Kael turned to the woman who had just cursed the world under her breath.
"You have a foul mouth."
"So what? Why are you here?"
The red-haired woman crouched by the door glared at him. She didn't seem afraid. Maybe she was bold by nature, or perhaps she'd stopped caring. Her gaze sharpened as she sized him up.
"Why else? To rent a room," Kael replied bluntly, matching her tone.
"Sure. Not happening."
"Because I'm a Dread Sentinel?"
"That's part of it. But mostly because of… this." She waved a hand toward the chaos inside.
The scene was a mess. Tables flew, chairs shattered, and glass covered the floor like frost. Drunken men brawled like animals. It wasn't just a crowd of unruly patrons—this was coordinated vandalism.
The woman seemed utterly fed up. She buried her face in her knees again. "I swear I'd rather die."
"This happens every night?"
"Cleaning up broken glass is part of my daily routine."
"Why not call the guards?"
"You think I haven't? You think I'm stupid?"
She sighed heavily, then added with a softer voice, "Sorry. Didn't mean to take it out on you."
"It's fine."
"Guards take bribes. They show up, pretend to care, then walk away with coin and full bellies. After that, these bastards double down. And I'm stuck paying for it."
She laughed bitterly. "Why am I even telling this to a stranger? Go find another inn."
"That's the problem. I came here because I heard you took in anyone who paid."
"That was my father's policy. After he died, the place fell apart."
So she wasn't just a server—she was the owner.
"So you're saying I can't stay because of these thugs?"
"Exactly. Unless…" She glanced up. "You want to help clean up?"
"I'll help."
"…You will?"
She looked up, surprised. Kael met her eyes and said, "I'll clear them out. In exchange, waive the room fee for fifteen days."
"Fifteen? That's too much. How about ten days with hot water included?"
Kael smiled faintly. She was still haggling, even in this mess.
"Fifteen. And hot water."
"What? That's worse. Who negotiates like this?"
"It's compensation. For your insults. If that feels unfair… get stronger."
She clicked her tongue in irritation, but eventually nodded. Not like she had better options.
"Name's Kael."
"I'm Kayla. Daughter of Seager. But seriously? There's more than—"
Kayla didn't understand that there were fights that numbers couldn't win. Kael pointed over his shoulder.
"Step aside."
"Uh… okay. But no killing! If you kill anyone, the guards won't just stand by."
"That's... mildly annoying."
Kael paused before reaching for his warhammer. He had been eager to test his new weapon, but fine—he could hold back.
Time to keep the deaths to zero.
He stepped forward. No one noticed.
One drunk stumbled and bumped into Kael's chestplate.
"Who the hell—oh?"
The drunk froze.
Probably too drunk to process what he was seeing.
Kael helped him sober up.
He grabbed the man by the collar and flung him across the room.
The man screamed as he flew through the air and slammed into a wall.
The tavern fell silent.
Kael spoke calmly.
"You have two options. Leave quietly—or with broken bones."
His voice wasn't loud but cut through the air like a dagger.
The drunks exchanged glances. One glared at Kayla.
"You brought this heretic, Kayla, you slut?"
"I'd rather side with a heretic than scum like you!" she snapped back.
The drunk rolled his sleeves and approached.
Kael raised a hand to stop him.
"Leave quietly. Or with broken bones."
The man's face turned red with fury. Pride. Alcohol. Stupidity. Bad combo.
He charged.
His friends followed.
Kael punched first.
A jab to the ribs dropped the leader in one hit.
Then came a fat man with a table over his head.
Kael's fist met his jaw. Teeth flew. The man collapsed.
Kael caught the table mid-air, turned, and threw it.
Three more men went down in a heap.
Five gone in seconds.
The rest hesitated—until a bolder one shouted:
"Everyone! Get him!"
A dozen of them swarmed.
Kael was buried under a pile of bodies.
It looked like they had him.
The leader grinned.
"Now! Rip off his helmet!"
But the pile began to shake.
Men on top exchanged glances.
Pressure was building—rising.
Kael crouched at the bottom.
Heavy.
He braced himself… and pushed.
The whole mound of men rose with him.
Then collapsed outward like leaves in the wind.
Kael stood tall and asked the leader,
"Will you leave quietly?"
The man didn't answer.
He turned and ran.
The others followed.
In seconds, the inn was empty.
All that remained were Kael and a wide-eyed Kayla.
"Damn. You're strong."
She hadn't expected him to handle the gang so easily.
"I didn't think I'd see those bastards gone in one night…"
Kael pulled up a chair and sat.
Kayla looked around the wreckage and muttered,
"You managing this place alone?"
"Used to run it with my dad."
"Not easy, I bet. Especially with rats like that around."
She laughed bitterly.
"Things were fine when Dad was alive. He used to be a mercenary. But after he died… it all went to hell."
Kael nodded. A tale as old as the streets.
"And those guys?"
"Jimmy's gang. Scum from the slums trying to move in."
"They picked this place as a base?"
Her eyes widened.
"You catch on fast. Experience?"
"Not really."
Father gone. Isolated inn. Pretty owner.
The perfect setup.
"They try to buy it for cheap?"
"I wish. No, they tried to marry me into their gang. Said my pretty face and big ass were reason enough."
She puffed her cheeks in outrage.
Kael nodded again.
"Marriage gives legal claim. Clean move. Fewer problems down the line."
"…Aren't you supposed to be angry for me?"
Kayla had rejected the proposal. Harassment followed.
Drinks unpaid. Furniture broken. Customers chased off.
Mental toll, financial strain.
"I was about ready to give up."
Then she added, quieter,
"Thanks."
And she smiled. Brightly.
Brave woman.
While cleaning up, she asked,
"Have you eaten?"
Kael nodded.
He didn't need to eat—but he always did.
Soon, she returned with mashed potato soup.
"Try it. I promise it's not bland."
Kael, who couldn't taste food anyway, didn't mention that.
He removed his helmet, revealing pale skin and snow-white hair.
Kayla froze.
"Oh. Wow."
"Something wrong?"
She composed herself.
Then smoothed her hair, adjusted her posture, and said in an elegant tone,
"My Lord Kael, your appearance stirs my heart."
"…What a strange woman."
She truly was.