A lady in trouble

Months have passed since the Unseen Moon Inn was opened and the customers aren't many. Those that visit the inn often come by for the one free time and then never return. The boom that followed from Brutus's advertisement was slowing down and the money was not coming in. This wasn't an issue for Jes since he could make an infinite amount of money, but he didn't like using that to do anything extravagant. The only joy he had was when he would get a visitor who is having a bit of trouble.

And on this rainy night, a noble siblings came to visit the humble inn. Jes greeted the guests as per usual. "Welcome dear customers. Are you perhaps looking for a place to stay the night?"

The brother said angrily "Of course we have come to sleep here. Are you stupid? Why else would we be in this dump?"

The sister said with a worried look "I'm sorry for my brother's behavior. He is a bit moody because the guards wouldn't open the gate for us. Siegfried, I told you that there is a time when you can't enter the town."

The brother spoke angrily "That's no excuse. We are nobles and they are just commoners."

Jes said while smiling "Would you like to use the one free night in this inn or would you like to pay?"

Siegfried gets even more angry "Huh?! You think we are people who can't pay for a night in a measly inn like this?!"

Jes replies "It is something that I ask for all the first time customers."

Siegfried says, while still angry "Well should have told me that sooner! Here is the money." He gives Jes a gold coin.

Jes tells Siegfried "This inn only costs one fifty copper coins."

Siegfried angrily replies "Just keep the damn change!"

Jes hands him a key and says "Your room is room 1."

Siegfried then says with the little calmness he can muster "Thank you." And leaves. The sister is then left there to handle the attendants stay at the inn. She says "Sorry again for my brother's behavior." Jes simply replies "It is no problem. Every business gets customers like him every now and then."

The sister says "I still must apologize. My name is Juliet Firestone and my brother's name is Siegfried Firestone. Here is the money that pays for our attendants. There are six of us in total."

Jes asks "I will still have to get the names of the people who will enter the rooms."

Juliet says "Of course. Their names are Jorm, Ulias, Renold and Maria." Jes then writes everyone down the ledger and then gives the keys to their respectable owner for the night. He then wishes the guests of this night a good night rest and they go to their rooms to sleep. The healing magic then activated on the guests as per usual.

Two hours after the new guests came to the inn, a group of sketchy individuals started nearing the inn. Even though Jes could feel their ill intent, when the customers opened the door, he greeted them with "Welcome to the Unseen Moon Inn dear customers. Are you looking for a place to stay the night?" The group of men take out their weapons and point at Jes. Then one of them says "We ain't looking for a place to stay. We are here to pay a visit to the Firestone kids. Be an understanding little rat and don't try to do anything you'll regret."

Jes then says calmly "So you aren't guests?" The man answers "Are you a dimwit? Of course we aren't."

Jes then closes his eyes for a moment and then says "Then I'm afraid I'll have to restrain you. I can't have you hurting the other customers after all." The men laugh at him for a moment while saying "What can a measly innkeeper like you do?"

Jes smiled with the kindest smile he could muster and said "Like this." Then suddenly all of the men that were hostile collapsed right before him. He then summoned a rope that can't be opened by the ones closed by it. Jes then put the men into a corner for the next day for him to take them to guards.

Unfortunately, this was not the end. Jes knew that there was a traitor within the attendants. He was still awake and waiting for the bandits to come. However, since the bandits didn't come, he took matters into his own hands and so he decided to kidnap Juliet. Once that traitor did so, he jumped out of the window and tried to run off. He tried, but Jes detained him before he could go outside his territory.

Juliet was in panic, but once Jes got to the scene, he told the young lady "There is no need to worry dear customer. I have taken care of the intruders that wished harm on you." He undid the bindings that Juliet was on and muttered to himself "Though I must admit, I'm not pleased to have to detain one of my customers. What do you say dear Ulias?"

Ulias was glaring at Jes with hatred in his eyes. Soon after Jes put him to sleep. Then he told Juliet "We will question them in the morning. You should go and try to rest before then. I assure you, no harm will come to you as long as you are in my care." Juliet hesitated, but agreed to go back to sleep. Jes carried Ulias inside where the rest of the criminals were.

Juliet was worried about the whole event and Jes understood this. This is why once Juliet was calm enough to get back to bed, he casted a little spell that put her fast asleep.

