With a single punch, Maglai collapsed instantly, lying on the ground with his eyes rolling back, his mind dazed and completely lost. The whole process was swift and sudden, starting quickly and ending just as abruptly, causing everyone in the tavern to gasp in shock.

Maglai was the strongest fighter here, yet he couldn’t withstand even one punch from this burly man. The others didn’t even need to try. The regulars, who had been ready to unite against the outsider, immediately buried their heads and ate in silence, pretending nothing had happened.

“Boss, can that chair count as payment for the drinks?” The big man, having knocked out the mercenary, spoke again.

Old Hoyt opened his mouth, ready to agree—it was just a mug of ale and two loaves of bread. Although the ale was a bit pricey at thirty copper coins a mug, it wasn’t a big deal.

Business thrives on harmony, and since the other party was so tough, if a fight broke out and things got broken, it would be his own loss.

“No way!” James Carter had never seen such a shameless guy. He started the trouble and now wanted to use force to get his way. With his temperament, James Carter absolutely couldn’t stand it, so he immediately spoke up to refuse.

When James Carter saw Hoyt's reproachful look and the surprised expressions of the other patrons, he suddenly realized—damn, times have changed. Why did he stick his neck out now? That was just stupid!

“Oh, little guy, are you saying ‘no’?” The big man looked at the tavern worker with great interest.

After standing up, the big man was nearly two meters tall, as burly as a bear. Meanwhile, James Carter's body was only sixteen years old, just over 1.7 meters tall, and very thin. The comparison was like a fawn saying ‘no’ to a brown bear!

But since he’d already spoken, backing down now would be too humiliating. James Carter looked at the man’s massive frame, swallowed hard, and wasn’t sure if he could take him down without getting hurt.

If it were his body from his previous life, even a hundred of these guys wouldn’t be a problem. But now, a clever woman can’t cook without rice... Still, for the sake of pride, he’d go for it!

James Carter furrowed his brow, said nothing, and strode toward the burly man, adjusting his body in hopes of unleashing the greatest, most focused force possible.

The fawn fearlessly charged at the brown bear.

The ‘brown bear’ cracked his knuckles, ready to deliver a blow that would keep the little guy bedridden for ten months.

As the tavern crowd stared in astonishment at James Carter's bizarre courage, James Carter had already picked up speed and was about to reach the big man.

The big man grinned savagely, spreading his large hand, ready to grab the little guy’s head. In his mind, he would lift him up and slam a fist into his chest, perfectly ending this amusing game.

“Enough!” The silent Old Hoyt suddenly roared, like a lion’s furious roar! The sudden blast of sound made everyone’s ears ring, and as the direct target, the big man froze, stunned on the spot.

Immediately after, a wooden mug smashed solidly into his face. The dull thud made everyone wince, imagining just how much that must have hurt.

The big man grunted, forced back several steps, blood streaming down his face, his nose nearly smashed flat.

“Get out of my tavern. Don’t make me do it again.” Old Hoyt still sat behind the bar, his figure seeming even older than usual, but with that thunderous strike as a prelude, his words, though not loud, carried real intimidation.

The big man glanced at Old Hoyt with a hint of fear, snorted in humiliation and anger, then turned his gaze to James Carter, his eyes filled with venom, as if to say: “Kid, you’re finished!”

James Carter remained unmoved, completely ignoring his glare. His mind was still replaying Old Hoyt's inhuman roar.

Seeing his intimidation ignored, the big man’s face grew even darker, and he wanted to lash out again, but Old Hoyt’s cold snort instantly suppressed his malice, and he unwillingly left the tavern.

Chapter Six: The Fragrance of Winter Jasmine

There has never been equality within civilization, but the world has always been fair from beginning to end. — Sage Mulholland

The silent roar from Old Hoyt plunged the bar into a deathly silence, like a beast king’s howl in the forest, making all the beasts bow down.

After a long while, the old drunkard Seth, about the same age as Old Hoyt and with a head full of white hair, finally staggered to his feet and raised his mug to Hoyt.

“Captain Hoyt, after all these years, your might is undiminished. Here’s to you!” With that, the drunkard Seth tipped his head back and downed a full mug of ale, the overflowing drink soaking his chest.

Hoyt, in his youth, had served as the captain of the Wildfire City guard, a master swordsman. It was said that at his peak, he possessed battle aura and could fight powerful orcs one-on-one—a truly remarkable feat.

But after his son died in battle, and as he grew older and weaker, he left the Wildfire City guard and opened a tavern, fading into obscurity.

He was a very low-key person, never boasting about his past. So now, none of the younger generation in Wildfire City knew about Hoyt's history.

“Seth, those days are long gone.” Hoyt waved to James Carter and said, “Carter, bring Seth another mug of ale, on me.”