Need better clothes

As they stepped inside, they were hit with a wave of musty air, and the tavern's dim lighting did nothing to dispel the gloom. The only sound that could be heard was the creaking of the floorboards beneath their feet.

Hunter scanned the room, expecting to see the old man they had met before, but the tavern was empty. The flickering candlelight was the only source of illumination in the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The tables and stools were crudely made and looked as though they had seen better days. The emptiness of the place was almost suffocating, and it was clear that the tavern had not seen any customers in a long time.

As they approached the bar, Hunter and Kolvar noticed that it was picked clean of any ale or bottles. The empty racks behind the bar were a stark reminder that this once lively establishment had fallen on hard times. It seemed that the only thing left in the Bored Hamster was the thick layer of dust that covered everything.

Hunter's gaze was drawn to the bar counter where a single candle burned low, casting a flickering, eerie light around the room. On the counter lay a yellow parchment as if waiting to be found. The parchment was unassuming, but Hunter couldn't shake the feeling that it held the answers to why he didn't see the old man.

Hunter reached for the letter and saw that the handwriting was almost illegible as if it had been written by a drunken monkey. He strained his eyes to read the words scrawled on the paper, piecing together the message with difficulty.

"I hereby transfer ownership of the Bored Hamster tavern to you. You can choose to manage it, sell it, or even destroy it. I don't give two rat's ass about it. I'm sick and tired of dealing with all the shitheads who comes to this godforsaken place. As for the empty racks, I took the drinks with me to enjoy in my new life far away from this accursed city. By the way, I want to assure you that I'll keep the secret of the underground workshop to myself. I sincerely hope we never cross paths again. Farewell, Bonehead."

"That explains this," Hunter sighed, pointing at the empty rack.

"At least we have a place to sleep tonight," said Kolvar, his voice low and tired. As a former slave, he was used to sleeping in much worse places than this tavern. As long as he had a roof above his head and solid ground beneath his feet, Kolvar would be happy.

Hunter put down the letter and looked around the empty tavern. The flickering candlelight cast strange shadows on the rough-hewn walls and the crude furniture. The air was thick with the scent of stale ale and mold, and the only sound was the occasional creaking of the floorboards underfoot.

Hunter stood there, staring at the empty tavern, lost in thought. The idea of building a criminal empire seemed daunting yet awfully exciting, but he knew he needed a base to operate from. And this tavern, though it looked terrible, was the only place he had at the moment. He turned to Kolvar and said, "We can't sell this place, not with the underground workshop here. And we need it for our plans. So, we're going to have to renovate it."

Kolvar nodded in agreement. "It won't be cheap," he said,

Hunter knew that he would have to spend a considerable amount of astral coins on renovations, but he also knew that it would be worth it in the long run. He imagined what the tavern would look like once it was fully renovated, with new furniture, clean walls, and a new atmosphere. It would be a place where people would want to come and drink, and that was exactly what he needed.

He started to make a mental list of what needed to be done. The floors needed to be fixed, the walls needed to be repainted, and the furniture needed to be replaced. But he was willing to spend whatever it took to make the Bored Hamster a place where he could brew his new beer and operate his criminal empire.

With a deep breath, Hunter turned to Kolvar and said, "Let's get some shut-eye and deal with this in the morning,"

The next morning, when the sun slowly rose above the horizon, casting a warm golden light through the window, Hunter and Kolvar started to stir from their sleep. They could hear the cheerful melodies of the birds outside the tavern, announcing the start of a new day. The distant clip-clop of horse hooves on the cobblestone street could be heard, adding to the pleasant ambiance.

As they got up from the creaky wooden floor, they were greeted by a vibrant and bustling town. The streets were bustling with activity as people went about their daily business. The marketplace was abuzz with activity, with merchants setting up their colorful stalls and shouting out to potential customers. The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meat filled the air, making their stomachs rumble in anticipation.

Peering through the door crack, Hunter and Kolvar saw the town in all its liveliness. Noble ladies in brightly colored dresses were walking down the street, admiring the wares on display. Farmers were bringing in their fresh produce, which was being sold at a brisk pace. The clatter of horses and carriages could be heard, along with the chatter and laughter of the townspeople, adding to the energetic atmosphere.

They took a deep breath of the fresh morning air and felt invigorated and ready to explore the town.

