The light shone through the curtains of my room. I winced at it and turned around in my bed. The cover is pulled from me, which I question for a second, then I feel the breath of someone. Not this again. I reached out and push the person away.

Then comes the thump and the groan.

"How?" the feminine voice calls out from the ground

I turn back around on my bed and sigh. I take my cover back.

"What have I said about sleeping in my bed? You have your own room, Kua."

She stands from the ground and jumps on my bed and shakes me. I open my eyes finally and push her again and once again she falls to the ground.

"Sometimes you're so mean, mentor." she complains

That's Kua, my assistant who I encountered about two weeks back while on a nightly supply run. She was clearly lost and so I invited her to my tavern and now she's my assistant and mildly annoying.

I rub my eyes and swing my legs over the bed and look at her.

She scratches her light blue hair and looks at me with a smile. Always the positive one, and she's kind of cute, at least I think she's a she, maybe I'll ask one of these days.

"Ready for today?" she asks

"Yeah, yeah." I sigh "You can open up the place, and get out so I can put something on." I add

She chuckles while looking smug, I narrow my eyes and she swiftly salutes and rushes out. I shake my head and stand up, freeing my bare ass from the bed and walk to my window. I hope she didn't catch a peak, maybe I should lock my door.

I open the curtains enough so that I can't be reported for public indecency and look out. Green hills, distant forests, happy people. That's my view on this side.

It's been about six months since I've arrived, but to most people here I'm just Dantes, the tavern owner. The best damn tavern owner I will have anyone know!

I rolled my shoulders and threw myself to the ground and did my five hundred pushups. After thirty minutes I finished and got dressed, throwing on my signature look.

I stop at my door and take a few breaths. Yeah, I'm good to go.

I step out into the back area, which has a few rooms for personal use. Can't believe I had someone tell me that it wouldn't be worth it, dumbasses I swear. There may be two of us, but it's still a good investment!

I walk to the end of the hallway and step into the kitchen where I see Kua already cooking breakfast for me and her and those who come. We have time before anyone really comes in.

It only ever gets difficult when its busy, but people don't really come for the food. Drink is the true attraction of my place and sometimes you need a quiet room for yourself.

"Doing well." I say as I pass her

I can almost feel her smile as I exit into the main room. I step behind my bar and start polishing my glasses.

"Did you throw on the open sign?" I call back to Kua

"Yes!" she shouts back

I looked forward, the twelve large tables are all set. She's really gotten the hang of it, that's great.

I hear the stairs creak and look to see a few of the people who stayed the night. Two older gentlemen, travelllers both. They greet me politely and I return to greeting. One asks for something strong while the other orders some breakfast.

I pulled out some perfect morning rum and pass it to one of the men. I place another glass in front of the other man and pour him some water. He thanks me.

Quickly I head back to the kitchen where Kua stands ready with three plates of breakfast.

I smile and pat her head. She looks pleased.

"Can you ready the cart? I should be heading out soon." I tell her

"Before breakfast?" she asks

"After, I promised I'd have breakfast with you every day."

She nods smugly and heads off while I take a plate out and hand it to the man that ordered. He pays and sits at one of the tables and the other man pays for the rum as he finishes it and I take the glass, putting it away to clean later.

I grab a stool and sit to clean, during which the other guy finishes his meal and places the plate on the counter. Both men shortly leave.

I clean the glass and put it away as Kua comes out with the two plates. We sit at her favorite table and begin to eat.

"Hear anything?" I ask

She shakes her head.

"Same news. Other kingdoms still in trouble, nobody to help them. They still think the hero they summoned will save them."

I nod.

"Do you believe in the hero? That they actually summoned one?"

She shrugs.

"Nothing is impossible with magic, more likely they summoned a demon or something."

I nod along as she speaks. I don't think I'm a demon, that would cool now that I think about it.

"Mentor?" she speaks up

I shake my head and look at her.

"Yes? Something wrong?"

"Do you think the war will come to us? Either one of the other kingdoms or the demons?"

"Well, I think that the other kings or queens will honor the treaties they've made. I also think that were safe from demons and other monsters." I reassure her "I'll protect you." I add

She smiles and continues eating. I stare at her for a little while, I know why she asks. She came from one of the largest kingdoms, but her village was destroyed by politics and demons, I can tell she's scared whenever she hears a rumor or some news concerning either.

I don't know how she became a wandering merchant, well, a bad wandering merchant with a few extra talents, but I know that it isn't my place to ask. The smile of this short girl can lighten my day and I do enjoy her company. And once again, she's cute as hell.

