The Adventurer's Mission Log

Chapter 42 Dwarf Tavern

Mission: Destroy the Beastmen's stronghold in the city.

[Difficulty: Dangerous]

[Reward: 'Burning Sword' --> 'Radiant Scepter']

[Status: In Progress]

The Tenor preview reward is an upgraded Burning Sword that is about two meters long. Humans can use it as a spear, but it is less convenient to carry.

Despite being called a scepter, it is actually diamond-shaped at the top with sharp edges and a point that can be used to stab.

The cold-blooded runes are mixed in with the staff, which is a smaller rectangle at the bottom than at the top, and the edges are equally sharp.

In Tenor's view, this was a bud that was many times longer.

The 'Radiant Scepter' can delay Tenor's fatigue, effectively doubling his energy. This is a permanent effect, meaning he can fight at full power for three hours without exhaustion.

After activating the scepter, the next charge will be faster and the charge burst will last longer.

Faster and stronger!

After his mutation, he runs slower, and his high-frequency burst charge is faster but cannot be sustained. Activating the 'Radiant Scepter' means that he can treat the charge as a long displacement, and when the mage ten steps away utters two syllables, he can get close enough to smash the target down.

It only takes three minutes to charge.

Tenor was pleased with the reward, but the objective of the mission itself was worth his attention—it seemed the Beastmen had indeed infiltrated the city.

Report to the authorities? Who would believe that? He has no evidence, and he'll probably be dismissed just like he was yesterday when he asked for the reward.

Will the Knights Templar believe him?

After tidying up for a while, Tenor went downstairs, where Giovanni was still at get off work.

He ordered a glass of mead, leaned over the bar, and said seriously to the sleepy halfling:

"If I told you there were unicorns in the city, would you believe me? Would the Black Rose Knights care?"

Giovanni paused for a moment, then snapped out of it. "Hahaha~" he laughed so hard he was doubled over. "You've only had a few drinks? Beastman? You shouldn't be telling me, you should be telling the girl you like."

A fellow with your humor could at least snag a night of intimacy from a wealthy woman.

"Really, I'm not kidding." Tenor took a sip of his drink.

Giovanni laughed even louder, wide awake. "Wake up, buddy! You should get some sleep."

I know a clinic that's very good at treating mental illnesses, but I don't recommend you go there to be a sucker, because your condition is obvious—a good rest will be enough to calm your bad mental state.

You killed the Faceless Man, and everyone is praising you and thanking you, but I know you've been running around all day lately, and it's no wonder you're so tired that you're hallucinating. Take a good rest!

"Otherwise, I might 'see' a dragon tomorrow and start yelling all over town! Hey, don't tell me you know Giovanni then, I can't afford to lose face."

Tenor finished his drink, shook his head, and thought to himself, "Sure enough, unless I produce solid evidence, no one will believe me."

As dawn broke, he first searched the northern part of the city, stopping at Laghetti University, located east of the Flower District.

This place gave him the worst feeling; he wasn't sure if it was due to magic or the lingering aura of the Beastmen.

In any case, the Beastmen's hideout is likely nearby.

But scholars and mages often frequent this place, so the beastmen couldn't possibly be hiding on the ground. If they were, it must be because some mage or scholar was protecting them.

Whether it's causing trouble for the sorcerer or venturing underground, he doesn't intend to do it alone—it would be terrible if he were to perish there.

He went to the dwarf community in the southwest city, intending to take someone down with him.

The dwarves built what looked like a fortress in the city.

To reach the dwarf district, one must pass through a large, sturdy gate erected by the dwarves, which is usually open but can be closed at any time.

The community consists entirely of stone buildings, most of which are no more than two stories high and are closely connected. There are no doors facing outwards, and the windows on the outer buildings are unusually narrow.

The sounds of hammering and craftsmen at work never ceased; living next to a dwarf community was certainly not a good idea.

Tenor nodded to several familiar dwarves and entered their bar. "I'm looking for Butcher Gottlieb."

