Haru's joking words completely ignited the tavern atmosphere. Everyone began offering ideas, excitedly suggesting what the next contest should be. Some proposed comparing complex magic arrays, others said they should see who could solve magical riddles the fastest, while still others came up with even stranger ideas, such as using magic to chop firewood. Someone even shouted out an utterly irrelevant suggestion: "A clash of battle aura!"
Just then, the female warrior standing among the crowd suddenly said loudly, "How about the two of you compete in endurance?"
The entire tavern froze for a moment before erupting into laughter.
"That's an interesting suggestion!" someone shouted. "But are they competing to see whose spellcasting lasts longer, or something else?"
Hena cast a seductive glance at Gilper, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation. "Of course, something else!"
Gilper's face instantly reddened, and for a moment, he did not know how to respond. Ang, meanwhile, looked utterly exasperated. He raised a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose before speaking helplessly. "Madam, you still haven't told me your name."
Before Hena could answer, the surrounding crowd had already begun to cheer and heckle.
"She's Hena, known as the 'Reckless Female Shield'!" someone shouted. "She's famous for being fierce. Even magical beasts have to take a detour when they see her! You two had better be careful!"
As soon as the words fell, Hena sharply turned her head and swept the loudmouth with a piercing gaze. She revealed a meaningful smile, her tone full of threat. "It seems you know quite a lot."
The man immediately panicked, lowered his head to avoid Hena's eyes, and soon quietly squeezed out of the crowd, vanishing without a trace.
Ang waved a hand, trying to calm the situation. "Miss Hena, the contest you proposed does