Within the hour we finish our meals and I get ready to leave.

"Hold down the place." I tell her

"Of course mentor!" she salutes

I exit through the door, narrowing my eyes as the sun hits my face, the light breeze blows at my longish hair. My Tavern, the Outlander was built at the very edge of the main city of the smallest kingdom of this continent.

Locas was dead center of the entire place, it was the smallest, but it had some good politicians and so the peace treaties were everywhere. I guess I was lucky when I ended up here.

I look down the road that leads away into the larger kingdom of Locas, I see a few carts coming and some going, I look the other way to see plenty of people in the city. I think it's a market day.

OOH SHIT, that means extra sales. Yessss!

I click my tongue and head around the tavern to the small stable, there my horse who I named Bob waits already tied to the cart. I quickly look it over, but seems like Kua made no mistake.

I feel like a proud dad right now. I chuckle and get on Bob, I pet him and give him some light kisses and we head off into the city.

As we near I can start hearing the noise of the crowd. See, most people here are humans, but you'll see elves, dwarves, maybe some beastmen. Seeing anything else would be a rare sight indeed.

I lightly ride down the road waving at the ones that know me and soon enough I arrive at the adventurers guild. Yeah, I know, a real adventure guild. It's so weird to see these things.

I stopped in front of the place where I usually do and hop off and head inside. The place is bustling more then last week, maybe more monsters? If they can handle it then I don't need to intervene. I head up to the counter where I see the receptionist, Allia, a young elf girl with blonder hair, green eyes, a nice bust which as you can expect, attracts the annoying adventurer types.

As I walk I see one of those very types talking with her, the annoyance on her face is priceless and the moment she sees me she motions to the guy that's talking to her. Sometimes I am a hero. Hehe.

I can start to make out the conversation, god, this guy doesn't seem to be able to shut up.

"So, I'm right there all alone, my party down in front of the Griffin. I spun my swords and ran at it" and blah blah blah, you get it

I slid forward, practically pushing him aside with my hip and place my elbow on the counter.

"Morning, Allia." I say

She lightly grins then looks to the adventurer who was getting up, his face red, clearly pissed at me, god I love it.

"I'm sorry...sir, but I have guild business to discuss with this man." she says

Before he can open his mouth I butt in.

"She's busy." I say

He looks defeated and walks away. I look back to her.

"Ever thought about wearing something that doesn't reveal your cleavage?"

She chuckles

"How else would I get business then?"

We both share a laugh before I motion to the door.

"I brought everything as ordered."

She claps her hands together.

"Oh, perfect."

She turns her head and looks to the other receptionists and mumbles a few things I can't make out.

"We'll have a few guys take the stuff off, it might be a shortwhile."

I wave her off.

"Don't worry, I wanted to talk anyway. Last time I was here there weren't that many people here."

"Yeah...there have been more monster attacks near the borders of Locas, farmers can't handle them."

"Wolves? That's what usually counts as a monster to most farmers." I joke

She leans forward and motions for me to do so. I lean in and she whispers.

"Some say, its demons."

I lean back and slowly nod.

"That would not be good."

"You think?" she chuckles

"Aren't you worried about your people?" I ask

"I haven't been home in a few hundred years. I don't see the reason to worry."

"I suppose."

I turn around and simply stare at the adventurers taking quests, forming parties, eating, drinking and such. Most of them look young, most might die now that I think about it....

Before my next thought Allia speaks up.

"Hey, Dantes..."

I glance back.

"Hmmm?"

"I'll be off work after tomorrow.." she says slowly

I turn even more and see her face blushing slightly.

"Yes." I say

She looks up surprised.

"Yes? Really?"

"I won't turn down a good time." I chuckle

The doors open and a man signals to her that they've finished. She stammers for words before I speak.

"After tomorrow we can meet in front of the guild building in the evening. Surprise me, alright?"

"Y-yes! Of course!" she says stammering

I push off the counter and head outside.

I must say, my day got better. My dating life was pretty shit back in the old world, never had time to date. I was either working, studying or watching something. Maybe that was a bit unhealthy, doesn't matter I guess, because I have a date with a cute girl.

WOOOOOOOOOO.

I slap my face lightly and get back on Bob and continue on heading to the city center to see if anyone needed to speak with me about something. Some of the other tavern owners and I have a little booth where we can talk.

As me and Bob rode the flood of people got surprisingly smaller. Seemed that there weren't that many in the city center from afar.

