Let me do it

Ares following the directions to a tavern called "The Golden Sheaf." As he pushed open the wooden door, a thick aroma of malt and hops washed over him.

Behind the bar stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with a bushy beard, wearing a roughspun linen shirt. He was busy serving customers—clearly, he had to be Alex the bartender.

Ares stepped up to the counter and tapped lightly to catch Alex's attention.

"Hey there, buddy, what'll it be?" Alex asked, deftly wiping a glass with a bar towel. "We've got a brand-new dark rye ale you might want to try."

Ares gave a polite smile. "I'm here because I'd like to get on your good side. Could you give me a few pointers?"

Alex cracked a grin. "Ha! Kid, if you want to buddy up with me, handing over a gift like you would with any other NPC just won't cut it. I'm a straight shooter—I like dealing with people who handle things head-on."

Ares knew his own combat abilities were off the charts, so leveling up was no big deal, but these social quests were always trickier—especially if the NPC had a specific taste that could be tough to navigate.

Just then, the tavern got rowdy. A bunch of drunks were shoving other patrons around, their boozy voices rising in anger. Alex scowled. "Those dirtbags again. Looks like I need to handle this."

Ares immediately said, "Let me do it."He charged forward and, with a casual wave of his hand, slapped the noisiest drunk in the group to the ground.

"Oh my god! I must be wasted. That big guy just got taken down with a single slap!"

The others stood there, completely stunned. Their courage instantly evaporated, and they hurriedly fled the scene.

"Cool!" Alex burst out laughing. "Not bad, kid. That guy was a Level 358 Warrior, and you just flattened him with one hit. That's insane! Anytime you want a drink, come back, just drop your name, and I'll give you half off."

Even though Ares had solved a little problem for Alex, there was still no system prompt. Figuring it wasn't enough yet, he pressed on. "I hear you've got a special private reserve called 'Dawn's Finest.' Is that one of your proudest creations?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Alex's face. "Huh, you really did your homework. Yeah, it's a recipe passed down in my family. Every batch yields less than ten bottles."

Ares glanced at a top shelf along the back wall, spotting a dust-covered, elegantly shaped bottle. With an idea sparking in his mind, he said, "Since you're a master brewer, how about I help by gathering ingredients? I've heard this wild brewing berry grows in the 'Laurel Woodlands,' and it's key to making Dawn's Finest—but it only thrives way deep inside the forest, somewhere most folks wouldn't dare go."

Alex nodded cheerfully. "Sounds promising. If you really can get 'em for me, I'll let you sample the very first sip of my next fresh batch."

As soon as they struck the bargain, Ares's quest log pinged with a new side quest:

[Raise Bartender Alex's Favor – Gather 15 Wild Brewing Berries]

"Thanks. I'll get it done soon," Ares said, tossing a friendly wave as he left. 

Leaving Alex, Ares took advantage of the still-early hour and headed for a quiet garden on the eastern edge of the city. 

He pushed aside the vine-covered gate to find an elderly woman with silver hair and a slightly bent figure, yet bright and lively eyes, tending a cluster of delicate roses. Stunningly vibrant at first glance, their petals had subtle hints of dryness if you looked closely.

"Hello, ma'am. Are you Lucy?"

She stood up slowly, brushing dirt from her gloves. "Yes, that's me. Are you here to admire the flowers?" she asked kindly.

Ares briefly explained he was completing a guild quest and needed to raise her favor. Lucy's eyes crinkled in a warm smile. "Ah, I see. It's actually not difficult—just help me with a little task."

Ares perked up. "Name it. I'll do my best."

Lucy motioned to the roses. "They've got a pollen-based pest problem, and ordinary pesticides aren't working. Could be something about the climate lately making the bugs unusually tough. I need something called 'Moonlit Dewdrops' to brew a special repellent, but they only form by the lake late at night. If you can collect twelve drops for me, I'll rest easier."

Looking at those stubborn roses tinged with yellowish edges, Ares felt a wave of respect for Lucy. Her devotion to these flowers radiated like a mother caring for a child.

Just as he agreed to get the dew, a commotion sounded outside the garden gate. "Hey, old crone, your flowers are blocking our trade wagons! Either clear 'em out or let us through!" The voice belonged to guards from the Apocalyptic Trade Association, sounding every bit as nasty as their reputation suggested.

The Apocalyptic Trade Association was an offshoot of Apocalyptic Guild, wielding a huge amount of influence in Black Dragon City. Hardly anyone dared cross them.

Lucy said with a troubled expression. "I, um, I guess I could temporarily move that pot—"

Without hesitation, Ares stepped forward. "If you want through, walk around. "

One of the guards looked Ares up and down with disdain. "Oh yeah? Here you are, sticking up for some old crone?"

Ares, scowling, was just about to deliver a well-deserved lesson. But the squad leader in the back shouted, "Quit stirring trouble! We've got more important business to handle. Both of you, cut it out."

At that, the guard clammed up, ushering the wagons down a side path. He did shoot Ares a venomous look, though, making it clear he wouldn't forget this.

Once they were gone, Lucy bowed her head apologetically. "I'm so sorry you had to see that."

Ares shook his head with a reassuring smile. "Nothing to apologize for. Take it easy and focus on caring for your flowers. I'll handle the Moonlit Dewdrop issue."

Lucy gave him a gentle, grateful look. "Thank you, dear. Even fragile greenery still needs someone to stand up for it."

A new side quest tag popped up in Ares's task list:

[Raise Gardener Lucy's Favor – Collect 12 Moonlit Dewdrops from the lake at night]