Who Says I'm Not a Proper Adventurer?
Chapter 23: Getting Visibly Stronger Every Day

Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Getting Visibly Stronger Every Day

With this Specialty’s enhancement, even a mere 5% bonus was enough to make the sword tip "bite" into a target’s surface the moment it made contact.

Damage that previously required two or three attempts to effectively pierce armor could now be dealt in a single blow.

In terms of consistency, this unassuming Specialty brought a fundamental improvement to the efficiency of his thrusting Swordsmanship.

He continued training for a while longer, only stopping when his stomach started to growl with hunger.

He put the Shield and sword back on the rack and glanced down.

The tip of the training sword was clearly worn down, and the iron-clad training dummy was riddled with holes from his thrusts, wood chips littering the floor.

Lance felt the 10 Copper Coins were exceptionally well spent.

If he had to buy his own equipment to train, the daily maintenance cost from wear and tear alone would probably be close to 50 Copper Coins.

’Bless Nia again.’

Lance silently gave the receptionist a thumbs-up in his mind.

’Without her recommendation, I never would have gotten to enjoy this Guild perk. It’s basically a freebie.’

After putting away his training gear, Lance left the training grounds in a pretty good mood.

The feeling of seeing himself grow stronger with each passing day was truly addictive.

’Next, after I fill my stomach at Amber’s tavern next door, I can go home and check on those jars of air-drying Blood Coagulation Moss.’

’If the improved hemostatic ointment’s Effect is as good as I expect, it means I’ll have another stable source of income in this Otherworld.’

By the time he walked out the doors of the Adventurer’s Guild, the sky outside was already completely dark.

At this hour, pedestrians on the street were few and far between. Only a few shops catering to Adventurers remained lit, sending the enticing aroma of food into the chilly night air.

Amber’s "Wild Boar and Rose" tavern was just a few steps from the Guild.

The heavy wooden door was ajar, and even before he got close, the clamorous noise and the savory scent of roasting meat escaped through the crack.

This tavern was a veritable institution in Gray Rock Town.

Amber’s father had been a renowned Professional Level Adventurer in Gray Rock Town. It was said that the Adventurer Team he belonged to had even been quite famous in the provincial capital, White River City.

This formidable figure had retired for undisclosed reasons and opened this tavern.

He usually acted as the head chef in the back kitchen and possessed an incredible knack for brewing that had all the local drunks flocking to the tavern.

If her father hadn’t been so averse to becoming a full-time liquor merchant, Amber would be quite the heiress by now.

With a heavyweight like him holding down the fort, few people dared to cause trouble here.

Lance pushed the door open and walked inside.

His vision was filled with a warm, yellow glow. Orange-red flames were CRACKLING in the fireplace, and old-fashioned lanterns hanging on the surrounding walls cast a soft light.

His ears filled with the sharp clash of wooden mugs and the cheerful melody of a Minstrel playing a lute in the corner.

The entire tavern had two floors. The central area of the first floor was the dining area, taking up two-thirds of the space.

Around a dozen massive oak tables, all sorts of Adventurers were crowded together.

Waitresses in corseted dresses weaved nimbly through the crowded throng like butterflies, skillfully avoiding the groping hands of drunkards trying to take advantage.

Lance moved with practiced ease through the main area, heading straight for the bar.

He spotted her from across the room—a figure like a blazing fire.

Amber had her signature golden-red hair tied up high in a neat ponytail, which bounced with her movements under the light.

She wore a tight-fitting, low-cut white shirt, a black, waist-cinching vest over it, and a dark long skirt that allowed for easy movement.

Her stunning bust was particularly impressive, creating an overwhelming presence whenever she bent over to pour a drink.

At that moment, she was carrying three huge wooden beer mugs in one hand, the defined muscles of her arm flexing slightly.

She skillfully twisted the brass tap of the keg, and white foam instantly frothed over the rims of the mugs.

She slammed the filled mugs down on the bar, her movements bold and unrestrained.

Lance was about to walk over, but his steps faltered slightly.

He saw someone at the bar he’d rather not have seen.

It was a middle-aged man with a gloomy look in his eyes, grumbling and spraying spittle everywhere.

"Copper Counter" Hakon.

That nickname was infamous in the circles of low-level Adventurers in Gray Rock Town.

The story went that this guy once got into a huge fight with his teammates over the distribution of loot, all for a few Copper Coins’ worth of materials.

Later, it was said that he saw the person he had argued with in a tavern and started a brawl on the spot. In the end, both of them were hauled away by the patrol officers.

Vindictive, stingy, and a troublemaker.

Although his combat skills were decent, placing him near the top tier among non-professional Adventurers, his trouble-making personality meant that no self-respecting team would have him.

Lance frowned slightly, deliberately taking a wide detour to avoid Hakon’s area, and sat down at the furthest corner of the bar.

As he passed, Hakon’s drunken complaints still reached his ears.

"Damn it... That slut, Nightingale, actually got snatched away by some pretty boy from the next town over..."

Hakon cursed indignantly, slamming his hand on the table.

"And that damned old man from the Guild, has he gone mad bringing in all these outsiders? Now my income is being snatched up by this swarm of locusts!"

The few Adventurers sitting next to him were clearly drunk as well. They listened with great interest, occasionally raising their mugs to chime in, looking as if they shared a common enemy.

’Adventurers are like that. Even if they don’t know each other well, as long as there’s gossip or a common target for complaints, they can immediately start chatting up a storm.’

The moment Lance sat down, Amber’s eyes lit up as she wiped down the bar.

"Hey! Lance!"

She greeted him enthusiastically, but then her expression turned a bit resentful, like a neglected newlywed.

"What have you been so busy with lately? You haven’t even had time to come play cards with us."

’Amber, the Goddess of Gambling.’

She had been itching for a game for a long time.

"I’ve been busy training lately."

Lance explained with a smile.

"Don’t be mad. The usual, please. Just get me something to eat first."

"Just you wait!"

Amber spun around in a flurry and disappeared into the kitchen.

Before long, she came out carrying a huge tray.

A hefty portion of roasted beef brisket was placed in front of Lance.

The beef was roasted crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, its surface still SIZZLING with hot oil and giving off a rich, meaty aroma.

A feast like this would sell for at least fifteen Copper Coins on the menu, but Amber only charged him the cost price of eight Copper Coins.

After putting down the plate, Amber didn’t leave.

She propped her hands on the bar, leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with the light of gossip.

She was bursting with a day’s worth of collected gossip, desperate for someone to share it with.

Just as she was about to speak.

An Adventurer in a half-plate cuirass banged on a table and shouted for more ale.

The look of gleeful anticipation on Amber’s face instantly froze.

She shot a resentful glare in that direction, sighed helplessly, and picked up a mug to get back to work.