The Dreamer's POV

Chapter 67: Investigations

[00 Months: 03 Days: 01 Hours]

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, preparing for the day ahead.

My mind was currently set on exploring the town and gathering more information about the Lyma family's rumored expedition to the Wild Lands, as well as the possibility of any strong challenge nearby.

With a determined mindset, I dressed swiftly, donning my usual attire that blended in with the locals, ensuring I wouldn't draw any unwanted attention.

As I dressed in my usual dark cloak and casual attire, I fastened the mask securely over my face to maintain my disguise.

With my identity hidden, I felt more at ease, knowing that I could move freely without drawing unwanted attention.

Stepping out of my room, I made my way to the inn's cafeteria section for breakfast.

The smell of warm bread and freshly brewed tea filled the air as I took a seat at a small wooden table.

The sound of lively chatter and clinking dishes filled the cafeteria section as patrons indulged in their morning meal.

The food on offer was simple and modest, not nearly as flavorful as the Meal Set provided by the System, or the food I could eat back in my world.

The bread was a tad dry, the porridge lacked flavor, and the meager serving of eggs left much to be desired

Nonetheless, I reminded myself that I was in a medieval setting, and the fact that the inn provided complimentary meals and accommodations was a luxury in itself.

'Breakfast is free. That removes cost...'

I ate in silence, lost in thought as I contemplated my next move.

Tatia's words about others who might possess the information I sought lingered in my mind, and I hoped to cross paths with them soon.

'The Blacksmith, Merchants, and those Vendors I passed by in the marketplace...'

I already knew the places I would be headed for my investigation today.

As I finished my meal, I noticed Tatia from the corner of my eye, smiling warmly as she bowed gently in greeting.

'Ah...'

Her lips moved, forming the words, "I hope you enjoyed last night."

Surprisingly, I found myself smiling in response, feeling a sense of camaraderie with her after the events of the previous night.

It was indeed strange how natural and unembarrassed I felt about it all.

With breakfast over, I stepped outside, the sun illuminating the town's cobbled streets.

The market was abuzz with activity as merchants displayed their wares and townsfolk went about their daily routines.

I decided to take Tatia's advice and seek out the people she had mentioned, hoping they could shed some light on the Lyma family's plans.

I first approached a group of traders, engaging them in friendly conversation while subtly guiding the topic toward the Lyma family's rumored expedition.

They exchanged cautious glances before one of them spoke, revealing that indeed, the Lyma family had made several attempts to explore the Wild Lands, each time ending in failure.

Some spoke of strange occurrences within the wilderness, while others whispered of powerful creatures that guarded its secrets.

'Since I was in the Wild Lands for two days, I know it's dangerous. I'm just looking for more information.'

Perhaps there could be a hidden treasure that could be found there. Unfortunately, I couldn't expect to find out that much from mere commoners.

As I continued my inquiries, a few more tidbits of information surfaced.

I learned about a local historian who might have records of previous expeditions and a retired adventurer who had crossed paths with the Lyma family.

Armed with these leads, I thanked the traders and made a mental note to seek out these individuals later.

The day passed swiftly as I gathered information from various sources, some more reliable than others.

'I'm certain of it now. There is certainly something special about the Wild Lands. I just have to find out what it is...'

The sun began to dip beneath the horizon, and I returned to the inn with a wealth of new insights and potential avenues to explore.

My mind buzzed with excitement, fueled by the thrill of unraveling the mysteries of this world.

As I entered the inn, Tatia greeted me warmly, her eyes reflecting genuine interest in my endeavors.

I shared a brief summary of the information I had gathered, and she nodded in approval, encouraging me to pursue further leads.

... And of course, I told her I would like to have her company for the night as well.

'At least as a mutual way of celebrating all I've learned.'

She seemed pleased to hear that—in more ways than one—and so, I finally excused her.

Returning to my room, I was eager to rest and prepare for the challenges that awaited me.

Tomorrow would be another day of exploration and discovery, and I couldn't wait to see where my journey would lead me next in this magical realm of Mage'Earth.

'H-huh...?!'

As I approached my room, a sense of unease suddenly washed over me.

Something felt off, and my instincts kicked into high gear.

'My room... someone's there?!'

Swiftly activating my Invisibility Cloak, I erased my presence, becoming a mere whisper in the room.

With all the sound around me erased due to the upgraded effect I added to the Cloak, I slowly opened the door and looked through it.

'Hmmm?' I observed a young woman standing in the center of my room.

She appeared to be in her late teens, her eyes darting around the space with a fidgety demeanor.

Her presence in my room was unexpected and raised questions in my mind.

What was she doing there? What was she searching for?

I narrowed my eyes, carefully assessing the situation. It was clear that this encounter required caution and calculated action. I weighed my options, contemplating the best course of action.

Confronting her directly could lead to unnecessary complications, and I didn't want to draw attention to myself.

'Plus, I might not know what she's after.'

There wasn't anything of particular worth in my room, considering the fact that I had <Personal Space+>.

That meant I wasn't particularly at any risk here.

After a moment of deliberation, I decided to observe her further, remaining hidden within the folds of my cloak.

Perhaps she would reveal her intentions or provide some clue as to why she had ventured into my room uninvited.

'Worst case scenario, I might have to...'

No. I shouldn't have thought of something so extreme—at least, not yet.

I just had to wait and see.

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[A/N]

I know the story has slowed down a little, but just be a bit more patient...

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!