In the morning Jes prepared breakfast, but since the customers this time wanted to take care of the criminals first, he helped with the interrogation. Jes started asking while exerting his power "Who's idea was this?" Ulias then said out of fear "I-it was lord Hummer! He paid us to capture the Firestone kids when they were out of town. This was the last chance we had, but we never thought that we would fail like this."

Jorm stood strong and said to Ulias "You have been a loyal servant of Firestone family for years Ulias. Why would you be swindled by a few measly coins." Ulias uttered "You don't understand. The job was worth ten platinum coins. How could I not take such an offer?" Renold said "That is quite a sum. Why would lord Hummer pay so much for capturing these kids?" Jes nodded and said "Indeed" Then he exerted his power some more and asked "May you know why dear Ulias?"

Ulias panicked and said "I swear I have no idea why he would want these kids! He just paid and never elaborated on that!" Jes then told the others "I don't think we will get anything more out of him. Do you need a hand on taking them to the guards?"

Jorm said "Hold them here for the moment. We will go to town and tell them the situation. They should send people to take it from there." Jes nodded, smiled and said "As you wish. Would you still like to eat?" Jorm and Renold looked at the siblings to see what they chose. Then Siegfried said "Humph, I doubt that this food will be as good as I'm used to. But I suppose I can lower myself to eat this peasant food for now." He sat down and took a bite. Then he said "This… This is delicious. … I- I mean this food is good for peasant standards. You have my praise innkeeper."

Then the others started to eat while saying that it is one of the tastiest foods they ever had. Jes was pleased by these compliments and simply said "It is my honor to receive such praise." The guests then ate the rest and once they were done, they left the inn. But before he could enter the carriage, Siegfried said in an embarrassed voice "Tha- Thank you for the food innkeeper. Wha- What is your name?"

Jes smiled and answered "Jes Tacitus." To which Siegfried said "I see. Thank you for saving us Tacitus. I will remember your name." Then the rest said their goodbyes and went off.

Later that day a bunch of guards come to take in the captured criminals. One of the guards noticed something and asked the other guard "Is- isn't that the phantom blade Robert?" The other guard looked for a moment and said "I think he is." Then the guard came and asked Jes "Did you capture these criminals?" To which Jes answered "I simply did my duty to ensure my guests can sleep soundly the night. Nothing more." The guards look at each other for a moment and say to Jes "You know that phantom blade Robert is one of the most notorious criminals in the area, right?" Jes simply answers "I'm afraid I had no idea." The guard then explains that there was a bounty for phantom blade Robert's arrest so Jes would receive the reward on a later date. Jes simply said "Is that so."

The guards then leave and later someone comes to the inn to give Jes his reward. It was ten gold coins but Jes wasn't really phased by it. The person then tells that the news of him capturing the phantom blade Robert will spread and give him fame. While Jes is initially happy, he soon realizes that it will bring him the wrong kind of attention. After realizing that, he becomes worried and hopes that he will not get any kind of trouble any time soon.

But as Jes expected, trouble came soon after. People started to come and challenge the innkeeper of Unseen Moon Inn. It would go something like this.

Jes: Welcome to the Unseen Moon Inn. Are you looking for a place to stay the night or a simple meal? Alcohol perhaps?

Challenger: Are you the innkeeper?

Jes: Yes.

Challenger: I challenge you to a duel.

Jes: I see. Then if I win with the flick of my finger, will you stop the challenge?

Some variation of people agreeing or disagreeing.

The challenger who accepted: Sure.

Jes: Then, when I count to three, you may attack me and I will flick my finger.

The challenger who accepted: But shouldn't we go out first?

Jes: One…

The challenger who accepted: I see. Well it's your inn.

Jes: Two… Three *Flick*

And the challenger collapses and Jes puts them in a chair. They wake up and might be angry and challenge again or leave.

Those who didn't accept the flick of the finger or wanted an actual match after the fact asked for an actual combat. Jes didn't have much else to do, so he most often accepted. Since this was away from town, there rarely was anyone who watched. Though sometimes a traveler passed by and stayed to watch.

The battle starts and the challenger attacks and Jes grabs the weapon they are holding and launches them away at a speed that doesn't kill them. Most often this would deter the challenger trying any more, but there were some stranglers who didn't want to give up.

