Chapter 17: Finding an Inn
The night was thick with silence, broken only by the occasional murmur of guards patrolling along the city walls. Their torches flickered, casting long shadows on the ancient stonework. The city was tightly secured, yet five figures crouched near its base, hidden in the cover of darkness.
These five were none other than Yenissa, Shennong, Rilith, Velara, and Romina.
Yenissa glanced at the towering walls, her golden eyes reflecting the torchlight she held. "In my prime, I used to walk into these kinds of cities without a care, seeking my prey." She let out a dry chuckle. "But it's been too long."
"Good thing we're not walking in," Shennong muttered, his gaze fixed on the ground. He slung his golden pickaxe over his shoulder and gestured for the others to step back. "Stay behind me."
Before anyone could question him, Shennong brought the pickaxe down with force. The earth cracked, and in an instant, he was digging at an unnatural speed. Clumps of dirt vanished into his inventory backpack as if sucked into a void, the ground below them rapidly descending.
Velara's eyes widened. "This... this is insane."
Rilith nodded, stunned. "I knew he had a weird skill, but this? It's the first time I'm actually seeing what he can do."
Yenissa held up the torch, illuminating Shennong's work as he tunneled through the soil with ease, the dirt disappearing with each swing. Within minutes, he paused, placing a hand on the ceiling of the tunnel. He smirked. "We're in the city."
Rilith tilted her head. "Why are we doing this at night, anyway?"
Shennong wiped some dust from his forehead. "Nighttime is best for sneaking past people. Less chance of being seen."
With that, he chipped away at the top layer of the tunnel, revealing a houses that were perfect for them to temporarily cover their heads. One by one, they climbed up, emerging into the shadows of an alleyway. Shennong remained behind, dropping back into the tunnel.
Yenissa arched a brow. "What are you doing?"
"Closing the entrance," Shennong replied. "We can't leave evidence."
A few moments later, he returned, brushing dust off his cloak. The five of them moved swiftly, sticking to the darkness as they navigated through the city's abandoned pathways. Despite the late hour, guards still roamed the streets, their presence making it difficult to move undetected.
After several turns, they found an abandoned house with shattered windows and a broken door. Without a word, they slipped inside. Dust coated the furniture, and the air smelled of mold and decay. But before they could fully settle, Shennong stiffened, his sharp gaze locked on a figure inside the room.
A man stood there, his eyes wide with fear, gripping a rusted knife. He had clearly noticed them.
"Tch." Yenissa stepped forward, her eyes glowing faintly. Without hesitation, she activated her ability. "[Hypnosis]."
The man's expression slackened, his grip on the knife loosening. Within seconds, he collapsed onto the floor, unconscious.
Yenissa exhaled. "That was too close."
Shennong scowled. "We need to be more careful."
Romina, who had been quiet throughout their journey, shifted uncomfortably. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her brows furrowed. She didn't say anything, but her discomfort was clear.
She wasn't like the others. She didn't belong to their world of demons and power. Yet, here she was, relying on them, knowing that her words would hold no weight. She had no choice but to go along with their methods, no matter how unsettling they were.
As silence fell over the group, they knew they had no time to waste. They had lot of things to do including finding a better place for them to stay until they find their own path.
***
The next day, Romina and Shennong walked through the bustling streets of the town. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a golden hue over the buildings and market stalls. Romina had her hood pulled low, covering most of her face, her posture tense as if she were hiding from someone.
Shennong glanced at her sideways. "You're acting like a fugitive."
Romina sighed. "I just don't want unnecessary trouble."
"Are you going to tell me the rest of your story?" Shennong asked, as if he already knew she was hiding something. But Romina remained silent. She was much more relaxed when the succubi weren't around, but she still didn't want to talk about things that piqued Shennong's curiosity.
He raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. If she didn't want to talk about it, that was her choice. He knew there would come a time when he would have to choose between the truth and her, but that moment wasn't now.
For now, he was more focused on his surroundings, his mind turning with possibilities.
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Yenissa, Rilith, and Velara were nowhere to be seen. They couldn't roam the streets in broad daylight without sending the entire town into a frenzy. Humans didn't take kindly to demons strolling around their city, after all.
As they walked, Shennong took in everything—the sturdy stone houses, the clang of metalwork echoing through the air, the scent of fresh bread mixed with burning coal. This town had a strong mining background, evident in the numerous blacksmiths and merchants selling metal goods. But none of that mattered as much as what was running through his mind.
I want this city.
The thought struck him suddenly, his golden eyes glinting with hunger. He could see it all—owning the land, controlling the economy, bending the people to his will. Was this the effect of his class, Collector? Maybe. But deep down, he knew it wasn't just some class effect. He was simply greedy.
He wanted all these minerals, raw materials, weapons and even people. He wanted all of them.
Romina continued her tour, oblivious to his inner debate.
"This is where adventurers gather," she said, gesturing to a large building. "They submit their hunts here and get paid. Sometimes they would put up noitces on that wooden board their and adventures or hunters will pick up those quests."
Shennong watched as a group of armored warriors entered the guild, their weapons still stained with blood and had some interesting monster body parts like ears, legs or even whole heads. Interesting.
She led him to various shops, explaining the local economy, but he was only half-listening. His mind was too busy calculating.
Then, a loud growl broke through the conversation.
Romina froze. Her stomach had betrayed her.
Shennong chuckled, only to feel his own stomach grumble right after.
Romina smirked. "I am sorry. I would find us some food."
Shennong shrugged. "Food's food. Don't worry about that. I will lead us to a good spot where we can eat."
"How are you going to do that? You don't know this city," Romina said, confused.
Shennong smiled at her and, with a grin, pointed to his nose.
"I have a good nose, especially when it comes to good food."
They followed the scent of grilled meat and stew to a lively tavern, the sound of laughter and chatter spilling out onto the street. Inside, people were drinking, eating, and playing dice games. The smell alone made Shennong's hunger even worse.
He walked in without hesitation, choosing a table near the back. Romina hesitated. "Are you sure about this? We don't have any money."
Shennong grinned, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a heavy pouch of coins. "Don't worry about that."
Romina narrowed her eyes at him. "You stole that, didn't you?"
"Does it matter?" he said, tossing a coin onto the table. "Let's eat."
She sighed but didn't argue. In the end, survival was survival. And right now, the smell of roasted meat was far more tempting than morals, even for her.