Not long after, an architectural structure deeply integrated into the outer surface of the colossal Oak trunk appeared before them. Just stepping off the rope bridge, one immediately felt the place’s emphasis on practicality: the walkway was paved with gray Myco-Stone, clean but without any embellishment.

  At first glance, the inn looked like a massive ivory-white swallow's nest—square and solid—clinging firmly to the surface of the ancient dark-black Oak trunk. The contrast between the bright, smooth Myco-Stone architecture and the Oak’s thick bark layer, covered with moss and lichen, was extremely striking—clear evidence of the opposition between technical civilization and primordial nature.

  The inn's exterior surface was simple, with clean carved lines and no elaborate decoration; it prioritized durability and resistance over lavish design. Only a few small, neat window openings were fitted with thick glass, dimly emitting the characteristic gentle blue-green light of the Fungus lamps inside, signaling life and warmth within the suspended structure.

  Before Theo's eyes, the inn's nameplate came into view. It was a rectangular Oak wood plank, thick and flat, anchored directly to the wall above the entrance gate. The name "OAK PEAK" was carved deeply into the wooden surface. More importantly, these letters were filled with a special type of tiny luminescent fungus, which grew from the carved grooves and emitted a gentle phosphorescent light, ensuring visibility even in the dim space beneath the forest canopy.

  Passing the auxiliary pulley station, guests would enter a considerably more spacious area—the inn's lobby. This room was built entirely from ivory-white Myco-Stone, with high ceilings and polished floors, creating a sense of absolute cleanliness and order.

  The atmosphere here was busy but not chaotic; the squeaking sounds of pulleys from the outer corridor were blocked by thick walls, leaving only quiet conversations and the clatter of tools. Blue-green light from the Fungus lamp alcoves, arranged more densely throughout the hall, brightened the entire space and dispelled the gloomy feeling of the oak forest.

  The reception counter was a solid Oak block, simply carved and chest-high, placed near the center of the hall beside the entrance to the common living area. Above the counter lay a large ledger recording tenant information and a thin perforated wooden screen separating the transaction counter from the document storage room behind it. Everything displayed practicality and order.

  Standing behind the counter was Katheryne, Oak Peak's receptionist. She was a young woman with pale skin and sharp, keen eyes. Her ash-gray hair was tied neatly at the nape, with not a single stray strand out of place.

  Katheryne's attire was a light gray tunic made from moisture-resistant fungal fiber, well-fitted and clean. She did not wear movement equipment like many other citizens, but on her belt hung a small metal keyring and a set of carved black oak debt tablets with engraved patterns, emphasizing the professionalism of a strict manager.

  When the guest group arrived, she looked up, the gentle blue-green light reflecting across her eyelids. Her voice was clear, decisive, and somewhat cold, yet she maintained a fully professional tone as she prepared to receive their information.

  "Welcome to Oak Peak. Please state your group name and the purpose of your stay. All weapons and explosive materials must be placed in the security lockers here before entering the rooms. Maximum stay is two weeks. Payment must be made in advance."

  Finn quickly responded, his voice firm.

  "We are the Night Hawk team. We'll be staying in Mycelia for about seven days. We need lodging for ten people—one member hasn't arrived yet. Can you recommend something suitable for the group?"

  Katheryne's eyes quickly swept across the formation, assessing their exhaustion and equipment. She maintained her professional and serious tone.

  "You may choose our standard rooms. Each room accommodates two people. Five rooms will be sufficient for your group, and we have five rooms located close together, which will allow your entire team to stay nearby. However..."

  She paused slightly. Her keen eyes stopped on Al, who was dozing atop Theo's luggage pack.

  "...there is another guest you have not yet introduced."

  Finn smiled, his tone carrying a hint of pride.

  "That's Al, one of our teammates. It will share a room with him. This creature has been thoroughly trained and behaves very professionally. Theo, show her."

  He winked at Theo as a signal.

  Theo nodded and gently woke Al. The little bird shook its head slightly, showing irritation at being interrupted from its precious sleep, but it immediately complied. It chirped softly in greeting, then performed an unexpected motion: Al bowed its head low and swept its left wing down in a graceful arc, perfectly mimicking a gentleman inviting someone to dance.

  This was a gesture Theo had trained it to perform during quiet evenings by the campfire, and now Al executed it politely before the receptionist.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Katheryne's lips twitched as she suppressed a smile—she was genuinely surprised by the performance, which clearly demonstrated the intelligence and charm of the magical creature before her. She felt slightly conflicted, because according to strict regulations, all magical beasts were supposed to be kept in the beast area below before being allowed into Mycelia. However, a small flying magical beast trained to this level of intelligence was truly a rare case.

  Her eyes hesitated briefly. Seeing the tired, half-dazed look in the little bird's eyes, she sighed softly, and the usual seriousness in her voice softened slightly.

  "The inn's regulations normally prohibit animals or magical beasts, but..."

  She hesitated for a moment before making her decision.

  "...this little one seems very well behaved, so I will make an exception this time. Please keep it under control and make sure it does not fly around causing trouble inside the inn."

  Finally, a rare gentle smile appeared on her professional face as the agreement was reached.