After stretching his legs and arms, Hunter picked up the sack with valuables. He slept hugging the sack without letting it go. This sack contained his initial investment to kick start his criminal empire. As much as he enjoyed killing goblins, He didn't think he could start a criminal empire by killing them.

After Hunter stretched his arms and legs, he let out a satisfying yawn. He couldn't help but smile as he reached for the sack with his valuables. It was his lifeline to start his criminal empire. He had slept hugging the sack all night, not daring to let it out of his sight.

As much as he enjoyed killing goblins, he knew he couldn't start his criminal empire by just killing goblins. That was just a temporary solution to earn the pass to get in and out of the city without much hassle. With this sack on his back, he felt more confident and ready to face any challenge that came his way.

Slinging the sack over his shoulder, he made his way to the door of the underground workshop. He gave it a quick glance to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. Satisfied, he reached into his pants pocket to make sure the key was still there.

"But before we leave the tavern, how in the hell do we claim ownership of this place? We can't just show the old man's letter; it mentions the underground workshop," he said with a frown.

Kolvar scratched his chin and thought for a moment. "Well, it might be a long shot, but if we could manage to meet the Duke, we might be able to get the papers for the tavern. Maybe even for free if we're lucky," he suggested.

"Hmm," Hunter nodded slowly in agreement.

"Alright, but we have to act fast. Before we do anything, we need to sell the valuables in the sack for astral coins. That will give us the funds we need to make renovations and other necessary expenses."

He picked up the sack and hefted it onto his shoulder. "Let's get moving. The sooner we sell these, the sooner we can start building our empire,"

"The merchant guild is located on the astral street adjacent to this one. We can sell our valuables there," Kolvar proposed.

As Kolvar pulled up his hood and covered his pointed ears, Hunter nodded in agreement. He knew all too well that an elf in clean clothes could easily draw unwanted attention in the bustling Bellburn city.

Taking one last look around the room, Hunter made sure they hadn't left anything behind. The sack containing their valuables was securely strapped to his back, and he adjusted the weight to make it more comfortable. When they stepped out of the tavern, the morning sunlight hit their faces, making them squint for a moment.

The sight of their horses waiting for them in the alley brought a sense of relief. The animals were calmly chewing on some hay that had been left for them in a bucket. Hunter took a moment to pat his horse on the neck, feeling a sense of companionship with the animal.

Surveying their surroundings, Hunter took note of the details. On one side, the Bored Hamster, a sturdy structure that looked like it had stood there for centuries. On the other, a wooden building with weathered walls that spoke of its age. Despite their age, they stood strong. The scent of horse manure mixed with the smells of the city, creating a unique aroma. The alley was narrow, with just enough space for the horses to stand side by side.

Hunter turned to Kolvar,

"There is a stable nearby right?" He had a faint recollection of a stable in the area from the memories he inherited from Parker. Hunter remembered the vivid image of a red-haired girl who once talked to Parker and Kolvar. She was kind to them, offering water, a simple gesture that meant the world to the two former slaves who rarely received kindness from others. Despite the fleeting nature of the memory, Hunter felt drawn to the possibility of finding that stable and seeing if the girl was still there.

In order to avoid being recognized by the red-haired girl at the nearby stable, Hunter thought it would be wise to purchase a black cloak to cover his head. This would also conceal the sack of valuables he was carrying. He knew it was important to keep the sack hidden, as it contained his initial investment for his criminal empire. With this in mind, Hunter decided to buy a cloak before they headed to the stable to leave their horses. He knew it was risky to leave the horses outside, as they were valuable assets in this world.

Hunter and Kolvar walked their horses beside them as they stepped onto the cobblestone street, the sound of hooves echoing throughout the bustling city. As they walked, they scanned the street for any sign of a clothing store. Hunter had always been interested in fashion and was curious about the styles of clothing in this new world he had found himself in. The line of shops was a colorful array of different signs and designs, each vying for attention. They passed by a bakery with the smell of freshly baked bread wafting out, a small stall with exotic-looking fruits and vegetables, and finally, spotted a clothing store. As they approached, Hunter couldn't help but wonder what kind of fabrics and designs he would find in this world.

