Vice Captain Alan halts his footsteps for a second before entering, upon noticing the shopkeeper women he senses something. Then he slowly walked up to the counter without showing much of an expression and asked, “Hi, Can I get a bottle of water?”
The Shopkeeper woman nodded and went away to bring the cold water from the refrigerator.
Seeing the back of the woman, “I caught mana fluctuations from her.” He said in his heart. It’s hard to imagine there is actually Mage in this little shop. He frowned but quickly recovered himself. As the woman walks back with a water bottle.
After paying the amount, He casually leaves the shop and heads straight towards the hotel. He hopes this time there won’t be any ominous signs. Fortunately this time he didn’t feel any palpitations so he calmly stepped inside the gate and headed towards the reception desk.
An old man is sitting behind the reception desk. Seeing a somewhat rich person coming to the hotel his old face reveals a warm smile. “It’s rare for rich fat sheep to come here.” The old man said in his heart. He is also one of the rogue mages working for a criminal organisation called Poison Dagger.
Usually this hotel is visited by the rogue mages or human criminals related to their organisation. Even if someone non related came to stay, he couldn’t afford the such a extravagant price. Because the price is comparable to Red City’s hotel.
He is just a Level 2 weak rogue serving in the organisation. In order to survive he does miscellaneous work in poison daggers. So seeing someone coming his eyes lit up with surprise. The old man himself didn’t aware how many rich fat sheeps died from his hands. But most of them were humans.
He never offends anyone exceeding his ability. After confirming the person is a normal human and there are no mana fluctuations released from his body. He immediately stood up from his seat to greet his money bag.
Vice Captain Alan had already seen through his expression. Since he is leve 3 Mage, it’s easy for him to notice old man’s level. Considering he had already seen two mages in vicinity of this hotel he is slightly concerned.
“Ha…Ha..Ha… Welcome esteemed guest to our Blue Wing Hotel.” The old man opened his mouth to greet Vice Capatain Alan.
So in order to not blow up the cover, Alan plays along. He replied, “Hello, I’m new here. I need room for one night stay. ” Vice Captain said in a polite tone. .𝘤𝘰𝑚
Seeing his polite tone and humble attitude, the old man was convinced that he was a rich man. But still he looked behind him and found no one. Which feels strange for him, usually rich people won’t come alone. There might be a companion or bodyguard usually tags along. But this fellow got no one.
The Old man raised his eyebrows. But still he does his job he begins to explain various suits and facilities to him and especially the cost price for it.
“What do you say?” Alan uttered in disbelief. He couldn’t believe the old man’s words. This diplitated hotel actually prices its room at 5000 Alliance Points/ Day. And 2500 points for a night stay.
This is robbery or what? He looks at the old man in a questioning tone. This is broad day robbery, as a Police Mage how could he neglect such an illegal act.
Seeing Alan’s shocked reaction, the old man smiled embarrassingly. He is quite used to seeing this reaction. Actually it’s not up to him, this hotel is built for Poison Dagger as a secret hideout.
Inorder to cover up only people related to the organisation comes here as a customers. Even if some unrelated person stumbled upon on this hotel. He will walk away after seeing the price.
The old man fears this person might walk away from here. He doesn’t want to lose his money bag, otherwise he needs to do some heavy task to earn money and resources. What to do? He racks up his brain. He can’t lower the price, the only thing he can do is to come up with a reasonable lie.
“Ahem, Sir! Our Blue Wing is under renovation. Since we are under shortage of funds, we can only come up with such a high price.” The old man said, smiling , hoping his performance would convince him.
Vice Captain Alan sneered inside seeing this vile old man’s abacus. He came here to spy not to spend money. Especially this kind of sky high price only fool would pay. But after realizing the old man doesn’t want himself to leave.
He answered, “Huh, Price is too high. Can I see the actual state of the room. If it appears okay then I’ll stay here at night” Vice Captain said with a somewhat disappointing tone.
But his performance convinced the old man. The old man smiled and led him inside the hotel and personally guided him. There is not much room in this two storey building. The First Floor has ten rooms, five on the right side and five on the left side. And the center has empty space which is used as a hall room. There is also an upstairs which leads to the second floor.
While the old man is pointing at the left side of the room and talking to Alan about the rooms. There were five human thugs smoking and drinking with each other in the centre hall. Upon seeing the old man guiding someone to the rooms. They couldn’t stop themselves from talking.
“Hey, looks like that old mage caught another fat sheep” One of the burly built thugs commented, while smoking. He had never seen that old mage to appear so polite. Which caught him off guard. When he noticed Alan’s somewhat luxurious dress he is surprised.
His words were heard by his friends. They too glanced at the duo who stepped inside one of the left side of the room. Seeing the old mage’s flattering attitude they were too dumbfounded.
Seeing what his friend said appears to be true, the scar-faced person sitting beside him nodded and commented, ” That person appears to be a human. Seeing him believing every word of the old mage. I suspect he is an outsider.”
When he uttered outsider the rest of the thug’s eyes gleamed with greed. How rare for a prey to enter inside the lion’s den. They don’t want to miss this opportunity. For a while five of them looked at each other and smiled.
At this time the Boss of the thug group is a fat bald man, looking at his friends he commented, “Hey, We can deal with human. But how can you escape from the old mage? Don’t think he is too old to use his magic. He is still a level 2 Mage. It’s easy for him to get rid of us.”
His words poured cold water on everyone. The Scar faced person affirmed and said, “Boss is right, Don’t forget without our Master’s support. It’s impossible for us normal humans to sit and drink leisurely here.”
When he said that greed in everyone’s eyes disappeared and only helplessness remained in their heart. But not everyone is willing to give away such an easy chance. In this poor town it’s rare to spot such a rich person.
Especially burly guy grunted and said, “Boss, Why don’t we slaughter the sheep outside. I don’t think that old fellow will leave his receptionist desk.”
His words sparked everyone’s interest even the boss of the thug group began to weigh in on this matter. They don’t want to offend the old fellow as much as possible. But since everyone is short on money and they can’t leave the town without their Master’s order. Everyone is seriously considering robbing Vice Captain Alan.
These thugs don’t know every word is heard by Vice Captain Alan. As level 3 Mage is stronger than level 2 Mage, his senses were heightened. And there is not much distance between him and those thugs. But poor Oldman doesn’t know what’s happening behind his back. He is still hell bent on convincing Mr. Alan to buy this room.
But Vice Captain Alan had other plans. Since he heard that thugs were considering killing him and robbing him of his money. He plans to play along. So he quickly turned towards the old man and commented, “Well, The room is somewhat okay. Then I’ll come at night.” He didn’t explain further.
But the old man was satisfied with his words. He thought at least prey failed to escape his hands. “Since he chose to stay at night. I’ll kill him and rob his money.” The old man said to himself. He already caught the glimpse of a storage bracelet on his wrist. That’s why he went down this far.
“Well, Esteemed Sir. I’m going to wait for your arrival. I’ll ask our cooking team to prepare delicious food for you. ” The old man tries to flatter one more before the Vice Captain Alan walks out of the hotel.
The thugs notice the fat sheep walking outside and they look at their boss to make the final decision.