"Hey, mister, you might want to get this guy some water," Ryo said dryly. "He looks like he's about to choke any second."
Wei shot him an annoyed look but kept chewing.
"Of course, sir," the short rabbit-like waiter replied. With a quick swipe through the air, a glowing screen appeared, displaying a variety of drinks.
"What would you like?"
Wei pointed at the screen. "That orange drink—the large one."
Ryo nodded. "Same for me."
The rabbit-like waiter hurried off.
In less than thirty seconds, he returned, carrying a tray with two large glasses of bright orange drinks.
He set them down in front of Wei and Ryo with a polite smile.
"Your drinks, sirs."
The glasses shimmered slightly, beads of cold moisture sliding down their sides as a refreshing citrus scent filled the air.
Wei didn't hesitate—he grabbed his glass and took a long gulp.
Wei wiped his mouth with a tissue, then glanced at what remained on his plate before diving back in for a few more bites.
After finishing, he leaned back slightly.
"Another fried duck with fried rice, please," Wei said, raising a hand. "And this time, include a large orange juice."
He dabbed his mouth again with the tissue.
The rabbit-like waiter nodded politely. "Of course, sir. And for you?"
Ryo, nearly done with his meal, shook his head. "No more food. Just bring me a glass of beer."
"Very well."
The waiter stepped away.
After about a minute, he returned carrying a tray. He placed a fresh serving of fried duck and fried rice in front of Wei, along with a large glass of orange juice. Then he set a chilled glass of beer in front of Ryo.
"Enjoy your meal, gentlemen."
Wei wasted no time. He devoured his food like it was his first proper meal in weeks. In just a few minutes, his plate was completely empty.
Ryo glanced at him. "You going to order another one?"
Wei leaned back, smiling in satisfaction. "No… I think I'm full."
His eyes drifted to Ryo's beer.
Ryo noticed and smirked. "Want one? Go ahead—let's have a drink before we head to the Scarlet Goblins."
Wei hesitated for a second, then grinned. "You know what? I never thought drinking beer was cool… until I saw you drinking it." He pointed at the glass. "Alright, I've decided—we're drinking until we're drunk!"
Ryo let out a quiet chuckle. "Maybe before, you just didn't have anyone to drink with."
Wei paused for a moment—then shrugged it off with a grin.
"Yeah… maybe." Wei raised his hand. "Hey, mister! Can we get some beer?"
The rabbit-like waiter quickly returned to their table. "Would you like to order a bucket of beer, sir?"
Wei nodded. "Yeah. Do you have flavored beers? What's your best one?"
"Of course, sir," the waiter replied with a polite smile. "Our finest is the apple-flavored beer."
"Alright, we'll take a bucket of that." Wei leaned back, then added casually, "Oh—and can you ask the woman who served my fried duck earlier if she can sit with us? I'd like to meet her."
The waiter blinked, then gave a small, respectful bow.
"Ah… the lady you're referring to is actually the owner of this restaurant, sir," he explained. "I'm afraid that request may not be possible."
Wei raised an eyebrow, surprised. "The owner, huh…"
Ryo smirked slightly, taking a sip of his drink. "You've got expensive taste."
"Well, I didn't know she was the owner of this place!" Wei snapped. "And besides, I'm good-looking and strong. That should make me qualified enough to talk to her!"
Ryo raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Qualified?"
Wei crossed his arms, still a bit irritated. "Yeah. What, you don't think so?"
Ryo took a calm sip of his beer before replying. "I think you're drunk already—and you haven't even started."
Wei scoffed, but a faint smirk tugged at his lips.
Ryo… why are you suddenly being mean to me?" Wei asked, his voice softening a little.
Ryo paused, then sighed, setting his drink down. "I'm not being mean," he said calmly. "I'm just being honest."
Wei frowned. "Yeah, well… it doesn't sound like it."
Ryo glanced at him, a faint smirk returning. "You'll get used to it."
Wei shook his head, half-annoyed, half-amused.
"So you think I'm not qualified for her?" Wei asked, irritation creeping into his voice.
Ryo didn't answer right away. He took a slow sip of his beer, then set the glass down.
"It's not about being qualified," he said calmly. "You don't even know who she is."
Wei frowned. "She's the owner. That's enough."
Ryo shook his head slightly. "No… that's exactly the problem."
Wei leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Then what are you trying to say?"
Ryo met his gaze. "I'm saying—be careful who you get interested in."
Wei scoffed, but something in Ryo's tone made him pause.
Before Wei could respond, a familiar presence approached their table.
"Oh? Is everything alright here?" a gentle voice asked. "Is there some kind of commotion?"
Wei looked up.
It was her—the elegant elf in the red dress.
The rabbit-like waiter quickly bowed.
"Nothing serious, boss. This young man was hoping you might join them while they have their drinks. I informed him that it wouldn't be possible, since you are the owner."
"Oh, really?" she said, a faint smile forming. "And why not?"
The waiter blinked, caught off guard.
She waved a hand casually. "It's fine. Go ahead and bring them their beers… and bring me my usual wine as well."
Without waiting for a reply, she pulled a chair and sat down with them gracefully.
