31 Hey! It's the taunt quest NPC! 

Which kind of made sense.

Jake nodded as he analyzed the reason for a moment.

The 'free entrance' policy and the 'free stay-overnight' policy was attractive to explorers. A large gathering would form quickly.

If a monster tide attacked, there would be more people to fight it off. Which meant a safer settlement. Which was attractive to explorers.

What? A safe place like this is free? And so the loops begins.

Walking into the settlement, a bustling field of tents was in view. Tents big and small, in various colors.

The explorers here were rather relaxed. Playing cards for fun. Gambling around with their loots. The quieter fellas read books by themselves. Some lone wolfs ate dinners by themselves. Some party-lovers were drinking with strangers already. Chatting around. Groups in twos or threes gathered up to have a smoke break.

Passing through this region, Jake lightly knitted his brows. The air reeked of sweat and smoke here.

Unlike Jake, these guys were staying here for several days in one go. And water was a rare resource here. So for the guys here, going weeks without a shower was commonplace.

Walking towards the center, the tents suddenly became all brown in color. They were a size larger too. At the center, there was a large brown inflated tent, about the size of a circus tent.

On top of that tent was a large flag flying in the wind, showing the logo of an iron bison head.

The Iron Bison Guild!

A guild on-par with the Iron Sparrow Guild in Shine city. These were the owners of this settlement.

Sure. There's no entrance fee. But the Iron Bison Guild was not running this place as a charity.

Explorers could sell their loots here. It's just the price was 10% - 50% of the outside price.

The Iron Bison Guild also sold essential supplies here. It's just the price was 25 to 300 times higher than the outside.

Jake could also rent a large brown tent here. This service was not cheap either.

Walking towards the central tent, the fragrance of hot greasy fast food gradually got stronger.

Jake suddenly felt like a nice hot meal. Probably would be expensive. But Jake had some extra cash now. No sweat.

The inside of the central tent was like a small mall. Congested with loud explorers as usual.

Clothing shops. Grocery shops that only sold instant noodles and water. Medic center. A counter that took in drops for money. An administration counter for tent rental. Finally, a burger shop.

Feeling his stomach grumble a little, Jake got in line.

Looking around, standing amidst the dirty explorers, Jake was the odd one out.

Wearing a clean T-shirt. Clean sweatpants. Carrying no MMORPG-like equipment. If Jake didn't carry that big pack with him, he'd probably be viewed as a lost tourist.

Yep. This was the effect of Jake's cleaning talisman. (1 of the 8 basic talismans. Could be crushed to treat infections. Normally keeps the host clean all the time, preventing hygiene related diseases.)

Out of cautiousness, Jake made a few sets of basic talismans for himself. As an artisan, it's just the material cost right? Cheap stuff.

The explorers here didn't hold down their speaking volumes. Jake couldn't turn off his ears. So naturally, some nearby conversations could be heard.

Listening to their chat, Jake flicked his brows.

Apparently, the new artisan in town was a hot topic now. If Jake was not mistaken... he happened to be that new artisan.

Since he only showed his face in public once, these guys here clearly didn't recognize him.

...

"What's up with the new artisan? Is it that troublesome to see us in person? Seriously..."

Jake nodded. 'Yes. Seriously.'

"Doesn't he get lonely at night though..." A girl licked her lips.

"Maybe he's got a cold personality. That's my type alright. Heyheyhey..." A girl carrying a large axe chuckled. She seemed to be daydreaming about something. "To guys like that, you need to be on the offensive. Like me."

"Which artisan would be interested in you? They are rather fragile you know." It's a skinnier girl in a green mage's robe.

She scanned the axe-wielder girl up and down. Looked like she was mocking the axe-wielder's strong physique. "I bet the new artisan would like gentle girls like me."

"... You want to pick a fight with me?"

"Anytime you'd like. But the loser must not bother the artisan again."

Those three girls walked out.

Jake: ...

'Explorers really are troublesome. Looks like I've made another good decision.'

...

"Heard the talisman price is going down nowadays. No joke. The new artisan is really good at this huh..."

"Of course. I heard he has 100% success rate!"

"No way!"

Hearing this, the eyes of some nearby explorers glinted. "Do you guys know what the new artisan looks like?"

"Of course. The artisan look, you know. Filthy rich. Golden watch. I mean. Maybe even artifact watches you know. Nice suit. You know. Successful looking in general. You'll know him when you see him!"

"Actually, I heard that the new artisan looks like a high school graduate... With... nothing fancy..."

That guy's voice dwindled. Clearly, nobody around believed him.

A pause in the conversation.

"Fooking Iron Sparrow Guild." Someone started.

"Yeah. Fook that guild. Keeping the artisan away from us."

In an instance, the groups of newly met strangers found something they could all agree upon.

The mood here suddenly got warmer. Their chatting voice quickly got louder.

Jake sighed. By the looks of it, he still needed to stay in line for a while. Even as a laid-back person, this loud and crowded environment was getting a bit agitating.

10 minutes later? 20 minutes later?

Jake couldn't be certain. He kind of zoned out. Until...

The crowd behind him stirred up a little.

"Out of the way."

"Get out!"

"Are you sure you want to be our enemies!"

The crowd slowly opened up a path. Taking a closer look, the people here all wore an unwilling but powerless look.

Walking in the front of that group was a teenager wearing a golden jacket.

Hair fading from blond to grey. Putting on a haughty and proud expression. The brat raised his chin as he walked past the crowd. It was as if he enjoyed this accomplishment or something.

Staying in his blank expression as usual, Jake blinked a few times seeing this guy. 'Oh. It's that... Wait!' Jake's eyes brightened up. 'It's the Taunt Quest NPC!'

The brat clearly didn't notice Jake. Being followed by his bodyguards, the teenager walked right up to the fast food counter.

Jake flicked his brows seeing this. 'What a brave child. Isn't he afraid of angering the crowd? In a settlement owned by an iron-tier... Is this really alright?'

Turned out, this was actually alright.

After all, in the world of explorers... Yep.

Regarding the Iron Bison Guild, the employees here didn't really care about the beef among their customers.

Jake squinted as a thought popped into his mind. 'Wait... This guy wouldn't have came into this realm just for me... right?'

In this time, the brat had already reached the front part of the line-up.

"Ok. You. I'm taking your spot." The brat choose a five-men group.

Chatter quickly broke out among the explorers.

"Wait. Isn't that Alex Lehner! That's the guildmaster of the Shining Fawns Guild right?!"

"Psstt. Yeah. The smallest guild here. They are nothing in the face of the Shining Arrow Guild though."

"Yeah... The difference between number 11 and number 1 is just way to big."