Chapter 60

Compared to the bustling prosperity of "Hegu Town" that far exceeded ordinary towns, Kalanfur was much quieter.

Whether it was the number of pedestrians on the road or the density of various commercial buildings on both sides, it was far inferior.

Even the ratio of adventurers to ordinary people on the streets reached "three to seven," or even "two to eight."

Out of ten people, only two or three could clearly be identified as adventurers.

And one must know that Kalanfur was already the human gathering place with the highest proportion of adventurers in the nearby area, besides Hegu Town.

Xia Nan was quite surprised by this.

It was also because since the beginning of his transmigration, he had always been traveling back and forth between Hegu Town and the Mist Forest, and did not have an accurate understanding of the relevant situation.

Looking at it now, the number of adventurers in this world was far less than he had imagined.

Following the caravan to a hotel on the west side of Kalanfur.

After arranging their rooms, the caravan captain Jeff did not break his promise and directly treated everyone in the caravan to a sumptuous lunch.

To be honest, the taste was average.

Not to mention the luxury set meal at the White Tit Tavern, it might not even compare to the stew the halfling had made before.

But after all, it was someone else's treat, and he didn't have to spend his own money.

Overall, Xia Nan was quite satisfied with this meal.

It is worth mentioning that, unlike the configuration of clear water and meat soup on the way here, after arriving in Kalanfur, there were many more alcoholic drinks on their dining table.

After all, they were still on a mission, so for the sake of safety, Xia Nan did not drink freely like the few fellow adventurers beside him.

He just sipped a few cups to satisfy his craving.

Under the effect of his Constitution as high as "8" points, drinking these few cups was actually no different from drinking clear water.

After being not quite drunk but full.

Sitting at the dining table, Xia Nan considered whether to go back to his room to rest and take a nap, or to take advantage of the early time to go out and find a deserted place to practice combat techniques.

His shoulder was suddenly patted.

He turned his head to look.

He saw the halfling Alton looking at him with wide eyes, unblinking:

"Staying in the hotel is too boring, let's go out and find some fun, how about it?"

As a Lightfoot Halfling who longed for travel, his innate curiosity made it impossible for him to stay in one place for a long time.

And the career direction of a "Bard" also made him unconsciously want to collect local poems and anecdotes every time he arrived in a region.

After a few days of travel, and even having experienced battle side by side, he and Xia Nan could be considered to have some friendship.

Right now, he took the initiative to come over and invite him.

Xia Nan did not agree directly, but asked instead:

"Find some fun? Where to?"

Alton, however, seemed to have had a destination in mind for a long time.

He took out the copper coin engraved with the portrait of the Goddess of Luck from his waist pouch, held it in his hand, and tossed it up lightly.

"I heard that near the hotel, there is a tavern called 'Man Dai Jin', which seems quite interesting."

"'Man Dai Jin'?"

Xia Nan frowned slightly.

During lunch just now, he had heard several adventurers at the table mention the name of this tavern, and he roughly knew what kind of business was done inside.

Nine out of ten bets are losses.

He had worked so hard to save up these few gold coins, and he wouldn't waste his money in such a place.

He wanted to refuse, and just as he opened his mouth, he suddenly saw in the halfling's hand—

That coin being constantly tossed up, falling, and spinning in the air.

As if thinking of something, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Uh... going to take a look is fine."

The two of them, full of interest, hadn't even had time to walk out of the hotel gate before they stopped in their tracks.

They saw Captain Jeff standing in front of the hotel, chatting with a sturdy, blond-haired man.

Seeing Xia Nan and the other approaching, he couldn't help but wave at them and smile:

"What a coincidence? I was planning to introduce you later, but now it's just right."

Jeff turned slightly, looking at the man beside him:

"Ingram, the best Sheriff in Kalanfur, and also my old friend."

"Eh, you're too kind!" The other party appeared very humble, waving his hands repeatedly, "I'm just an ordinary town resident, not as good as you say."

Glancing at him, Xia Nan examined the other party's appearance:

The golden, medium-long hair reaching his ears was combed neatly, his features were deep and three-dimensional, and his face was handsome; he was wearing a set of clean and tidy standard armor, and a well-maintained metal prism hammer was hanging from his waist.

"These two are the adventurers who served as caravan guards this time, and their skills are very impressive. Thanks to them, I can stand here safely now."

Upon hearing this, the Sheriff's attitude was gentle and friendly, and he nodded to the two of them.

"Oh, then thank you very much, otherwise the meal that Brother Jeff owes me wouldn't be repaid."

"Hahaha, you kid are still thinking about that?"

With the caravan having escaped from the dangerous wilderness, Jeff's mood was clearly very good.

Facing the other party's teasing, he laughed loudly and patted Ingram on the shoulder, his fleshy palm colliding with the metal shoulder armor and making a dull sound.

And the other party didn't care at all, as if they were truly old acquaintances, returning a hearty smile.

It was just a small episode encountered by chance, and Xia Nan and the other didn't want to disturb their reminiscing, so they just exchanged a few pleasantries and then said goodbye and parted.

Walking out of the gate, they could still faintly hear the conversation between Jeff and the Sheriff behind them.

"Come on, I happen to have time today, let me treat you to something good!"

"Hehe, no need, Brother Jeff, I was just joking with you."

"We've known each other for so many years, why are you being so polite with me, come, come!"

"Really no need, I've already eaten."

"I might believe it if someone else said that, but you kid... who doesn't know that you can't rest until your work is finished."

"I'll just go back and cook something to fill my stomach, really no need to spend money."

"Don't worry about it, this time I..."

The sky was overcast.

Heavy, grey-black leaden clouds piled up silently above the firmament, and a cold wind carrying rich moisture blew across the street corner, rolling up a few crumpled pieces of waste paper.

Xia Nan scanned the quiet street beside him, and then looked at the "Man Dai Jin" tavern in front of him, which had a money bag logo painted on it and its doors tightly closed.

"Is this the place?"

Beside him, the halfling stood on tiptoe.

Tossing the lucky coin for the last time.

Spinning, falling, gripped tightly in his palm.

Then he stuffed the copper coin into the interlayer of his clothes.

"Yeah! Let's go in."

Alton walked straight up and pushed open the door.

The cold atmosphere on the street was swept away, replaced by the warm air and soft light under the fireplace firelight.

And that which lurked deep within the collision of dice cups, hidden amidst the noisy human voices, driven by human desire—

Fanaticism and madness.

(End of Chapter)