Thoren walked into the inn and saw the beautiful girl behind the counter humming a sweet tune.
"Hey, you're finally back." She lifted her head and flashed him a bright smile.
Seeing her smile, Thoren couldn't help furrowing his brow. "Did you win the lottery?"
"Hahaha." She laughed. "What do you know? What I won is more than a lottery."
Their hunt for the day had been successful. Everyone in their party had a chance to advance a rank, and they had found many rare resources.
With the town growing dangerous by the moment and the number of deaths increasing, no one was safe.
Only with increased strength could they remain safe and have the opportunity to return to the surface.
Thoren also smiled. His day was fruitful, and he couldn't help wanting to share the joy with her.
"Can you tell me about it?"
"Humph! Why should I tell you about it?" She snorted, her face filled with pride. "You've just arrived in the abyss; you should focus on getting stronger."
She assumed the role of a senior sister and lectured him.
Looking at her demeanor, Thoren did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Indeed, he was new to the abyss, but his strength was not something any ordinary awakener could compare with.
He was halfway to becoming a Level 10 awakener. He might not be the strongest, but he was certainly not weak any longer.
"Whatever…" He shrugged and was ready to depart for his room.
"Tsk! Remember, the rent has increased to fifteen copper coins." She said directly, but the smile at the corner of her lips showed how excited she was.
Fifteen copper coins!
Thoren stopped in his tracks and looked at the money-devouring witch.
"In your dreams." He retorted. "Don't think you can take me for a fool."
He turned and pretended to leave the inn.
"Hahaha. Stop. I'm just kidding." She said quickly, waving her hand to stop him. "Rent remains the same."
When he heard this, a knowing smile appeared on his face.
Although fifteen copper coins meant nothing to him, he knew if she allowed herself, she would turn him into an ATM.
His goal was to clear his parents' debt, and he couldn't allow himself to indulge in useless things.
"I'm famished. Serve me a plate." He turned and decided to eat before returning to his room.
"Right away…" She responded and rushed into the kitchen. As long as it involved money, she would be energetic.
A moment later, a sumptuous meal appeared before him. Looking at the mouth-watering food, Thoren forced himself to swallow the lump in his throat as he couldn't wait to dig in.
Compared to food on the surface, the food inside the abyss was much better. It tasted far more satisfying.
While eating, Thoren raised his hand and saw her counting her money with a greedy smile on her lips.
"Will you die without showing such expression?" He taunted.
"What do you know? I'm too poor, and these few coins are the only thing that gives me joy." She responded and raised her head.
"See, your sister is poor. Why don't you give me a few more coins?"
Just as Thoren prepared to respond, the small passage leading to the kitchen was pushed open, and a more mature girl came out.
She had a thin waist; her chest was twice that of the girl behind the counter, with a thick, voluptuous figure.
The blue apron around her two mountains gave her an alluring presence.
Looking at her, Thoren was stunned for a moment but recovered quickly. "So she is the cook."
"Ophelia, we need to close the inn immediately," Fidelia said in a grave voice.
"Why? What happened?" Ophelia asked, creasing her brow.
Thoren, who was eating, also stopped. He could feel the gravity of the situation.
"Is it another dark tide?" he thought.
"The Federation has mobilized their men and is searching for a boy with silver hair," Fidelia explained.
Instantly, they both turned and looked at Thoren.
Silver hair.
"Don't tell me he is the one the Federation is looking for!" Ophelia exclaimed, widening her eyes.
Fidelia did not respond; her gaze locked on Thoren with a grave expression.
"What did you do?" she questioned.
Their little inn was a gift from a senior who had ascended to the second floor, and she wouldn't allow anything to jeopardize it.
Under her piercing gaze, Thoren was not flustered and responded, "How would I know? I did nothing."
"It's easy for you to say, but without offending the authorities, why would they mobilize such a large force?"
Thoren did not respond immediately. After a moment of deep thought, he realized what was happening.
"I haven't started my revenge, but they have already come knocking."
"If they think I'm one of their prey, they are wrong."
Since he had decided not to hide his skeleton, he had long prepared for an attack from the Federation and the Slave Trade Guild.
He rose from his seat and walked toward the exit.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside. When Thoren reached the door, a cold-looking girl glared at him.
"Thoren Starfall, you're under arrest," Minerva declared in a cold voice.
******
[AN: Please support this book with your power stones. Thanks.]