131 Truth About Ponlinne (1/2)

As the sun was setting behind the mountains by the now distant valley, Jack and Rydel entered the city.

The two adventurers had made an agreement to always talk telepathically whenever they needed to communicate. It made things easier and safer, avoiding any possible wandering ears.

'Jack, let's find an inn for the next couple of nights. Then, let's gather information about what's happening with the catacombs. If the other noble families plan to arrive at the same time as the Treall family, they'll probably be here sometime tomorrow morning.'

'Okay, lead the way.' Jack gave a silent nod and followed the hunter through the crowded streets of the small city.

Soon they found a decent inn. It wasn't the most luxurious but it also wasn't the cheapest. They felt it was well worth their money and decided to scope out the tavern on the first floor for information.

After ordering two specials and a round of brundy, both of them listened carefully to their surroundings.

”Did you hear about the catacombs? I can't believe how many nobles are coming.”

”Including the Pon Family that owns the catacombs, the Lyre and Maronn Families are coming too!” Two drinking buddies were going back and forth, trying to one-up the other with gossip.

”Don't forget the Treall Family! They came by special invitation from Reinolt. Rumor says they plan to desert Reinolt for the Zuran Empire.”

”Maybe, but that doesn't mean they'll do better than the other families in the catacombs. Everyone says there are zombies and other monsters down there. To find treasures, they'll have to beat those first.”

True, true. Hey, you think we'll get a chance to enter?”

”Sure, they're letting others go too, so long as they're lv. 20 or higher. But if you go without a background, they'll make you share all the treasures you find.”

Jack and Rydel glanced at each other, both smiling wide. They quickly understood that they would be able to join the families in the mine, though they'll be at a disadvantage with only the two on them.

'Sounds like we can get in. Think the zombies will be any trouble?' Rydel mentally asked Jack.

Jack shook his head as he sipped his brundy. 'Nah, if they're letting lv. 20's in then the zombies can't be much stronger than that. Maybe they'll even set a level cap on those who enter? That way there are fewer chances of the Pon Family losing their treasures to powerful experts they can't force to cough up items.'

”Makes sense. Anything else we need to know? According to them, the catacombs will be opened to the public tomorrow evening, so we've got till then to collect info.”

Jack chuckled and glanced at the two men who were now aimlessly chatting. They were drunk and were already struggling against intoxication. Two seats from them sat another pair of drinking buddies and they were equally drunk.

Seeing that this would be too easy, Jack disappeared from his seat and reappeared between the two pairs of people.

”Shut your yap!” Jack yelled as he threw a punch to the drunkest man of the four.

The drunk was floored and fell from his seat. He scampered to his feet, looking at the two men across from him with fuming anger.

Already back in his seat, Jack chuckled and watched the show with Rydel who remained quiet.

”You! An ugly pestro like you tells me to shut up!” The man stepped forward and punched the man he believed to have shouted at him. It surprised that other man, but he handled the punch decently and stayed on his feet.

”What did you say?!”

”You heard me, you pestro!”

”That's it!”

Without warning, all four men starting throwing punches and throwing themselves at each other. Bottles were smashed and mugs were shattered. Everywhere they went, the bar was flipped upside down.

”Break it up! And get out!” Before long, the bar manager arrived and separated them all. As they were swiftly kicked out of the tavern, the atmosphere quickly returned to normal.

'What was that all about?' asked Rydel, curious why Jack had started a bar fight.

Jack was looking at his most recent achievement with a smile on his face. 'Nothing special, just doing what I need to get stronger.”

Rydel was eyeing Jack. He wasn't quite sure how to respond. Getting stronger? All he did was cause a bar fight, and he didn't even fight himself. How can that make him stronger?

With seventy-eight points, Jack purchased Penetrating Fist. With only three skill points left and a smile on his face, Jack downed his brundy and scarfed down his meal. 'Let's walk around town. There's something I want to check.'

Not complaining, the two paid their tabs and left the bar. As it got later, the streets were becoming less crowded.

Heading to the town's center, Jack wore a pensive face. He couldn't help but feel like he should know something about the Ponlinne, but he was certain that the town had never existed in Ancient Kartonia.

'Rydel, is there anything special about Ponlinne?”

'Not that I know of, other then what I've already told you.' Rydel shrugged and looked ahead. 'What's got you acting strange? Was there something about Ponlinne during ancient times?'