Tavern of the Spear: Desire for Pleasure

Back at the tavern, the dim light cast a warm glow on the weathered wooden tables, adding a touch of coziness and tranquility to the small space. As Nexus and Evand stepped inside, a familiar and welcoming atmosphere enveloped them. Inside, patrons chatted quietly or raised their glasses in a harmonious ambiance.

The air was filled with the faint aroma of malt and roasted meat, and everything seemed so peaceful and serene. But this tranquility was soon broken by an unusual scent.

Just then, Snow finished his work at the bar, looking tired but with a satisfied smile, and was about to step out of the kitchen for some fresh air.

As Nexus and Evand crossed the threshold back at the tavern, they were met by Snow, who was preparing to end a hard day's work and enjoy a moment of peace.

Snow's gaze froze the moment he saw Evand and Nexus walking side by side, his familiar warm smile replaced by a complex emotion. His brow furrowed slightly, his eyes showing both surprise and displeasure, as if he were questioning something.

"Oh, isn't this our leader? What, you've got some free time today and brought my little wolf cub for a visit?" Snow's words were clearly sarcastic, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to draw curious glances from the other patrons in the tavern.

Nexus stopped and looked at Snow without changing his expression. He could sense the hostility in Snow's tone, but he chose to respond calmly. "Snow, Evand needs my protection right now. I brought him back temporarily. I know your feelings for him, but please believe me, my decision is for his own good."

Seeing this, Evans hurriedly stepped forward, wanting to explain something, but swallowed his words. He knew that any explanation at this moment might exacerbate the tension between them.

As Nexus finished speaking, the air in the tavern seemed to freeze for a moment; even the occasional whispers and the clinking of glasses sounded unusually clear. He looked deeply at Snow, his deep eyes flashing with unwavering resolve and protectiveness. Then, he gently patted Evand's shoulder, offering an encouraging and warm smile. "Evand, take care of yourself. I'll be back for you soon."

Evand nodded, his eyes filled with both reluctance and understanding. He understood that Nexus's departure was to ease the current tension and to respect Snow's feelings. He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound steady: "I will, Nexus. You be careful too."

Nexus said nothing more, turned and strode away from the tavern, his figure gradually disappearing into the dim moonlight, leaving only a resolute and lonely silhouette.

Snow stood there, gazing in the direction Nexus had gone, his emotions a complex mix. He slowly loosened his clenched fist, and that complicated expression gradually gave way to a bitter look.

He knew he might be deluding himself, but he just didn't want to admit it. He might have really come to regard Evan as his son, and he didn't know if he should use his role as a "father" to influence Evan's feelings.

He knew that Nexus, as the leader of the tribe, had his own responsibilities and considerations, but he could not ignore the deep affection and worry he felt for Evand.

If Evand continues to follow Nexus, he will inevitably encounter more dangers. Although he doesn't know what happened before, seeing Nexus rushing to send Evand back means that something bad must have happened.

The atmosphere in the tavern became slightly awkward due to the incident, but the guests quickly returned to normal and continued their conversation. Snow took a deep breath and forced himself back to the kitchen to finish the rest of his work. However, his heart could no longer be as calm as before, and each movement of turning the roast meat felt particularly heavy.

As night fell, the tavern gradually quieted down, and the customers left one after another, leaving only a few regulars whispering in a corner. Snow finished all the finishing touches, but unlike usual, he didn't stay to chat with them. He silently tidied everything up, closed the tavern door, and returned alone to his basement room.

In the days that followed, the relationship between Snow and Evand seemed shrouded in an invisible mist. They maintained basic politeness and respect, but the intimacy they once shared could never be the same again.

Snow would occasionally watch Evand's busy figure in the tavern from afar, his heart filled with mixed feelings. He hoped that Evand was doing well, but he couldn't let go of the changes brought about by Nexus's arrival.

However, Evand didn't think that way; he remained the same carefree, naive power strip wolf.

