Fron rolled his eyes and pretended not to see it.
As an adventurer, wasn't fighting in taverns an everyday occurrence? This boss was probably just trying to extort money. That must be it.
Nodding to himself as if convinced, he reached out from under his cloak and pushed the door open.
"Whoosh!"
All of a sudden, a loud, buzzing atmosphere, like a swarm of bees in a hive, overwhelmed him—Fron was experiencing for the first time the raucous noise of a tavern in another world.
------------------------------------
In the tavern, the noisy adventurers had one foot up on the chairs, cursing loudly at each other, while nearby, other human adventurers egged them on with grinning faces, placing bets and enjoying the show.
The hearty dwarves, holding wooden mugs larger than their fists, drank one cup after another in drinking contests, their faces red and burping drunkenly, yet refusing to admit defeat.
At the bar sat a cloaked elf, sipping clear wheat beer, face tight and watching coldly from the sidelines.
Everything told Fron that this was a tavern of another world—a real other world.
Grinning, he walked over to the row of high stools by the bar and took a seat.
"Boss, give me your signature drink."
Quickly serving the newcomer, the bearded dwarf barkeep placed a glass of bright red honey mead in front of him with a heavy "thud," his beard trembling as he smiled and greeted loudly:
"First time here?"
Fron took a sip of the supposedly strong signature honey mead and nodded:
"Yeah, first time!"
Truth be told, the drink here had a deep, bold flavor, yet was interwoven with a smooth sweetness like a flowing stream, leaving an endless aftertaste.
The big-bearded dwarf picked up a mug he hadn't finished wiping and resumed his work while casually chatting with the obviously new customer:
"Hey, my tavern has a great reputation among adventurers—yer lucky, lad."
Fron gave a modest smile and followed up with praise.
"Delicious. The boss's craftsmanship is excellent."
"Not many adventurers these days can talk like that. If those bastards who cause trouble in here daily had even half your sweet talk, life would be easier. Come on, tell me what you're trying to find out."
"..."
Should he say—truly worthy of being a tavern owner? These seasoned folks are all shrewd.
After silently grumbling to himself, he put down the glass and leaned in slightly to ask in a low voice:
"It's nothing major. I just want to know the location of the [Loki Familia]'s base."
The dwarf barkeep paused, gave him a slightly surprised look, then grinned with a mouth full of uneven teeth.
"Don't tell me… you're not part of a Familia yet? That place is indeed good, in every sense. But, the entry requirements are strict—after all, it's the [Loki Familia]. You confident in yourself?"
Fron gave a silent smile in response.
He was a cunning outsider after all—he had his trump cards.
Seeing his unmoved expression, the dwarf boss shook his head.
"Alright, confidence is good in the young. It's no secret anyway. Their base is at the northernmost edge of the North District. Head toward the 8th Ward along North Avenue—the most conspicuous building there is it."
Fron raised an eyebrow, showing a bit of surprise.
As if knowing what he wanted to ask, the boss snorted dismissively:
"That's the [Loki Familia] we're talking about. Who'd dare mess with them for no reason? Got a death wish? Even if most of them are away on expeditions, they're not ones to be trifled with. We're lucky they don't go causing trouble for others. They're one of the two strongest Familias reigning over Orario."
Hearing that, Fron suddenly understood. Right! Who would go looking for trouble? A Familia is like a big family—most people would go berserk if a loved one was hurt.
Downing the remaining honey mead in one gulp, he figured it was time to head back and rest.
Since he already got the info he needed, there was no reason to keep drinking.
But just as he was about to get up—"Bang!"—the tavern's wooden door was kicked open by a violent force, reduced to splinters. The flying wood chips screamed through the air with sharp whistles, and Fron quickly ducked and covered his head, dodging the chaotic opening act.
"Morin, you bastard, you dare drink here again? No one's ever borrowed money from me and not paid it back—you're the first!"
"Damn you, Lett! Who's afraid of who?! It's your honor I borrowed money from you! I'm a top-class adventurer—scared I won't pay back your lousy coins?"
"I don't care! Debts must be paid—it's only right! Get him!"
The next second, the tavern's real daily routine began.
Crouching in the corner and sneaking a peek, Fron watched the flying mugs and plates, the monstrous strength of top-class adventurers brawling like beasts, and the onlookers who egged them on with their drinks. He felt his scalp tingle.
Then, he finally understood… if you don't stir up trouble in a tavern, are you even an adventurer?
Escaping the whirlpool of chaos unharmed, Fron let out a big breath in a back alley lit only by a few dim magic stone lamps.
"Damn it, that was way too messy. No good—I need to join a Familia fast. I've had enough of being this powerless!"
Rubbing his arm that had been accidentally hit, he sucked in a cold breath.
"Those bastards… tsk… once I get stronger, if I run into them again, I'll bash their heads in."
He limped into the darkness, returning somewhat comically to the inn where he was staying.
Lying on the bed, bathed in the cold moonlight, Fron seemed to be lost in some fantasy, drifting into sleep with a smile on his lips.
Like the sheer veil of the Lady of the Night, darkness gently embraced the magnificent city until orange-red flames slowly rose from the eastern wall.
Overcome with excitement and exhilaration, a certain young man with dark circles under his eyes hurriedly packed his luggage and rushed out.
As for breakfast? Is that more important than joining a Familia? Besides, once you join a Familia, breakfast can be mooched anyway.
Calculating in his heart, Fron set off for the base of the [Loki Familia], "Twilight Manor," in the same outfit as yesterday.
...
"Aiya, the kids have all gone on an expedition. I'm so bored! Can't something fun happen? And those boring gods, always indulging in low-level entertainment—how many billions of years has it been, and they're still the same."
A certain deity squinted her divine eyes, strolling aimlessly in the park in front of her home while grumbling out of boredom.
Her hair, the color of sunset, was neatly tied behind her head. She wore a white shirt with three-quarter sleeves, black cropped pants that stopped just above the ankles, and brown lace-up wedge sandals. Her slender figure appeared somewhat "modest" compared to the more voluptuous goddesses.
But throughout all of Orario—no, the entire heavens—no one dared to underestimate this deity.
Heaven's number one troublemaker, the fearsome goddess who once orchestrated gods turning on one another—Loki, or... LOKI.
"Eh?"
This bored goddess seemed to have noticed something odd. Her squinted divine eyes opened slightly, revealing a sliver of light, and she smiled wickedly.
"A child heading to my 'Twilight Manor' without a blessing... here to join my Familia? Hehehehe, finally, something to relieve the boredom!"
As her words fell, only a few fresh leaves remained at the spot—she had already vanished.
Fron, carrying his pack, suddenly stopped and shivered involuntarily.
"What is this ominous feeling?"
Completely clueless, he wiped away non-existent cold sweat and pursed his lips as he looked up at the solitary building complex ahead, preparing to move forward again.
"Yo, newbie. Are you here to join my Familia?"
"..." Are all gods this sudden and mysterious?
Fron was dumbfounded as he stared stiffly at the red-haired goddess standing before him.
"Tsk tsk tsk, a human, huh? And blonde with golden eyes. So handsome, and with a vibe I've never seen before. Although I don't have the ability to see into souls like that lovestruck goddess, well… I've decided. You're already one of my Familia's children!"
Hey hey hey, is it really okay to decide something so important on your own like that?
Ignoring the completely confused golden-haired youth, the goddess named Loki pulled the already flustered Fron straight back to the "Twilight Manor."
As the two passed through the red-brick courtyard, the remaining Familia members all cast curious glances at Fron.