Chapter 18: The Tavern (Two Chapters Released Together, Requesting Follow‑up Reads)

Lily, after hearing, a flash of envy in her eyes, let out a soft sigh and said, "If only I could have a bottle too, maybe I could boost my strength faster."

Tomson nodded in agreement nearby; although he doesn't understand the ways of cultivation, he can feel the longing in Lily's words.

Robin looked at them, feeling a bit emotional.

Lily gently lifted the wooden bowl, scooped a spoonful of pea‑oat porridge, and tenderly brought it to Robin's lips, beginning to feed him the breakfast prepared in the barracks today.

Their meals as Knight Apprentices, though better than those of the militia, were still far from lavish.

Moreover, to truly keep the body's energy full and meet cultivation needs, these standard rations alone are far insufficient; they must also spend extra money to buy meat.

"Today's breakfast is pea‑oat porridge; honestly, it has no flavor at all, it's hard to drink," Lily complained as she fed Robin.

In this world where sword and magic intertwine, despite its fantasy and adventure, the standard of living is hardly better than medieval Europe; perhaps only the lives of low‑rank Knight Apprentices are this hard.

"It's also unavoidable; can that meager salary even buy enough food for cultivation?" Robin asked helplessly.

After all, everyone knows that during the Cultivation Breathing Method, bodily energy drains rapidly, and people become hungry easily, requiring large amounts of food to sustain the needed energy.

Today, perhaps because the Secret Medicine he took was full of energy, Robin didn't have his stomach growling as it usually does after cultivation.

"How can that salary be enough? We take advantage of our leave to hunt in the forest outside the city," Lily said with a helpless shrug.

Hunting not only provides food but also hones combat skills, though the forest hides various dangers.

"Sometimes we even steal the villagers' cattle and sheep," Tomson said with a carefree laugh, instantly drawing Lily's fierce stare.

Lily cursed inwardly, thinking this guy not only lacks skill but also isn't sharp; how could he speak such things so casually?

If a scheming person hears it and spreads it to the villagers, they'd be in trouble; a Knight's reputation cannot tolerate such a stain.

Robin frowned slightly at Tomson's words; he knew that while the act might satisfy cultivation needs, it is ultimately not the right path.

However, he also understood that in this harsh cultivation environment, everyone faces many helplessnesses. After a moment of thought he said, "Hunting is dangerous, but at least it's an honorable method. Stealing villagers' cattle, if discovered, will harm our Knight reputation; we should try to avoid that in the future."

Lily listened, nodded vigorously, and looked at Tomson, her eyes full of warning.

Tomson only then realized his mistake, scratched his head apologetically, and muttered softly, "Got it, I won't say it again."

"When will you go hunting again?" Robin asked; he knew that at his current cultivation pace, that meager salary alone couldn't buy enough food to sustain the consumption.

So he planned to join Lily and the others on an outing hunt to replenish the energy needed for cultivation.

Though he worried that Silvan and his group might target him, he couldn't stay in the camp forever out of fear and hinder his own cultivation progress.

After all, improving strength is the most crucial matter now.

Lily's eyes lit up the moment she heard Robin's question.

In the recent raid against the Thief Guild, she had personally witnessed Robin's formidable combat power.

Whether it was his superb Sword technique or his keen battle sense, even Eric, who usually shines in the squad, felt inferior before Robin.

If Robin could join their hunting party, it would undoubtedly boost the success rate and ensure everyone's safety.

Lily exclaimed excitedly, "Once your body recovers enough, we can set out. Eric also said he's heading out soon; together, our haul will be substantial. And with you, we'll be more confident facing danger."

As she spoke, she daydreamed about the upcoming hunt, as if she already saw a bounty‑laden return.

Tomson, beside them, nodded repeatedly, grinning, "Yeah, yeah, Robin, if you go with us, we'll definitely bag plenty of game. Last time I almost got gored by a wild boar; this time with you, let's see if it dares to act up."

He recalled the perilous scene from the last hunt, still shaken, but thinking of Robin alongside filled him with confidence.

Because his relationship with Silvan was deteriorating, Robin, before leaving, carefully instructed Eric and the others not to reveal that he was also joining this hunt.

He knew Silvan's vindictive nature; if he learned Robin was hunting, he might devise trouble.

To avoid complications, Robin chose not to depart with Eric's group, instead deciding to set out alone before dawn and head to the rendezvous point.

At the early morning hour, the world seemed still immersed in dreamland, darkness thick as ink.

Robin tiptoed, carrying the bow and arrows he borrowed from the armory last night, and left the camp cautiously.

At this moment, Winston City was so quiet that only his faint footsteps could be heard; most people were still sleeping soundly in warm blankets.

The weather grew colder; Robin exhaled gently, the breath instantly turning into a dense white puff that drifted slowly in the crisp air.

"I'm not drunk yet, I can keep drinking!" Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out from the Wanderer Tavern on the street, and Robin's steps faltered slightly.

In an instant he recognized Silvan's voice; it seemed the fellow had been drinking at the tavern all night.

But thinking it over, it made sense.

Silvan, being single with no family obligations, and whose strength Robin deemed already at its limit with no room for improvement, only needed to maintain daily energy consumption, so his salary left surplus, giving him the means to get drunk at the tavern.

Then Robin couldn't help but smile.

Silvan was drunk to the point of stupor; today he certainly wouldn't have the energy to interfere with their hunt, which for Robin was undoubtedly good news.

Thinking that, Robin quickened his pace toward the rendezvous, his heart full of anticipation for the hunt.

Once he reaches the Knight Apprentice Late Stage, perhaps one morning he could take advantage of Silvan's drunkenness and give him a good beating.

(End of Chapter)