Chapter 3: Brawls and Boozing: A Tale from Orario's Taverns

In the tavern, rowdy pallums stomped on chairs, scolding each other non-stop, while human adventurers in the mansion jeered and watched the spectacle with amused smiles.

Bold dwarves, wielding wooden wine cups larger than fists, engaged in successive bouts. Their flushed faces hiccupped, refusing to admit defeat.

Seated at the bar, an elf in a cloak sipped clear wheat wine, observing with a sullen face and cold eyes.

Everything indicated to Flon that he was in a tavern in a different world—a truly different world.

Grinning, he approached the row of high stools in front of the bar, found a seat, and sat down.

"Boss, let's try your signature."

Facing the new guest, the bartender swiftly presented a glass of bright red glossy mead, placing it heavily in front of him with a "boom." The laughing dwarf boss, with a trembling beard, greeted loudly:

"First visit, eh?"

Lifting the glass and taking a sip of the reportedly potent signature mead, Flon nodded:

"Yeah, it's my first time here."

The wine not only possessed a robust, cyanotic taste but also a sweet undertone, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

The bearded dwarf resumed his previous tasks, holding the partially filled cup in his hand. He engaged in conversation with the apparent newcomer:

"Hail, stranger! This here inn o' mine be famed 'mongst the wanderin' souls. Luck be on yer side, it seems."

Flon feigned shyness, smiled, and praised the boss's craftsmanship:

"It's delicious, and the owner's skill is exceptional."

"Nowadays, adventurers who prattle good 'bout ye be a scarce sight. If only them rascals were half as amiable as ye. Now, speak up, what be yer inquiry?"

Flon set down his wine glass and approached the boss, and spoke in a low voice.

"It's not a big deal; I just want to inquire about the location of the Loki Familia."

The dwarf boss paused in his tasks, looked at Flon with a hint of surprise, and flashed a smile, revealing ragged teeth.

"Could it be, young one, ye ain't part of no familia? Talkin' 'bout it, Loki Familia be truly remarkable in many a way. But joinin' 'em, that be no easy feat. It comes with strict demands, bein' one o' the top familia. Ye reckon ye got the mettle for it?"

Hearing this, Flon smiled silently.

Being an outsider, he naturally had a trump card.

Glancing at Flon's composed expression, the dwarf boss shook his head.

"Well, 'tis good fer young souls to sport some self-assurance. Anyhow, 'tis no secret. Their abode be at the northernmost tip o' the North District. If ye wander from North Avenue to the Eighth District, their dwelling be the most eye catchin'."

Flon raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.

As if anticipating his question, the boss let out a disdainful "heh."

"That be the Loki Familia. Who'd meddle with 'em if they've got naught to do? Ye yearnin' for an early demise? Even when most kin be off on their quests, not every fool'd stir their wrath. Be thankin' the gods if they don't stir up strife fer others. Aye, they be one o' the two mightiest families in Orario."

Flon suddenly realized, "Who would willingly make trouble for themselves?" Families are interconnected, and most people sought revenge if their relatives were wronged.

He downed the remaining mead in one gulp, contemplating an early return for a good rest. He had obtained the information he sought, and there was no reason to linger.

However, before he could stand up, the wooden door of the tavern was violently kicked to pieces with a resounding "bang." Sawdust flew in all directions with a sharp sound of scraping and tearing through the air. Flon quickly crouched on the ground, shielding his head, at the onset of the impending chaos.

"MAUREEEN, HOW DARE YOU FUCKIN' DRINK HERE? YOU BORROWED MONEY FROM ME AND NEVER BOTHERED TO PAY IT BACK!!!!. PAY UP, ASSHOLE!!!!

"DAMN LEITER!!!, who's afraid of whom! It's your honor that I let you lend me money. I'm a senior adventurer. Are you afraid I won't pay you back?"

In the next second, the real daily life of the tavern began.

Flon, squatting in the corner and taking a peek, observed the flying wine glasses and plates, the formidable senior adventurers resembling monsters, and the melon eaters holding wine glasses and jeering. His scalp tingled.

Then he finally understood... the reality of what an adventurer's life was like if they didn't stir trouble in a tavern.

Escaping from the chaotic vortex without any risks, Flon heaved a sigh of relief in the dark back alley adorned only with a few magic stone lamps.

"FUCK!! This is a total mess. No more waiting; I gotta join a familia, and I'm done feeling so helpless!"

Rubbing his accidentally injured arm, he gasped.

"These bastards, hiss... Don't bump into me once I'm stronger; I'll bash your skulls in."

He limped into the darkness and returned to the hotel where he was staying in a slightly comical manner.

Lying on the bed, facing the cold moonlight, Flon didn't know what he imagined, and fell asleep with a smile on his mouth.

Like the veil of the Lady of the Night, darkness caressed the majestic city until orange flames rose on the east side of the city walls.

Because he was too excited and anxious, a certain young man with dark circles under his eyes packed his luggage and rushed out.

As for breakfast? Is it important to have such a thing when joining a family? Besides, once you join the family, breakfast comes for free.

Flon went to the base camp of the Loki Familia, the "Twilight Manor," dressed in yesterday's outfit.

At the same time,

"Oh, the kiddos are out on an expedition, and I am stuck here, bored! Can't I stir up some fun? Those lame gods, playing the same old games for ages."

A certain goddess squinted her eyes and complained while wandering in the park in front of her house, bored.

She has beautiful red hair that looks like the setting sun, tied neatly behind her head. She is wearing a white shirt with three-quarter sleeves, black cropped trousers, and brown strappy wedge sandals. Her slender figure contrasts with those plump goddesses. It seems, um, a little 'humble.'

But no one in the entire Orario, including the entire heavens, dared to underestimate this goddess.

The number one troublemaker in the heavens, the murderous goddess who once planned to let the gods kill each other, the Goddess of Mischief, LOKI."

"Alas?"

Loki seemed to have discovered something strange, opened her squinted eyes slightly, and smiled evilly.

"So, this kid strolled into our Twilight Manor without any falna. Is he here to join our familia? Hahahaha, well, at least boredom won't be an issue."

When the words fell, only a few freshly fallen leaves remained in place, but the person had already disappeared.

Flon, carrying the package, stopped suddenly, shivering.

"What's with this ominous feeling?"

Confused, he wiped away the non-existent cold sweat, pursed his lips, and looked up at the only building standing in front of him, ready to move forward again.

"Yo, newcomer. Are you here to join our familia?"

Are all gods so elusive?

Flon looked dumbfounded at the red-haired goddess standing in front of him with a stiff face.

"Tsk tsk tsk, is he a human, or is it just his blond hair and golden eyes? He looks so handsome and carries an aura I've never seen before. Although I lack the ability to peer into the soul like the nympho goddess, but... it's settled, you are gonna join my familia!"

 Hey, hey, is it really okay to make such an arbitrary decision?

Regardless of the bewildered blond youth, the god named Loki dragged Flon, who was already in chaos, back directly to the "Twilight Manor."

The two passed by the courtyard covered with red bricks, and the remaining family members all cast curious glances at Flon.