The wooden floorboard creaked no matter where you stepped, and the moss growing on the outside of the restaurant made Bryn pessimistic about the state of the hygiene in this particular establishment.Though he was much more concerned about Jordan and this Vince character, who were giving each other death glares across the table.


    He explained that Vince was a former adventurer who had returned home to Dregmoor after hearing about the issues the village had been having since the war ended.


    You’re a heathen” Jordan said, pointing a finger in Vince’s face.Vince squinted his eyes, confused at Jordan’s odd choice of insult.The tiefling demon pushed Jordan’s finger away, turning his nose up at the half elf.


    The rest of the table got their meals, each being a plate of just meat as those were the only options at the Donkey Diner.Grabbing a fork for his high protein feast, Reggie raised the mask of his helmet.His bright red skin contrasted distinctly with his eyes, and he began shoveling sausage into his mouth with reckless abandon.


    We are all in the same business, which is protecting this town right?” Reggie said, Vince scoffing at the comment.“Something to say Vince? I’m sure it’ll be positive and heartwarming as always.”


    “Every party you’ve hired from Everwatch was a team of lazy slobs.They did the bare minimum patrols, only occasionally dealt with the bandits when they raided our businesses, and just drank and partied while the town suffered.I shouldn’t have attacked you two, and I’m sorry about that, but your organization hasn’t given me any reason to give you the benefit of the doubt” he said, ravenously eating the bacon with both hands as he spoke.


    They had assumed that based on what Luther had said, doing the bare minimum was an option a lot of people chose in this tiring line of work.Bryn did not stop eating however, and spoke with hamburger patty falling from his mouth.


    So you don’t have to believe we’re heroes or anything, just believe we’re greedy enough to finish the job.God this is so good, how have I never just had a hamburger patty with gravy?” Bryn said, the aforementioned gravy dripping down his beak.


    Vince chuckled and resumed housing his bacon as Bryn continued speaking.


    Is there anything we should know about them?” Bryn asked as he chugged his water before resuming his attack.


    “I was told Luther would tell you the basics, did he remember or was he steaming too intensely again?” Reggie asked, clearly aware of Luther’s…eccentric nature.


    Their patterns haven’t changed at all.If you take the northwest path you’ll run into their pack.It’s 15 strong and they all travel together.5 houses have been destroyed from their rampages in the last month, and we’ve had over 40 people hospitalized from the weird mind freak sludge that leaks out of them” Reggie said, his voice becoming slightly more distraught.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    “I’ve fought a couple, and even if you can overcome the trippy aspect, the toad is still the size of horse and can leap 10 feet in the air.If it lands on you, you’re squished like a bird that a large toad fell on” Vince said, dabbing the grease off his mouth with a napkin.


    He looked over at Jordan, who had his arms crossed and a soft smile, though his eyes looked deep in thought.Bryn smiled upon seeing this now familiar look and sat back.He picked up his pack from the floor, beginning to sort through it silently while Vince and Reggie looked on confused.


    “Rest assured gentlemen, unless there’s some crazy discovery on our recon, the toads will be gone by the end of the day tomorrow.Rangers honor.” He said, giving some sort of strange salute with both hands folded together against his forehead.


    He looked at the two of them before shaking his head and chuckling.


    I’m the smart one, Jordan’s the main fighter and the social butterfly, but I handle all the traditional smart people tasks… except combat strategy” Bryn said, poking his finger into Jordan’s head. “This brain can figure out combat strategy on the fly.Once he gets that weird look on his face, the plan will be in his mind within a minute.”


    Those two things are what my brain is for, and I’m an adult with a job so I think I’ve done ok for myself” Jordan said, Bryn patting his head condescendingly in response.


    “In conclusion guys, we’ll take care of things around here.Believe in us, and how broke we are.The more broke we are, the more desperately we need the commission.” Bryn said definitely.


    “Thanks for the meal guys, it was by far the most meat I’ve had at once so the bathroom is going to be an experience tonight.” Jordan said as Bryn grimaced.


    Jordan heard where it came from and followed the sound, the other 3 at the table following after.Pushing through the door, several bystanders stood looking at the fountain.The largest elf Jordan had ever seen stood before him, standing at least 10 feet tall and made of pure muscle.He was holding a human man by the throat, and they were clearly not friends.


    The curved sword was crackling with purple den, and the rage boost skill was clearly beginning to take hold. The human wore simple rags, and his left leg dangled lifelessly.Jordan didn’t need Sense Weakness to see how broken it was.


    I don’t feel like picking which skill to kill you with.”he said, his grip continuing to tighten.The man attempted to speak, but no sound came out.


    He screamed at the man, eyes bulging and spiddle spraying from his mouth.


    The issue is that the man was not in his hand anymore, and the sword drove through nothing but air.The elf looked to his left to see the man he had been holding, and a young half elf in Ranger gear.


    As he gasped for air, Bryn rushed over, pulling healing potions from his pack.


    As he wielded both weapons, Jordan drew his bow and aimed.