Chapter 25: The Easiest Business Deal in the World...

Nox and Audrey finally managed to make their way through the massive line outside The One-Eyed Fish Tavern.

The place was filled with laughter, shouting, and music. Mugs clashing together. And the unmistakable smell of beer.

Audrey’s eyes widened.

"...There are so many people."

The tavern was packed.

Tables occupied by fishermen, merchants, hunters, and several groups of people who seemed to have completely forgotten how to speak quietly.

Nox smiled.

"That means this place is good."

Audrey looked around.

In one corner, several men were playing cards with a pile of coins stacked on the table.

In another area, a group was placing bets on an arm-wrestling competition.

And near the back...

A group of men were throwing darts at a large wooden target.

Nox watched them for several seconds.

Then he pointed toward the dartboard with a grin.

"I have a plan to make us a lot of money."

Audrey followed his gaze and smiled as well.

"That sounds pretty good."

Nox nodded.

The huntress crossed her arms.

"I’m running low on funds."

She glanced toward one of the tables.

"If it weren’t for Tessa..."

She sighed.

"...we probably wouldn’t have even been able to afford a room."

Nox chuckled.

"Then let’s fix that."

And he started walking toward the dart players.

◇◆◇

When they arrived, several men were watching a match.

The center of the crowd was occupied by a tall man.

He wore green clothes and had a hat full of coins sitting on the floor beside him.

Clearly, he had been winning a lot of money.

The man was the first to notice Audrey.

And he immediately smiled.

"Want to join?"

Audrey raised an eyebrow.

But Nox answered first.

"Sounds interesting."

The man grinned.

"Oh?"

Nox pointed at the darts.

"But let me try a throw first."

The man looked at the bark mask covering the demon’s face.

Then burst out laughing.

"Another fan of the Masked Dancers?"

Nox was already getting tired of that question.

"Something like that."

He picked up a dart and spun it between his fingers before closing his eyes.

’Come on.’

He took a deep breath.

’It can’t be that hard.’

He opened his eyes and threw.

The dart flew through the air and embedded itself somewhere between the center and the edge.

Not terrible.

But not good either.

Nox looked at the result and sighed.

"Looks like I’m still bad at darts, even in this world."

Several people laughed.

The man in green smiled.

"If you’re not interested in the challenge..."

He pointed behind him.

"...let the next person through."

Nox laughed.

"Who said I wasn’t accepting?"

The man raised an eyebrow.

"Then go ahead."

He picked up three darts.

"Three throws."

He pointed at the target.

"Whoever lands more shots closer to the center wins."

Then he pointed at the hat full of coins.

"And takes all of the other person’s money."

Nox smiled.

"Deal."

Audrey watched from behind.

’This seems like a bad idea.’

But Nox was already far too confident.

◇◆◇

It turned out to be a terrible idea.

Five minutes later...

Nox stared at the final results.

Two of his darts had landed near the edge.

And the third...

Hadn’t even hit the target.

It was stuck in the wooden wall.

The man in green had hit the center twice.

And landed the third throw very close to it.

The crowd erupted into laughter.

"HAHAHAHA!"

"Nice try!"

"You almost hit the building next door!"

Nox sighed. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Yeah."

He looked at the scores.

"I’m definitely still bad."

The man smiled proudly.

"Told you so."

He gathered up the coins.

"At least you gave it a shot."

Then Nox pointed at Audrey.

"I’ll double the bet."

The man blinked.

"What?"

"Face her."

The entire crowd turned toward Audrey.

The huntress raised an eyebrow.

The man burst out laughing.

"Her?"

Nox nodded.

"Yep."

The man laughed again.

"Fine."

He crossed his arms.

"If a woman beats me..."

He smiled confidently.

"...I’ll retire from darts forever."

The crowd immediately started cheering.

Then the man pointed at Audrey.

"But if I win..."

His grin became much bolder.

"...I want to spend the night with her."

The entire tavern exploded with shouts.

"OOOOOOOH!"

Audrey smiled.

But it wasn’t a friendly smile.

Nox extended his hand.

"Deal."

The man shook it.

"Deal."

And at that exact moment...

Audrey had already picked up a dart.

Dark energy appeared around her fingers.

Several people fell silent.

The huntress stared at the target.

And threw.

The dart struck dead center.

The crowd went silent.

Audrey grabbed another one.

Second hit. Right on top of the first.

The man’s smile vanished.

Nox started laughing.

Audrey picked up the third dart.

She twisted her wrist slightly and threw.

The third dart pierced through the other two.

Split the target apart.

And even shattered the wooden support behind it.

The entire target crashed to the floor.

The man in green had gone completely pale.

Nox casually walked over to him.

Grabbed the hat full of coins and smiled.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you."

The man still hadn’t reacted.

The crowd exploded.

"WOOOOOO!"

"INCREDIBLE!"

"DID YOU SEE THAT?!"

"SHE SPLIT IT IN HALF!"

Applause filled the entire tavern.

The huntress simply laughed, as if none of it had been difficult.

"That was fun."

Nox tucked the hat full of money under his arm.

And smiled behind his mask.

’Perfect. Now we’ve got enough for beer.’

’And probably several more nights, too.’

Meanwhile, the man in green continued staring at the remains of the target.

Questioning every decision he had ever made in his life.