Outpost Ruins Camp, Wild Boar Tavern.
All manner of adventurers crowded around the rough wooden tables.
"This damn weather's finally clouded over. It was so stuffy I could barely breathe." A burly man with a face full of flesh gulped down a mouthful of murky ale and complained gruffly.
The man beside him lowered his voice. "Did you hear? The information those rats from Rusty Keys brought back the day before yesterday says that 'Miracle' Yano isn't tough at all. At most, he's Knight Squire level. He's only putting on a show with some expensive Magic Scrolls."
"Oh? You mean that newcomer from Iron Boot Town who's been making quite a name for himself lately?"
A middle-aged mercenary in worn leather armor, who looked like he had seen his share of the world, raised his brows.
"A 'miracle' from a backwater like that was probably exaggerated in the first place. Now he's kicked an iron plate and provoked those grudge-holding bastards from Rusty Keys. I heard he tucked his tail between his legs and fled overnight to hide in some big city. Hahaha!"
His laughter brimmed with undisguised contempt.
"What do those inexperienced rookies from Iron Boot Town know about real adventurers? He's nothing but a soft egg using a bit of hollow fame to swindle people."
A wave of agreeing laughter and chatter rose through the tavern, filled with disdain for Yano and mockery for the adventurers of Iron Boot Town.
It was as though trampling the name of this "miracle" beneath their feet could elevate their own worth.
Just then—
"Creak—"
The heavy tavern doors were violently shoved open, slamming into the rough stone walls with a piercing crash.
The noisy tavern fell silent in an instant.
The light from the doorway outlined a tall, upright figure.
He