Jake entered The Falcon Tavern.
Its exterior matched Last Night's the, as it was built from red bricks. The windows were draped by black shades, so Jake couldn't have peeked inside.
A wooden carved logo, dangling above the double doors, [The Falcon Tavern], with a falcon overwatching it, however, ensured that everyone made it through.
No one was also guarding the entrance.
It seed there was no need for that since the soldiers of The Warmonger Empire rarely patrolled those areas.
Inside, Jake found out that everyone preferred darkness.
The candles on the tables and the wafting sll of liquor conjured a scene impossible to be seen during daylight. Many residents and players were at the wooden, round tables, enjoying the the unique to The Falcon Tavern.
They were playing various card gas and betting on each other.
Gambling was legal and popular here.
A few n were arguing with each other and threatening to take it outside.
Jake also spotted a few daring ladies playing a blood-rushing type of poker in the corner of the tavern's first floor. He could have joined them had he wanted since his character was confird to be eighteen years old.
Nonetheless, Jake's eyes hadn't rested too long on that table. He swept through everyone for at least a second, stopping at an old man with silver hair and an unnaturally red nose.
He was sitting by the bartender's counter, drinking a green liquor in a glass. The bartender shook his head each ti the old man requested another shot.
Jake was in their earshot and could hear their conversation.
"Why did you work so hard for years? Surely not to end up in this pungent tavern, right, Master Aaron?" the bartender asked while pouring the green whiskey into Aaron's glass.
Aaron harrumphed, "People either work hard to change their lives or achieve anything. I failed. And here I am."
"I'm all ears if you want to pour out," the bartender smiled.
Aaron sneered, "All yer have to do is pour more whiskey to . Don't bother about costs."
"Such a loss," the bartender chuckled. He'd heard many stories during his ti here and surely would hear even more interesting bits soon enough. He was so familiar with defeats that he didn't mind Aaron keeping his story to himself.
That was when Jake approached them.
The bartender's eyes flicked briefly before he lowered his face and started rubbing a wet glass with a handkerchief.
"Can I sit here?" Jake asked.
Aaron faintly curved his lips, "Only if yer can resist the sll of my stinky breath. Don't drop dead next to —I don't need my whiskey sourer."
"Since I haven't passed out yet with so many liquors and dirty slls mixed at once, I think I will manage," Jake reciprocated the smile and sat down next to the artisan master.
The bartender offered a drink, "As you can see, the green whiskey is fairly popular here. It has so much ethanol that I wouldn't recomnd it for any normal young man your age, but you reek of confidence."
"Thanks," Jake shook his head, "I will get a lemon juice today. I wish I could have a drink with Master Aaron, though, but I promised the alcohol virginity to my friends. Can't et them yet in this world."
The bartender and Aaron laughed.
While the bartender turned around to get Jake a drink, Aaron struck the empty glass on the counter and pierced Jake with his old but experienced eyes.
He said, "Yer don't hide your intent, kid. What yer need for?"
Jake passed Viktor's recomndation letter to the old man.
After reading through it, Aaron smiled to himself and shook his head. He handed it back to Jake and remained silent. Only when the bartender poured drinks to them did he part his lips.
He said, "I'm retired. Our last tango was a few months ago when we failed."
"Your last tango?" Jake asked.
"He hasn't told yer?" Aaron sneered, "Viktor and I thought we could bring back archery to its pri or at least be strong enough to match others. It was because of yer—players. Yer are a different breed and have much different gifts than ours… yer destiny here is as mysterious as the legendary existences. It was such a flop.
Like my entire career… I believed in a bow and arrow, lost the edge, and was pulled away from my peers.
"Viktor believed many tis in his lineage and archery. He even learned my skills when I lost that passion… so ti later, he ca to and said that this was the mont he lost. His brothers and sisters kept honing their fighting skills while he spent ti crafting and peering into his weapons. I saw myself in him… I understood him so much… he's still young and believed for the last ti.
He even dragged with himself… and we received a harsh slap from reality," Aaron sighed and chugged the whiskey in one go.
The old man was sure that Viktor had noticed a glimpse of hope in Jake or perhaps beco close enough to him that he didn't mind stretching his connections.
That said, Aaron was done with his occupation.
He wouldn't work with anyone.
Jake nodded, "A man can only fight for so long, right? But you see, I didn't co here to learn about Viktor. If he wants to share his story with , I'll attentively listen."
Aaron narrowed his eyes and shifted them to look at Jake.
Jake smiled at him.
He said, "I ca to this world to bring the archery to the top. I'll beco the master of archery in both worlds."
"In both worlds?" the old man repeated in wonder, not believing whether he heard him right.
Jake nodded, "I'm practicing in both worlds for this ambition to co true. I'm also held back by my responsibilities, which helped understand that ti is precious. That we, adults, can't waste our years. That's why I want you to pass a quest for the artisan subclass. Your artisan subclass with your library of knowledge and experience. Please, give a quest."
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