CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: UNLUCKY JOKE

In Big Gold Teeth’s guest room

In Kane’s room, on the cabinet by the bed, an iron ball stood there.

Suddenly, the sound of gears came from the iron ball, and Yoyo was gently awakened from its slumber.

A groan came from the bed as well, as Kane opened his eyes, drowsily staring at the ceiling.

He was brewing up the energy to get out of bed.

After a difficult time waking up and washing, he went to the tavern’s hall.

In the hall, there were only two or three scattered guests, he looked at the copper bell in the corner.

It seemed he had slept until the afternoon, and he wasn’t the earliest to wake up.

Meizike was already sitting at the bar.

Kane sat down next to him, "Why didn’t you sleep a bit more?"

"No need"

Still with his characteristic terse words, Kane didn’t quite know how to continue the conversation.

But just then, Burton came over, swinging his red beard, placing a tray of food in front of Meizike.

"Awake so early, Kane."

Kane leaned back in his chair, pointing outside, "It’s not early now."

"Hahaha," Burton poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Kane, "You all pulled an all-nighter, for you guys this is early."

"Want something to eat?"

"Not really hungry, just give me the monster berry pie."

"Okay, just a moment."

Watching Burton leave, Kane started feeling bored again.

The sound of hooves approached, it seemed Kreya had woken up.

The Centaur walked over, opening her arms towards Kane.

But don’t misunderstand, she’s not looking to hug him.

Yoyo beside Kane sensibly flew over.

Kreya directly picked it up and rubbed it with her face.

Seeing this, Kane gave a helpless smile.

He shifted aside and placed a short rug on the ground, gesturing to Kreya to have a seat.

The Centaur gracefully curtseyed towards Kane.

"Thank you, kind sir."

"Hahaha," Kreya’s action made Kane chuckle, "Serving a lady as beautiful as you is my honor."

Kreya covered her mouth, giggling, and lightly punched him after sitting down.

"Want some pie?"

"What filling?"

"Monster berry."

Kreya instantly shook her head with disgust and said, "No way I’d eat that."

It’s hard to understand her disdain. Such a delicious thing and someone can’t appreciate it.

The Centaur ignored Kane and instead shouted to Burton in the kitchen, "Burton, one large secret fruit pie."

Secret fruit pie, why would anyone like something so sweet, it’s so sugary it numbs the taste buds.

The Dwarf peeked out his head and gave an okay gesture.

Kreya leaned on the bar, complaining, "I’ll never dig holes again; I’d rather charge into a heap of monsters and battle them."

"There’s no choice. We weren’t prepared, and the Dungeon’s terrain is mostly random.

Not to mention [The Crystalline Arena] has over 30 different floors, each team gets a different combination when entering."

"Sigh."

Burton brought over their sweet pies, placing them in front of them.

"Looks like you hit an irritating floor level yesterday."

Kane took a bite of the pie and replied, "Yeah, the Maze and hunting the Magic Beast."

"Hahaha," Burton couldn’t hold back after hearing Kane’s reply. "Encountering the 2 most annoying floors consecutively."

The three of them ignored him, quietly eating their food.

"What are you laughing about, brother, so happy?"

Longbei just woke up and heard his brother’s laughter.

"I’m laughing because a team of unlucky fools encountered the Dungeon’s two most annoying floors consecutively. Hahaha."

"Hahaha," Longbei also chuckled, "Who is that unlucky?"

Seeing Kane and the others turn their heads to stare at him, Longbei’s rock-solid head immediately understood.

Turns out the unlucky fool is me.

"What’s so funny, you lousy wine barrel."

In the Dwarf Race, "lousy wine barrel" is an insult meaning someone who can’t hold their drink well but is overly boastful. It’s a big deal for all Dwarves.

Burton’s beard almost caught fire upon hearing that.

"You dare talk to your brother like that, you unlucky fool."

Saying this, he jumped at Longbei and started wrestling him.

Kane and the group didn’t show any intention to stop the fight but rather hid on one side, eating while watching.

Food tastes better when watching this.

The handful of other customers in the tavern also gathered around, jeering from the side.

"Can the Dwarf below stand up and hit back or not?"

"Exactly, why are you just taking hits."

"Go for it, good buddy below."

Trying to have a newly-adult 150-year-old Copper Dwarf go against a 655-year-old Golden Dwarf.

It’s somewhat unrealistic, and Burton was not going to let his little brother off.

After the fight, or rather after Longbei got beaten up.

Looking at his teammate who was a bit bruised, Meizike kindly sprinkled some red particles over him.

Feeling his recent injuries starting to heal, Longbei happily thanked him.

"Thanks, good brother."

"So you finished the Maze and Forest in just a day and a night?"

Burton dusted himself off and returned to the bar.

"Yes."

Hearing the response, Burton glanced at Kane’s team, inwardly marveling at their prowess.

"Alright, enough about that for now, Kane, there were some people from a magazine looking for you today."

"Looking for me?" Kane took a napkin from Kreya and wiped his mouth. "What for?"

Pointing at Yoyo next to Kreya, Burton said, "Not everyone knows its value, but someone does, so the magazine wants to find out which Copper Dungeon might drop it."

Kane frowned, "But isn’t this Dungeon a regional type? How could the Border City State allow a magazine to promote it?"

"This Dungeon doesn’t have a lot of core energy but its structure, layout, and drop rate are top-tier.

It’s been years, maybe in one or two more it will disappear, perhaps the Border City State wants to make the most of it, promote a bit, and boost the local economy."

"Now that you mention it, that does seem possible, as Explorers are the wealthiest and most willing to spend people."

Since the regional managers have tacitly allowed it, Kane had nothing to hide.

"So when are they supposed to come to get the info?"

"Look, they’re here."

At the tavern entrance, a formally dressed man and woman walked in.

They headed straight for Kane.

Looks like they’ve done their homework.

"Are you Mr. Kane Lafray?" the female holding a notebook asked Kane.

Kane nodded, "Yes, that’s me."

"Hello, I’m Naya, an editor with The Ring Newspaper," she extended a hand to Kane.

After introducing herself to Kane, she immediately stated her purpose.

"May I conduct a brief interview with you?"

"Of course."