Taking a moment to observe its exterior, Hunter stopped in front of the store. The store's sign hung above the door, with the words "Silk and Satin" embroidered in golden letters on a dark blue background. The large windows allowed plenty of light to spill into the store, revealing neatly arranged displays of fabrics and clothing. The door was made of polished wood, with brass handles that gleamed in the sunlight. Hunter could see a few customers inside, browsing through the merchandise, and the sound of laughter and chatter floated out from within. The store had an inviting and cozy feel, and Hunter couldn't help but feel a little excited to make his first purchase.

Hunter relinquished the reins to Kolvar and gestured for him to stay put in the nearby alley before stepping into the store. Stepping into the store, a warm and inviting morning light welcomed him through the large windows on the front wall. The polished wooden floor reflected the sun's bright rays, illuminating the spacious interior. Neatly arranged along the walls were racks of clothing and bolts of fabric, filling the air with a fresh scent of newly woven cloth and leather. In the background, the soft sound of a loom working added to the peaceful ambiance. Adorning the walls were beautiful tapestries and paintings of mythical creatures and landscapes, seeming to come alive in the morning light.

"Welcome to Silk and Satin," Upon entering the store, Hunter was greeted by a middle-aged man with glasses. The man's warm smile was framed by a thick beard, and his long hair was tied back in a ponytail. His clothing was made of fine linen, and he wore a simple leather apron that was stained with patches of color. The storekeeper's welcoming voice was smooth and melodic, with a hint of a foreign accent that Hunter couldn't quite place.

"How can I assist you today?" He had been running the shop for over two decades and had lived in the city for a long time, so he could easily discern that Hunter wasn't a noble. This was apparent from Hunter's clothing, which was suitable for a commoner and lacked the finery of nobility.

Despite Hunter's humble appearance, the shopkeeper greeted him warmly, exuding a welcoming aura. It was clear that he was willing to sell his fine merchandise to anyone who could afford it, regardless of their social status or background. If one possessed the astral coins, the shopkeeper would have no qualms about providing them with the best service and products available in his store.

"Excuse me, do you happen to have a black cloak with a hood?" asked Hunter. The shopkeeper was momentarily taken aback by the request, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded.

"Certainly, sir. Follow me, if you will," he said with a polite smile, gesturing for Hunter to follow him.

The shopkeeper's eyes scanned Hunter from head to toe, assessing his size before picking up a black cloak from one of the racks.

"This should fit you perfectly," he said with a reassuring smile.

Hunter wasted no time trying it on and pulling up the hood. As he stood before the mirror, he couldn't help but feel satisfied with how the cloak fitted him like a glove, just as the shopkeeper had promised.

"Perfect. I will take it,"

Hunter was pleased with how the black cloak with a hood looked on him. It fit him perfectly, and the fine silk and linen material felt comfortable against his skin. However, the price the shopkeeper said gave him pause.

"Forty coins? Do you come with the cloak?" Hunter raised an eyebrow, surprised at the high price.

The shopkeeper smiled politely. "Dear customer, the cloak is made of the finest materials, including the black dye that is rare and expensive to acquire. It's worth every coin you will spend."

Hunter considered this for a moment before making a counteroffer. "Give me a discount, and I will consider buying all my clothing in the future from you. Plus, I will throw some custom orders at you,"

The shopkeeper's mind raced as he weighed the pros and cons of Hunter's offer. On one hand, forty astral coins was a hefty sum, but on the other hand, Hunter's appearance was that of a commoner and not a noble. Despite this, there was something about Hunter that intrigued the shopkeeper, and he decided to take the risk.

He cleared his throat and said, "Dear customer, while forty astral coins is the standard price for the cloak, I am willing to offer you a discount. In exchange, I would be honored to have your business and custom orders in the future."

Hunter's face brightened at the prospect of a discount, and he knew that he had made the right choice in proposing the deal. "I appreciate your willingness to negotiate. How much of a discount are we talking about?" he asked.

The shopkeeper smiled, "I can give you a ten percent discount, bringing the price down to thirty-six astral coins. How does that sound?"

Hunter thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement. "Deal. I will take the cloak and hood at that price. And you have my word that I will consider buying all my clothing from you in the future, as well as throw some custom orders your way."

The shopkeeper nodded, "It's a deal, valued customer. Let me ring you up, and the cloak is yours."