The Barren Wasteland Port Town      

The monotonous rhythm of the waves rolling in was broken only by a few brave rocks. Varying in tone from light turquoise to dark blue, the water stretched out before Rain and the others as they reach the south-eastern part of the map in where the port lies.

The horizon was devoid of anything but a few low-flying clouds. The air was filled with the salty, briny smell of the ocean. The gentle rhythm of the surf splashing against the sand was unending.

Rain heard the creaking of masts and the splash of oars as boats sailed by. Sea spray dampened on his hair and clothes. Somehow, this place tasted of sand: gritty, crunchy, and salty.

The Port Town lay nestled below a series of towering cliffs, creating a natural barrier that shielded it from the harsh winds of the Barren Wasteland.

A well-made road wound its way down the cliffs, offering travelers a breathtaking view of the bustling town and the expansive coastline below.

From this elevated vantage point, they could see the intricate network of docks extending into the glittering sea, where ships of all shapes and sizes were moored. The port was alive with activity, as sailors and traders from various races hustled to unload cargo, negotiate deals, and prepare for their next voyages.

As the road descended, it passed through clusters of small villages that dotted the landscape around the town.

These villages, home to the families of port workers, featured quaint houses surrounded by small farms, adding patches of liveliness to the otherwise disserted terrain.

Overlooking the entire scene was a sturdy watchtower perched on the cliffs, manned by vigilant guards who kept a lookout for any signs of danger from the Wasteland.

The descent into the Port Town along the cliffside road offered not only a spectacular view but also a sense of anticipation and excitement, as Rain and the others approached this vibrant hub amid the desolate expanse of the Wasteland.

"Whoa, it really is a town!" Rain exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder. He had almost forgotten what a town looked like after his long period of isolation in the Barren Wasteland.

Hana forced a smile. "Just don't get your hopes up too much," she warned, though her words fell on deaf ears.

Rain and the others, too excited to listen, raced towards the town with jubilant energy.

"Wohoo! Look everyone, a town!" Rain shouted, his voice brimming with excitement as they hopped and ran towards their destination.

Even Thraiger was thrilled, his laughter ringing out as he skipped with joy.

Hana watched them, incredulous. "They're like little kids," she muttered, shaking her head.

Brushing her hands over her face in a gesture of exasperation, Hana called out, "Wait for me!" and ran to catch up with the group.

Rain and the others skidded to a stop when they noticed a line at the town's entrance. Rain's excitement bubbled over as he saw trolls and an orc guarding each entrance. The imposing figures were clad in full body armor, each wielding a hefty club.

In the line were various creatures: lizardfolk, halflings, gnomes, gnolls, dwarves, and some races Rain wasn't familiar with.

"It's really a town, everyone! Look, new faces! It's the first time we've seen other creatures in so long. It's been ages since we've encountered a real community!" Rain said, his excitement palpable.

The others shared his happiness, not because they were in a town and met other creatures, but because their lord was so delighted. They couldn't care less about the others.

Rain then noticed a commotion at the entrance. "What's going on? What's with the line?" he asked.

"It's the toll," Hana panted, finally catching up. "You have to pay a toll to enter and leave the town."

Rain was familiar with such concept, and asked, "How much is the toll?"

Hana hesitated before answering, "5mL of Soul Elixir each."

"I see, 5 mL . . ." Rain repeated, his eyes nearly bulging out in shock. "5 mL?! Why so pricey?"

Rain immediately counted everyone: five of his troops, himself, and Pup. That made seven, totaling to 40 mL of Soul Elixirs!

Ah, wait . . . Rain counted in his hands. 35 mL Soul Elixirs! He corrected. 

"Do you have any Soul Elixirs?" Rain asked Thraigar after a moment.

Thraigar blinked, confused. "Huh?"

Rain groaned, realizing his miscalculation. "That makes it 40 mL of Soul Elixirs!" he howled.

Awkwardly, Rain looked at Hana. She sighed and said, "I have some Soul Elixirs, but only enough for me."

Rain sighed in relief and forced a laugh. "Ahahaha. I wasn't going to ask that," he denied, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Quickly changing the topic before Hana decided to place her toll on him, Rain asked, "By the way, #4 and Pup are small. Does that make a difference?"

Hana shook her head. "I'm afraid it's not about size or weight. Whether you're the size of a raptor or a goliath, you still have to pay the 5 mL fee."

"N-no way . . ." Rain stammered.

"That's not even the worst part," Hana added, her tone serious.

"There's a worse part?" Rain asked, dreading the answer.

Hana pressed her lips tight before muttering, "Creatures that aren't residents of the town have to pay twice the amount."

Rain's eyes widened further. "WHAT?!"