Haisha Bar

"Damn it, security in the settlement has gotten worse and worse over the years. How many people have gone missing now? Has the Church given up on this place completely?"

"I picked up an old coin at the black market today. It looks like it's in great condition. I'm taking it to get appraised in a bit. If it turns out to be a Corrupt Calamity item, I'll be rich! Then I'll find myself a girl and have a real good time!"

"Hey, did you hear what Old John said when he got back from outside? Apparently, there was a pillar of red light near the Relic Cave. Could be some treasure's been unearthed! What do you say? Want to go check it out later?"

"Forget it. A pillar of red light? You believe that old drunk John? He probably got wasted out there again and dreamed the whole thing up. It's not the first time he's spouted nonsense."

"To the early graves of those gangland dogs from Kalleva! Cheers!"

The moment the bar's doors swung open, the drunken patrons' rowdy shouts from the counter flooded his ears.

Some were drinking and playing finger-guessing games in groups of three or five. Others were bragging to their friends. But the vast majority were there to use the drink as an excuse to vent their many frustrations with life.

The deafening rock music throbbed through the room, while dazzling neon lights made the people on the dance floor twist and sway.

No matter the era, places of entertainment like bars never disappeared.

There were plenty of bars in the Black Cave Settlement, and Haisha Bar was just one of them. Liao Ji had only just walked in, and he was clearly still getting used to the bar's chaotic atmosphere. But the girl beside him looked as if she'd just stepped into her own home.

"Pfft! You fossil, is this your first time in a bar? Relax. This is our turf. I've got your back—no one can bully you!"

The girl patted her shoulder, acting like a big brother. But after their sewer experience, Liao Ji had developed a habit of questioning everything Irin said. Then questioning it again.

"Your turf?"

"Yeah. The owner used to be a pretty famous scavenger. After he retired, plenty of his old colleagues came by to support him. Over time, this place became the go-to hangout for all the scavengers in Black Cave. We put together teams, recruit people, trade information and goods, post jobs—in short, think of it as our guild headquarters!"

The girl looked proud, and it was clear she felt a strong sense of belonging to Haisha Bar. So Liao Ji moved on to his next question.

"So you're pretty famous here?"

"Of course! Ask any scavenger in here if they know my name, Irin. I'm not exaggerating when I say that, when it comes to scavenging in the wild, all of them together can't match me. Otherwise, why would those Kalleva gangsters come to me as their guide?"

"I see. That's pretty impressive."

Seeing the rare look of praise on the young man's face, Irin lifted her fair chin. At last, she'd managed to turn the tables and take the lead between them.

As the girl led Liao Ji through the bar, she kept talking.

"The back door we're heading to leads to a staff-only area. Normally, only the bar's employees are allowed back there. But don't worry, I know everyone here—including the owner I mentioned earlier. We're all brothers. I just have to ask him, and he'll let us through."

"But at this hour, he's probably slacking off, hanging around the bar chatting with the customers. Keep an eye out. If you see a guy with a beard covering his whole chin, mean-looking eyes, a head shaped like a squash, a beer belly, and a sapphire necklace around his neck, let me know. That's Brian, the bar owner."

Irin was still turning to Liao Ji and explaining things when she noticed that he'd suddenly stopped walking. His gaze was fixed straight ahead.

Before the girl could turn around and ask what was wrong—

"Hey! What's blowing through our bar today? A pretty little thing like you? How about a few drinks with us, sweetheart?"

Hmm.

Getting hit on in a bar. A predictable scene, practically a regular feature in Liao Ji's life.

But—

Liao Ji sized up the man approaching them.

A beer belly.

A beard covering his whole chin.

A head shaped like a squash.

His eyes should have looked mean, but now they were leering as he looked Irin up and down.

Most important of all, a sapphire necklace hung around the man's neck.

Sigh.

Liao Ji sighed.

Soon, a few more men showed up behind the big guy. They looked like they were with him, and they stared at Irin just as lecherously before sizing her up among themselves.

"Damn, look at those designer clothes. She looks like some rich young lady."

"Little miss, you shouldn't dress so pretty to come to a bar. Better head home!"

"Those legs are incredible. I could enjoy them for a whole year!"

"Shame her chest is a little small. Too young for my taste. I prefer a more mature married woman."

"Hey, hey, keep it down and watch what you say. What if you piss off the young miss and she calls in her bodyguards from outside? They'll break your third leg first."

"Hahahahaha!"

The four or five patrons, led by the bar owner, Brian, burst into laughter.

But soon, one of the patrons took a closer look at the girl and suddenly said, "Come to think of it, don't you think this chick looks a little like Irin?"

Liao Ji thought the situation might change for the better.

Unfortunately—

"What? You've drunk yourself stupid. I watched that kid Irin grow up. How could he look this girly? And wearing high heels, too! Oh, I can't—just picturing that makes my stomach hurt from laughing!"

Brian clutched his beer belly, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.

The scavengers dressed like the rest of the group joined in, piling on one after another. Some even reproached the patron who'd spoken up.

"Exactly! The moment you said she looked like Irin, I almost lost interest. We finally found someone easy on the eyes. Don't ruin the mood."

"I'm dying. Forget high heels—if you can get my bro Irin to wear a skirt, I'll livestream myself eating a toilet bowl!"

"Come on, stop going on about Irin. Look, you keep mentioning another woman in front of this pretty girl. She's getting mad."

"Woman? Does anyone actually think my bro's a girl? If Irin heard you say that, he'd insult your whole family!"

"I'll say this: Brother Lin's mouth is legendary."

"Hahahahahaha!"

The situation had indeed taken a curious turn.

Just in a strange direction.

The moment they started talking about "Irin," the scavengers and the bar owner seemed to forget all about hitting on the girl. They began trading jokes about "Irin in women's clothes," apparently finding it hilarious.

Liao Ji: "..."

He glanced at the girl beside him. Her head was bowed, her coffee-colored hair hiding half her face. He couldn't see her expression, but her fists were clenched so tightly that they looked rock-hard.

He guessed she was furious.

Through the Contract, he could feel the Corrupt Calamity rapidly gathering inside her.

For a moment, Liao Ji didn't know whether to feel more sorry for Irin or for this bunch of "good brothers" of hers.

Fortunately—

Just as their friendship was about to sink—

Bang!

A loud kick struck the entrance of Haisha Bar. It was obviously deliberate.

The violent noise drew everyone's attention. All around the bar, people turned to look, including Brian and the other patrons.

One of them even jumped.

"W-wait, it really is the young miss? She actually has bodyguards?"

Apparently not.

Because—

Liao Ji narrowed his eyes. After a series of hurried footsteps, more than ten gang members carrying clubs or firearms poured into Haisha Bar.

Their identity was unmistakable.

The conspicuous Sand Rose insignia on their jackets said it all.

Kalleva...