SWNOVELXO Chapter 14: Getting a room
Zane already knew about the knight because he was one of the highest-leveled characters inside the city, and as such, he was well known. Well, that was before the players became stronger.
The Count looked around the crowd, a smile on his face and a noble expression of pride. Above it all, confidence oozed from his body.
Zane didn't know if he did that intentionally or not, but whatever. He watched the Count as he slowly took out a small black device and brought it near his throat to amplify his voice, and then he began speaking.
"Good day, Chosen and citizens of Raven City." His voice was coarse and almost cracked as if he had been hitting the cigarettes very hard.
"It's an honor to have all of you here, Chosen of the seven true gods. Raven City is a home to you as well.
I have called you all today in hopes of gathering you together, Chosen, under me, to create a powerful force in Raven City and grow the city in which we live.
Because that way, you will become well known all around the kingdom and beyond. You are the Chosen; you have great talent and blessing, so why not take this offer and use it, all of you," the man said.
From the crowd, Zane had his eyes open along with his mouth. 'What—what the fuck was that? Outright begging them to join? What did this asshole smoke before coming out to meet them?'
He said absolutely nothing useful and only begged the Chosen. Tsk. He had shown them just how important they are—this is going to backfire very badly,' Zane thought, and indeed his thoughts were right.
"Why the hell should we join you?" someone yelled so loud almost everyone heard him. Zane was stunned at such a terrifying throat and lung strength.
"What does this city really have to offer? Beyond the demon beast forest and a few shops, your city is nothing but a beginner city. The real deal waits for us when we leave here.
So tell me, what are you offering that should make us stay?" the man roared. His words acted like a trigger for a chain reaction, as everyone started mumbling and grumbling, talking about how true what the man said was. Soon, the entire square erupted in noise.
'That person has definitely played the game before. Raven City isn't in the slightest useful, and the only quest that ever came from the entire city that was very good was Kill Count,' Zane thought. He folded his arms and looked at the Count.
The Count carried out an underground fighting competition that featured many underaged, old, and women, bought through slavery lines and forced into bloody death battles.
'If I recall properly, that quest comes along later, after most players in Raven City would have hit level ten, and it comes like a special event as well, where you had to gather some information from three different NPCs to know about the underground fight and then go to stop it,' Zane thought.
He smiled and looked at the Count. "Sorry, Count, I'll not be waiting for that long," Zane muttered. He knew that all the players who had played before would already be looking for ways to kill the Count and gain the reward, but he wasn't allowing that to happen, so he would have to move tonight.
For now, he needed a place to stay, but he didn't have any money. That wasn't an issue—he wanted to try out his charm after all.
He walked down the street for a bit and finally came to an inn. Without thinking much, he walked in.
"Master, someone is watching us," Lucy suddenly said. Her tone was calm and collected as she said it—badass—but her heel got stuck at the door and she immediately went falling like a tree.
Bam.
'Huh? The hell?' Zane thought in surprise. He palmed his face. 'I forgot she was extremely clumsy at basic things.'
She got back on her feet and rubbed her head with a sad expression on her face. Zane stretched out his hand to help her up. "Come on, let's go," he said. She looked up, saw the hand, smiled, and took it.
"Tell me about the person watching us when we get into a room," Zane whispered.
The young man behind the counter was shocked when he saw Lucy fall, but he had to keep professionalism and act like he had seen nothing.
He was an average-height man with a small build, coffee-brown hair, shy eyes, and a cute baby face.
"G-Good day, sir," he stuttered, looking at the towering Zane in front of him. Zane didn't even bother responding—his eyes flashed red. He didn't know if his charm would work on a man here, but to his surprise, it did, and this young man was charmed.
"Good day, sir. Whatever can I do to help?" the boy said, leaning in closer, his face flushed red.
'Urghhhhh, this feels weird,' Zane thought.
"Seems like you have gotten the hang of it, Master," Lucy said.
"It's nowhere compared to yours though," Zane said.
"I had a thousand years to train, Master. You'll get there soon," Lucy replied with a soft smile.
Zane focused back on the man and then spoke. "I have paid you for a whole month in this inn. You'll book us in. Oh, and also, you owe us ten gold coins in change," Zane said.
And immediately, the man got to work and started booking them in. He pulled out a drawer and took out ten gold coins and laid them on the table.
'Technically, what I'm doing is a crime, but meh, I'm not a hero, and I need this room urgently, so whatever,' Zane thought. He grabbed the keys to the room and the gold coins before walking away and climbing the stairs.
The moment he was far enough, the man snapped back, and all he could remember was properly booking those two into their room.