With this in mind, Colin simply got up, drew the Hand Half Sword, and examined it closely.
There were no nicks on the blade; it looked brand new.
’I think it only happened because it cut my arm and drew blood...’
Still groggy, Colin acted on a strange impulse and ran his finger along the blade. A sharp sting followed, and blood trickled slowly down the edge.
The room was dead silent. Nothing happened.
Colin felt no vibration from the hilt, and the Magic Net around the blade was calm. It showed none of the characteristics of Magic Equipnt.
He looked at his injured finger.
’Maybe it really was my imagination...’
’That actually hurt. Dammit, waking up in the middle of the night to play with a sword blade... am I really losing my mind?’
Grumbling to himself, Colin cleaned up before falling back into bed to sleep.
-----------------
The next day, as Colin was brushing his teeth at the washbasin with a willow twig, salt, and charcoal powder, the sound of rustling footsteps ca from outside his window.
"Your Half-Orc is back, yes, yes. Edwin says you’re to go to Horn Castle at nine in the morning three days from now for a comndation ceremony, yes, yes!"
"Got it. You want sothing to eat this ti?" Colin asked while still brushing his teeth.
This ti, the rat didn’t answer.
Colin turned his head to see what was going on and imdiately spotted a familiar, tall figure walking toward him down the street.
He happily leaned out the window and shouted, "Kase, old pal!"
"Colin, old pal, haha." The Half-Orc laughed and waved at him.
Colin quickly turned back inside, picked up his rinsing cup, and pretended he was about to splash its contents on Kase.
Kase muttered a few curses, quickly ducked his head, and ran into the apartnt building.
A few THUMPS echoed from the staircase, and then ca a knock on the door.
The mont Colin opened the door, Kase gave him a light punch on the arm and exclaid, "Is this any way to treat your boss? Colin, old pal!"
"So how did it go? Is everyone settling in okay?" Colin quickly changed the subject to business.
Kase’s face lit up as he explained, "Of course! Albert said we can hunt on our own land, and with those huge fields nearby, there’s no shortage of food. As long as the tribe works for him, we can earn money. And if we can earn money, we definitely won’t starve to death!"
Hearing that Kase’s focus was still rely on "not starving to death" gave Colin sowhat mixed feelings.
’Then again, it’s a normal way to think. The Orcs only just escaped their predicant in Snow Deer Valley.’
"By the way, that old veteran who cursed us out before ca by for a visit."
Colin asked curiously, "What happened exactly?"
"He just ca over, talked to the War Mistress about the tribe’s past, looked at the young ones, and then had a few drinks with us." Kase scratched the back of his head. "He left after that. Anyway, I don’t think he was angry."
’Sounds like... it went pretty well, I guess.’
Colin then said, "Let’s head to the Black Heart Tavern later. There’s sothing I need to discuss."
"Then hurry up."
"I just finished brushing my teeth, what’s the rush?" Colin grumbled.
After getting ready, he led Kase downstairs.
Just as they reached the second floor, Ale pushed her door open and asked, her expression as blank as ever, "Where are you two going?"
"Perfect timing. We’re going to the Black Heart Tavern. It’s ti to discuss you joining the team and our future plans," Colin said.
With that, the three of them set off for the Main Hall of the Morninglord to find Orelia.
The group arrived at the Black Heart Tavern, located outside the city.
The place was as boisterous as ever, packed with just as many Adventurers. However, there seed to be fewer of the desperate, bewildered newcors who had been pushed to the brink.
Colin also spotted the few people who had chosen to fight alongside them during their first encounter with the Twig Blights. Judging by their sharp gazes and improved equipnt, they had clearly been through a lot in the past few months.
’In any case, that’s a good thing.’
’It ans the effects of the winter disaster are slowly being brought under control.’
As he walked in, Colin overheard a few tables near the door animatedly discussing an "Ogre in Armor carrying bones." He had no idea what that was all about.
"Look who’s back, our busy man Bob," Old Black Heart called out to them from behind the counter. "Whatever you’re eating today is on ."
"In that case, I’ll have a few sausages, a bowl of stew, and a piece of bread," Colin shouted. The others ordered their lunches as well.
Bob, sitting in the corner, took the opportunity to shout, "Then buy a drink, too!"
"The mont I offer to pay, you all go straight for the expensive stuff, don’t you? What a bunch of bastards," Old Black Heart cursed with a laugh.
Colin and the others squeezed in around the table where Bob was sitting.
Bob glanced at the Half-Elf sitting next to him, then leaned over to Colin and whispered, "Are you really planning to form a team of half-breeds? Who’s the Half-Dwarf going to be?"
"Half-Dwarf? Didn’t you say that race doesn’t exist?" Colin whispered back.
"In fact, Half-Dwarves do exist," Ale, sitting opposite them, explained matter-of-factly. "It’s just that they aren’t very distinct. They’re either mistaken for stout humans or tall Dwarves, which is why many people believe Half-Dwarves don’t exist."
’How is this Half-Elf’s hearing so good?’ Colin grumbled to himself.
Even after being caught talking about soone behind their back, Bob changed the subject without batting an eye. "Speaking of which, things have gotten a lot better around Thousand Masts City lately, thanks to the efforts of the City Watchers."
"You can tell just from the atmosphere in the tavern," Colin said.
Kase exclaid, "Doesn’t that an it’s a good ti for us to make so money?"
"Not so fast. First, about Ale join—"
"Alright, I agree," Kase cut in. "So, where are we going to make money next?"
"Since that’s settled, let’s talk about how we’ll divide the spoils."
Colin ignored Kase and turned to Ale. "It’ll be the sa as before. I need the monster materials. What do you need?"
"I need you to teach about human society," Ale said without hesitation.
Colin replied with a sigh, "To be honest, I don’t think my knowledge is worth as much as monster materials."
"Then let study with the Dwarves, too. I heard from Orelia that’s what she does. At the sa ti, you still have to teach about human society. I think you’re very capable."
"That... works, I guess."
Colin continued, "Next is the matter of earning money. Let’s hear everyone’s thoughts."
"I have to go back to the Monastery to submit an evaluation form soon, so I think we should take on a couple more commissions. It might raise my assessnt a little," Orelia said timidly. "Of course, that doesn’t an we have to do sothing dangerous."
"I want money now!"
"I’m also short on money," Ale said with a sigh. "After I accidentally spent all my money a while ago, I realized how troubleso it is. Money really is important."
Hearing this, the previously lively table suddenly fell silent.
’There’s nothing wrong with what she said, but it sounds so strange to hear soone say it out loud like that,’ Colin thought to himself.
Even the tavern maid who ca to deliver their food turned to give Ale a few extra glances.
Colin saw Bob shoot him a look, and he knew what it ant. Sothing along the lines of, ’Doesn’t this person seem a little off?’
In the end, it was Kase who broke the silence.
"Alright then, let’s go check out the Dungeon near Thousand Masts City!"
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