Just then, he finished his work and went to Hakander's table to chat with him.

"Hey Hakan, how have you been lately? Still enjoying my service? So, can you tell me about that task you mentioned a few days ago?"

Of course, don't overthink it. Evand's service these past few days has actually just been simple things like delivering and inviting people to drink. However, sometimes he might need to go out and accompany Hakan to fight off monsters.

Upon hearing this, Hakan's lips curled into a mysterious smile. His deep eyes gleamed with calculation, yet also revealed a degree of appreciation and trust in Evand.

“Evand, you certainly have an impatient nature. Alright, since you asked, I'll get straight to the point. As you know, the number of slimes in the woods west of the tavern has increased abnormally recently, and their paths are getting closer and closer to our tavern. I'm worried they might accidentally wander in and cause unnecessary trouble for our guests. So, I need you to go to that woods and clear out as many slimes as possible to ensure the tavern's safety.”

Upon hearing this, Evand immediately patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, leave it to me, Hakan! Slimes are nothing! I'll go prepare right away and guarantee to complete the mission!" With that, he excitedly ran off to prepare his gear, his heart filled with anticipation for the upcoming adventure.

After Evand left, Hakan revealed a smug smile: "Hahaha, one less job. That little wolf cub is so easy to fool. I'll have to bother him again~ Hmm, why do I feel a chill down my spine?"

Hakan sensed something was amiss, but he pretended nothing was wrong and, as usual, picked up the rum on the table.

It turns out that Snow had been assigning this task to Hakan, but Hakan was reluctant to do it. However, he couldn't refuse, since he was staying in someone else's room and had to do things for them.

The instant he picked up the rum, he dashed out of the tavern like a red lightning bolt.

"Damn it! Snow, don't be like this! He's not really your son, there's no need for you to throw such a tantrum!"

"Heh, who said I contacted you because of this relationship? I was wondering why the slime's activity range has been expanding lately. Turns out it's because you've been slacking off. Heh, now look what's happened. I gave you a task, and you just don't do it, leaving it to a kid. Don't you have any sense of responsibility?"

"Hehehe~ Of course! I'll go find him, don't worry, I won't let anything happen to your wolf cub!"

Hakan's figure disappeared into the forest along with his voice; it seemed he really had gone to find Evand.

Seeing Hakan disappear into the woods, Snook sighed helplessly and returned to the tavern to continue his unfinished work for the day.

And on the other side...

When Evand stepped into the seemingly peaceful forest, he discovered that things were far more complicated than he had imagined. Deep within the woods, the dim light made everything seem eerie. He proceeded cautiously, his longsword gripped tightly, ready to face any potential threat.

Sure enough, soon after, a group of slimes staggered toward him. Evand reacted quickly, and with his agility and skillful swordsmanship, he soon dealt with these slimy creatures one by one.

Just as he thought he could finally breathe a sigh of relief, an even more powerful being silently approached him—a ram-headed demon, its狰狞 (zhengning - ferocious/hideous) face appearing even more terrifying in the moonlight, its enormous ram horns gleaming with an ominous light. Evand's heart tightened, but he did not back down. He knew that at this moment, he had to fight for his honor and the safety of the tavern.

The battle erupted instantly, with Evand and the goat-headed demon engaging in a fierce clash. The demon's power far surpassed that of the slime, each attack carrying the force to tear through the air, but Evand, with his tenacious will and relentless effort, was known for his incredible resilience.

Evand gradually found his opponent's weakness. He dodged nimbly while looking for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow. Finally, after a clever counterattack, Evand's longsword pierced the heart of the goat-headed demon with precision, and with the demon's wail, all was quiet.

Evan stood there, panting, his hair soaked with sweat, but his eyes gleamed with the light of victory.

Still catching his breath, Evand's gaze involuntarily fell on the spot where the goat-headed demon had fallen. There, a badge shimmering faintly lay quietly in the soil, seemingly telling a secret unknown to anyone.

