Late at night, Sifa and the other two finally left the bar and walked along Hakata Port's unplanned streets, passing beneath rows of clothes hanging overhead. Sifa smiled at Chik. "I'm already preparing the ingredients for the Baron of Corruption. I believe it won't be long before you can advance."
Surprise and astonishment flickered across Chik's eyes. "Captain, I—"
Sifa pressed a hand to his shoulder. "You've accumulated enough contributions. This is the reward you deserve. But I need to remind you, Mr. Chik: no matter which Pathway it is, the higher we go, the greater the madness we have to face. You need to be mentally prepared."
Chik nodded, then heard Sifa continue, "But even after advancing, you'll only be Sequence 6. It's not a big problem, so there's no need to be too nervous."
As they passed an alley, a rather tall figure emerged from the dark passage and coughed.
Sifa's intuition was stirred. He stopped and turned back, seeing a figure in a dark cloak move forward. Soon, the other party stepped into the crimson moonlight.
He was a man in his thirties, with mottled blond hair and rugged facial features. He was none other than Abrio, Celeste's captain.
At once, some of Sifa's suspicions were confirmed.
He cleared his throat. "Mr. Chik, you go back first. I have something to discuss with a friend."
Chik glanced at Abrio, nodded, and left without saying anything.
Abrio revealed a mouthful of white teeth and looked toward another street. "Want to take a walk?"
Sifa shrugged, brought Mr. X to his side, and asked seriously, "You're no longer Celeste, are you?"
Abrio laughed heartily. "Don't worry. I'm Abrio."
"So you were the one who helped The Black Emperor and Nast today?" Sifa asked quietly.
Abrio admitted it openly. "It