《A Boy’s Simple Ambition》Chapter 23
Advertisement
The closer he got to the front door of the inn the louder and more clear the noises from inside became. While he hadn't heard many bar fights in his young years... well it was a total of none actually, he still figured the cursing, loud thumps, and the occasional shrill scream of what he would have to assume was someone being bit in a sensitive area were all good indicators of a conflict of some kind. Though his pace slowed the closer he moved toward the door it was more to try and get an idea of what was going on inside than out of any sort of fear.
He went to lift the latch on the door and push it open when it suddenly slammed closed on him, the sound of wood crashing upon wood just barely covered the thud of what would turn out to be a body hitting the door. His hand was hovering above the latch for a few seconds before he figured it was safe to try again, though just like the first time, right after he managed to get the door slightly ajar it slammed closed again. What were the odds? Pretty good it would seem because it happened to him another three times before the noise inside died down to relative silence.
The sixth time proved to be the charm, though to be safe he stayed where he was standing until the door had swung completely open and bumped lightly against the inside wall. Glancing about from where he stood he noted at least two toppled tables, about a half dozen overturned chairs, some with broken legs, and then a rather neatly stacked pile of groaning bodies, consisting of both males and females, near the center of the room. Taking a few seconds to look over the bodies as they squirmed about he began to notice red dots and what looked to be scratches all over their arms and faces. Were those bite marks?! Indeed they were and from the far side of the pile came a soft grunt before another body was heaved up onto the top. Ethan had to look away after seeing the state of the guy's face because it was simply nasty.
Advertisement
"Oi! Youngin' by the door! Stop trying to heat up all of Cloudcrest with my firewood and shut the door. In or out!" The voice was gruff but feminine sounding and the smacks of clapping hands, as if they were wiping dirt from one another, followed the command.
Ethan stepped in and began to reach for the door while looking around for the source of the instructions. Finally, looking back to the pile while the door closed and latched with a click the owner of that feminine gruffness revealed herself. Stepping out from behind the pile of large folk strutted a... well now Ethan was able to determine she was a Pul'kin from his earlier conversation with Bimsley. However, where Bimsely was short and wide this female was short and rather thin though it was clear her muscles were tone and she was in shape.
"Took ya long enough! Are you slow or somethin?"
"Huh?" He was confused at her rudeness, though it obviously looked like he was actually slow with that response.
"Bah! Welcome to The Lazy Badger Inn. You'll have to excuse the mess because, well, it's a mess and there isn't anything I can do about it right this second." She paused and pointed to the pile of individuals which were now moving around a bit more as they randomly regained conscientiousness.
"This lot thought it was be fun to try and prance out without paying. Obviously, I disagreed." She crossed her arms over her proportional chest and struck a pose, obviously proud of herself and her declaration.
Nodding a bit with a slightly slack jaw Ethan replied, "obviously."
He hadn't moved from his spot and was experiencing a combination of being in awe and a bit fearful, though combined those two emotions equaled a prolonged silence from him to the point that the Pul'kin finally got frustrated enough to replace her proud pose with the atypical frustrated female one of hands on her hips and waist jutted to one side.
Advertisement
"Soooooo, what da ya want already?!"
"Sorry!" Wincing he fumbled for the three vouchers before making his way toward her with his outstretched arm holding them out for her.
"My name is Ethan Kipley and I was given these vouchers to stay here while the adventurer's guild reviews my exam results."
"Huh?" Now who was the slow sounding one? His statement caught her off guard due to how young he looked though she was still aware enough to take the vouchers. Ethan looked down and noted the slender digits crowned with claw like nails that looked very sharp.
"Ah!" He put two and two together and looked at the scratches on the bodies next to him, some of which had begun to crawl their way toward the door.
"Ummm, should you let them get away?" He asked rather curiously.
"What? Oh, they already paid." She motioned toward a large pouch obviously filled with coins on a table behind her.
"They were even kind enough to pay for the damage they caused." She flashed a pointy toothed grin with her last statement and he now understood the bite marks as well.
"I see, how nice of them indeed." Ethan couldn't help himself and smiled at the thought of bad guys getting what was coming to them. Looking back from the crawling figure he yanked his head back when he came eye to eye, or more aptly, nose to nose, with the Pul'kin who had closed the gap between them so quickly, yet quietly, he was taken by surprise.
"Wha?!" Stumbling backwards he almost fell over a fallen chair before catching himself on a table to his left.
