to push them together into a makeshift bed for the night.

The sunset was about to fade.

The last rays shone in from the horizon, painting the world in pink, colors like an oil painting from an artist’s brush.

Kairui sat at the corner of the long table, worry etched on his face, while Kaili sat at the central long table, drinking and maintaining her Knight’s Longsword.

She turned the sword over and over, her gaze unconsciously sweeping over Li Qiuchen as he wiped the tables.

Every time she polished the blade or took a sip of beer, she changed her posture.

Even Li Qiuchen could feel her restlessness.

“Miss Demon Hunter?”

Li Qiuchen spoke softly.

“What’s wrong?”

Kaili’s brow furrowed slightly.

Her chin lifted instinctively, and her tall figure leaned back in the chair, revealing a beautiful, powerful curve.

“Am I bothering you?”

Li Qiuchen asked.

He had a strange illusion—the peculiar Demon Hunter from the Temple of the God of War across from him was displaying herself like a peacock?

“Not at all.”

Kaili took a sip of beer.

“Okay.”

Li Qiuchen assumed she was having an episode and turned away with a smile.

“By the way, you can call me Kaili.”

Kaili stopped him, placing the Knight’s Longsword on the table with casual ease.

Her tone was calm, but Li Qiuchen could hear the pride in her voice.

No, what exactly are you proud of?

“Alright, Miss Kaili.”

Li Qiuchen replied with a bright smile.

That afternoon’s Dream had nearly allowed Hestia to succeed, but it had also given Li Qiuchen a chance to breathe.

After that ordeal, he had clarified his goals.

First was to find a Blue Crystal and construct the Fool’s Food Ritual.

Thanks to his preparations and Squad Four’s “cooperation,” Li Qiuchen was ready to get a piece of Blue Crystal tonight.

Then he would train, striving to awaken the source of magic as soon as possible.

With magic, he could cast basic spells without relying solely on the elements in his body during emergencies.

With a clear goal, Li Qiuchen’s face regained its reliable smile.

Yet, in Kaili’s eyes, that smile carried a different meaning.

Could someone be this happy just over a form of address?

What a pitiful person.

Unfortunately, she could never return those feelings.

Li Qiuchen realized Kaili’s gaze lingered on him for so long it almost felt like harassment—a bizarre sensation.

He turned and went to find Jocelyn in the kitchen.

Whether he could sleep well tonight was important for what was to come.

Has the pitiful one left just like that?

Maybe being too close was uncomfortable.

Kaili took a small sip of beer, feeling unexpectedly refreshed.

Even if she couldn’t return such feelings, the joy inside was real.

Even if she would die on the battlefield one day, knowing a young man loved her deeply gave her courage to scorn death.

Sigh.

May the Goddess of War bless this pitiful person and let him escape the shadow of love soon.

At that moment, the tavern’s creaking wooden door was pushed open by two figures—one tall, one fat.

A chill incompatible with the town’s gentle atmosphere swept in from outside.

The two men’s clothing was rugged, their leather hunting coats covered in dust and wear.

Weapons hung at their waists, concealed by cloth, but still emanating a dangerous aura.

More striking were their eyes—cold and focused, like wolves searching for prey on the wasteland.

Their gazes swept through the nearly empty tavern and, without hesitation, locked onto Kaili, who was seated at the center polishing her Knight’s Longsword.

Their stares lingered on her for a moment, filled with caution and a hint of… confirmation.

Then, the tall one turned to Tide, who was counting the day’s earnings behind the bar.

“Boss. Lodging.”

At this time, checkpoints had been set up around the town, forbidding anyone from leaving.

Young Militia patrols and the Baron’s Personal Guard roamed day and night.

In such circumstances, how did anyone manage to sneak in?

Tide lifted his chubby face, instinctively wanting to say “rooms are full.”

But the sight of a gleaming Silver Tack flicked from the man’s fingers choked off his words.

The pleasing sound of the silver coin spinning on the wooden counter was more melodious than a Bard’s music.

“Well…”

Tide’s small eyes flashed with cunning and greed as he rubbed his hands together.

His chubby cheeks twisted into a look of difficulty and expectation.

“Honored guests, truly sorry, but the inn is already full.”

He sighed.

“But I could vacate my own room. Though it’s a bit shabby and troublesome to tidy up, I would hate to neglect such esteemed guests…”

The fat, bald Demon Hunter silently added another Silver Tack.

Tide’s waist instantly bent, his smile becoming genuine and obsequious.

“However, on second thought, it would be this humble tavern’s honor to serve you both! I’ll tidy it up at once—clean and comfortable, I promise!”

Thus, under the magic of Silver Tack, Tide willingly gave up his own room.

