Why is everyone in the tavern suddenly staring silently?

My companions are acting weird too. The fruit fly is confused meanwhile the other seems livid. Does he have social anxiety or something? That would explain how he managed to make enemies out of a misunderstanding. Good thing I'm here. That's when the tavern keeper (I think) barks at us.

"Who are you? What brings you here? What do you want from us? What's with the monster?"

Time to use my golden tongue to calmly answer all their questions. Actually, it seems they are staring at the fly.

[Travelers. Apple cider. Apple cider. Apple Cider. Wait, are you guys scared of a little fly? HAHAHA Don't worry. That's a fruit fly. It just loves sweet things is all. It's completely harmless. It simply evolved thanks to mana. Here look…]

I start petting its head. It looks at me in expectation wondering when we will taste whatever it is we are smelling.

"Don't try to fool us! That's obviously a deadly Gu! It's a vile and strong monster that plagues the world and …"

[HAHAHA Ah Gu? Are you serious?! Here, prick me slightly little one that will show them. Go on, trust me, it's fine.]

"Wait, what are you doing?!"

My companion tries to interrupt but in the meantime, the fruit fly has already stung me with its tail. To be honest I barely feel it. In fact, it barely even penetrates my skin. I turn to the others. They are now gasping looking at me in horror.

[Are you guys okay? As I said just a fruit fly with teeth and the ability to sting. No big deal.]

They keep alternating between me and the fly shocked. My companion is shocked too. I guess he never thought of such a simple method to gain their trust. But seriously these guys are crazy if they think this gentle creature is an evil Gu haha.

"Y-you you're fine?! Wait, no! You won't fool me. This must be a trick!"

[Stop arguing and get us some cider already! Actually, why are you arguing in the first place?! If this is no Gu you're just being an asshole, and if this is a Gu you're just looking for death. C'mon man…]

The tavern keeper freezes then seem to realize my argument sure sounds logical. He starts sweating as he smiles and guides us to a table. He seems stressed and stiff still.

[Look man, it's just a fruit fly. Stop panicking for no reason. Alright?]

That is when he finally relaxes. That guy is totally the kind to overthink things. Before long, conversations resume inside the taverna and the atmosphere becomes jovial once more. From time to time some people are glancing at us curiously but that's to be expected. Then arrive our drinks. For the fruit fly, it comes with a small plate to pour it into.

[Alright, cheers!]

*Silent cheer!*

"Wait! We should check for poison and…"

But the two of us are already drinking. The taste is phenomenal. The sweetness of the apple, the freshness of the apple, and the deliciousness of the apple. How else is one supposed to describe cider?

The fly is clearly feeling contented. It takes a sip, then it enjoys it. It takes another sip, and it enjoys it some more. From time to time we do toasting motions. Me with my glass and it following along with its tiny leg.

As the tavern keeper keeps refilling our mugs, he can't help but let his guard down. He now realizes how crazy his initial assumption was. How can such a heartwarming scene involve a vile and deadly Gu? He even twirls his fingers around a bit before going:

"Eh, sorry about earlier. I truly made a mistake. I didn't mean to offend anyone, I just…"

It doesn't matter. Plus we are only stopping here for a short while anyway. After that, it's back to journeying to the Water Sect. Well, we can afford a short stop. At this point, it's either my friends survived, or they didn't. If they are prisoners, they will be kept alive until I show up for sure.

[Don't worry. I understand. Still, if something similar ever happens again just play dumb. There is no use risking your life like that. I've seen some people that are truly bad in this world you know. At least, there is still hope.]

"Yes, I was just on edge because of what happened to the Sun Young Master. I still can't believe it. How he fell fighting a Gu master. Such a shame. *Sigh*"

[Oh? I actually know a guy called Sun. I hope he's doing well.]

"Poor guy. Having the same name as the magnificent Sun Young Master, peace be to his soul. After all, he looks like…"

The more he describes him and the more I realize. This Sun guy is the radiant young man that said he'd join my guild. The one I shared barbecue with. The one that kept listening to me ramble about my philosophy. The one that was really a cool friend even if we barely spent any time together.

[How? How did he die?]

"What?!"

[How did my friend die…. tell me.]

At first, my stern tone scares him, but then he comes back to his senses.

"You…knew him?! He's been killed by one of the champions of the Gu Meadow. The evil Gu cultivator killed him after a long chase and got rid of his body entirely."

[I see. A lot happened while I was gone it seems. It sucks. This truly sucks. I'll need more alcohol.]

I completely turn my alcohol resistance off. Tonight I am getting dead drunk. Tonight I'll mourn. My friend deserves a few cheers. No, more than a few. He was supposed to be the chosen one.

He was supposed to become the official campfire maker of The Unnamed God Sect. I'll keep my ears open. I'll avenge him eventually. So what if I have to fight a Gu User? We'll see what's more potent between their poison and my divine energy!

That is why I need to gather up my people. I can't have them perish in some goddamn forsaken corner of the world where I can't help. We will rise. Not because we want to, but out of need. Any living being that accepts being trampled upon isn't living anymore!

[This is a cheer to you, my friend. To Sun, the best goddamn fire starter I've ever met!]

My voice resounds into the entire tavern as everyone cheers with me. The fruit fly seems confused. It can't understand why my tears are coming out. It seems to be saying: "this should be a happy moment, we have cider".

Yes, little one. This should be a happy moment. This is a cheer to celebrate the life of a man that I barely knew but still left a mark in my heart.

Such is life…