Maybe adventurers are something that the Lacos needs right now. Fuck, maybe the time is coming sooner than I thought, I'll need to protect the kingdom first. I hope they can take care of themselves, but I don't know. And that worries me.

Soon enough I arrive at the city center. usually there's our booth, a few market booth and the smiths have a few ones as well. The smiths seem overcrowded while the other not so much.

As I approach my booth a stable hand comes up and takes over for me. I get off Bob and pat his neck before giving the stable hand a gold coin. I head inside the booth with my arms open.

"Morning all!" I speak loudly, but, there was no one there

That's weird. It's past noon, all four of them should be here. I step back out and call out to the stable hand.

"Where are the others?" I ask

"They never arrived." he replies

Well, that's a bit concerning. I walk back inside and sit down to think, but the sound of customers alert me and I finally open the public side of the booth.

For the next few hours I took orders from different people needing different things. I got bored real fast, but wrote down everything, because I have to be responsible even here. The others never showed up, maybe they had troubles at home.

After another hour I close down the booth, the main day hours were gone and nobody was coming anyway. I step outside and look up, It's nearing the evening, by the time I get back it should be that. May as well.

I head to find Bob which wasn't too hard. I gave the stable hand another coin and set off home.

On the way back, the streets were more empty. I had a weird feeling about everything. Do I have danger sense? That goddess was pretty vague about what I can and can't do, wait, no. I can't really do magic, not the proper kind at least.

I'm the best arhcer. There are people physically stronger than me.

Eh, problems for later I guess.

Eventually I arrive home, put Bob back in my stables and give him some food and fresh water before heading inside.

I open the door and its empty. Kua was sitting on the counter looking bored. Her light blue eyes lit up as she saw me and she lunged at me

I caught her by the shoulder and placed her down.

"What did I say about lunging?"

"You're no fun you know."

I lightly karate chop her head and chuckle. I head towards the counter.

"Anybody come?"

"For breakfast and lunch, but nobody in the last hour."

I nod and head behind the counter and grab a stool. I put against a wall where there are no bottles on display and lean against the wall as I sit.

"How was today?" Kua asks

"Allia asked me out, no one showed-" she cuts me off

"Allia asked you out!? And what did you say?!"

I raised my eyebrow and looked at her, she was red, no smug look at all, it more resembled annoyance.

"I agreed. It might be fun."

"She's trying to take you from me." she replied swiftly

"What? Are you still mad about that?"

"Yes!"

"It was an accident."

"She pushed me into the lake!"

"Accidentally, she isn't trying to take me away." I chuckle

We continue arguing for another thirty minutes until a large bang hits my door.

We both look at the door and we begin to hear clawling. I grab Kua by the arm.

"Behind the counter, now."

"But-"

"Now." I say more sternly

She moves past me as I let go and she moves behind. I rush upstairs to the second floor and open the nearest window and climb out into the night, then close it. I look up into the sky, clouds begin to gather, rain soon probably. I slide down the side and land on the ground.

I extend my arm and summon my bow and move forward. I look around to see the entrance, but I only see a light brown blanket of sorts. I narrow my eyes and see an injured hand clawing at the door.

I rush forward, my bow disappearing from my hand.

I reach for the cover and pull it off. It's an injured girl. Jesus, she's in a bad shape. I pick her up and open the door.

"Kua! Get some herbs!" I shout

She pops up from behind the counter and sees me.

"Now!" I yelled again

She nods and quickly heads off. I step in forward and close the door with my foot and lock it. I hug the girl tighter, I feel her head on my shoulder. I head to the back and open one of the unused guest rooms. I place her on the bed and take off the bloody cover.

"Kua!" I shout

A second later she comes in with herbs and a few potions that I forgot about. I take the potion from her hand and pout it into her mouth, some of it going on the bed. I help her swallow it and listen to her heartbeat.

She's alive, alright, that's good. I look to Kua.

"You said you knew herbal stuff..things...can you help her?"

She nods.

"I'll need the room."

I nod and get up, giving Kua the room. She quickly gets to work, crushing some herbs and rubbing some on her wounds.

I finally get a second to look at her. She isn't human, but not elf either. Maybe a half breed? But then...

Damn, she must have been through hell. Slash marks, bruises around her arms, chest, legs. Rape victim? Maybe.

I leave the room, closing it, I look at my own clothes that is partially bloody.

I walk back out to the main room and sit at my stool. I rub my face. This might be a sign.

"Let's hope she makes it through the night."