Wei glanced at Ryo, a smug grin slowly spreading across his face—as if silently saying, See? I told you.
Ryo just shook his head, unimpressed.
"Hi, my name is Amy," the elf said with a gentle smile. "I couldn't help but notice—you two don't seem to be from this world originally. May I ask what your business is here?" she added, looking at them curiously.
"Oh, well… we're merchants, traveling all over Birigan," Wei replied proudly, smiling.
Ryo remained silent, casually looking at his beer.
"Really?" Amy tilted her head slightly, her gaze shifting to Ryo. "If I remember correctly, I think I saw your friend meditating and practicing his swordsmanship on another part of this island a few months ago… unless I'm mistaken."
Wei let out a small, awkward chuckle.
"Ahh… yeah. My friend trains in swordsmanship for self-defense," he explained. "Traveling isn't easy, you know. Even merchants need to protect themselves. Some even hire bodyguards during their journeys."
He nodded confidently, as if his explanation made perfect sense.
Amy watched him for a moment, her smile unchanged—but her eyes seemed to be studying him more closely.
"I just want to ask as well… what were you doing in the place where you saw my friend practicing his swordsmanship?" Wei said, trying to sound casual. "I'm just curious."
"Well," Amy replied with a proud smile, "I'm a martial arts practitioner. That's why I was in the same area where I saw your friend."
Wei's eyes widened. "Whoa! Really? That just makes you even more awesome than you already are."
Amy blushed slightly, her smile softening. "Oh… thank you."
At that moment, the rabbit-like waiter returned, carrying a tray.
On it was a bucket filled with crushed ice and several bottles of apple beer, along with a bottle of strawberry wine and an empty glass.
He carefully set everything down on the table.
"Your drinks, sirs… and for you, madam."
The three enjoyed their drinks, with Wei and Amy slipping into an easy, friendly conversation. Laughter came naturally, and for a moment, the world outside didn't seem to matter.
Half an hour later—
At a distance, a handsome elf dressed in traditional martial arts attire stood watching them, his gaze sharp and unreadable.
He approached a nearby rabbit-like waiter.
"Who are those two strangers sitting with Amy?" he asked.
"Oh, Master Yen," the waiter replied with a respectful bow. "They are just customers who dined here."
"Is that so…" Yen murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly.
After finishing their drinks, Wei and Ryo stepped outside, with Amy accompanying them to the entrance.
Wei turned back, smiling brightly as he waved.
"Thank you! Until we meet again!"
Amy smiled and waved in return.
But just as Wei and Ryo began to walk away—
A figure appeared in front of them.
Silent. Sudden.
It was the same elf.
"And do you really think you'll be able to return to this place again?" he said calmly.
Wei stopped in his tracks, caught off guard.
"Whoa—uh… I'm sorry, sir?" he replied, confused.
Ryo's expression sharpened slightly.
The air shifted.
Without warning—
WHOOSH!
The elf spun, his leg cutting through the air with blinding speed.
THUD!
His kick slammed straight into Wei's face.
Wei didn't even have time to react.
His body lifted off the ground, sent flying through the air before crashing hard against the stone path.
CRASH!
Dust scattered.
Silence followed.
Ryo's eyes sharpened instantly.
He leapt back without hesitation, creating distance between himself and the attacker, then landed beside Wei.
Wei lay motionless… like a lifeless body.
Ryo crouched and tapped his shoulder.
"Wei… hey. You still alive?" he muttered, his tone low but alert. "Don't mess around right now."
No response.
Ryo exhaled slowly and stood up, his gaze locking onto the elf.
"I guess we've got another enemy," he said calmly.
His grip tightened on his weapon.
"You've already had your share of gold and EXP today," Ryo added, glancing briefly at Wei. "So sit this one out."
A faint smirk formed on his face as he stepped forward.
"It's my turn now."
The air grew heavy.
The elf remained still—calm, composed… waiting.
Amy and the rabbit-like waiter froze in shock as the attack unfolded before their eyes.
"Aah—!"
Amy broke into a run, rushing toward them.
"Yen! What are you doing?!" she shouted. "They're my friends!"
Ryo, who had just stepped forward, suddenly stopped.
Amy reached Master Yen and grabbed his collar, her hands trembling.
"Stop this right now!" she cried. "Why are you acting like this?!"
Tears welled in her eyes.
Yen's expression hardened.
He shoved her back.
"Enough!" he barked. "We'll talk later!"
Amy stumbled backward, stunned.
At that moment—
Yen's gaze shifted.
He saw it.
A faint, burning aura rising from Ryo… controlled, but deadly.
Ryo's hand rested on the scabbard of his katana, his posture calm, ready.
Then—
Yen's eyes lifted slightly.
A glowing interface hovered above Ryo's head.
LEGION SLAYER
Yen's eyes widened.
"…Impossible."
His grip tightened.
"So it's true… these two are the rogue swordsmen who defeated the generals…"
A bead of sweat slid down his temple.
"I can't take them both at once… but it's too late to back down now."
The air between them grew heavy.
One wrong move—
And the sacred ground would witness bloodshed.