“A loan?” the woman asked, her brow furrowing as she tilted her head in confusion. “What do you mean?” “I’ll sell this to you for 80 gold,” Arwin said. “It’ll need some modification to fit you, but that shouldn’t be too hard. In exchange, you come back to me after you’ve made some gold and pay me another 40 gold, to a total of 120.” “How do you know I’ll come back?” “The armor will be good enough that you won’t want to risk not being able to buy more from me in the future if you steal it.” Arwin shrugged. “You’ll come back.” “What if she gets killed in the dungeon?” Reya asked. “Then I made a poor investment.” The woman studied Arwin’s hooded features for a moment, then looked up at the armor. Her hand ran along the severe damage to her own armor and she bit her lower lip. “I – can you throw a sword in as well?” “It’ll cost extra,” Arwin said after a moment of thought. “I’ll do a sword for 80, so you’ll have to bring back 120.” “Could you go lower?” “Yes. I need a few things. Some more Brightsteel, a barrel of oil for the smithy, bricks, mortar. Think you can help get everything while I lug the cart around behind you?” “Sure thing. Anything else?” “That for now. We’ll add anything else in if we see it. Maybe some ingredients for Lillia?” Reya gave him a mock salute and hopped down from the cart. Arwin activated [Scourge] and lifted it, lumbering after her as she headed into the crowd. Lillia sighed. The tavern was empty, and she’d never felt lonelier. Rodrick and Anna were out getting dinner. Arwin was with Reya trying to make them some money. And she was sitting around in the dark and waiting for something to happen. It had been bad after she’d lost her party in the fights against the Adventurer’s Guild, but at least she’d had the war to throw herself into. Something shouldn’t have mattered. It was childish to even be bothered by it. It’s just a few hours. I don’t see how I’m feeling when everyone will be back so soon. What’s wrong with me? Lillia ran a hand through her hair and heaved a sigh. Her emotions stubbornly rejected her attempts at logic. It wasn’t like she was about to break down. She just… didn’t want to be alone anymore. I guess the Mesh knew that when it gave me my class. There’s no way I’ll ever admit that to anyone, though. I think I’d die of shame if they found out I’d literally gotten a class for a cheesy reason like that. She stepped out from behind the counter and paced back and forth across the main room of the tavern. Her mind placed tables by her side as she walked, populating them with laughing adventurers and smiling couples. Lanterns materialized on the walls in her mind’s eye. Their light danced across imps clad in maid outfits that worked their way between feasting men and women to deliver their meals. A grin pulled at the corners of Lillia’s lips. The vision fell away, and darkness returned once more. She came to a stop at the doorway, a tiny smile still present. It wouldn’t be long, now. The tavern would be alive one day soon. She summoned her class forth, looking at it for what must have been the tenth time that day. Class: Hearthkeeper (Unique) (Tier: Apprentice 3) [Hearthmade] - When food is made and consumed within the walls of your Hearth, it will possess mild restorative and curative properties. [Hearthmother] - The Hearth must obey your command. It will come alive at your command and seek to execute any orders you give it. All those who enter your Hearth of their own volition are similarly beholden to you until they leave its walls. This ability's effects are reduced the greater your target's tier is than yours. [Gentle Repose] - Those who sleep for at least 6 hours within your Hearth will awake more refreshed and energetic than before. This boon will last until the dawn of the next night and can stack up to 10 times. [Shadowtouched] – Consuming the Heart of Shadow has granted you permanent affinity to the dark. Darkness endlessly follows your footsteps. You have also gained control over shadows. Their strength scales with your Tier. [Demon Mother] – Your service to Demonkind has repaid you with dedicated servants that follow in your wake. The strength and number of servants that you can call upon scale with your tier. [Hungry Idiot] - You tried to eat a rancid object and genuinely believed that it would taste good without having any form of negative mental affects active. Your uniquely idiotic palate has been enhanced to be able to discover ways to draw good flavor out in anything consumable, so long as you can suffer the consequences of eating it. [Hearthkeeper] – An enormous burst of energy has permanently infused you with magic, but not without cost. You must choose a location to become your Hearth. In order to survive, all those who arrive at your Hearth seeking food or lodging must be given it at a fair price. Maintaining the happiness of your customers will give you temporary boons; failing to do so will result in curses. Current Inhabitants: 4 Average Satisfaction: 75% [Greater Shadow] - Your shadows magic is significantly empowered and can form solid objects. [Giantsbane] – Awarded for slaying a monster over ten times your height. Effects: One skill in your next Skill Selection has been upgraded to Unique. This achievement will be consumed upon choosing your next skill. She dismissed the Mesh. There weren’t any curses yet. That was a good thing. The Mesh had given her a warning early on into claiming the tavern, but she hadn’t gotten anything from it since. The average satisfaction meter had been quite stressful. 75% wasn’t bad, but everyone staying in the inn right now was a friend. They were more lenient. When others arrived, the number would drop sharply – which meant that sitting at 75% was nowhere near high enough. She needed to make the inn better.