It had been a long time since Bell last walked the streets of Orario.
The lively sounds of the city filled the air—arguments between adventurers and merchants, the hum of conversation, the pulse of daily life. It truly felt like being in the heart of the city again.
'It's nice to feel the city's clamor once in a while.'
His Stealth Development Ability had already reached S rank—practically the pinnacle of mastery. Even without consciously using Runes to suppress his aura or traces, the world itself seemed to erase his presence without his consent.
No barrier was needed. People instinctively stepped aside without realizing it, their senses failing to register his existence. To them, Bell was like a ghost hidden among the crowd.
Even those who expanded their perception wouldn't notice the subtle gaps in the flow of people. The concealment was complete, blocking all forms of detection—sight, magic, or otherwise.
Moving through the crowd, Bell chose a bustling tavern.
It wasn't the "Hostess of Fertility," but another popular spot on the same street.
Crossing the threshold, Bell's invisible form materialized, though no one seemed to question it. To them, it was as if he had always been there.
The tavern's interior was well-decorated. It didn't have the old-fashioned elegance or luxury of the "Hostess of Fertility," but it carried a fittingly lively atmosphere.
Rows of magic stone lamps lined the walls, casting a warm, amber light that filled the space with the hue of early dusk—soft, inviting, and alive.
"Welcome."
A Cat Person maid in uniform approached, her presence evoking a faint resemblance to the "Hostess of Fertility."
However, upon closer look, her eyes betrayed a trace of contempt. The smile on her face was polite but hollow—her arrogance poorly disguised. Bell could see it clearly, though he showed no sign of noticing.
Instead, he put on an expression of awkward nervousness, like a country boy who had never been in such a place before.
"H-Hello."
So it's just a fledgling.
The maid's disdain deepened, though her voice remained outwardly courteous.
"Is this your first visit to 'The Freelancer'?"
"Yes, yes. I just came to Orario recently from the countryside."
Tch, just as I thought—another newbie.
A flicker of impatience flashed through her eyes. She knew types like this. Even if he'd joined a Familia, a fledgling like him probably didn't have much money. There was no profit to be made here.
"Then please, follow me."
Assigning seats was a delicate matter in any tavern.
Adventurers with rank, fame, or wealth were always given the best tables—private and quiet. Regulars had their familiar spots. The less distinguished ones were seated near the door or the bar, where the noise was thickest.
Bell was led to a stool at the center of the bar counter, directly facing the owner—a dwarf.
Dwarves had long been the definition of unkempt. Bold and hearty, yes, but rarely tidy. Elves, in particular, held them in constant disdain.
It was like comparing a fastidious noble who valued cleanliness to a rough drinker who didn't mind spilling half his ale on himself—a clash of worlds neither could understand.
"Well now, a fresh face, eh?"
Like most dwarves, he had a thick beard that covered his entire face, his features hidden beneath the dense growth.
But his smile was genuine—warm and boisterous, full of life.
"Good day, shopkeeper."
"Oh-ho, a polite little adventurer."
The dwarf innkeeper's grin widened. Running a tavern this close to the "Hostess of Fertility" was proof enough that he wasn't an ordinary barkeep.
"Here, a newcomer's drink—on the house."
With a solid thud, the dwarf set down a small oak barrel of ale before Bell.
It was fitted with a wooden handle on the side, making it more like a personal keg than a cup—well-crafted and unmistakably dwarven in its boldness.
The ale carried the rich aroma of malted grain, clearly a fine homebrew.
Bell's face brightened with delight and gratitude as he lifted the barrel with both hands.
"Thank you very much, shopkeeper."
"No need for thanks. It's just our custom here—to give every newcomer a complimentary drink. But it's only for the first visit. After that, you'll have to pay like everyone else."
"Of course..."
The Cat Person maid who had greeted Bell had already gone off to serve other customers.
Bell took a sip of the ale. He wasn't exactly knowledgeable about alcohol, but he could tell this one was pretty good. The taste of alcohol wasn't too strong, while the wheat aroma was rich and mellow. Even if someone drank a bit too much, it wouldn't hit them hard—a brew that was gentle enough for beginners.
"How is it? That's our special house brew."
"It's really good. Has a deep wheat flavor. I don't know much about alcohol, but I'd say this is the second-best drink I've ever had."
"Oh? And what was the first?"
"...Honestly, it was some celebratory wine brought back by the familia. I don't even know where they got it from."
The dwarf shopkeeper nodded knowingly. New members of a familia rarely had the right to attend banquets; at most, they'd get a taste of whatever scraps the core members brought back.
Everyone started out like that.
The dwarf understood completely. He had once been in the same position himself—climbing up bit by bit. Now, though, he no longer had the stamina to keep adventuring. Life as an adventurer was too dangerous. Semi-retiring to run a tavern was far safer.
Bell let out a small sigh, muttering in mild frustration.
"Boss, have you heard what's been happening in Orario lately? Things in my familia have gotten messy. They've stopped supporting newcomers and are just hoarding weapons and supplies instead."
The dwarf, having dropped his guard, took it as a rookie's complaint and responded with a mix of reassurance and advice.
"Well, lately the whole city's been on edge. The air in Orario's practically filled with gunpowder. It's no surprise your familia's taking precautions."
"Why is that?"
"Heh... so you really are new to Orario."
The dwarf looked around cautiously, then leaned in a little, lowering his voice. It was better to warn this clueless rookie now before he got himself killed during such a dangerous time.
"Right now, all the major familias in Orario are on high alert because of Evilus."
"The Guild has officially labeled Evilus as the greatest enemy of adventurers and put bounties on every one of their members. The higher their status, the bigger the reward. But ordinary adventurers shouldn't even think about getting involved in something like that."
The dwarf made his point clear—this newcomer had best stay far away from trouble.