Under the shade of a tree at the edge of the marketplace, Ren came to a halt. His slow steps stopped entirely amid the chaotic buzz of players passing by and the constant calls from nearby stalls.
He stood in silence for a few seconds, as if weighing countless invisible choices, none of which truly fit.
His eyes swept quickly across the bustling market, glancing at unfamiliar faces and cautious stares before settling on a less-frequented stall.
There, a tall man was calmly arranging a pile of gear, his demeanor oddly tranquil, unbothered by the surrounding commotion.
He didn't look particularly friendly, but not unapproachable either.
That was why Ren decided to walk toward him. Not because he felt comfortable, but because… among the hundreds of hurried faces, this man seemed to be the only one who had enough time to answer a simple question.
Forget selling gear… no one was going to buy any of that anyway.
Ren lightly touched the rim of his hood, pulling it a bit lower over his eyes. A subconscious gesture.
Then he took a quiet breath, as if to steady himself.
"…I just want to ask for directions."
The words came out softly, lacking any force. But somehow, amidst the market's noisy clamor, Agil still heard him.
The burly merchant paused for a moment, then looked up at Ren more closely, as if trying to read his thoughts. He leaned an elbow on the rough wooden counter, his gaze suddenly softening.
"I see. What do you want to know?"
Gone was the playful tone from before. His voice now carried a calm sincerity, like he was speaking to an old acquaintance.
Perhaps over the past few days, he'd grown used to helping players who had just arrived in Tolbana, players still carrying that weariness, confusion, and quiet wariness, like the young man before him.
Ren kept his hood on, not pulling it down. But he stepped a little closer, just enough to hear clearly, without feeling threatened.
The distance between them remained respectful, like an invisible barrier Ren wasn't ready to cross.
"…I'm looking for an inn," he said slowly, his gaze shifting to the side. "Nothing too expensive. If possible… somewhere near the center. And…", his voice hesitated briefly, "…I want a proper meal too."
It wasn't exactly a request, nor a complaint. Just a very human need. Tired, hungry, and simply seeking a place to rest.
Besides… on the road here from the Starting Town, he had only been drinking water and eating dark rye bread.
Agil raised an eyebrow slightly, then leaned back against the counter, fingers tapping on the wood as if searching his memory.
"There's a place I usually recommend to kids like you," he said slowly. "From here, go left past a bar called the Iron Dagger. After three blocks, you'll see a two-story building made of red brick. The sign is silver, a bit scratched, says 'Resting Willow' faded, but still readable."
Agil paused to make sure Ren was listening, then continued:
"The innkeeper's an old NPC, gentle as a rotted log. Prices are reasonable. Clean single rooms. There's a small kitchen in the back if you want to cook. But if you're lazy, he makes some decent stews too. Not fancy, but worth the money."
He glanced at Ren again, a hint of warm amusement in his brown eyes. Not teasing, exactly, more like a quiet reminder.
"And hey…" his voice lowered a little, "...don't judge people by appearances. I know I don't look like a merchant, but I've never eaten anyone alive."
A faint smile curled at the edge of his lips...just enough to bridge the gap without stepping any closer.
Ren gave a small nod, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, not because of the joke, but because Agil's voice carried no pressure at all.
"…Yeah. Thanks."
That was it. His voice was still quiet, barely audible....but clearer than before.
"If you get the chance… come back and support me next time. Good gear at cheap prices."
Without another word, Ren turned and walked in the direction Agil had indicated. His hood swayed gently with each step.
Behind him, Agil remained leaning on the counter, watching him for a few seconds before turning back to his gear, shaking his head slightly as if thinking, "That kid… really knows how to beat himself up."
The road Ren walked wasn't too wide, paved neatly with clean stone, flanked on both sides by small trees whose leaves offered just enough shade to scatter sunlight like glimmering shards of crystal on the ground.
The noisy atmosphere of the market slowly faded behind him, replaced by a more peaceful rhythm of life.
The loud chatter gave way to scattered footsteps, the breeze rustling through eaves, and the soft chime of wind bells hanging from half-open windows.
Ren passed a tailor's shop displaying several dark-colored cloaks on wooden frames, then a small weapon stall where a young player was absorbed in inspecting a spearhead.
Fragments of other lives flashed briefly before his eyes, only to melt away like water slipping over stone.
