News of Taberna Pauperis burned through the city. Drawn like moths, crowds flocked to Feng Marino. At first, only the boldest dared enter, but soon the masses swelled. Most departed empty-handed, screens flashing 1 and 5—null results that stung like a silent rebuke. A handful clutched potions or silver, while the unlucky fueled the tavern's roaring laughter.
"What will you do with that sand? Make concrete?"
"Hey, give me that rubber band. At least it will be useful in tying my hair."
"Look! He got pebbles! Give him a sling."
Jeers and laughter shattered the usual quiet of Taberna Pauperis, but no one was happier than Feng Marino. In a single day, he'd pocketed ten silver coins—more than most earned in a week. Meal finished, Feng and Guy slipped from the tavern and trudged home, the night reeking of ale and smoke.
Feng flipped a silver coin toward Guy Rose with a lazy grin. "Here—consider my debt cleared. A hundred bronze, right? The rest is yours. Call me Mr. Generous."
Guy Rose's mouth quirked into a knowing grin - that was the Feng he knew. "Thanks, Feng," he said, inserting the coin in his pocket.
The two reached their shared room—a cramped necessity, not a choice. A single bed, a battered cabinet, and a dingy bathroom were all they could afford. Dominating the floor sat a meter-tall sack, bulging with a grotesque collection of bones, leather scraps, and unidentifiable trinkets.
"Your bag's stuffed to bursting," Guy Rose said, nudging the overstuffed sack with his boot. "What are you going to do with this?"
"Market's getting this haul tomorrow," Feng Marino said, pointing to the overstuffed bag. "That elven fertilizer is my goal."
"Elven fertilizer?" Guy Rose's eyebrows shot up. "Since when do you farm?"
Feng Marino smirked as the Guild parchment unfurled, the Adventurer Guild's crimson seal pressed against its C+ rating.
Guy Rose studied the poster, his finger tapping the location. "Vine Village? That's near the Dragon dungeon."
"Exactly!" Feng Marino's eyes beamed. "Their vineyards are thriving; a good fertilizer will be what they want, and they are one of the main suppliers of fire stones in the whole Midlund Empire. Fortunately, they're looking for supporting adventurers. That's two hundred silver and five fire stones to support them!" He clapped Guy's shoulder. "We can finally upgrade that rusted system of yours."
Guy Rose shifted his weight. "Fire... never sits right with me."
Feng Marino jabbed a finger at Guy's chest. "You want to rise as an adventurer or not? Cover your eyes or something—do whatever you need. But we're going."
Guy Rose opened his mouth, then closed it again. A silent nod was all he managed. Feng Marino responded with an exaggerated thumbs-up - his version of congratulating Guy on being a "grown-up" - before tossing his bundled bedroll across the room. Guy Rose caught it with one hand and began smoothing the thin padding across the wooden floorboards.
This was their usual arrangement: Feng Marino claimed the bed while Guy Rose made do with what little comfort the floor offered. As Guy Rose settled onto his makeshift bed, he pulled the familiar blindfold over his eyes. Across the room, Feng Marino sprawled across the mattress, his face illuminated by the flickering lamp he insisted on keeping lit.
-
Dawn's first light found the duo departing Southlund. Five kilometers of dirt road stretched ahead, their progress measured by Feng Marino's creaking wooden cart. When they reached Vine Village, the morning sun crowned the vineyards, setting dewy grape leaves aflame with light.
Villagers wove through vine rows, their forms shifting like half-formed shadows, tools balanced across shoulders as dawn lit their work. Feng and Guy exchanged nods with early risers, probing for the chief's location. The timber hall loomed ahead, its threshold dominated by a white-maned elder, his beard a frozen waterfall of hair.
"Good morning, lads," the village chief rumbled, his beard twitching with amusement. "What brings you to our humble village?"
Feng Marino returned the greeting with a practiced bow before presenting the poster. "We've come about your request. My partner here,"—he clapped Guy's shoulder—"offers brute strength, while I handle logistics. We are also capable of combat if needed. And as a bonus..." He gestured to his cart. "Five bags of the Famous Eastern fertilizer—guaranteed to double your yield. A steal at two hundred silver coins."
The chief's laughter rolled like barrel-aged wine. "Hohohoho! Resourceful indeed! Unload those bags, then come meet your team."
They followed the chief into the village hall's central chamber, where three adventurers waited around a round table: a golden-haired knight whose massive shield leaned against his chair, a lean black-haired man with dagger-sharp eyes, and a red-haired sorceress clutching a staff, her bone necklace clicking softly.
"Fine timing," the chief boomed. "They were just preparing to depart. Meet Heath Berry,"—he gestured to the knight—"Rufus Fox,"—the scrawny man flashed a foxlike grin—"and Melina Hunt." The woman's necklace of bones clacked as she nodded.
Feng Marino stepped forward. "Feng Marino, and my partner, Guy Rose. We'll be your support today."
"Welcome." Heath Berry inclined his head.
"Sup." Rufus Fox winked.
"Blessings upon our meeting." Melina Hunt gently bowed her head.
The chief clapped his hands. "Now that we're assembled—"
"You're joining us?" Feng blurted.
The chief's laughter rumbled. "Hohoho! These old bones need stretching more than the village needs another overseer. Let's not be tardy, or we won't make it to the dungeon by nightfall."
The trio rose in unison, gathering their gear. At the doorway, Feng and Guy hoisted their companions' packs onto the uncrowded cart.
Six travelers set out southward, to the valley where the Dragon's dungeon is located. At midday, they paused beneath a gnarled oak, its twisted branches offering meager shelter as they shared dried meat and hard bread.
As the amber light painted the hills, Guy Rose finally voiced the question gnawing at him. "Uhm, Chief, I have a question if you don't mind."
"Hoo, what is it?" the village chief asked.
"Old man, I don't see you bringing any luggage, you haven't eaten lunch either. Are you going to be alright? You can have some of my bread if you want." Guy Rose offered out of concern.
Rufus Fox and Melina Hunt exchanged amused glances, their laughter bubbling up like a brook, while Heath Berry remained stone-faced as he had all day. The village chief only stroked his beard, his merry chuckles deepening the creases around his eyes.
"Hohohoho! There is no need to concern yourself, young Guy. I am fine without eating for a month, a day without one is nothing but fart." The village chief waved away Guy's concern with a calloused hand.