The three dwarfs, who were drinking heavily, looked up almost simultaneously.

There were at least six butchers present.

Tenor noticed that the name was common among dwarves, and he repeated it, "Gothry Bardinson, I am his friend."

The tavern owner was a dwarf whose beard touched the ground. This long-bearded dwarf, with his white beard, was quite revered by the other dwarves. From the moment Tenor entered the tavern, they had been staring at him, as if a master craftsman were examining a piece of material of questionable quality.

At this moment, the tavern owner stroked his beard, which reached his waist, and slowly spoke. His voice was particularly loud, and all the dwarves subconsciously stopped talking and listened attentively to what he had to say.

"He did say you were his friend." The long-bearded dwarf's gaze lingered on Tenor's face for three seconds, which was enough for a dwarf to scrutinize three generations of his ancestors when appraising a stranger.

"The butcher from the Batinson family is downwind and hasn't woken up yet. If I were you, human, I'd sit here and wait, and not touch his door."

Tenor looked at the staircase leading underground. Yes, the dwarves had a street underground, and many buildings had underground sections. The dwarves seemed to be used to staying underground.

He had heard Gotley boast about it when he came yesterday, but he couldn't just barge in. In Gotley's words, "Even the Emperor of the Empire can't wander in without permission, unless he's a dwarf."

"Okay, when he wakes up, remember to tell him I was here. I was on a dangerous mission. If he's interested, he can find me at Laghetti University."

Upon hearing this, like a wolverine smelling blood, the red-bearded butcher in the corner slammed his glass on the table with a loud crash.

He opened his mouth to say something, and another butcher next to him leaned forward, his beard trembling slightly with excitement.

The long-bearded dwarf turned his head and glanced at them.

The red-bearded butcher swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue, and his companion immediately lowered his head, staring intently at the wine glass in front of him.

Tenor glanced at the last four dwarf butchers out of the corner of his eye. They hadn't moved at all, and now they were even breathing softly.

It seems that dwarfs are very respectful of their elders.

The long-bearded dwarf withdrew his gaze and turned to Tenor. "You just said 'dangerous mission,' human. I suggest you be careful with your words." He stood on the chair, leaning forward and resting his head on the bar, his tone becoming more serious:

"You must remember one thing, human: if your definition of 'danger' isn't enough, if you waste his time, it won't just be Gotley who'll hold you accountable."

Not qualified for "danger"? No way, this is a mission difficulty certification, and Tenor always suspected that the mission panel was related to the Old Gods.

The Old Gods thought his mission was dangerous, so wasn't he qualified?

"I guarantee he won't make a wasted trip. After all, a beastman who dares to sneak into the city at this critical juncture is definitely not a good guy."

If they can hide in a university, then the university's mages must have a few corrupted ones, one... or a few mages, plus a bunch of beastmen, and maybe some other chaotic monsters—it should be dangerous enough.

Tenor made no attempt to hide anything; the dwarves were the group most likely to believe him.

The butchers no longer pretended to look at the wine glasses; they were all staring at Tenor, their eyes no longer filled with fanaticism, but with something far more dangerous.

But they dared not interrupt in front of the long-bearded man; none of them wanted to be the next unlucky one to be scolded for three hours with their head down.

Even a dwarf king would be better off listening attentively when being addressed by an older dwarf.

The long-bearded elder stared intently at Tenor; this human didn't seem to be lying.

By Granny, the best thing a human can do is to tell the truth.

Now that things have come to this point, if anyone dares to mess with the dwarves, no matter who it is, no one can bear the dwarves' wrath.

"Beastman." The long-bearded dwarf chewed on the three words, "At the university. Colluding with mages." He nodded slowly, the movement extremely small.

The butchers let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"The Fallen," the long-bearded dwarf repeated, this time speaking to himself.

He tapped his finger on the bar counter. "This isn't a matter of 'not being good enough' anymore." He refocused his gaze on Tenor's face, as if he had made up his mind.

Tenor vaguely realized that these dwarves were quite reliable in crucial moments.