The town's activities had slowed down with the approach of evening, and Rael remained hidden among the shadows. His cloaking tech had proven effective as always, allowing him to blend seamlessly into the environment. But now, after a complete scan of the town, its layout, and its inhabitants, his next move was clear. Rael's red visor flickered briefly as Nyra's voice echoed in his ear, confirming the success of their scans.
"Language systems: Complete." Nyra's voice hummed through his comms. "Currency system: Identified. A barter-based economy, but local currency seems to be valued in 'copper,' 'silver,' and 'gold' pieces. Conversion rates: calculated."
Rael had anticipated this. The town was more primitive than the technology he was used to, but it was functional. As an experiment, Rael opened his suit's internal storage and produced a small coin pouch, not unlike a makeshift wallet, that he had gathered from a local merchant earlier. He wasn't concerned about the exact value of the coins—he was more focused on blending in.
His hand effortlessly slid the coins into the pouch without even glancing at the numbers. The pouch, thanks to Nyra, automatically adjusted to hold an increasing number of items without weighing him down.
Rael continued walking through the market square. His mind was focused, but before long, he found himself momentarily distracted by a tug on his arm.
"Hey! Big customer! This way!" a voice chirped, its high pitch almost making Rael stumble.
Rael glanced down, his body instinctively tense, but he saw only a petite sheep girl, no more than ten years old. She was pulling on his arm, surprisingly strong for her size. Her wool was pure white, and she wore simple medieval-era clothes—an off-white tunic and brown shoes that clacked lightly against the cobblestones as she moved. Her large, round eyes were filled with youthful energy, and she practically skipped along, pulling Rael towards an inn across the street.
"Whoa—" Rael muttered under his breath, his voice muffled behind the ballistic mask covering his face.
He didn't fight her; it was easier to go with the flow than resist, especially in an unfamiliar town. Besides, she seemed harmless.
"This way, mister! Come, come! I've got the best room for you!" she called out, practically dragging him through the door of the inn.
The small wooden inn was a welcoming sight. The Shepherd's Rest, as the sign read, looked like a cozy, rustic place—perfect for travelers and adventurers. Lanterns flickered warmly in the windows, casting a golden hue over the interior.
Behind the counter was the innkeeper, a tall woman with short woolly hair. She smiled brightly when she saw Rael and the sheep girl approach.
"Ah, I see you've brought another one, Lila," the innkeeper said, her voice a playful yet tired tone. "You're always dragging customers in here, aren't you?"
Lila—Rael's guide—beamed at the innkeeper. "This one looks like a big spender! He's gonna stay here, right, mister?"
Rael didn't respond verbally, but he nodded, as if to affirm he was indeed here to stay. The innkeeper raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly.
"A room for the night, huh? That'll be five silver," she said, but her gaze softened as she looked at the sheep girl. "And I see you've convinced him to come in for some food. If you want breakfast with that, it'll be three silver extra."
Rael didn't need to count out the coins. He simply placed the gold pouch into her hands, the pouch automatically calculating the value of the coins inside. He added a bit extra as a tip—it felt like the right thing to do, even if he wasn't sure of the local customs.
The innkeeper looked down at the pouch, surprised by the tip, and gave a slight nod of appreciation. "Generous," she remarked. "Alright, your room's ready. Up the stairs—last door on the left."
The sheep girl grinned and grabbed the key, waving it in front of Rael like a prize. "Come on! I'll show you the way!" She practically skipped ahead, her fluffy tail twitching in excitement as she led him upstairs.
As they made their way through the inn, Rael couldn't help but notice the homely feel of the place. Wooden beams lined the ceiling, and the soft glow of the lanterns gave everything a warm, cozy ambiance. There were a few patrons sitting at tables, chatting softly and enjoying their meals, but Rael remained focused on the task at hand.
When they reached the room, the sheep girl handed him the key with a satisfied smile, "Here it is! You can rest and eat here. I'll tell Mom to bring you food!"
Before Rael could even thank her, she was already running back downstairs, calling out to her mother to let her know the new customer was ready.
Rael stepped inside the room, which was simple but comfortable. A small bed with soft blankets, a wooden nightstand, and a narrow window that looked out onto the street below.
The moment he set his gear down, he felt the weight of the day on his shoulders. The soft bed beckoned him to rest, and despite the unfamiliarity of the world around him, he allowed himself a moment of peace. His focus would return once he had rested, but for now, Rael was grateful for the respite.
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