LINKED | Brothers Online Series | BK #1

Chapter 5: A Promise

November 6, 2022 Floor 1 – Town of Beginnings

Some Random Bar

Karim had led me out of the West Field and back into town. We crossed the same stone bridge and walked back to the marketplace. Instead of continuing forward, we took a right down another street and headed towards the nearest tavern. As we got closer, I noticed a big buff dude standing by the door with his arms crossed. Huge bulging muscles caught my attention and I instantly knew who he was.

The guy was a bouncer.

On closer inspection, I realized I was right. His name was Ivan, and he had the NPC icon floating above his head. I was really tempted to make a historical reference, but I held my tongue. Now was not the time for historical quips. I've got a bar to check out.

I followed Karim and walked through the front door. My danger sense instantly went off, ringing all sorts of bells in my head. Something was not right. I cautiously followed my brother towards the counter all the while scanning the entire room. To my left sat four people, two guys and two girls.

They all had a drink and were engaged in an intense conversation involving who-knows-what. On my right sat two groups of people. The nearest group had two guys sipping on some green stuff. It didn't look natural or healthy.

The last group consisted of two guys and one girl. One dude was sitting there with his head in his hand and elbow resting on the table. The other dude was energetically talking to the girl who was softly giggling. I looked closer and noticed something.

'Say. Isn't that the guy who tried to sell that sword?' I carefully examined him and confirmed my suspicions. It was definitely the stone-sword seller. 'I wonder if he'd actually sold it,' I thought, 'Probably not.'

I double-checked each table and came to a conclusion. These people weren't dangerous and they definitely weren't triggering my danger sense. Then what was? Things were getting way to strange for my liking.

I turned back to my brother and saw that he was browsing the drink menu. I looked through the list and saw some strange names. Rum of the Red-Headed Sphinx? Liquid Magic? Reaper's Power Brew? Jeez, these drinks made Pepsi and Coke sound like juice boxes.

My brother decided on the Liquid Magic and ordered two bright red drinks with silver sparkles mixed in. He led me to a table and passed me the glass. "To life," he said, raising his glass towards the ceiling.

"Aye aye," I said. We clinked glasses and leaned back on the wooden chairs and each took a sip. A cold foreign taste attacked my senses and overwhelmed my internal defences. It demolished my inner walls and sped down straight tomy stomach. I scrunched up my face and said, "Wow... man, that was some magic. Damn, I think I just had a heart attack."

My brother chuckled at my remark before draining his entire cup. I stared at him. There was no way he just took that down. The dude's got balls of steel. I quickly blinked and looked at my 'Liquid Magic.' It no longer looked so appetizing.

"So. What do you think? Pretty neat huh?" commented my brother, bringing me back to reality.

"What's neat?" I asked a bit confused.

"This," he said gesturing to the general vicinity. I finally got his drift. He meant the tavern, the town, the world.

"Oh, yeah. This place is sweet. Everything's so cool. Taste," I said pointing to my drink, "combat," I said pointing at the staff sitting diagonally over my shoulders, "even the environment's amazing."

"I know right? Makes real life seem rather lame don't you think?"

"Real life's always lame," I said with a chuckle.