Chapter 37: Roadside Inn

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Roadside Inn

He nodded and pressed on, "What about the [Labeling Skill]?"

"The [Labeling Skill]..." Annis’s expression turned a bit peculiar. "It was also created by Lord Bernhard.

It’s said to be an accidental byproduct from when he was modifying the [Identification Skill].

It can’t identify items, but it can... place a ’label’ on an item that has already been identified."

She seemed to recall something amusing and suppressed a laugh. "Legend has it that when the Elder Mage gave his granddaughter a new Magic Staff, he wanted to leave a message on it, so he added a label. I think it said something like, *Grandpa’s love is the greatest love in the world!* His granddaughter found it so embarrassing she absolutely refused to carry it around... Hahaha!"

As she spoke, she suddenly extended a slender finger and pointed to the dagger at Hesia’s waist, the one he had gotten from Thun’s package.

"For instance, that dagger at your waist. It has a label on it that reads—"

Annis cleared her throat and recited in a mournful tone:

"’If I ever get a next life, I swear I’ll never mess with that damn bear again.—Left by an unlucky bastard.’"

Hesia: "..."

’Incredible.’

’This was practically the Otherworld’s version of an item’s message board, an anti-counterfeit tag, or even a device for recording one’s last words.’

’How could such a convenient Magic exist? And from the sound of it, there wasn’t much of a barrier to learning it?’

"Master Bernhard truly lives up to his name."

Hesia’s interest was instantly piqued.

He put on a fawning smile.

"Dear Miss Annis, a person as knowledgeable as yourself must have already mastered such a practical Magic, correct?"

The implication was obvious—he wanted to learn it for free.

Annis clearly enjoyed being consulted. She let out a proud "Hmph," lifting her chin even higher. "But of course."

"Then... might I ask for some pointers on how to learn it?"

However, reality quickly threw a bucket of cold water on him.

"As much as I’d love to teach you," Annis said, shrugging with a helpless expression, "it’s a shame, but the method for learning this kind of Magic isn’t public. To master it, you must use a special Skill Scroll."

’Skill Scroll?’

Hesia was no stranger to the concept.

In this world, the skill systems for the various Professions were intricate and complex, but the learning process was exceedingly difficult.

Most instructors had mastered the teaching methods for common, low-tier skills.

But high-tier and undisclosed skills could typically only be learned via a Skill Scroll.

The former was because ordinary teaching struggled to convey the skill’s essence, while the latter was purely for monopolizing profits.

These scrolls, crafted by specialized Archives Scholars, could intuitively imprint the essence of a skill, significantly lowering the barrier to learning.

However, the creation process was incredibly tedious, making each Skill Scroll precious and, typically, single-use.

Although his plan to get them for free had failed, Hesia decided the two Magics were practical enough that he would buy the scrolls as soon as he reached Rose Town.

"So, what’s the going rate for these two scrolls?" he asked.

Annis held up three fingers. "The [Assessment Skill] is 3 Golden Shields." She then lowered one finger. "The [Labeling Skill] is a bit cheaper. You can get it for just under 2 Golden Shields."

The smile on Hesia’s face instantly froze.

’Who said there wasn’t a barrier to entry?’

’This *is* the barrier!’

He did a quick mental calculation of his total assets: the fifty Silver Scales he had just acquired, plus the one Golden Shield Annis was about to pay him.

That much money wasn’t even enough to buy a [Labeling Skill] scroll, let alone cover food and lodging.

And he had only earned this much through a massive stroke of luck. When would a normal commission ever pay this well?

Seeing his face fall, Annis kindly added, "Oh, and remember to buy the authentic version from a shop authorized by the Tide Merchants Association.

The pirated ones on the black market are cheaper, but there’s a high chance the learning process will fail.

It’s not worth the trouble, and you’ll just waste your study time."

Hesia just gave a noncommittal "Mm," not really taking her words to heart.

’It’s not like he could afford them anyway.’

...

The carriage continued on. By dusk, they finally spotted a place to stop for the night.

"The Roadside Inn."

Hesia pushed open the creaking wooden door, and a wave of hot air, thick with the smell of sweat, cheap ale, damp leather, and low-grade tobacco, washed over him.

Just as its name suggested, the interior was just as haphazard.

But as one of the few stopping points on this road, business was booming despite the inflated prices and dreadful atmosphere.

Annis’s delicate, curved eyebrows furrowed as she instinctively waved a hand in front of her nose.

The inn’s main hall was dimly lit, with visible motes of dust and smoke floating in the air.

Dozens of people were crammed into the less-than-spacious room, the din loud enough to threaten the rafters.

Their weather-beaten faces showed a mixture of travel-weariness and alcohol-fueled excitement.

They were dressed in a motley collection of gear, from mud-caked Leather Armor to well-worn Chain Armor, with an assortment of weapons hanging from their belts and backs.

"...and I tell ya, that twin-tailed scorpion’s pincer was *this* big!" a one-eyed, middle-aged man dressed like a Warrior exclaimed, gesturing wildly to his companion as spit flew from his mouth. "If I hadn’t been so quick on my feet, I wouldn’t be here drinking—I’d be in its belly!"

"Ha! Give it a rest, Buck," his Dwarf companion jeered, downing a large mouthful of ale and letting out a loud belch. "Last time you were telling us how you took on a Petrifying Lizard single-handed!"

At a nearby table, several hooded figures were playing cards, with a small pile of copper nails serving as stakes.

"Dammit, Rupert! An Armor Team again! Where do you keep getting all these Northern Realm cards?"

"Another round! Let’s play for 5 Silver Scales! If I win, the first thing I’m doing in Rose Town is finding a nightingale to hold me for a few days."

"Keep dreaming, Dimi. You think your skills are good enough to beat Rupert?"

And in the loudest corner of the hall, a table of Dwarves pounded the tabletop to keep a rhythm.

Flying foam from their mugs of ale soaked their beards.

One Dwarf, his face flushed from the drink, had even pulled off one of his boots and was attempting to use it as a drinking vessel.

A petite and nimble Female Half-Elf waitress balanced a tray on her head, weaving expertly through the crowded tables and chairs. She dodged the stray limbs of drunken patrons, all while calling out, "Watch out! Freshly roasted boar’s leg! I’m not responsible if you get burned!"

"Little Tuidi, stop running around for that stingy boss of yours and come have a drink with us!" a nearby Dwarf shouted, trying to sneak a hand out to wipe some grease from the boar leg.

"Get away from me, Kalin!"

Hesia took in the scene with great interest.

’All that’s missing is a bartender telling me to find a seat wherever I can,’ he thought.

Annis, meanwhile, followed cautiously in his wake, doing her utmost to keep the hem of her dress from touching the sticky, unidentified liquid on the tables.

The pair made their way to a bar so greasy it shone.

Fighting her discomfort, Annis said, "We’ll take your three best rooms."

Behind the bar, a middle-aged woman with a hand-rolled cigarette dangling from her lips glanced at her languidly. "Don’t have a ’best.’ They’re all the same. 5 Silver Scales a night."

"Five Silver Scales? That cheap?" Annis frowned. "What are the rooms like? Is there a place to bathe?"