NOVEL WEB Chapter 274
Chapter 274. Familiar Him
With the increase in population, the fully darkened Evaroti was bustling with energy.
Lights leaked from the houses, and the sounds of meals and lively chatter echoed throughout. Claire inhaled deeply, as if sensing a nostalgic dinner aroma with her nonexistent sense of smell—
Even though she didn’t even need to breathe. The lungs Claire had were merely air sacs for producing sounds.
“…………”
She walked down the main street, heading to her usual tavern.
Hobgoblin Tavern. She checked her pockets to make sure she had her wallet with her as she opened the door.
“Hey there, young lady!”
As always, the cheerful figure of that man was there.
“Good evening. You seem in a particularly good mood today.”
Claire replied with a friendly smile.
—She didn’t dislike that drunkard named Tafuman.
His bright smile reminded her of her long-gone father from a distant past.
Now, she could hardly remember him clearly. Yet, she felt a definite similarity. Talking to him invoked a longing within her, making her feel as if she were no longer Claire, the apprentice of the Undead King, but Claire, the daughter of a baker—
Tafuman, unlike other customers, didn’t flirt with her and consistently treated her like a relative’s child.
As she listened to his silly, trivial chit-chat, it felt as if the warmth returned to this artificial body……
“Ha ha ha, it’s a festive day! I’ve always been treated by you, but today, let me treat you, young lady!”
Tafuman called over a waiter, ordering drinks and spicy dishes that Claire supposedly loved.
“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”
—Even pretending to eat would be pointless.
“Well, today is the day when Ryan Village officially gets started! I thought we could celebrate together!”
Literally, Claire’s breath stopped.
She couldn’t respond. It felt like cold water had been poured over her. A carefree Tafuman with no knowledge of the truth.
“No… That’s bad.”
She mumbled in reply. There was no way she could say it. It was already in ruins……
“Ha ha ha, you don’t need to hold back. It’s unusually planned for some of the soldiers to come, too. They’re all good-natured guys, so if you’d like, join us—”
Suddenly, heavy footsteps were heard from outside.
“Oh, speak of the devil!”
“Tafuman! Are you there?!”
Bang! The tavern door swung open noisily, and a black-haired dog beastman appeared, breathing heavily.
“…What’s wrong, Dobel?”
“There’s a magical beast. Ryan Village has been attacked.”
A murmur spread among the tavern’s patrons. Tafuman’s expression tightened instantly.
“Just now, a monk from Gonden burst in. It seems he was attacked by a huge magical beast, as that idiot Gushinus was trying to lure it away while only one person was sent to call for help.”
“—Is it the Asurabear again?”
Tafuman stood up sharply.
“I don’t know. All I can say is it’s massive… That monk ran nonstop and passed out before he could say anything.”
“Got it, let’s go immediately. Fortunately, I’ve only had one drink.”
Tafuman placed his cup down like he just remembered and growled.
“Next time, I won’t lose……”
Clenching his fists tightly, he tried to leave without even looking at Claire.
“Wait—”
Claire instinctively reached out towards his back.
—An Asurabear? No way, it was the Manticore that attacked the village. There was no way mere humans could take on such a foe. By now, everyone had likely been wiped out; heading to help would be meaningless, just a waste of lives—
…And she couldn’t voice any of that.
“Sorry, young lady. Looks like it’s not a celebratory mood anymore. Let’s drink again when I come back.”
Tafuman glanced back, flashed a smile, and hurriedly handed his wallet to the waiter, bustling out.
“Take care, okay…”
Claire awkwardly smiled and could only see him off.
The previously silent patrons began whispering worriedly among themselves.
“Um… Sorry for the wait.”
A waitress brought the food for Claire, who continued to stand still.
The spicy dish said to be her favorite, courtesy of Tafuman—
The steam rising from the freshly made food felt utterly hollow.