Wanderer of the Zerg

Chapter 55: Your Master

Xi Tian flipped through the mercenary task register on the table. It was filled with handwritten entries like “babysit for three hours,” “buy the freshest catfish from the morning market,” and “purchase locally distilled wine from Zerg Star.” It depicted the daily lives of ordinary people.

“I thought mercenary guilds would have tasks like hunting fierce beasts or assassinating certain tycoons,” Xi Tian sighed, “but this is truly disappointing.”

Ellis took the register and flipped through a few pages, then laughed, “To become the largest guild, it has to be down-to-earth. If it were like the novels, filled with bloody and thrilling tasks, the Interstellar Alliance wouldn’t allow it to operate.”

A dwarf walked in from the entrance, whispered something in Buma’s ear, and Buma’s face turned pale. He downed his ice beer in one gulp, asked for a leave of absence, and promised to provide free service for them the next day.

Before they could respond, Buma hurriedly slipped out through a black curtain behind the bar, whose original color was indiscernible.

“Our guide ran away,” Xi Tian said dryly.

Ellis looked at him, “Yes, he ran away.”

They looked at each other for a few seconds, then burst out laughing.

The guide had run off so unexpectedly that they didn’t know how to react.

But then, a roar came from the front door, “Where’s that little brat Buma? Get out here!”

A hulking giant with a full beard and a burly frame walked in. His round head swayed from side to side, with barely any visible neck. The patrons of the tavern fell silent, and only his heavy breathing could be heard.

He spotted the two new faces in the tavern and headed straight toward Xi Tian and Ellis.

The lively sounds in the room resumed.

“Big guy, it’s been a month, and you’re still thinking about Buma?”

“He’s just a kid. So what if he won a few bucks off you? Do you really have to make a big deal out of it?”

“Garon, you have no stomach for this!”

The crowd jeered, and someone even raised a foaming beer in front of him, which he pushed away.

“You don’t know anything!” Garon shouted at them, causing the decorations hanging from the ceiling to shake.

He walked to their table, and the sub-female who registered Xi Tian and Ellis shouted from behind the bar:

“If you break another chair, you’re not welcome here anymore!”

There was a burst of laughter around them, and Garon, blushing, shouted back, “Who cares about your lousy chairs?”

Facing Xi Tian, who was obviously a male zerg—just a glance would make any female feel a natural affinity—Garon tried to smile, fearing he might scare him.

Xi Tian coughed lightly, unable to hold back, and looked away.

The onlookers assumed Xi Tian was too lazy to look at the rude giant.

Only Ellis, who was holding his hand under the table, knew Xi Tian was trying not to laugh.

The male zerg had the right to be wanton, but Xi Tian would never actually do it and had once righteously told Ellis: “That would ruin my image in public, absolutely not.”

To save Xi Tian’s image, Ellis spoke up, “Buma is our guide. If you have any grievances with him, please talk to him directly.”

Garon shook his head instinctively, “No, no, no. That little thing runs off like he’s walking on watermelon peels every time he sees me.”

Before he could finish, someone interrupted, “How old are you? Still bickering with a sub-female? Have some shame!”

Garon shouted back, but it only provoked more jeers.

Garon anxiously watched Xi Tian’s expression, fearing the male would get impatient and kick him out.

Finally, Xi Tian spoke, “Tell me, what do you want?”

“I just want you to pass a message to Buma. It’s not about him cheating me out of my wages.” Garon looked at Xi Tian’s face and continued, “He took something important from me that day. My friend needs it to save his life.”

“I’ll tell him tomorrow. Whether he wants to see you or not is up to him.”

“Oh! Okay, okay!”

Garon thought he would have to beg more, but he was surprised at how easygoing the male was. He broke into a big smile and ran to the bar, “Give me a barrel of beer, not cold, not cold.”

“……” Xi Tian felt a bit awkward; he hadn’t asked Garon where they would meet.

Ellis, who was laughing nearby, had given up the habit of making plans due to the simplicity of small-town life but still insisted on being thorough in his thinking.

“Don’t worry about that. Since Buma can be a guide, he surely knows where that person lives. If he agrees, he will naturally go there.”

Xi Tian nodded.

After speaking with his mentor, Ellis appeared more relaxed and at ease, making him even more attractive in Xi Tian’s eyes, who already had feelings for him.

Their clasped hands had not loosened, and Ellis felt the slight warmth in his master’s palm.

“I feel like having a drink,” Xi Tian whispered in Ellis’s ear.

“I’ll go get a glass,” Ellis stood up, but Xi Tian pulled him back.

“Not beer; I mean, I feel a bit drunk.”

“How can you be drunk without drinking?”

“You can get drunk without drinking.”

Xi Tian’s hand slid to Ellis’s waist, which was always his sensitive spot.

Ellis finally understood what ‘drunk’ meant and couldn’t help but blush.

“If you’re drunk, do you still have the strength to walk home?”

“I don’t remember the way home,” Xi Tian rubbed his waist, “Instead of going home, I’d rather sober up. There’s a drunk person here who needs you to sober him up.”

With that, Xi Tian kissed his lips. The onlookers around them made suggestive gestures and whistles, and some even directly said, “Push him down!” The waiter at the bar, holding a glass to draw beer from a wooden barrel, was also staring blankly, not noticing the overflowing beer.

Ellis never refused the advances from his master, but he finally pushed him away near the end.

“The chef says he doesn’t want to make sobering soup in public.”

“If this drunk insists the chef does?”

Ellis gave Xi Tian a light peck, “Then the chef has to comply. But, I think the drunk won’t agree to that.”

“Sigh, you’re so clever. How should I reward you?” Xi Tian sighed.

“How about giving yourself to me?” Ellis tilted his head, teasing.

“No, no, no, I have a family.” Xi Tian shook his head.

“Who’s never had a fling outside? Anyway, it’s all just for fun. Since we’re out traveling, why not be a temporary couple?”

“I’m not afraid of any loss, but aren’t you afraid your master will find out?” Xi Tian held back his laughter.

The people around pricked up their ears, listening to their conversation. My gosh, they both have families and are having an affair. How thrilling!

Finally, Ellis couldn’t hold back any longer and dragged Xi Tian out, “Go book a room, what are you waiting for?!”

They walked out of the bar a dozen meters before bursting into laughter.

Xi Tian pulled Ellis closer, laughing and gasping, “Not temporary, we should be a couple for life.”