LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Liam's Stat
Liam's face was set in a grave expression as he looked at the rest of the group. His usually relaxed demeanor was nowhere to be found as he took a deep breath, stepping closer to them.
"For now," he began, his voice calm but firm, "we cannot treat this as a game. As long as we aren't sure of anything, we have to act like this is real. Every choice we make could have serious consequences." His gaze swept over everyone, lingering on Marcus. "And that means no recklessness."
Marcus crossed his arms, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I get it, Mr. Leader," he muttered with a snort.
Liam didn't respond, but the intensity of his glare said enough.
Sophia, who had been leaning against a tree, straightened up and looked at Liam. "What do we do now?" she asked, her voice steady despite the concern in her eyes.
Liam turned to her, his expression softening slightly. "For now, we head back to the inn. We're all tired, and there's no point trying to figure this out when we're not thinking straight. By tomorrow morning, we'll regroup and decide what to do next."
The others nodded in agreement, the tension in the air easing slightly. Jason climbed onto the driver's seat of the carriage and took hold of the reins. "Alright, let's get moving," he said, urging the horse forward.
As the carriage rolled along the dirt road back toward the inn, the group sat in thoughtful silence. Even Marcus, usually the loudest of them, seemed lost in his own thoughts.
When they arrived at the inn, the owner greeted them warmly, a stark contrast to his earlier behavior. He bowed slightly as they entered. "Welcome back, esteemed guests. Your rooms have been prepared. Please, let me know if there's anything you need."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Well, someone had a change of heart," he muttered under his breath.
Marcus, still grumbling, headed straight for his room, muttering about wanting to sleep. The others followed suit, exhaustion weighing on their steps.
Liam's room was spacious and clean, far better than he had expected. The soft glow of the lantern on the wall illuminated the polished wooden floor and the neatly made bed. He dropped his belongings on a nearby table and sat down, letting out a sigh.
Curiosity got the better of him as he opened the system interface that had appeared earlier. His eyes scanned the menu until he noticed a tab labeled [Stats].
"Let's see what I'm working with," he murmured, clicking on it.
[Stats Displayed]
Strength: [5/100]
Agility: [6/100]
Endurance: [4/100]
Intelligence: [7/100]
Dexterity: [5/100]
Charisma: [8/100]
Luck: [4/100]
Liam's eyebrows shot up. "Wow… I'm weaker than I thought. If these are my stats, what kind of monsters are out there at max level?"
He leaned back, staring at the glowing display. Just as he was about to dive deeper into the interface, a knock on the door broke his concentration.
The faint aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air. Intrigued, Liam stood up and approached the door. Opening it, he was greeted by an unexpected sight.
Sera stood there, a soft smile on her face as she held a tray laden with a variety of dishes. She wore a simple apron tied around her waist, the fabric doing little to conceal the generous curves of her figure. The lantern's light glinted off the beads of sweat on her forehead, adding a faint glow to her already alluring presence.
"Good evening, Liam," she said, her voice sweet and inviting. "I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you something to eat. May I come in?"
Liam blinked, momentarily stunned, before stepping aside. "Uh… sure, no problem."
Sera entered gracefully, placing the tray on the table. The aroma of the food filled the room, making Liam's stomach growl in anticipation.
Sera moved gracefully, arranging Liam's plates and setting the tray on his bed. She took her time, bending down deliberately, ensuring the top half of her chest was positioned just right to dangle near him. It was an enticing sight meant to draw his attention, but Liam's expression remained fixed.
Unlike in the carriage earlier, Liam was prepared this time. He had steeled his resolve, determined not to be distracted. His gaze remained on the glowing system interface before him, feigning disinterest as Sera moved about.
When she was finished, she straightened up, brushing her hands together lightly. "All done," she announced, her voice warm and inviting.
"Thanks," Liam replied curtly, not sparing her a glance.
Sera's brows furrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. Her earlier confidence seemed to waver as she lingered by the bed, watching him fiddle with the system interface. After a moment, she turned to leave, but just as she reached the door, she stopped and turned back.
"Do you need anything else?" she asked, her voice softer this time, almost teasing.
Liam closed the system interface with a swipe of his hand and glanced at the food on the bed. "Is there something I was supposed to add to this?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Sera chuckled, stepping closer again. "No, there isn't anything you missed," she said, her tone playful. Then, leaning slightly against the doorframe, she hiked her skirt up just enough to reveal a large portion of her smooth thigh. "But if you need anything else, anything at all, just ask me."
The implication in her words was clear, but Liam merely looked away, picking up his spoon. "No, I'm alright. If I need something, I'll let you know," he said firmly, his tone dismissive.
Sera's smile faltered, her face twisting with suppressed frustration. Without another word, she turned and left the room, her movements less fluid than before.
Outside, the inn's manager was waiting for her, leaning casually against the wall. He didn't bother asking how it went; Sera's expression told him everything he needed to know.
"You're wasting your time with him," the manager said, shaking his head. "Forget about Liam. Focus on Marcus. He's more… receptive to these things."
Sera's jaw clenched, but she nodded in agreement. "Fine," she muttered, her tone sharp. She turned toward the kitchen, her steps brisk and purposeful.
Moments later, she re-emerged, carrying another tray of food. This one was arranged just as carefully as Liam's had been, though her frustration with her previous failure was evident in her stiff posture. With a sigh, she headed toward Marcus's room, determination flashing in her eyes.