Those that didn't give up got snot beaten out of them. Most often by using magic to launch rocks at them in a speed that they could barely react.

There were some variations of mages every now and then. Jes often just told them that he could just seal their magic and he could cast his own magic to defeat them. Most needed demonstrations and others simply saw him as a coward.

This had become a routine with some challengers returning for a rematch. Inside Jes just thought "Well it is good that a mortal is persistent. Though it can get annoying."

One day a rare tier 6 adventurer came to check the famous innkeeper. It was a young looking lady who wanted to see what the innkeeper was made of. She, like many others, didn't accept the flick finger challenge and demanded a duel. Once they went outside, the woman named herself as Diane. They took their places and started the match.

As expected, Jes managed to avoid or deflect her attacks like any other time, but this time he felt that he had to get a little serious. In his mind he thought "This isn't a power of tier 6. Tier 7 perhaps or maybe even tier 8." He only dodged and deflected her attacks for a while, until Diane decided to speak. "Are you going to only defend or are you going to attack?"

Jes smiled kindly and said "Would you attack a kitten who you are playing with?" Diane got angry at Jes for the comment and shouted "Are you mocking me?!"

Jes simply replied "Have you no skill in resisting intimidation? A shame, I think many have met your end of the fist quite often."

Diane smiled angrily and said "Is that so, little dwerp who hides his power. Let me get even more serious."

The attack strength and speed increased to a level where Jes was certain that she was a tier 8. This was a little surprising for him, but he still managed to defend as easily as ever. He hadn't even used his magic, which he was better at.

He finally decided to pin Diane down in a blink of an eye. Diane was surprised by what had just happened and it took a while for her to notice it. Jes said to Diane "Are you done?" To which Diane answered "Su-sure." Jes let her go and then offered to help her back up. Diane refused and got up herself.

Then something Diane didn't expect came from Jes's mouth. "I don't know why you are hiding your power, but as I am doing the same, I'm not going to pry into it. You are definitely above human limits. That might explain why you are hiding your true appearance with a magic item." Diane was surprised and got her guard up and said "How much do you know?" To which Jes answered "Doesn't matter. I'm but a simple innkeeper." He starts to go back inside and once he is at the door, he asks "Do you want a meal or a drink?" To which Diane said "A light meal would be nice." Jes didn't skip a beat and said "That's 30 copper then."

Diane searched her pocket and gave Jes the 30 copper coins. Then Jes got back to work.

When eating her meal, Diane said "This is good. You should charge more from this." Jes smiled and said "Thanks for the compliment. I will still keep it at the current price since this place is visited so rarely."

After Diane is done eating, she says "I need to become strong." To which Jes answers "For your people right?"

Diane looks at Jes in astonishment for a moment. Then she smiles for a moment and says "You sure know everything. Are you going to report me?" Jes answers "Why would I report a potential customer? No matter if they are good or evil, a customer is a customer."

Diane smiles and says "Well someone in your level has the option to be like that. Tell me, are you a tier 9?" Jes smiles and answers "I'm but a tier 1 innkeeper."

Diane then says "So you are going to keep it a secret. Well rumors of you will make everyone doubt you. I honestly thought that you were tier 1 when I first saw you." Jes says "Thank you for the compliment." To which Diane smiles and says "You sure are a weird one."

Diane then rises and reveals her true form. She is a dark skinned demon that looks similar to a human with horns. Her red eyes are like rubies that shine from the darkness. She then offers her hand and says "The demon army needs you. Would you come with me and serve my father as your king?"

Jes simply smiles and says "I am but a humble innkeeper, little princess. Nothing more." Then Diane says "A shame. I would have loved to fight alongside you."

Then Diane changes back to her human form and starts to leave. But before she leaves the inn, she asks "So will you side with humans?" To which Jes says "That's a foolish question. You already know the answer." Diane then says "I sure do. Bye." Jes then says before the door closes "Please visit again. The Unseen Moon Inn always welcomes a customer." Diane smiles at that and closes the door.

While walking back, Diane mutters to herself while smiling "Just a humble innkeeper huh."

Then the next week Diane came back to the inn and said to Jes "May I get a room for a night?" And so the inn finally got a regular.