"Four nen users..."
Conrad did not make it easy to see that he was able to see them.
He minded his own thing.
Conrad moved slowly.
When he reached the innkeeper, he nodded once.
She watched him closely as he sat.
"One beer," Conrad said.
She turned, poured the drink, and slid the glass across the counter with a soft clink.
Only then did Conrad speak again.
"I need something," he said.
The young woman smirked.
"People who don't need something would not come here."
She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the counter, eyes fixed on him now with interest.
"So you're not a surprise," she continued. "Are you a hunter? Mercenary looking for work?"
The way she said it made clear she didn't particularly care.
Conrad shook his head.
"No," he said. "I'm looking for information. A channel, perhaps."
Her smirk faded.
Conrad lifted the glass, took a slow sip, and asked.
"I am seeking the Staff of Germanis."
For the briefest moment, the innkeeper froze.
Her pupils contracted, just slightly.
Across the room, the four people in the corner stopped whispering.
One of them tilted his head just enough to look at Conrad out of the corner of his eye.
None of them stared openly.
But Conrad felt it.
Their attention had locked onto him.
So that confirms it, he thought, his expression unchanged. They're interested or at least informed.
The innkeeper straightened slowly, her smirk gone entirely now.
"That's not something people ask about lightly," she said.
"Especially not here."
"I didn't ask lightly," Conrad replied.
She studied him for several seconds, a
Then she glanced toward the corner just for a moment, just enough for Conrad to notice that she looked at the four Nen users in the corner.
"It seems like their reaction and the look from the innkeeper clearly show to me that they were too come here to learn more about the Staff of Germanis."
"You have a death wish?" she asked at last.
Conrad shook his head again.
"If I did," he said calmly, "I wouldn't be asking questions."
"Information like that comes with problems. Big ones."
"I'm aware."
"Hunters are involved."
"I know."
"The Kakin military has ears everywhere."
"I assumed as much."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You don't sound afraid."
Conrad met her gaze evenly.
"I am not sure why do you care so much about me to keep asking me questions about my wish."
Conrad added that this time, it was odd for an innkeeper that sells knowledge to ask too many questions.
Why she cares in the first place.
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, the innkeeper exhaled.
"You didn't hear this from me," she said quietly. "But if you're serious about Germanis, you won't find answers in libraries or official records."
"That much was obvious. That is why I am here."
"There are people who chase relics like that for a living," she continued.
"Hunters, but also collectors. Fanatics. Nationalists. Some of them don't even care if the staff works. The symbol is enough."
She paused.
"And there are others who believe it really does something."
Conrad felt a flicker of interest.
Nen, he thought.
Of course they would.
She leaned closer.
"If you want to keep breathing," she said, "you should finish your drink and pretend this conversation never happened."
Conrad lifted the glass again, his eyes never leaving hers.
"And if I don't?"
Her lips curved not into a smirk this time, but something sharper.
"Then you'd better be strong enough," she said, "to survive whoever decides to answer your curiosity."
From the corner of the room, one of the four Nen users finally stood.
The man who stood was in his thirties, tall and lean, with a neatly trimmed goatee that gave his face a sharper look.
His clothes were a plain dark jacket and black trousers.
He raised both hands slowly.
"Easy," he said, taking three, no, four measured steps forward.
Close enough to be heard clearly,
"Hi, friend. By any chance, are you a Hunter?"
His tone was polite.
Conrad could feel the intent behind the question.
"I don't mean anything by it," the man added quickly. "But I heard something interesting you were looking for."
Conrad turned his head fully now, meeting the man's gaze.
His own aura remained calm.
"I'm not a Hunter," Conrad said truthfully. "But I do look for something."
The man's smile widened slightly, as if that answer pleased him.
"I figured as much, and forgive me if I'm mistaken, but I believe I heard you mention a name."
His eyes sharpened just a little. "Germanis."
Conrad didn't hesitate.
He gave a single nod.
"That's right."
The man glanced briefly toward the innkeeper, who had gone quiet again,
"Is that important to you?" Conrad asked.
The man chuckled under his breath, rubbing his chin.
"It can be," he said. "Depends on the circumstances. And who's asking?"
Conrad nodded and thought.
"A decision needs to be made here; either I talk to them to learn more, or I dismiss them."
"I don't want to be rude enough or interesting enough to have problems..."
"What should I do in this situation...?"