8 Morkove

Mike looked up at the walls up Morkove as he queued up to enter the city, the walls were about 10 meters high and soldiers could be seen patrolling around on top of the walls.

"Next!"

Mike walked forwards and showed his ID card to the guard that gave a nod and gestured for him to enter the city before he spoke again.

"Next!"

Mike walked past the gates and looked around, just inside the gates where a plaza with lots of stalls lined up that sold all kinds of things including foodstuff, Mike patted his stomach that was rather empty but decided against snacking right now as the group had planned to eat together before they split up so he patiently waited for the rest of the group to pass through the gates. It took some time for the carriage to pass through the inspection but it eventually did as the guards had to make sure there were no illegal contraband on the carriage, Ole stepped forwards and clapped Mike on the shoulder.

"Let's go benefactor Mike."

"Where to?"

"The guild, we're getting paid now."

Mike gave a slight smile as he gave a nod.

'I like the sound of that…'

The group went to the local adventurer's guild and got paid 800 for their work, after they got paid they unloaded their loot from the carriage and said their goodbyes to Hans. Mike picked up his loot pile with some difficulty and followed after Ole and the others that headed towards the blacksmith district of the city. While Mike walked along he looked around at the lively city, there were all kinds of people on the streets, some had long ears while others had beast like parts like fluffy ears and tails or outright looked like beasts that walked on their hind legs, some were also short like dwarfs. Soon the group arrived at the blacksmiths district and began selling their loot. After about half an hour of bargaining Mike had sold all his loot for 950, in the end he also decided to sell the rusty chainmail instead of keeping it, now his small leather pouch was almost at full capacity as it held 1.863, this was the largest amount of money Mike had held since he arrived in this world.

'... Since a week in an inn was 100 I have just secured myself 18 weeks in an inn where I can laze around if I want to… Let's spend some money on some proper equipment and then maybe some on getting taught by someone that knows how to use daggers and knives…'

While Mike had the [Knife control] passive skill that increased his dexterity while wielding daggers and knives he still was rather poor at using knives in general so getting some training in would be good for his continued survival, after all he had so far relied on his superior weapon and lethal active skill [Drink].

'If I want to use [Drink] I have to go solo adventuring… Let's get some training in before that.'

Mike leaned against a wall and waited for the others to finish bargaining with their loot, after about half an hour Jasmine showed up with a satisfied smile on her face and walked over to Mike before she asked him.

"Did you get a good price?"

"Yeah I think so."

"I see… That's good then."

"What about you?"

"Well I suppose it was somewhat good, could have been a little better but I am satisfied."

"That's good, where are we heading after this?"

Jasmine gave a smile.

"To the local bar of course, we have to celebrate."

"Ugh… I am not that good at drinking"

Jasmine gave a laugh before she saw that Mike was serious and somewhat awkevedly asked.

"What you didn't have a bar in the village where you grew up?"

"Well we did, that's where my dad spent his days"

".... Did he drink a lot?"

"Yeah, like a hole in the ground."

"... I see, no wonder you're not good at drinking, but don't worry this sister will teach you."

Mike gave a slight smile as he gave a nod, as Mike and Jasmine chatted the others showed up and as usual Ole took the lead and led the 5 adventures and Mike to a nearby inn, the sleeping goat inn.

'What a weird name…'

Mike stepped into the inn and found it was somewhat like the inn in the small town, just a size bigger, soon the group was gathered around a table each of them with a mug of ale in their hand, Ole raised his mug.

"Come let's drink to our benefactor Mike!"

""""Cheers!""""

"C-Cheers."

Mike was a little taken aback by their enthusiasm but also raised his mug before he took a sip.

'...T-This is surprisingly good.'

"Come on drink Mike!"

"S-Sure."

Mike quickly took another sip, this time he drank a rather big amount and almost coughed but managed to keep it down. After drinking for about an hour Mike was more or less drunk and suddenly stood up from his seat, Jasmine that sat next to him called out to him.

"Mike where are you going?"

"Toilet…"

"Sure but be quick about it will ya, we still have a lot more to drink!"

"Jasmine is right, this isn't nearly enough for us to express our gratitude!"

"Ole not you too… Fine I'll be quick."

Mike walked in a somewhat straight line out to the bathroom and after he was done taking the longest piss of his life he walked back to the table and sat down as Jasmine purred him another mug of ale, Mike gave a silent sigh and took a sip of the ale before he asked Ole.

"So what are you guys going to be doing now?"

"Well we'll rest for a day and then find another request and take it, what about you Mike?"

"Hmm… I'll stay in the city for a bit before I take a request."

"Got it, be sure to come to us if you need a party we'll welcome you with open arms!"

"Sure will do… But now it's time for me to hit the hay…"

Mike stood up and began slowly walking in a mostly straight line towards the stairs, Jasmine also stood up and quickly spoke.

"I'll help him up the stairs."

Ole narrowed his eyes slightly before he gave a nod and spoke.

"Do it in moderation Jasmine."

Jasmine ignored him and ran up to Mike before she held him by the arm and helped him up the stairs.

"Thanks Jasmine, I got it from here…"

"Come on now no need to by shy."

The two of them stumbled into Mike's room which he paid for before they began drinking (for an entire week to be precise) Mike stumbled and fell onto the bed face first meanwhile Jasmine closed the door before she stirpped off her top with a seductive look on her face and whispered to Mike that still lay face first in the bed.

"Hey Mike~ Don't you want some of this?"

In response to her seductive advances Jamine got:

*SNORE*

A loud snore from Mike.

".... Hey you're kidding right Mike?"

*SNORE*

"... Well this works for me too"

Jasmine gave a sly smile and flipped Mike over before she quickly searched him and found her prize: the sacrificial knife.

'If I can sell this magic weapon I'll be rich and long gone will be the days of risking my life and a life of luxury will await me!'

Jasmine ever so carefully reached out for the knife and grabbed it by the hilt, when she did she felt her head suddenly getting heavy before she felt a light poke form the hilt of the knife.

"Ouch!"

Jasmine let go of the knife and saw a small wound from which blood slowly dripped on her hand.

"What the fuck?.."

She quickly pulled her hand back and looked at the knife with shock as Mike suddenly stirred and then a dull red light shone in the depths of her eyes for a few moments before it disappeared.

'Well whatever there will be plenty of changes to get the magic weapon in the future…'

Jasmine put on her top and left the room, meanwhile the drop of blood that had dripped from her hand down onto the floor floated up before it was suddenly pulled into the knife that gave a soft red glow as the number '1' formed on the blade before it disappeared as Mike's snoring continued sounding out inside the room as the night gradually grew darker…

The next morning Mike awoke with a splitting headache and a mouth that felt like a sandpaper.

'Water…'

Mike sat up in bed and reached out for the water jug that stood on the night table and drank it entirely in one go, now feeling a little more alive Mike stretched before he opened his hand and the knife flew over and landed in his hand, Mike gave a nod.

'Let's go to the temple today… Hopefully it won't end like last time…'