"run!"

"We need to get out of here quickly; this is not a place I should have come from!"

After reading the reward notice, Joey had no intention of speaking up for the people; instead, he was thinking about getting out of this troublesome place as soon as possible.

"Are you kidding me? This thing, I don't even know what it is, targets men. Joey Brown is a handsome young man known for miles around, so wouldn't that be even more dangerous for him?"

Joey grabbed the supplies and hurried toward the hotel.

"Lady Catherine! Lady Catherine!"

We need to get going!

Before even entering the hotel, Qiao Yiren was already shouting at the top of her lungs.

But he did not hear a response from Catherine.

He stepped into the hotel and saw Catherine enjoying her breakfast with a contented expression.

A glass of milk, two slices of bread, three small cherries, and a steaming steak.

"Let's have breakfast first. We can't go on an empty stomach, can we?"

Catherine waved to Joey, held a piece of bread in both hands, put it in her mouth, took a small bite, and chewed slowly.

This naive girl seems oblivious to what she's seeing, calmly enjoying her breakfast.

"Let me tell you..."

Joey put down the supplies, ran to sit opposite Catherine, and was about to tell her what he had just seen on the notice board.

Would you like breakfast now?

The old woman's voice came from behind, interrupting Joey's next words.

Joey then realized that the bounty notice stated the quest location was this inn, and the old woman was the NPC to accept the quest. She had walked right into the lion's den.

"Eat! Eat now!"

Joey held back what he was about to say; he didn't want to reveal his thoughts here, lest he end up being forced to take on a mission later.

The old woman went to the side to prepare breakfast for Joey, and her gaze also shifted away from Joey.

Catherine had drunk most of the milk in her glass, and Joey's breakfast was served.

Delicious! This breakfast smells really good, especially the steak, it looks quite appealing.

Joey picked up his knife and fork, intending to start with the steak.

Ding ding—

Catherine's knife made a few slicing motions on the steak, striking the porcelain plate with a crisp sound.

She picked up a piece of cut steak with her fork, and before bringing it to her mouth, glanced in Joey's direction.

"I want to stay here a few more days!"

Catherine said this without warning, then put the piece back into her mouth and began to chew slowly.

"no!"

Joey's hands paused, and she refused decisively.

He then put down his knife, reached out and picked up the plate containing the whole steak, bringing it directly to his mouth with his fork.

"Why?"

Catherine didn't look up; she kept her eyes down, looking at her bread, while continuing to chew her steak.

"Very dangerous!"

Joey didn't look up, but focused on showing off the tender and juicy steak.

"It shouldn't be dangerous. After we help them find out why these people disappeared, we'll leave!"

Catherine swallowed the food in her mouth, looked up at Joey, and there was a hint of pleading in her voice.

"You knew all along?"

"I know everything. The old lady told me everything while you were away!"

"Then you still don't think it's dangerous?"

"That thing seems to only target men, so I should be safe!"

"..."

Is this something a human would do? It seems this young lady accepted the task without even discussing it with Joey.

But Joey has to do this task, and he has to bear the danger. Catherine has already taken the blame for everything!

Joey put down her fork and glanced at the old woman, who turned away somewhat guiltily.

He stood up across the table and leaned his head close to Catherine.

"My dear lady, what are you doing? We're running for our lives, and you have time to meddle in our affairs?"

Joey lowered her voice, trying her best not to let the old woman hear.

"But they are so pitiful. Their husbands, fathers, and sons have all disappeared. If it were you, could you really bear to abandon them?"

Catherine played along with Joey, deliberately lowering her voice as well.

"You really want to ask me? To be honest, I have nothing to be reluctant about!"

"Don't think that just because you flatter me, I'll do as you please!"

"I'm not a saint; I can barely take care of myself, let alone help others!"

Joey's expression gradually turned serious. He wasn't willing to put himself in danger for no reward.

"Then why did you help me?"

Catherine stared wide-eyed at Joey, eager to know the answer to this question as well.

"Of course it's for your father's gold coin reward. I've even risked my own brother, Big Beard. What else could I be after?"

(Just to sleep with you? But you, young lady, won't agree. Otherwise, I might consider it!)

Joey spoke bluntly, leaving Catherine unsure how to respond. Her eyes dimmed, and she didn't press the matter further.

"Alright, alright, let's finish breakfast and leave early. I can't waste this silver coin!"

After Joey finished speaking, he started eating heartily and stopped paying attention to Catherine.

The old woman standing nearby saw the two of them and, although she couldn't hear what they were saying, she understood Joey's decision.

The disappointment on her face was fleeting, and it seemed she had already gotten used to the outcome.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!