The Against All Odds

CH 31 - Tavern

Tavern in Fog Village was a quiet and peaceful place, a place that looked more like a restaurant than a bar. The walls are made of carefully carved wood, resulting in beautiful and natural carvings. Compared to the tavern in the city, the room feels small, but comfortable, with some neatly laid rectangular wooden tables and simple wooden chairs surrounding it. The soft lighting comes from the oil lanterns hanging along the walls, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

In one corner of the room, there was a large wooden board hung on the wall, serving as a notice board. Here, the job list is neatly arranged with varying levels of difficulty and pay. The jobs range from clearing forests, protecting caravans, to hunting monsters or wild animals. The board also contains information about the presence of monsters roaming around the village, giving warnings to adventurers.

Spread throughout the tavern, you will see adventurers from various circles. They wore practical clothes, often equipped with a variety of weapons, such as swords, arrows, and shields. Some of them sat at the table, seriously discussing the mission they wanted to take. Others stood near information counters, queuing to get more details about the available work.

At the information counter similar to this cinema ticket counter, a guard was tasked to provide further explanations regarding the mission and provide clues to the adventurer. They are intermediaries between adventurers and clients who need their services.

The Tavern in Fog Village was a hub of activity for adventurers, a place where they could get jobs, discuss adventure plans, and share their experiences. Although there were no alcoholic beverages, the atmosphere inside was still filled with a spirit of adventure and curiosity. The bustling sounds of conversation from adventurers who share their stories fill the room, creating a lively and energy-filled environment.

Leo and his friends stood in front of the information board attentively. They looked serious and focused when looking at the list of available missions, his eyes meticulously checked the description of the level of difficulty and pay listed on each mission paper.

While Leo decided to take one of the missions by picking up a piece of paper plastered on the board, the atmosphere around them began to heat up. Barla, an athletic brown woman who works in the village tavern, was scolding an adventurer who appeared to protest loudly because she felt her pay was lacking.

"You think this is a market? We can't control the price of the mission, that's what the mission senders already offer!" barla said in a loud voice, her face furrowed furiously.

The protesting adventurer was still adamant, but Barla was unwilling to budge. "If you don't like it, find another mission that suits your taste better!" he shouted with a firm tone.

Meanwhile, Leo and his friends were still queuing with mixed expressions. They continued to stare towards Barla and the bickering adventurers, trying not to get involved in the commotion.

After the adventurer who had protested had left, Leo and his friends immediately approached Barla. Barla who was initially angry, instantly changed her expression when she saw the four of them approaching. He smiled widely and greeted them with excitement.

"Gee, guys! Can I help you?" barla said in a carefree voice, while leaning herself towards the table, her huge chest pressing against the table in front of her.

Since they had known each other for a month in Fog Village, they were no longer too surprised by Barla's posture and habits like this.

Leo handed the mission papers to Barla. Next to Leo, Alisha looked awkward, occasionally holding her own as if feeling envious of Barla's larger size. He inserts an eye toward Leo, trying to make sure that Leo is not too fascinated by what Barla has. But as always, Leo, however, seemed entirely focused only on his task.

After Belladona made her humorous comment, Barla simply smiled widely and shook her head, not looking bothered in the slightest. He then took the mission paper from Leo and began to read it seriously.

"Well, let me see what I can find" Barla said as she read the description of the mission. His face turned serious, showing that he truly understood how important this job was to adventurers.

Barla stared at the mission paper with her eyes wide open, and there was clearly a surprise in her expression. He then looked at Leo and his friends with mixed eyes between admiration and confusion.

"Do you guys really want to take on this level 10 mission?"

Leo nodded steadily. "Yes right, but is it 100 gold coins?"

Barla looked at Leo and his friends with a worried look. "The pay may be big, but I hope you really understand what you're going to be up against. The Goblin Village was not an enemy that could be taken lightly. Many adventurers never returned after trying this mission. Some say that the village has goblins, trolls, even ogres that can be a serious threat."

Leo and his friends listened seriously to Barla's warning. They understand that this mission will not be easy, but they have faced this kind of thing before and feel ready to face it again. Leo then nodded steadily and said confidently, "We understand the risks, Barla, and we are ready to deal with them. We have been training and fighting danger together. After all, we also need those gold coins."

"Alright, if you're sure, I'll process this. But, beware, Goblin Village is not a safe place. You must be completely prepared to face any form of danger there."

Barla takes care of the mission paper carefully. He gave his first autograph, and was followed by Leo, Alisha, Belladona and Matilda.

Matilda lightly joked, "My signature is the greatest art, Barla! This is the smiling goblin face, look!" He showed his signature which was completely similar to the image he mentioned, but with only two dots and one curved line.

Barla just smiled at the cheerfulness of her friends, even though she remained worried. "May you survive and succeed, friends,"

Barla tried to give her the smile she could, but she knew that there was nothing she could do to change their decision. After handing the mission paper to Leo, he sighed deeply, releasing the burden he had in mind.

Although Barla is full of worries, she also has faith in the abilities of Leo and his friends that have been proven in the previous fight against the Mowldark. He knew that they had strong abilities and had dared to face danger to protect the village. Despite the great risk, Barla knew that they had chosen wisely and were ready to face it.