10 Chapter 10 - Particular Tastes (1/2)

Gu Fei noticed on his way back that the number of players gradually increased the closer he got to Yunduan City. A majority of players had yet to focus on leveling; instead they were reveling in the wonders of full-immersion gaming. Even just holding hands with someone or patting a person's shoulder was a novel experience to them.

Gu Fei entered the city gate and headed toward the central square after asking Fireball where the tavern was located.

Three important structures, the tavern, auction house, and bank, were spread out around the square.

Gu Fei made his way over to the tavern and pushed open its door.

The place was not as dimly lit as Gu Fei had imagined; rather, the lighting had a natural glow that created a warm and cozy atmosphere. There were many players inside; most of them were boisterous and joyful. As for those who were supposedly drowning their sorrows in alcohol, they had not appeared just yet. The wooden racks behind the counter were filled with various alcohol bottles; the NPC bartender had a friendly attitude, serving and greeting every customer with a smile.

Gu Fei looked around, yet it was Fireball who found him first from the crowd. He called out from the table he was occupying, ”Drunk bro, over here!”

”Hey, Fireball!” Gu Fei greeted back. With a whoosh, a fireball ignited right in front of him. The players around him were momentarily shocked, but they laughed in unison upon realizing what had happened.

”Hey, isn't that…” Gu Fei suddenly noticed someone familiar in the tavern.

Fireball turned to look before smiling, ”Yeah that's Sword Demon. He arrived not too long ago.”

”He took a detour, yet he had arrived before me!” Gu Fei said in surprise.

”What?” Fireball asked blankly.

”He was grinding at the same map as me before. I saw him,” Gu Fei explained.

”Oh… His level must be pretty high,” Fireball said as he poured Gu Fei some liquor. ”Come on, Drunk bro. Try this alcohol. You must surely love alcohol with your name, right?”

Gu Fei grimaced, ”Did you forget? My username was also given by someone else, just like yours.”

”Oh, right… I forgot!” Fireball smacked his forehead. ”I wouldn't have invited you for a drink if I had remembered. I've spent a whole silver coin for this!” Fireball lamented. A silver coin was equivalent to 100 copper coins. He could have bought one beginner weapon from the blacksmith in the early stages of the game with the money. Fireball must have spent quite some time killing monsters to accumulate that amount.

”No worries. My treat!” Gu Fei laughed. Since he fought monsters of a much higher level than Fireball, his income was naturally significantly higher as well.

Sword Demon had also noticed Gu Fei's presence by now. Their eyes met and he nodded at Gu Fei, which could be considered as a form of greeting.

A huge racket pervaded the whole tavern.

Suddenly, the tavern door squeaked open. The whole place descended into silence. The remaining, scattered sounds all came from the people who had their backs to the door, including Gu Fei.

Gu Fei followed everyone's lustful gazes and saw a lady.

The robe she wore was familiar, but Gu Fei was unsure if she was the same woman he had seen back at the hillside. He saw plenty of similar outfits along the way back, which meant the robe was job-class-specific clothes.

Clothes in the game would automatically fit the form of a player. Thus, everyone's body shape could clearly be seen. The body of the lady was slender and svelte, curvy in the right areas with no apparent flaws; her whole body did not have a shadow of excess fat. With such a perfect figure, it was no wonder everyone in the tavern was dumbfounded.

Her looks were not as stunning in comparison. Still, she had a fairly comely face. Her eyes beheld a watery gaze that captivated people's hearts, and the delicate corners of her mouth formed a smile that made everyone feel a sense of warmth and closeness. With that dainty smile, the lady nodded slightly at everyone in the tavern.

The tavern patrons returned back to normal, breaking into a hubbub once more. The ogling looks from them at the lady were now replaced with an air of false sanctimony and disregard. They could only sneak in a few glances if they wanted to continue ogling.

The tavern was packed, so there were currently no tables available. Some tables had empty seats and the male players at these tables all revealed looks of excitement. However, no one was foolish enough to take the initiative and personally invite the lady over; whoever made the first move would suffer the wrath of the people. Even just being in temporary close proximity to the lady might have guaranteed being tied up and thrown into a river after leaving the establishment. To maintain peace, everyone waited patiently for the beautiful lady to make her choice.

Fireball was visibly excited as the lady walked over gently. He and Gu Fei sat at a table with four seats; this was an excellent arrangement since there were only the two of them there. He had never thought that the lady would only gaze past the two empty seats before making her way past them.

Fireball's eagerness vanished right then, before sniffing in the end, ”Wow. How fragrant.”

”It's a game… How could there be perfume?” Gu Fei threw a withering look at him.

”It's body fragrance! The game simulated body fragrance!” Fireball insisted.