The curfew bell echoed over the town, and the last traces of conversation faded.

Naili stood at the staircase, fingers nervously twisting her skirt.

Her gaze turned to Kairui, sitting alone in the corner, locked in an internal struggle.

She took a deep breath, as if summoning all her courage.

Her voice was as light as a feather.

“Young Master Kairui… upstairs, it’s quieter. Can we… talk?”

Kairui looked up, his complicated gaze resting on Naili’s face for a moment, then nodded and followed her up the stairs.

“Naili, my father wants me to leave tomorrow. Come with me.”

“Young Master Kairui, let’s discuss inside. I want to make a deal with you.”

Naili walked slowly up the stairs.

Kairui followed anxiously, recalling unbearable memories.

How could he explain, to make the girl believe that what he’d done was not his own will?

Perhaps it was unnecessary—after all, even he couldn’t tell whether the Curse truly existed, or if his actions were influenced by it.

***

At this moment, inside the Temple of the God of War in the town center, Wright sat alone before the statue of the Goddess of War.

It was his daily habit—even after the old priest’s death, he came to pray at dusk.

The Temple was not ancient but showed signs of age.

The prayer mats were dark with wear, the walls streaked with old water stains, but the statue of the Goddess of War was well-maintained, and the moss on the steps had been carefully swept away.

Tonight, as Wright recited Chapter Six of the Martial God Chronicle, he suddenly stopped.

The once sacred, tranquil Temple fell silent.

Two figures blocked the front and rear doors, the sunset casting only faint shadows.

As night deepened, Wright leaned forward to light a candle.

The two figures approached, and his body tensed.

This old Militia, once renowned for his defense of the city, felt his long-suppressed fighting spirit stir.

But as the faces were illuminated, that spirit quickly faded, like a candle doused by rain.

“I thought the Horn Baron’s men would find me first.”

Wright muttered, folding his legs on the prayer mat.

“You misled them. They believe it was outsiders.”

Li Qiuchen sat beside him, while Jocelyn stood alert nearby, occasionally glancing out the window.

“You know, ever since the mines reopened, many strangers have gathered here.”

“I guessed you took advantage of the chaos.”

“I saw the wound on the horse corpse from the tavern’s second-floor window. If it were a vampire bite, the flesh would have inverted from blood loss…”

Li Qiuchen continued, half to himself.

“Bakers have custom iron needles for checking flour moisture. You used one to bleed the horse, then dragged the body to the street, avoiding patrols.”

Wright turned to him.

He’d known Naili’s cousin wasn’t ordinary, but he hadn’t expected this much.

He sighed softly.

“I disguised myself for three years and you saw through it so easily. What made you suspect me?”

A bitter smile appeared on Li Qiuchen’s face.

Do you know, my friend?

You managed to fool a once-famous Philosopher with your honest face.

Luckily, I’m hiding my identity now, or your deception would stain my great reputation.

“The magic in that Blue Crystal was drained by you,” Li Qiuchen said.

“You noticed that too?”

Wright was incredulous.

“A normally depleted magic crystal isn’t that clean. Like a leaking beer barrel, there are always traces left.”

Li Qiuchen explained.

Wright listened seriously, even nodding at times.

Everything the boy said was correct—but none of this was something a tavern worker should know or even imagine.

He slowly lifted his head, his eyes sharp enough to pierce all disguises, dazzlingly bright.

“You don’t look like Naili’s cousin at all.”

“Then what do I look like?”

Li Qiuchen asked curiously.

The man’s profile was highlighted by candlelight.

“Like an old wizard disguised as a young man.”

Li Qiuchen’s expression froze.

A man’s hearty laughter echoed in the Temple.

***

On the tavern’s second floor, as Naili led Kairui into her room and the door closed softly,

the two Demon Hunters—who should have been resting in their own room—moved like phantoms.

Their boots made no sound on the old wooden floor, clearly trained in stealth.

They exchanged a cold glance and, in perfect harmony, moved left and right, silently approaching the door at the end of the corridor—Kaili’s temporary “VIP suite.”

The tall Demon Hunter drew a crossbow from behind his waist.

The fat one unsheathed a short dagger with fine serrations, its blade gleaming with cold light in the moonlight.

Their movements were slow and steady, breath controlled, like two vipers coiling around their prey.

The air itself seemed to tighten, like an invisible bowstring pulled to its limit.

And at that moment, Kaili remained oblivious.

She lay beneath the sheets, perhaps lost in the day’s pride of being celebrated by the townsfolk, or replaying the battle in the mines, or maybe… her mind still troubled by that “fainting for love” northern youth.

But danger had already arrived at her door.