LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 3: Inn
"One bronze coin for a night," the innkeeper said, her gruff voice cutting through the din of the common room.
She was a stout woman with strong arms and a no-nonsense demeanor, her apron stained from a long day's work.
Tobi hesitated, his hand dipping into his pocket to feel the ten bronze coins he had found earlier.
The small, circular pieces jingled softly as he pulled one out and placed it on the counter. It wasn't much, but it was all he had in this unfamiliar world.
"Room 3," the innkeeper said, sliding a tarnished key across the counter. "Keep to yourself, don't break anything, and we won't have a problem."
Tobi nodded, pocketing the key and glancing around the room.
The inn was simple but lively. The scent of roasted meat and ale filled the air, and the crackling fireplace bathed everything in a warm glow.
Patrons laughed and shared stories over mugs of frothy drink, their voices rising and falling in a symphony of camaraderie.
For the first time in years, Tobi felt a strange sense of freedom. No deadlines, no bosses breathing down his neck — just the endless possibilities of a new world.
Climbing the narrow wooden staircase, he found Room 3 at the end of the hall.
The key fit snugly into the lock, and the door creaked open to reveal a modest space.
A small bed with a straw-stuffed mattress stood against the far wall, its rough blanket folded neatly at the foot. A single chair and a washbasin completed the furnishings. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
Tobi set the key on the bedside table and sat down on the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. He leaned back, his hands gripping the coarse blanket as he stared at the low wooden ceiling.
The past day had been a whirlwind. He had gone from drowning in paperwork in his tiny, sterile office to waking up in a bar in a completely different world.
And while the sheer strangeness of it all should have left him reeling, he felt… oddly at peace.
"This is the kind of thing I used to dream about," Tobi murmured to himself.
As a kid, he had devoured fantasy novels and games, imagining himself as a hero battling monsters, exploring dungeons, and saving kingdoms.
But as he grew older, those dreams were buried under the weight of responsibility and the monotony of adult life. Now, in some cruel twist of fate — or perhaps a second chance — he found himself in a world where those dreams could be a reality.
He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "Killing monsters, huh? Not exactly my style."
Tobi was no warrior, and the thought of wielding a sword or charging into battle made his stomach churn. But adventurers weren't the only ones who thrived in fantasy worlds.
He had seen the job boards, heard the conversations in the streets, and spoken to Arlenya at the Shieldbearers Guild.
Guilds were the backbone of this world, and they fascinated him. They weren't just about adventuring; they were organizations that provided structure, community, and opportunities for growth.
They trained novices, managed resources, and brokered deals between individuals and kingdoms. It was a system that resonated with Tobi, perhaps because it reminded him of his corporate days — only without the soul-crushing monotony.
The idea of opening his own guild had crossed his mind more than once today.
He could picture it now: a bustling hall filled with adventurers swapping stories, the scent of food and drink in the air, and the sound of coins exchanging hands as contracts were signed.
Of course, it wasn't that simple. Tobi wasn't naive enough to think he could just open a guild overnight.
The costs alone would be staggering: securing a building, furnishing it, hiring staff, and establishing a reputation.
Even with the small fortune he assumed adventurers made, it would take years to build something substantial.
But the thought didn't deter him. In fact, it excited him.
He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he stared at the floorboards. "It's not impossible," he muttered. "If I can figure out how things work here — how guilds operate, how adventurers think — it could be doable. Maybe not right away, but eventually…"
His thoughts drifted back to the job boards and the bustling streets of Fallowmere. There was so much to learn about this world, so many opportunities waiting to be discovered.
But that was a problem for tomorrow.
Yawning, Tobi stood and pulled off his boots, placing them neatly by the bed. He slipped under the rough blanket, its texture scratchy against his skin but comforting in its simplicity.
The bed creaked slightly as he shifted, the straw mattress poking him in odd places, but he didn't mind. He stared at the ceiling for a while, his thoughts swirling with plans and possibilities.
It was strange to think that he had left behind everything he knew: his job, his old life, even his own body. But he didn't feel sadness or regret. If anything, he felt lighter, as if the weight of his old life had been lifted.
"This world might actually be… fun," he said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips.
As his eyes grew heavy, Tobi let the warmth of the inn and the hum of distant laughter lull him to sleep.