He didn't really look at them. His eyes were fixed on the signs, the markings along the road, focused on finding the name Agil had mentioned.
When he turned left at the Iron Dagger bar, a two-story building appeared at the end of the street, just as described.
With dark red brick walls, and a weathered silver sign bearing the faded words Resting Willow. In front stood a small flower bed, where a few asters bloomed resiliently in the early winter chill.
Ren stopped. He lifted his head slightly, as if confirming something in his mind… then said nothing and stepped through the simple wooden door.
A soft chime echoed, a gentle keng.... as the door opened. Inside, the air carried a familiar scent: warm wood, clean fabric, and the faint aroma of toasted bread.
Maybe… just maybe, today would be a peaceful day.
The door closed quietly behind him, shutting out the hustle and bustle of the busy streets outside.
Inside the Resting Willow was a cozy, pleasant space, bathed in the warm glow of soft yellow lighting.
Small lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a gentle light over the wooden tables and chairs, creating an atmosphere like a refuge from the storms of the world outside.
The furniture was simple, yet each piece was made from light oak, coated in a subtle varnish that gave a sense of warmth and simplicity.
In the corner of the room, a small fireplace crackled gently, the flames sending warmth into the space and making the air feel comforting and calm.
Behind the counter stood an elderly NPC who appeared to be the innkeeper. His silver hair was tied neatly behind his head, and although his skin was wrinkled with age, his eyes remained bright and full of life.
His outfit was modest, a long, silver-grey tunic with carefully mended patches, and an apron marked with soot stains, showing that he both cared for the space and welcomed his guests.
"Welcome," he said as he saw Ren enter, his voice warm, gentle, and filled with kindness. "You're new here, aren't you? Make yourself at home."
Ren nodded, avoiding the innkeeper's gaze for long, and replied simply, "Yes. I'd like to rent a room."
The innkeeper gave a soft, kind smile. He gestured toward a table near the window, where sunlight filtered through a wooden frame, casting long beams of light and creating a sense of calm.
"That one's your table, if you plan to rest a bit longer. Your room's upstairs, third door on the left. Would you like something to eat now? My potato and mushroom soup is quite well-known."
Ren wasn't really in the mood for food, but he nodded quietly. "Just a bit of soup... I'll rest for a while."
The innkeeper nodded with a smile, then turned and walked toward the kitchen, leaving Ren alone in the warm, quiet space.
Ren sat down at the table, gazing out through the window. The golden rays of sunlight were rising higher, gradually growing harsher a sign that noon had passed.
When the innkeeper returned with a bowl of hot soup, Ren accepted it silently and took a small sip, the mild flavors just enough to ease his weariness.
He said nothing, but for the first time in a while, something inside him felt a little lighter. A faint sense of safety, fleeting, but enough to soothe the tension in his body.
After finishing his lunch, Ren left the empty bowl on the table and stood up, stretching a bit.
The calm after the meal had eased some of the exhaustion from his long journey.
His system clock told him it was already 1:40 p.m., and the first day in Tolbana was slowly coming to an end.
Ren didn't rush out like he had on other days. He no longer felt the urge to grind monsters, chase after rare weapons, or hunt down valuable items with desperation.
This town wasn't like the other places he'd passed through. There was something peaceful, something soft about it and today, he wanted to give himself a moment to relax and breathe.
Ren stepped out of the inn, walking slowly along the main street without urgency.
The sunlight streamed down, making the stone tiles underfoot glow gently, adding to the warm and pleasant atmosphere.
There was something strange about how he felt, as if the world around him had paused just a little, just enough for him to catch his breath after so many tense days.
He remembered the meeting scheduled for that afternoon. It was something unknown, a conversation whose outcome he couldn't predict, but one he knew he couldn't skip.
He had prepared himself mentally for it, though he had no idea how it might affect him.
Inside, Ren felt a bit anxious.. but also curious. He wasn't sure what he would gain from the encounter, but at the very least, it was a chance to better understand this world and the people in it.
Ren kept walking, his steps eventually bringing him to a fork in the road, where the path split in two directions.
He didn't hesitate. He simply followed his instincts, toward the place where the buildings grew taller, and the sounds were louder.
He didn't need to rush and yet, there was a strange restlessness within him, a quiet urgency pulling him toward the meeting he'd been thinking about all day.