Chapter 15: The Black Camel Tavern

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Zhu Ya indeed mentioned that she has a younger sister, and when she saw her yesterday, she said her sister was still working in the mine.

Cen Jiu’s gaze shifted to Minela’s feet. Was her injury properly stabilized? If there was a chance to redo events, could her injury have been prevented?

Minela noticed the look and grinned broadly. “It’s just a minor injury—no need to look at me like that!”

“…It’s not minor. You nearly lost your life in the mine yesterday,” Marta cut through her words, displeased with Minela’s tendency to downplay things. “If the priest hadn’t treated you in time, you would have lost that foot.”

“Hahaha!” Minela laughed heartily, unfazed by Marta’s revelation. “It’s nothing really, just need to rest for a year or so, it’ll heal.”

Marta disagreed, stopping her work and earnestly offering advice to the injured miner. “Minela, how much longer do you think you can keep working in the mines? Miners come and go in batches here; someday you’ll have to change jobs.”

Minela didn’t answer Marta’s question but instead shifted the topic to Cen Jiu, who was watching nearby. “Haha, I know you’re short-handed. This young lady looks just right.”

“Ah Jiu, are you planning to stay here long-term? Why not consider helping Marta? You can drink all the berry wine you want. Zhu Ya said your skills are really good!” Minela extended the invitation on Marta’s behalf, aware that her old friend wouldn’t refuse a chance to offer a skilled adventurer a job.

Marta sighed deeply. “Minela—”

Minela just shrugged and smiled, quietly sipping her wine.

Marta turned to Cen Jiu with a wry smile. “She’s right. If you help here, I’d be very happy.”

[Optional Task: Tavern Assistant] Marta, the owner of the Black Camel Tavern, hopes you’ll become her assistant. Talk to her about it.

Cen Jiu took a sip of the berry wine, its enchanting flavor lingering in her mind. Regardless of anything else, having access to this wine alone would attract many customers. Yet aside from the owner, no other assistants were seen in the tavern, reflecting the town’s severe population shortage.

“Can I give you an answer in a few days? I still have other matters to attend to.” Cen Jiu declined for now. She was still committed to Ortega’s mission, and the tavern’s busiest hours were in the evening. If she agreed now, she wouldn’t be able to manage.

“That’s fine. White Rock Town isn’t a place with much opportunity right now.” Marta sat down, resting her chin on one hand as she gazed at the quietly drinking Minela. “Minela, have you thought about going back?”

The conversation circled back to Minela herself. Before she could smile, Marta interrupted, “Don’t laugh. Think about it seriously.”

Minela smiled anyway, tinged with bitterness. “Marta, if you want to go back, then I want to go back too.”

This time Marta fell silent. Without a word, she refilled Minela’s empty wooden cup with berry wine.

For a moment, only the sound of bubbles bursting in the wine filled the tavern. Cen Jiu gripped her cup tightly, not daring to breathe out. She wanted to listen more to the conversation between these two.

“Enough!” Minela broke the silence first, drinking her cup dry, then propping herself up on her crutch to stand. “It’s almost evening. I won’t disturb your business any longer. I’m heading back!”

Marta stopped Cen Jiu, who wanted to see Minela off, whispering, “Let her be alone for a while.”

Minela hopped away on one leg, crutch under her arm, leaving the tavern.

Marta went to the door. After watching Minela disappear from sight, she sank back into her easy chair.

Her hand covered her brow. It was clear Minela’s situation weighed heavily on her.

“Are you really okay? I can help watch the tavern.” Cen Jiu sipped her wine and offered.

Marta moved her hand away, glanced at her, then closed her eyes again. “She won’t listen to me…”

Then suddenly, as if recalling something, she stood abruptly and looked at Cen Jiu. “No, if it’s you, maybe you can persuade her…”

“Ah Jiu, could you keep an eye on her for me? It’d be great if you could convince her and Zhu Ya to give up mining.” Marta said seriously.

[Optional Task: Marta’s Request] Marta wants to entrust you with monitoring Minela’s situation.

“No problem, leave it to me!” The side quest triggered, Cen Jiu agreed confidently.

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There’s no task that players can’t complete—except for program errors.

Cen Jiu’s promise oddly eased the gloom in Marta’s heart. She pointed to the menu board nearby. “What would you like to eat? I’ll treat you before the tavern gets busy.”

Cen Jiu, unable to understand the menu, said, “…I’ll trust your recommendation, Marta.”

“Then I’ll bring you a stuffed flatbread!” Marta straightened her apron and headed into the kitchen. Cen Jiu caught sight of her bustling through the doorway.

Waiting was always dull, so Cen Jiu observed the surroundings.

Sunset light streamed through the window, bathing the cozy tavern interior in warm hues. The light-colored walls showed faint scratches, evidence of the tavern’s long history.

The polished wooden tables and chairs gleamed cleanly. Behind the bar, a wooden stringed instrument rested on a shelf; time had softened its sharp edges.

