Simon let out a weary sigh as he slumped over the bar counter with his head clutched in his hands. Sleep had fled him last night, and the day's travels had offered him no respite from the anxiety circulating through his mind. He simply had no idea what the future had in store now with the defeat of Dracula. The Belmont clan had to continue; of that there was no question. It was more a matter of the path he himself should take moving forward. He was traveling alone now; should he continue hunting monsters? Maybe go back to Alucard? ... No. Anything but that.

When he heard the sound of a mug hitting the counter, distracted as he was, his hand reached out automatically to take it. However, the bartender had not set the mug in front of him, but to his right. He looked over to that side to see who it was for.