The interior of the barbarian's cottage-like house was dimly lit by a few flickering torches wedged into cracks in the stone walls. Animal hides were strewn across the uneven floor, some fresh, others worn to leather.
A massive fire pit burned at the center, its smoke trailing through a crude opening in the ceiling. Cracked shields, dented helmets, and rusted weapons lined the walls like trophies.
Drahon was impressed with how it looked. 'Impressed' was a strong word, but nonetheless, it conveyed what Drahon felt as he looked around.
The place looked medieval-like and hinted that perhaps the barbarian might be some ruthless hunter.
Drahon could see bones, some looking like those of the skeleton monsters, in strings or lay scattered in bowls.
The scent of ash, blood, and old sweat clung to the air. As Drahon couldn't see any door that led to a room or an inner place, he concluded that this might be where the barbarian cut some meat, perhaps at nighttime as he couldn't do that outside, in fear of the Skeleton monsters.
In one corner, a pile of furs formed a rough sleeping area, while in another, chunks of meat dried on a rack beside jars filled with strange, dark liquids.
Drahon looked at the jars in curiosity. He wondered what they could be. Perhaps some potions. He wanted to ask so badly but then shrugged it off, not wanting to make the barbarian suspect him.
"Have your seats," the barbarian said as he shut the door, which slammed with a creaking sound.
The players exchanged glances.
Have your seats?
Where exactly?
"Where should we sit?" a female player asked.
The barbarian stared at her indifferently, a bit surprised by the question though.
"On the floor?, No?" he said.
The lady 'grimaced politely' (crazy stuff heh?), looking at the ground for quite some time before sitting on it.
The other players were a bit stunned by what she did (her sitting on the floor), and they stared at her in contorted looks, except for Drahon and Devon though. Drahon didn't mind as he would do the same, while Devon was indifferent.
Getting shelter for free at this deadly time of the hour was enough, they could even stand if it meant they were safe.
The female player noticed the other players' looks and asked:
"Why the look? Do you want to stand or go sit in a comfy sofa outside?"
Drahon found that funny, and so he chuckled.
The players shrugged, and soon they began sitting on the ground, including Devon, who was grateful that at least they had shelter.
Drahon walked over to the barbarian, who was standing in front of a table at the corner of the building by the wall.
Drahon looked at him in curiosity. One way or the other, he wanted to find out if he was an NPC. He had read a lot of light novels where the main character entered into the world of a video game he or she was playing and would go on to meet NPCs, non-player characters.
He wondered if this was one, because if it was a player, he ought to be saying something like:
'That is life in this cursed game-like world, kill or get killed.'
Or
'The Frost area? Oh, the other side in this game world region, be wary of the Frost monsters though, they can freeze you with just a roar.'
But the barbarian said nothing like that. He sounded natural, like one of those characters you meet in video games that help you reach some certain levels in the game.
Drahon wasn't sure, but he would find out. He would have to find out if this was an NPC or some player. He already decided he was an NPC, even though he didn't know what NPCs were called in the game.
He decided to check if the system could check his profile so he could easily confirm. But just as he was about to think about doing it, the barbarian said to him, interrupting the process:
"You guys need some meat or water?"
Drahon was surprised by the question and the way he turned to look at him, like he knew he (Drahon) had been walking over to him (without even looking back).
"Umm, I don't know, I like a good meat," he said, almost stuttering, a little 'tweensy' bit. "Which type do you have?"
"Well…," the barbarian began grinning. "I have quite a delicious collection of meats. Depends on what you want and how you want it."
The barbarian now sounded like a French waiter who was trying to list what's on the menu for the customer.
Drahon was slightly amused.
"Oh, do tell, my good man," he said, faking his own accent. "Do tell what's on the menu."
The barbarian might have been trying to sound 'classe aisée,' but he was doing it so well.
"Mind if I announce it more audibly to the others too?" he asked with a sly smile.
Drahon, a bit surprised, pointed to the middle of the cottage.
"Of course, entertain us," he said. He was starting to like the barbarian. Although he sounded tough and all that, he was pretty humorous.
"Ahem…," the barbarian said as he walked to the middle of the cottage, looking at the seated players who stared back in surprise. "I have prepared a modest selection of meats for your, eh, refined tastes," he began, trying to sound as 'classe aisée' as possible with the French accent.
"I have roasted venison, tender and seasoned well, great and tasty meat, actually, and then smoked wild boar haunch, done over oakwood embers."
He hesitated for a second, just for 'dramatic' effect before continuing:
"A pheasant, freshly caught and dressed with forest herbs. Also, trout from the nearby stream, pan-seared, naturally. For something heartier, there's hare stew with root vegetables. And… cured badger, an acquired taste, yes, but quite rich."
Drahon's eyes were wide open at the last animal.
'A badger? That was, well, ewww!'
The other players also grimaced in disgust when he mentioned 'badger'. A badger was just… nah. Disgusting!
But heh, this was a barbarian, and from stories Drahon had read about them, they were pretty wild.
"Ah, and quail eggs," the barbarian continued, "lightly warmed by fire. I trust it meets some standard. Which one would you like to eat?"
The players started to say what they wanted, apart from Devon though, who wasn't impressed.
"I'm a vegan," he voiced out.
The barbarian was surprised.
"Oh, I also have something for you—"
As he talked to the players, Drahon decided to quickly scan his profile. He precisely, very clearly thought about it, and then, runes only he could see appeared in front of him with the barbarian's profile:
[Profile: ???]
Name: ???
Race: Undisclosed
Level: ???
Class: Unknown
Title: ???
Affiliation: Unregistered
Weapon: Cleaver Blade
Known Skills:
– Data not available
[Profile Summary:]
[Information is limited. Subject does not match any existing player or registered entity. Proceed with caution.]