"Hmph, not very observant are you? You won't make it long as an adventurer like that." Though she was being critical, and if you asked Ethan it was overly critical, she still had small smirk on her thin lips as she looked him over.
"Welp, that is for Owen to decide. Again, welcome to my establishment, my name is Badger." She suddenly pointed a clawed finger in his direction.
"Don't even think about asking if I'm lazy or by the Keepers you'll regret it!"
"Thanks for the warning," he responded with rather thankfully. After all he was curious enough, and also slightly playful enough, that he had been about to ask that very question.
"Thank the Keepers for small favors," he said to himself.
"Ok Ethan Kipley, I'll show you to your room, though I hope you plan on getting cleaned up before you sleep in one of my beds."
When she looked back to him over her shoulder he was already holding up the voucher for the bathhouse.
"I'm headed there next." He offered a happy boyish smile.
Advertisement
- In Serial22 Chapters
Genius has an Infinite Capacity
Alevier is a student of Magic, aspiring to become an Archmage: someone who is able to summon powers untold - split the mountains and shake the earth. But, one problem stood in his way: his utter lack of talent. And no matter how hard he worked, he could never fill the gap between him and his peers. But could that really stop someone in a world where wonders could come true, and magic was omnipresent?After a particularly traumatic incident, he finally obtained the magical powers he had yearned for, along with a strange grimoire from an ancient being. It seemed that fate had great things in store for him. That or an irresponsible creditor had dumped his responsibilities onto him. Perhaps it was preordained that one must pay a price to gain something. Geniuses have infinite potential, and Alevier has just stepped into the realm of geniuses. But he is yet to discover what pains he must bear, for creatures so terrifying that they could kill him with a single glance are now out for him. But the game is not over, yet. Cover by ValetheHowl, he is an awesome person. Discord Link
8 164 - In Serial16 Chapters
Transformers Reborn
A robot otaku is hit by a truck on his way to school. After waking up in a strange place, he chooses to become his favorite thing. (Inspiration from Transformers Revisited) (I don't know much of the Transformers lore, so forgive me.) (There will be some changes)
8 114 - In Serial28 Chapters
Player 0.4 [You have died.] [Reset in progress.]
The battle against the Kobar Empire was utterly lost and I lay dying, when a strange blue screen appeared. [ You have been identified as having the aptitude needed to be a Player. Would you like to reset the game and try again? ] "A game?" I laughed. Blood spilled out of my mouth and ran down my neck. "I don't know if this is some weird near-death hallucination… but if I have a chance to reset everything and save everyone I cared about… of course, I damn well accept." [ Reset in progress. ] [ Beginning Round 2. ] [ … ] [ Error. Partial Player. ] [ … ] [ Active Players: 0.4 ] . . . I post 2x a week Tuesdays and Saturdays at 3PM PST / 6PM EST If you want to support me (or read an extra two chapters ahead), you can find them posted on my Patreon.
8 212 - In Serial22 Chapters
Social media {Ryan X Jojo}
JOJO OR RYAN IF YOU EVER SEE THIS. PLEASE DONT READ IT.this is a ship book between Ryan and Jojo. (kinryyy and jojospotlight) This book is a joke, don't take it seriouslywarning:cringememestoxic relationshipno curse words cuz Ryan will censor itloveOh and.. For legal reasons this is a joke
8 151 - In Serial53 Chapters
Jake the Panty-Ripper (Book 1, the Phantoms MC Series)
Maya, an innocent nurse, finds herself forced to accept protection from the Phantoms motorcycle gang, specifically the dangerous, irresistible biker, Jake Ford. *****Maya, a kind nurse, has a normal life and a normal boyfriend, Sebastian. But one day she drops off a letter to a prison for a patient under her care, and finds herself being watched over by a dangerous, handsome biker. It turns out Maya is under the protection of Jake Ford, and despite her feelings for Sebastian, she can't resist the pull of Jake's strong arms, dark looks and chequered past. Soon criminals are coming after her, and Jake is the only one who can keep her safe. Will Maya hide behind her good-girl reputation, or let go and lose herself in the passionate world of Jake Ford?Content and/or trigger warning: This story contains scenes of violence and sexual activity, which may be triggering for some readers.[[word count: 150,000-200,000 words]]Cover designer: Ren T.Photographer: Michelle LancasterModel: Jaxon Human
8 207 - In Serial5 Chapters
-look at me/Muke/
-Если бы я был в порядке, наверное, я бы не разговаривал с тобой сейчас...
8 154

