How does one spend in a town?

Well, there is only one way I know how.

Find the local tavern!

I search far and wide for about 2 minutes before finding one.

It has a perfect emplacement right near the city gates.

I wonder if they ever have drunkards pick a fight with the guards.

I could actually picture it happening, with the other guards betting on the winner.

Just as I'm heading inside…

*CRASH*

A man comes flying!

I am in the perfect position to catch him too!

*Sidestep*

He is coughing while getting up.

"You there! Why did you move away?!"

[You there! Why did you come flying?]

"Because I was thrown!"

[Why were you even thrown?]

"Because I angered someone."

Yeah, screw that.

I head inside.

"Hey, don't you want to know the rest of the story?!"

[Nope.]

I can hear laughs from inside.

Then they start exchanging coins.

[What was that about?]

A waitress comes.

"These dumbasses were betting whether he could convince anyone to pity him.

Since you didn't even bother hearing him out…"

Is it me or are the people in this town really bored?

I can hear them talk about previous bets.

There are various drinks available.

I pick one at random, making sure it's not a trap.

As soon as receive my glass I hear cheers in the back.

Some guys are pointing at me and exchanging coins.

Seriously?!

Every single beer I order I hear the clanking of coins.

After a while it gets annoying.

I rise up to go talk to them.

Guess what? They had a bet for that too!

[Is there anything you guys take seriously?!]

They all utter in unison. "Betting"

The waitress chuckles.

"Is it your first time here? Half the city is worshipping DicE the gambler god."

[What about the second half?]

"They are too busy hiding from the first half." ;)

On that note, she goes back to the kitchen…where I hear the sound of coins.

That is when they start arguing about what tonight's show will be about.

They are proposing various story ideas.

All that I never heard before.

I feel like messing with them.

[Anyone wants a hint? I can tell someone what I know for a price.]

"How would you even know it?!"

"Don't underestimate our ability to gamble!"

[Oh, so you guys don't want insider information. I see.]

They look at me doubtfully.

"Why would we even believe you?"

[You can guys can ask the guards.]

Some leave to check.

A few minutes later we are discussing deals.

Finally, I sell all I know for 5 silvers.

I take the lucky winner on the side to announce him that he's been scammed.

I'm expecting him to be mad, nope.

He giggles.

Apparently, he has multiple bets resting on this single event.

He ends up winning…

I can't make sense of these guys.

That is until I hear about their god's motto.

Gamble everything until there is nothing left.

What kind of god is that?!

That is clearly troublesome!

For these followers losing all their assets in a day is not shameful in the least.

What the hell?!

Apparently, this place isn't even one where this sect is strong.

It's just that at some point the town's mayor tried to ban gambling.

Out of nowhere, they came.

DicE's apostles.

A week later, people were converted.

The peaceful town turning into…this.

Before long I get swept into their pace.

While I don't gamble, I start joking around with them.

All until later when we get the news that the show is about to begin.

I follow the crowd.

One so big it looks like an exode is happening.

Before long I am standing awaiting the grand reveal.

The story they chose to perform is one of good triumphing over evil.

A valiant and handsome hero that goes to defeat a vampire lord.

A race described as extremely evil and vile.

As the antagonist comes on stage it gets booed.

A pale white-faced man with humongous fake teeth.

Then the hero arrives under thunderous cheers.

The plot is pretty basic.

Bad vampire is super lonely and kidnaps a girl.

Hero follows.

Vampire gets slain.

Except he just kills him with a regular sword slash.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't even work on a regular vampire.

Let's not talk about a vampire lord!

Where is the stake?!

Where is the garlic?!

Where are the crosses?!

What about the holy water?!

Soon enough, the performance ends.

I can faintly hear the sound of people clapping.

I can clearly hear the coins, however.

If I have to say the show was okay, but I expected more.

Not that it matters anyway.

The crowd disperses.

Leaving our group alone.

Rollin comes running.

Asking me how I found the performance.

I tell him my true thoughts.

That the acting was amazing, but the story bad.

That gets me a scolding.

Something about how classics are important.

I propose a few modifications.

Like updating the hero's weaponry.

I get denied hard.

Apparently, these ideas of mine are ludicrous…

We are about to start arguing when Gran comes in.

She has a somber face.

[What's up?]

"You'll need to remain inside the cart for a while. We may have a problem."

[?]

"Before I tell you promise me you won't use your illusions to try and sneak out."

[Why?]

"It could easily make things go out of hands.

I fear what would happen if you lost control in a town."

[Fine, I won't use it. What is this about anyway?]

She passes me a poster.

"I picked this up in the street."

[What am I even looking at?]

"You can't read? There is a picture too."

[I feel like it's familiar.]

Kinda handsome.

"*Sigh* It's a drawing of you.

I really hope it feels familiar!

[Who drew that?]

"I'm not sure.

But there is one thing I know.

The whole town will be looking for you."

[So it's a wanted poster? Who even put the bounty?]

She looks solemn "The Righteous Sects Alliance."

[Who's that sect?]

"Brother, you are kidding, right?!"

Gran looks at me like I'm a lost cause.

[?]

"*Sigh* Only a third of all the sects on the continent.

How about it? Do you wish to fight?"

[Nope! I'll skip my turn!]

But seriously…who'd go that far just for me?