Isekai Losers!

Vol 2, Chapter 16: Two men, Four blades

As another night ensued over Lyugo, a dissatisfied Lynn made her way back to the inn. The people who were out on a peaceful evening walk didn't hesitate to move out of the sour-faced ranger's way, mainly as to not find themselves within striking range.

Pushing the door of the inn open, she was met with a relatively empty room. One of the tables in the corner was occupied by four people having a drink and playing cards, however.

Those four people were Ivan, Goldegar, Sekou and some vaguely familiar town guardsman.

"You guys ready for another round?" the guard asked as he shuffled the deck of cards, a mocking grin on his face.

Ivan didn't attempt to hide the exasperation on his face, sighing loudly.

"Only if you stop doing that thing when you're shuffling the cards, dude. It's so obvious– there! You're doing it again!" the boy pointed at the guard.

"I don't know what you're talking about." shrugged the guard. "Sekou, are you seeing anything strange in my shuffling technique?"

"Not at all..." the large man murmured as he sheepishly averted his gaze.

"Of course he's agreeing with you, he is on YOUR team! While I'm stuck with Goldegar..."

"Sir Ivan! While I understand the frustration born out of losing that you are feeling right now, you mustn't let fury control your emotions! It will only worsen your focus and chances of victory!!" declared Goldegar loudly.

"Dude, just..." Ivan dropped his head, massaging it with his fingers. "Man, I hate cassino..." 

"Hm..?" Ivan raised his head, looking up at the girl who stood next to the table.

"Evening, Lady Lynn!" shouted Goldegar.

"When'd you get here?" asked Ivan as he picked up the cards dealt by the guard.

"Just now." she replied.

"I see." 

"..."

"And? How did following our person of interest go?" Ivan added.

"It didn't tell me much, honestly. On a surface level, all of his actions thus far were harmless, even helpful, but I can't shake the feeling that–"

"Brother, I got only 2's and 3's!" Ivan cried out. "You can't tell me you didn't do this on purpose!" he barked at the guard.

"I've got no idea what you're talking about." the guard looked away, barely containing his smile.

Ivan's anger reached a boiling point as he slammed his free hand into the table, almost toppling the beer mugs over.

"You slimy cheat! Ah–"

As Ivan was about to go off on the guard, the cards got torn out of his hand by Lynn and thrown onto the table, with the front side facing down. Before Ivan could do as much as look up at Lynn, he was dragged away from the table and to a different corner of the room.

"Hey– Don't look at my cards!" Ivan pointed at the guard before turning to Lynn.

"What's your problem? I was playing cards!"

"Fuck your cards." Lynn sneered.

"Wow, okay."

"We have to discuss the doctor. Taking his actions into account, he seems harmless, but something is off about him. There's something we aren't seeing yet. He's ringing all sorts of alarms within me."

"You in love?" smiled the boy.

"Go die in a fire."

"I'm just joking." Ivan's smile grew slightly nervous. "But perhaps what we're seeing of him is all there is to it? Maybe he's just a kind but creepy-looking dude who happened to be intrigued by the goblin situation here?"