He strode forward, bent down to pick up the badge, and the moment he touched it, a strange energy fluctuation seemed to dance lightly at his fingertips, causing him to frown.

I feel like I've read about this somewhere before? Oh right, it's the place where I first met Nexus. Hehe, just thinking about Nexus makes me happy, hehehe~.

"Hmm! What am I thinking?" Evans shook his head, seemingly trying to shake off the impure thoughts in his mind.

Just then, Evand's gaze was drawn to another sight—not far away, under a huge rock, lay a tattered parchment scroll, its edges swaying gently in the wind, as if beckoning him. A surge of intense curiosity welled up within him, and he decided to investigate further.

Just as Evand was about to move the stone, a familiar voice came from not far away: "Evand! Are you alright?"

He looked up and saw Hakan running towards him, covered in sweat. Evan felt a warmth in his heart. He thought that Hakan must have been worried about his safety and had rushed over. Otherwise, why would he have to run so fast?

“Hakan, I’m fine, but there are some strange things here,” Evand said, pointing to the badge and the parchment scroll.

Upon hearing this, Hakan immediately rushed to Evand's side, and the two of them moved the stone aside, revealing the strange parchment scroll. Evand carefully unfolded it and found that it contained an obscure text and some totems similar to those on the emblem, but the text was still legible.

I can't remember how long I've been trapped in this labyrinth of trees and mist.

This fog has me completely bewildered!

I swear, even if I cut down one tree after another, and another after another, they will always grow a new one and its place will be disturbed!

I haven't had a good night's sleep since I left the tavern.

I can even hear those nauseating laughs from my dreams during the day!

I don't know if I can ever get back to the tavern; I can't even recognize the way back.

Even the marks I made on the tree have all disappeared.

But in any case, I must keep going.

I need three more emblem fragments… three… and then he'll tell me how to leave…

Then destroy this place once and for all!

The two men in the tavern had been plotting something against me.

They know how to end it all, but they just won't.

For the glory of the Creator! Long live the Creator!

If I escape, I swear I will burn them alive!

Signature - PD

Evand's gaze lingered on the parchment scroll for a long time, his heart filled with questions and unease. He looked up at Hakan, his eyes gleaming with a desire for answers: "Hakan, do you know this PD?"

Hakan pondered for a while, and finally shook his head. Although he didn't know who this person called PD was, he could still offer some suggestions.

“Although I don’t know, I think someone might know. Snow definitely knows something, so let’s go back to the tavern now!”

Back at the tavern, Evand and Hakan almost rushed through the familiar wooden doorway, where they were greeted by the familiar and warm lights and the faint aroma of ale, which calmed them down a little.

Inside the tavern, several tables of guests were talking in hushed tones, while Ruan Qingrou's melody drifted from a corner. Everything seemed the same as usual, yet it was made all the more different by the secrets they had brought back.

"Snow!" Hakan called out the tavern owner's name as he pushed through the crowd.

"Come and see what incredible news your little wolf cub has brought you!"

Snow was busy wiping the water droplets off the edge of the barrel when he heard the shout. He looked up and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

However, when he saw that it was Hakan, his face immediately darkened.

"Heh, you'd better bring me some useful information, or you'll be sleeping in the warehouse tonight!"

"Ha, don't get excited. I just used that little wolf cub. See, he came back unharmed, didn't he? Don't be angry. Let's call everyone over first."

Snow snorted and walked out from behind the counter. A short while later, he called over Witt and Chet.

"Alright, everyone's here, so please tell me, what did you discover?"

"Ahem..." Seeing Snow's angry expression, Evand was too afraid to speak.

I don't think I've done anything to upset him, so why is my dad looking at me so angrily?

Evand probably never guessed that Snow was angry because he was too stupid. If Evand had any sense at all, he wouldn't have gone to serve Hakan for several days in a row, foolishly helping others, and then thinking that he had completed the mission assigned to him.