Over three hundred Inn staff members stood within the tavern, observing the situation outside. For now, Lex had not allowed any guests to enter the tavern for he needed to ascertain the dangers of this realm before anything could be done.

Although the tavern could move, it relied on wheels underneath the structure to move, which meant that it would need a road. To do that, they would need to clear a path inside the forest, but that was easier said than done. They had not probed the level of the red eyed birds, nor did they know anything about the trees. Trying to clear them out forcefully would be a bad idea.

Lex was not available, and Z was busy with his own task. That left Luthor and Gerard from the usual gang to handle this. Since Luthor had a task related to Ereboth lined up, Lex decided to let Gerard handle this matter.

Upon hearing that Gerard was coming to take control of the situation, everyone felt reassured. While he was not the most popular inside the Inn, his reputation could not be outdone either. He had the foremost talent in the Regalia Bloom Bloodline, and was the head of the Security team.

The only things more formidable than his strength were his wisdom, and his charm. After all, a natural consequence of the Regalia Bloom Bloodline was good looks.

For the past few weeks, Gerard had spent most of his time in retreat and meditation, spurring rumors that he was getting ready to advance towards the Heaven Immortal realm. However, that seemed unrealistic. What he was actually doing was unknown to most, leaving only room for speculation.

Now, he was finally returning to a position that put him in the eye of the public. When Gerard entered the tavern, all the workers immediately felt reassured by his warm and comforting presence. His aura was not like that of the Innkeeper. Instead, his warmth was like that of a reliable elder who always knew the

answer.

"Everyone, be at ease," said Gerard as he saw all the workers express slight anxiety. He shook his head. These new workers needed to spend more time training. How could they be intimidated so easily?

He did not reprimand them - training workers was not his department. He only made a mental note to express this shortcoming later on, in private. Of the entire staff, there seemed to be only two who weren't bothered by the birds. Gerard naturally knew them, since he had attended their wedding.

Pierre seemed worried not about the birds, but about his wife... and his wife, Innkeeper bless her soul, was standing on a balcony talking to the birds.

"So you see, by buying this whitening cream as well as these eye drops, you can fix your complexion and fix the dryness making your eyes red," Brenda said as she held out a jar of ranch and a bottle of white vinegar.

"Your concern for these guests is admirable," said Gerard calmly as he walked up to her. "However, the products you're offering might not be... suitable for all races. We have to do proper research on what benefits certain races when we offer them to our guests. That is something you should work on!"

Brenda nodded, and suddenly seemed to understand why none of the birds responded to her offers! It was because she was offering the wrong stuff. Of course, why didn't she think of it sooner? Birds don't need whitening cream, they need hair or feather removal cream!

She stared at Gerard with awe in her eyes as she realized just how wise he was. She had much to learn from him.

Gerard had a feeling that he was being misunderstood, but he did not correct her.

Instead, he leaped off the balcony, and became the first to actually leave the tavern and enter the Dream realm.

The birds all suddenly stared at him, as if locking onto an enemy that they hadn't sensed before. They all spread their wings threateningly, and began to screech aggressively.

"Allow me to introduce myself," said Gerard calmly, disregarding all the danger. He was the man who walked into hell and found himself a girlfriend. How could these few things scare him?

Well technically speaking, he found the girlfriend in the Midnight Realm, but it was the thought that mattered.

"My name is Gerard, of the Midnight Inn, currently representing the Midnight Tavern. We do not mean to bother you all, but it seems we were brought into the realm in this location. If you could direct us towards an exit, or the nearest town or city we'd greatly appreciate it. Of course, if you wish to avail the services of the tavern..."

Before Gerard could complete his words, the birds attacked. Not all creatures were amiable, and open to invitations. Some were driven by baser instincts, and some just didn't care.

Like a giant black wave, the tide of black birds crashed into Gerard, displaying their might for the first time. Their deterrence was near the peak of the Heaven Immortal realm, and was not something the average Earth Immortal could face.

Moreover, the birds seemed to be controlling an unfamiliar law that evoked a feeling of danger and dread.

Gerard sighed. He always disliked fighting, and the terrain in the forest didn't suit his golf cart either.

Calmly, and completely at ease, as if an endless swarm of killer birds wasn't about to devour him, Gerard loosened his tie, and wrapped it around the knuckles of his right fist. Meanwhile, he pulled out a pocket watch and wrapped its chain around his left fist.

Hand to hand combat was not his favourite thing to do, but lately he'd been trying to expand his skill list. Besides, the chain and tie would serve as tools to use his bloodline ability through, so it wasn't like he was totally relying on hand

to hand combat.

Just as he finished, the birds arrived, and stopped. Unlike Lex, his combat did not rely on pure brute strength. Instead, with a single punch, he channeled all the energy in the surrounding forest, and launched it at the birds.

There was a massive explosion, clearing out the birds, and the trees that stood in his way.