Clap, clap, clap!
Applause rang out.
Like an old photograph being restored, color gradually appeared in the space before him.
As the black, white, and gray quickly receded, all the mummified corpses it had covered rapidly returned to human form and began moving, one after another.
The person behind the bar even applauded outright. It was none other than Ji Ping, who had given him a badge last night.
"Welcome, welcome."
"I knew I was right about you!"
As he applauded, Ji Ping picked up a bottle of wine and filled the glass in front of Fu Qian.
"Let's drink to our new friend."
Fu Qian noticed that the gray eyeball in Ji Ping's palm had changed since the last time he'd seen it. It was now tightly shut.
The illusion from earlier must have been connected to it.
"I can't drink while I'm on the job."
Fu Qian made something up offhand and didn't take the glass Ji Ping offered him.
"Besides, this welcome ceremony doesn't seem very friendly."
"Our Jenny personally welcomed you. How is that not friendly?"
Ji Ping put on an exaggerated look of surprise, then snapped his fingers toward the side.
The sound of hooves clopping came from behind him. Fu Qian turned around and saw that the centaur had changed her appearance.
Her chest rose and fell, her body swayed, and pale skin showed beneath the specially tailored black leather outfit as she walked.
Most importantly, beneath her thick brown hair was the unmistakable face of a young woman.
Fu Qian looked especially closely at her back. The tattered cloth was now covered by a black-and-gold cloak embroidered with intricate patterns, which draped all the way down to her shapely rump.
Her two round, sturdy hind legs must have belonged to the original owner,