  The transaction was completed quickly. The rental price for five rooms for ten people for seven days was 10 Order Silver (2 Silver per room per day).

  Katheryne completed the procedures and added:

  "If the guests wish, we also provide meals according to the Mycelia menu together with the lodging. The total cost would be 15 Silver for the entire group."

  Finn politely declined. He thought silently: the Night Hawk team had two cooks, so they could handle their meals themselves—ensuring both quality and taste while saving costs. In any case, the team members came from different countries, and finding food that suited everyone's taste would not be easy.

  Everyone sequentially deposited their cumbersome weapons with Katheryne. These items were carefully stored in private locked cabinets, while only small, compact weapons were kept for self-defense. Then the entire group was led into the inn's central area.

  Oak Peak's Common Living Area was a large hall with high ceilings, flooded with cool blue-green light from rows of low-smoke Fungus oil lamps. The light spread throughout the space, clearly illuminating the large Oak tables where merchants exchanged information, craftsmen weighed materials, and adventurers clinked glasses. The bustling atmosphere formed a lively yet orderly symphony of Mycelia's working class, creating a sense of safety, vitality, and opportunity.

  Katheryne slowly introduced the area.

  "This is the Main Hall. Everyone can eat, drink, talk, or seek partners here. The passage on the right leads to the restroom area and shared bathrooms, clearly separated by gender."

  She then led the group through the hall to an empty corridor where Mycelia's characteristic cable ropes hung ready. She signaled for everyone to grab them and explained practically.

  "To maximize space within the trunk structure, we do not use stairs. Going up can only be done using this cable system. We hope for the guests' understanding."

  After pausing briefly to allow everyone to examine the equipment, she gave detailed instructions.

  "Just place your hands and feet inside the frame and pull this lever. It will carry you up to Lodging Floor 4, where your group will stay. Please note that there are only four cables here, so only four people can be transported at one time."

  Finally, she pointed toward two smooth poles nearby.

  "As for going down, guests use these poles—just hug this fur-padded section and slide down. Pay attention to the floors above before releasing. However, we have placed thick fiber mats below, so even if you slide too quickly or fall, the injuries should not be serious."

  Fortunately, everyone was a seasoned mercenary, so simple activities like rope climbing and pole sliding posed no challenge at all. Within moments, the entire team had assembled on Floor 4.

  The Oak wood corridor was quite narrow—somewhat cramped for people with massive frames like Boris and Torvin. The area was lit economically by two wall-mounted Myco-Stone lamps. Along the narrow passage stood the doors to the lodging rooms.

  Katheryne worked the locks nimbly, opening each door briefly for inspection. She then turned back, her voice still clear but slightly softened.

  "All rooms are ready. The blankets are clean, and everyone may move in. At the end of the corridor there is a small shared restroom."

  She looked at the exhausted guests and ended the tour with a brief wish.

  "I wish everyone a good night's sleep."

  Theo and Liam wasted no time—they quickly carried their luggage into the room. While Liam tossed the luggage onto the table, Theo began assessing the surroundings.

  The inn room was a small, neat compartment designed to maximize the limited space. Inside, two beds were placed close together and separated by simple Oak wood partitions, accompanied by a small table and chair at the end of the room. Instead of a window, the room had only a tiny ventilation opening protected by a distinctive plant mesh frame—an effective technical solution that both prevented moisture intrusion and maintained stable temperature.

  Though the space was somewhat cramped, the anti-mold properties of the Myco-Stone ensured that the air inside remained dry and free from unpleasant odors.

  Under each bed and along the walls were sturdy rented security chests where lodgers could store tools and valuable trade goods—an essential service in any inn.

  The room's light came from a Fungus lamp alcove carved directly into the wall. This alcove not only emitted gentle blue-green light but also served as the focal point of a sophisticated convection system. Hot air and exhaust—though producing very little smoke—escaped through a sealed duct above, creating a gentle suction inside. This suction pulled moist outside air through a separate duct and fed it directly into the flame to maintain combustion while preventing moisture from entering the room.

  Thanks to this thermal convection technique, the dry air inside the room was always kept clean, while circulation and oxidation remained stable.

  Another important detail was the headboard wall: here, Sol Invictus—the deity with a radiant sun halo—was painted in phosphorescent ink. In darkness or under weak Myco-Stone light, the figure glowed dimly like a small sun, bringing feelings of comfort and protection while reminding the inhabitants of Mycelia's pure faith, like a sacred blessing for sleep.

  Theo was very satisfied with the room's arrangement. Though not overly spacious, the careful use of space allowed even large people like Boris and Torvin to live comfortably. More importantly, the complete separation from the damp outside air created a clean and dry environment, allowing his body to finally relax after many exhausting days.

  Even Al on his shoulder could not wait any longer. The bird flew up and perched on the bed's headboard, staring at Theo as if reminding its master to help dry its feathers. The damp environment of the mushroom forest had been absolute torture for a feathered creature.

  Meanwhile, Liam, after tossing aside his luggage pack, had already collapsed face-down onto the pillow, enjoying the feeling of finally reuniting with a real bed after nearly a month of sleeping in camp tents.

  He seemed completely glued to the clean blanket.