I continued to wake Olaf with Ice water and beat him into unconsciousness. This may seem morbid but it serves multiple purposes. The first was to increase my strength and the second was to increase my sword skill.

In Blank, your sword skill only improves when fighting monsters or other players/NPC's. Fighting a dummy or practicing by swinging your sword does not increase skill level. So, typically if you have to fight monsters you will have to gain experience. So it is considered impossible to have a high sword skill at level 0. Normally your skill level will stay around the same level as your character level. The game designers made it this way in order to maintain a balance and flow. I planned on tipping the balance in my favor.

After an hour of repeating this in the alley, it began to cause a scene but at least my sword skill leveled up to level 2. Players were becoming more and more disturbed. One young man, a level 5 warrior, grabbed my arm and told me to stop. A moment later the guards came and took him away. His name had become Red flagged due to strict regulations within the village. Thankfully I had found a solution, thanks to Olaf's journal.

I had been purchasing ice water for the past hour, and the owner of the Tavern had noticed the increasing level of activity outside his establishment. He approached me as I walked in and asked me what my name was.

I calmly replied with, " My name is Thorn. Is there some sort of problem? "

The tavern keeper was visibly put off by my appearance and the way I spoke and carried myself. He spoke sternly as he said, "You are bringing negative attention to my tavern, I can't allow you to continue."

This made me laugh and then I said, " I'm not doing anything illegal. It is within the confines of a quest of mine. Have you seen any guards? "

He shook his head and responded with, "Well...no."

I smiled and confidently said, "Listen, I have to be blunt. I have been beating up a man outside of your bar for the past hour. He has information that I need, and he is partially responsible for my condition. A spell left me in the form of a child. "

The tavern keeper nodded and said, " Ok, but this has nothing to do with me. ".

I shook my head and quietly whispered, " Your wrong, the man outside is your snake of a son in law Olaf. "

His eyes widened as he proclaimed, "Olaf! Why? He's family! "

I laughed and said, "Family that betrayed you. "

I pulled out the Ruby necklace and Olaf's journal and tossed them to the tavern keeper.

I spoke with confidence as I said, " He told you that necklace was stolen by bandits, but he has had it all along. I know it is important to you as a last momento of your wife. His journal confirms this. He has been stealing money from you for years. It's all there, check yourself. "

The Tavernkeeper was both amazed and furious.

I took a breath and continued my speech, " I didn't have to return that stone to you, but I need your help. I need to borrow your cellar so I can continue my investigation on Mr. Olaf. "

With his son's fresh betrayal upon his mind, the tavern keeper simply said, " I have just the place, and I'll have ice water brought down to you as you need it. ".

The man displayed a wicked smile.

Ding! Unlocked Secret Cellar!