Ch. 23
Chapter 23: Growing Stronger Every Day
With the amplification from this Specialty, even if it was only a 5% adjustment, it was enough to allow the sword tip to “bite” onto the surface at the moment of contact.
In the past, it might have taken two or three attempts to deal effective armor-piercing damage. Now, a single attempt was enough.
In terms of stability, this seemingly insignificant Specialty directly brought about a qualitative leap in efficiency for thrust-based sword techniques.
He continued training for a while longer, until his stomach growled loudly from hunger, before finally stopping.
He placed the shield and sword back on the rack and lowered his head to take a look.
The tip of the training sword had clearly been worn flat, and the iron-plated training dummy had been stabbed full of holes, with wood chips scattered all over the ground.
Lance couldn’t help but feel that those 10 copper coins had been extremely well spent.
If he had bought equipment to train on his own, just the daily maintenance and wear costs would probably have been close to 50 copper coins.
“Praise Nia once again.”
Lance silently gave a thumbs-up to the receptionist in his heart.
If not for her recommendation back then, how could he have enjoyed such nearly free guild benefits?
After putting away the training gear, Lance left the training grounds in a rather good mood.
The feeling of clearly seeing himself grow stronger every single day was truly addictive.
Next, after heading to Amber’s tavern next door to fill his stomach, he could go home and check on the jars of Coagulation Moss that were drying in the shade.
If the improved version of the Hemostatic Ointment achieved the expected results, it would mean he had gained another stable source of income in this other world.
Stepping out of the Adventurers’ Guild, the sky outside was already completely dark.
At this hour, pedestrians on the street had become sparse, and only a few shops catering specifically to Adventurers remained lit, releasing enticing aromas of food into the slightly chilly night.
Amber’s tavern, the Boar and Rose, was only a few steps away from the guild.
The heavy wooden door was slightly ajar. Even before approaching, the noisy chatter inside and the rich scent of roasted meat drifted out through the gap.
This tavern was a gold-standard establishment in Graystone Town.
Amber’s father had once been a renowned professional Adventurer in Graystone Town. It was said that the Adventurer Party he had belonged to previously had considerable fame even in the provincial capital, White River City.
After retiring for certain reasons, this formidable man opened this tavern.
On ordinary days, he worked as the head chef in the back kitchen and possessed exceptional brewing skills, attracting drinkers from all around.
If not for the fact that this uncle had no intention of transitioning into a full-time alcohol merchant, Amber would at least count as a wealthy second-generation young lady by now.
With such a towering figure overseeing the place, ordinary people truly didn’t dare cause trouble here.
Lance pushed open the door and walked in.
What entered his view was a warm yellow glow. The orange-red flames in the fireplace crackled, while old-fashioned lanterns hanging on the surrounding walls emitted soft light.
His ears were filled with the crisp clashing of wooden mugs and the cheerful tune of a lute played by a bard in the corner.
The tavern was divided into two floors. The central area of the first floor was the dining space, occupying two-thirds of the area.
More than a dozen large oak tables were crowded with all kinds of Adventurers.
Waitresses dressed in corseted skirts moved like butterflies through the packed crowd, skillfully avoiding the wandering hands of drunken patrons trying to take advantage.
Lance skillfully passed through the central area and headed straight toward the bar counter.
From afar, he immediately spotted that fiery figure.
Amber had tied her signature golden-red long hair into a high, neat ponytail, bouncing with her movements under the light.
She wore a tight white low-cut shirt, paired with a black corset vest, and a dark long skirt that allowed ease of movement.
Especially the striking curve at her chest—it carried an overwhelming presence whenever she bent down to pour drinks.
At this moment, she was holding three large wooden beer mugs in one hand, the smooth muscle lines on her arm slightly bulging.
With practiced ease, she twisted open the brass tap of a barrel, and white foam instantly overflowed to the brim.
She set the filled mugs down heavily on the counter with a bold motion.
Just as Lance was about to walk over, his steps paused slightly.
He saw someone at the bar whom he didn’t want to encounter.
It was a gloomy-looking middle-aged man, currently ranting loudly with spittle flying.
“Hakon the Coin Counter.”
This nickname was notoriously infamous among the lower-tier Adventurers of Graystone Town.
It was said that this guy had once gotten into a physical fight with his teammates over a few copper coins’ worth of materials during loot distribution.
Later, upon encountering that same person in a tavern, he even started another fight on the spot, and both of them ended up being taken away by patrol officers.
Grudge-bearing, stingy, and troublemaking.
Although his combat ability was decent—already close to the top tier among non-professional Adventurers—
this troublesome personality meant that no proper team was willing to accept him.
Lance frowned slightly and deliberately took a wide detour, avoiding Hakon’s area, before sitting down at the far corner of the bar.
As he passed by, Hakon’s drunken complaints still drifted into his ears.
“Damn it… that slut Nightingale actually got snatched away by some pretty boy from the neighboring town…”
Hakon slammed the table while cursing resentfully.
“And that damn old man at the guild—what’s he thinking, bringing in outsiders? Now my income’s been completely snatched away by these locusts!”
The few Adventurers sitting beside him were clearly drunk as well. They listened with great interest, occasionally raising their cups to echo his complaints, looking as if they shared a common enemy.
Adventurers were like this—
even if they weren’t familiar with each other, as long as there was gossip or a shared target of complaint, they could instantly chat as if they were old friends.
As soon as Lance sat down, Amber, who had been wiping the bar, lit up.
“Hey! Lance!”
She greeted him warmly, but her expression soon turned slightly resentful, like a neglected young wife.
“What have you been busy with lately? You haven’t even had time to come play cards with us.”
Gambling · Amber · Goddess.
Her hands had been itching for quite a while.
“I’ve been busy training lately.”
Lance explained with a smile.
“Don’t be mad. Same as usual—get me something to eat first.”
“Wait there!”
Amber briskly turned and rushed into the back kitchen.
Before long, she returned carrying a massive tray.
A generous portion of roasted beef brisket was placed in front of Lance.
The beef was roasted to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, sizzling with hot oil and releasing a rich aroma of meat.
This meal would cost at least 15 copper coins on the menu, but Amber only charged him 8 copper coins at cost price.
After setting down the plate, Amber didn’t leave.
She placed both hands on the bar, leaned forward slightly, and her eyes sparkled with gossip.
A whole day’s worth of rumors churned inside her, eager to be shared.
Just as she was about to speak—
An Adventurer wearing half-armor knocked on the table and loudly called for more drinks.
The “just about to get excited” expression on Amber’s face instantly froze.
She shot an annoyed glare in that direction, sighed helplessly, and could only pick up the mugs and go back to work.