It was a tavern, not a bar.
A TAVERN!
In a damn fantasy world. frёewebnoѵēl.com
Just like the ones that she saw in anime or read in novels. The thought made Ava smile.
The two-story establishment was made of wood. The moment Ava and Shaman Gaas walked in, the first thing that hit their nose was the thick smell of alcohol. Just like everything else, the place was using candles this time. Ava was able to sense that the candles were fueled by magick. The ceiling wasn’t especially high too. It looked like the work of some shabby carpenter.
She wondered if the design was intentional. Was it because people inside fight all the time?
The people inside the Tavern turned their heads. Some sneered, while some whistled at the sight of Ava. Though she and the Shaman are wearing a robe that covered their faces, her physique and height must have attracted some other people’s attention.
"Hi, how can I help you?" A perky tone welcomed them. It was the voice of a red-haired woman wearing an all-black outfit that was too small for her size. She looked at Ava, then the old man, trying to size them up. Before, she gave them a large cup of beer.
Accepting the beer, Ava followed the Shaman towards the corner-most part of the tavern.
"Block the sound," Shaman Gaas said.
Ava complied. This time, the Shaman had been asking her to do menial things that she couldn’t do before coming here. For instance, he would ask her to use her magick to light the candle and cook food, or clean the table and cut the vegetables. Some of these tasks require too much precision and control that she couldn’t do it before.
"What are we doing?" Ava asked.
"Waiting for someone."
"Hm?"
"During midnight, a group of people would announce a bounty order. Some competitions would reward you with coins and potions."
"Coins?"
"You can’t use cash here. It’s useless. So, we use coins. Copper, Silver, and gold."
"Oh."
"So, we are waiting for a bounty order?"
"No. The competition."
"Why?"
"You need to attract attention."
"I’m sorry... what?" Ava frowned. She thought staying low key was best. So why does she need to attract attention?
"So, he will recruit you."
"He?"
"Damon West."
"Damon..."
"He is someone who received an essence, or at least everyone thought so. He is human."
"And the only way for humans to come here is if they receive an essence?"
"Precisely."
"Alright."
"Damon West is a bounty hunter that will take you inside the pits. He had visited the place a few times. He leaves with a group of people. Though most of those people don’t come back, he is the only hunter that could promise the highest chance of survival when you are inside."
"So he is strong?"
"No one knows."
"Not even you?"
"Unfortunately, Demons and Angels aren’t my domain. I have no interest in putting my life in danger while facing them."
"Oh."
"Demons usually hate witches, so someone with demon essence hates witches too. They couldn’t control it. It is best to avoid them. We could not comprehend their abilities until now."
"I will put that in my mind. It’s almost midnight."
The Shaman nodded.
As if on cue, a bald man carrying a gigantic sword stood at the center of the room.
He looked around and for a few seconds, his gaze landed on Ava and the Shaman.
"Hear ye, Hear ye," the man started. The whole pub turned quiet. "I have posted new bounties. And I need two people for an upcoming trip inside the Pits."
"Only two?"
"What kind of crap is that? You always hire ten!"
"This is a small mission," the bald man said. "I need a witch and a shifter."
"What a load of crap! Why do you need a witch? Why not make it into another shifter?" someone from the back said.
"I have said enough." The man showed two golden coins that were as large as a baby’s fist. "I will give you ten minutes to decide for yourself."
Then he threw the coins in the air.
Ava frowned as almost ten people jumped to get the coins. Then she sensed a large magick that isolated the area. Meaning, whatever damages that would happen in that area will be fixed after a certain amount of time.
"Another witch?" Ava asked.
"The owner of this tavern is a powerful priestess."
"Oh..." Ava nodded. ’Then should I — join the chaos?" By now, blood was already pooling on the floor where the coins were thrown. A few shifters and witches were still fighting while the others were watching or just waiting for an opportunity. It was a disaster.
"Do you like to?" The Shaman asked and though Ava couldn’t see him, she knew the man was smirking behind the robe.
"I need to test a few spells," Ava said. "Should I make it as attractive as possible?"
"Please do."
"Good." Ava got up. Then she raised her hand. Almost immediately, two tables floated in the air and targeted the nearest shifter who was holding the coin.
Ava didn’t waste any opportunity as a dagger appeared in her hand. Then she launched herself towards the burly man who was looking at her with bloodshot eyes.
The man shouted, but before he could get into Ava, another man wearing a red robe attacked him. Forced to defend himself from the red-robed man, the burly guy took a step back and used his sword against the one in the robe.
Seeing this, Ava paused. She narrowed her eyes before she waved her hand and used an invisible force to hit the burly man. Sending the attack, the man let out a guttural growl.
"Bitch!" the man hissed before sending a fist towards Ava.
But Ava was quick to sidestep and countered with a kick. Using magick, Ava reinforced her body. Enhancing not just her speed but her force, she punched and kicked before she finally snatched the coin from the man’s hands.
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