Foolishness [1]

After a series of whispers, the waiter arrived along with the ordered food. The waiter brought down from the tray a bowl of seafood stew brimming with fresh fish and shellfish, a plate of medium-sized loaf bread, and a roasted leg of a cockatrice sided with roasted vegetables on the side.

"This is... a bit different from the DragonWatch Inn. To think seeing food would make my mouth water.", Angel says as he drools.

Angel took his knife and fork, he then sliced the roasted leg before taking a bite. The meat, tender yet with a subtle, shimmering quality. The flavour was intensely bright, almost citrusy and with notes of wild ginger and a floral-sweetness reminiscent of night-blooming jasmine.

As Angel took a spoon of the seafood stew, the broth, simmered for hours with fish bones, white wine and a medley of aromatic vegetables. It was deeply savory, with a subtle sweetness from the shellfish and a gentle tang from a squeeze of sourness, reminiscent of fresh lemons. There was a velvety texture, thickened slightly by the natural gelatin from the fish that gave it a luxurious mouthfeel.

And the bread tasted like bread.

"Seriously..., I expected a little from the bread.", Angel sighed.

Angel took his time to finish his food, his ears on guard for the remaining information he can obtain. After an hour and a few minutes, he stood up from his seat and exited the inn. His eyes focused on the name of the inn in hopes to remember it when he returns.

"Golden Sheaf Inn huh..., I'll remember it.", Angel walks away.

As Angel walked away, he was soon followed by those who had dark intentions.

"Unlike adventurers, mercenaries are hired in hidden companies and they get even higher payment than adventurers do.", Angel murmurs to himself.

"Still..., I should go do job before night comes.", Angel murmurs to himself.

Inside Bryndar's guild branch, Angel went ahead to the commission board and looked for jobs that was doable in a single day. He picked up the paper that was required to obtain herbs in the forest north of Bryndar. After having it accepted in the counter, Angel immediately exited the guild and walked straight to the north side of the border.

Angel entered the forest and spread his chi throughout the forest.

"There.", Angel says as his emerald eyes glows.

With great haste, Angel used Lightning-Tiger Steps to step through the forest as fast as lightning and obtain the required herbs without encountering the monsters in the forest.

After obtaining the herbs, Angel followed the address stated in the paper which lead to the secluded house of an alchemist.

"Hello? I came here for the herb commission.", Angel says as he knocks on the door.

Angel gently knocked a few more times before the door creaked open. Behind the door, a young woman with green eyes and black hair, wearing a robe and gloves.

"I came here for the herb commission along with the herbs... so I just need the payment reward and the completion stamp.", 

"Huh, oh yes. Please wait here a second.", she immediately leaves inside.

"She looks like's she's working well. It's already nearing night time.", Angel patiently waits.

"H-here, the payment reward and hand me the paper.", she says panting.

After receiving her payment, Angel returned to Golden Sheaf Inn to stay for the night. As Angel gets ready for bed, the sound disappeared along with the candle light fading away. The quiet situation reminded Angel with his interaction with Silas when he left away.

"Come out, I can see you all as clear as day.", Angel challenged.