Tie-dyed linen curtains fluttered gently in the breeze, the space bright and inviting.

Green, spiky potted plants adorned the bar. Their rosette-shaped, needle-like leaves looked familiar; Cen Jiu had seen similar plants in reality. The town’s roadside also had wild, giant versions of these plants, but these small pots exuded a sharp kind of cuteness.

Marta must really love her tavern.

The sound of boiling water came from the kitchen as a sweet aroma of cooked ingredients filled the air.

Cen Jiu identified a scent resembling corn.

Soon, Marta appeared with food on a warm brown ceramic plate.

Two round, thin, soft flatbreads were perfectly baked, edges slightly charred. One was topped with sauced corn and minced red meat; the other held chopped berries and fish.

“Just fold it and eat,” Marta gestured.

Cen Jiu first tried the lighter fish filling, which resembled an appetizer compared to the other.

The mild olive oil and tart berries mixed with a faint fruit vinegar complemented the fresh, savory fish, creating a refreshing taste.

[Berry Vinegar Fish Flatbread: +5% Perception, +3% Agility (Duration: 1 hour)]

Then she tried the richer meat filling.

Though the flavor looked heavy, for modern palates it was just moderate. Cen Jiu detected simple seasoning—salt, brewed fish soy sauce, and a hint of dried chili seed flavor. The well-seasoned minced meat blended with sweet corn kernels wrapped in the perfectly baked flatbread—simple ingredients but bursting with flavor.

[Miners’ Flatbread: +5% Stamina, +3% Max Energy (Duration: 2 hours)]

The game’s flavor data was impressively detailed... Cen Jiu was nearly moved to tears.

After finishing the last sip of berry wine, she was very satisfied. “Both are delicious!”

“If you like it, that’s good.” Marta stepped forward, reaching to take away the now-empty plate.

Cen Jiu quickly stopped her, lifting the plate first. “I’ll do it—consider it a trial shift!”

With such enthusiasm, Marta couldn’t refuse. “You’re unstoppable, kid.”

Cen Jiu smiled. Washing dishes would improve her skills and boost favorability—why not?

Inside the kitchen, a stone slab with a flat surface and rough edges stood at the center.

Against the wall, a stone stove burned charcoal slowly. On it sat a large stone pot, likely simmering the ingredients used for the flatbreads.

Cen Jiu quickly finished washing the dishes just as Marta entered the kitchen.

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“They’re off work now.” Marta said as laughter and chatter rose from outside.

The tavern owner donned thick cotton gloves, bent down at the stove, and gripped the heavy stone pot’s handles, lifting it onto the stone slab with a steady breath.

The hot pot bottom hissed as it met the cool slab.

Lifting the lid revealed the powerful aroma of corn, potatoes, and stewed meat filling the kitchen.

Marta deftly plated one dish after another, pouring sauce with fluid motions—just the right amount each time.

“I’ve got this. You go sit with them,” Marta said, fixing Cen Jiu’s eager movement with a glance.

Caught, Cen Jiu didn’t lose heart but reminded Marta, “Alright, I’ll come back to apply for the assistant job. Don’t refuse me then!”

“Of course, I’ll be waiting.” Marta smiled. “Now go, don’t block my way.”

Cen Jiu was ushered back to the tavern’s main hall, which was now mostly full.

Most patrons were women wearing only sleeveless undershirts, sweat towels around their necks. Helmets and hats were scattered on tables and chair backs.

They whispered as Cen Jiu emerged from the kitchen.

“A new assistant?”

“Probably a temporary adventurer, right?”

“I’m starving, Marta hurry up, I’m going to die of hunger…”

“That smell—today’s definitely stew!”

“…”

“Here it comes, stop yelling!” The tavern owner called out loudly, carrying several stacked plates from the kitchen with the skill of a performer.

Cen Jiu stepped aside, and Marta served the food steadily.

“Don’t scare off Ah Jiu. Eat up!” Marta warned those teasing Cen Jiu.

After serving, Marta patted Cen Jiu’s shoulder, telling her not to just stand there.

Cen Jiu sat back at the bar with her, holding the last serving of stew, placing the steaming dish before Cen Jiu. “Still hungry? Try the stew. Everyone’s eating it tonight.”

She had noticed Cen Jiu’s envious gaze at the pot earlier.

A miner sitting next to them joined the conversation. “First time in White Rock Town? Marta only serves one dish at night now, but it’s still delicious. If you come late, you miss out.”

She happily dug into her bowl with hearty gusto, worthy of a modern eating show.

Marta shot a glance at the uninvited commentator, then refilled Cen Jiu’s empty wooden cup. “Eat well; you need energy to work.”

One miner who finished first borrowed the stringed instrument from the back and started playing a lively tune amid the noisy atmosphere. Cheers rose through the tavern, though the playing was rough and simple.

Still, the festive mood made the food taste even more satisfying.