Immediately afterwards, the cheers erupted and nearly blew the smoke-stained oak roof off.
Black!
" Old Devil! Respect that ruthless newcomer!"
" Su Wei! Take me with you next time you go hunting!"
The whistling and clinking of glasses blended together, almost lifting the roof off.
Su Wei watched this scene unfold, seeing the glasses raised towards him. Before he could even fully break into a smile, a strong arm gripped his neck tightly.
"Did you hear that, Su Wei! Listen to that voice! The whole stadium cheers!"
Aruk, this burly man, didn't smell pleasant, but at that moment, he smelled more reassuring than any perfume.
His large face flushed red, spittle flew everywhere, and he was as excited as a child visiting the city for the first time.
"You're the main character! Damn it, you really are the main character! I've always dreamed of this day. Even though I'm just riding on your coattails, it's still something I can brag about for years! From now on, if anyone dares to call you a coward, I, Aruk, will be the first to knock their teeth out."
Old Kash stood to one side, holding the old briar pipe that had been with him for many years.
He didn't shout like a young man, but just smiled quietly, his weathered eyes full of satisfaction, his gaze lingering on Su Wei for a long time.
Behind the bar, Silas slowly took a dark-colored bottle without a label from the top shelf of the liquor cabinet.
He only has one hand, but he moves very quickly.
Dozens of glasses were instantly placed on the bar, and golden liquor was poured in without spilling a single drop.
After the last glass was snatched away by the burly man with the thick beard, Silas slung the glass-wiping cloth over his shoulder.
The murky, single eye peered through the disheveled hair at Black, then glanced at Su Wei, who was surrounded by the crowd.
"We've had enough of the drinks and the excitement."
Silas's voice wasn't pleasant; it was hoarse, like the sound of something being rubbed together.
He walked around the bar, took out a heavy bunch of brass keys from his waist, and they jingled as he moved.
"Let's go, don't let that pile of gold nuggets freeze solid. Let me see just how much you're going to empty my vault today."
Black nodded, tilted his head back, and downed the remaining wine in his hand in one gulp. The spicy liquid rolled down his throat, allowing him to exhale a comfortable puff of white air.
"Walk."
He waved to Su Wei, the movement swift and decisive.
The four left the noisy hall and followed Silas through an inconspicuous side door next to the bar, into a narrow, dimly lit corridor.
The other end of the corridor felt like another world.
The air instantly turned cold and damp, and the smell of blood was overwhelming.
The temperature in the corridor was several degrees lower than outside, and Su Wei couldn't help but tighten his collar.
Click.
Silas stopped in front of a heavy iron gate, skillfully turned a huge padlock, and pushed the door open forcefully.
A more intense rush of white, cold air swept over us, accompanied by the buzzing sound characteristic of cold storage.
The interior was brightly lit, with rows of stark white fluorescent lights illuminating the room clearly.
The huge stainless steel desk was polished to a gleaming shine, reflecting a cold light.
Boning knives, skinning hooks, and handheld chainsaws are neatly hung on the wall.
"Stop looking, kid, tuck your chin in."
Black stood behind Su Wei and casually closed the heavy soundproof door, shutting out all the noise.
"You think Broken Blade Tavern is just a place for drunkards to brag?"
He pointed to Silas, who was skillfully checking the freezer temperature and adjusting the instruments.
"This is one of the Hunters' Guild's designated pick-up points. As long as you have the skill to bring it out of the wilderness, and as long as it's valuable, we'll take you here."
Black paused, his tone becoming slightly more serious.
"Moreover, this is where the big jobs are done. Those wealthy people who don't want to go through official channels, who need rare furs, game, or bodyguards, will send their deposits here first."
Su Wei looked at the man who was facing away from them, easily dragging an industrial electronic scale out with his one arm and one hand.
Silas, the bartender who always seemed so gloomy.
He's the person in charge here.
Black lowered his voice, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of respect.
"Also a professional hunter, LV6."
Su Wei's heart skipped a beat.
LV6.
"And his hand..."
Su Wei glanced subconsciously at Silas's empty left sleeve.
That was an accident.
Black didn't say much, just uttered a few words and then dropped the subject, his eyes becoming somewhat deep.
"Clang!"
Aruk pushed over the cart next to the roller shutter door, which contained their hunted prey.
They were placed little by little on the metal cutting board.
Silas stepped forward.
He didn't look at the largest one first, but walked over to the fur of the smaller female bear.
That single hand was incredibly nimble; its fingertips seemed to have eyes, swiftly parting the mother bear's fur and precisely locating the wound.
"The bullet penetrated the lower jaw, exiting through the back of the neck, but did not explode. The skin is 95% intact."
Silas nodded calmly and walked over to the huge male moose.
"A single bullet, one shot, kills instantly, didn't damage the flesh. These antlers..."
He tapped the huge, shovel-shaped corner with his hand, producing a dull thud.
"The antlers are symmetrical and have a rich, deep color; they are of the highest quality."
at last.
He slowly walked up to the giant male bear.
Silas stopped all his movements.
His one intact eye narrowed slightly, the pupil contracting instantly, revealing a glint of professionalism and greed.
He stretched out his rough, large hand and gently stroked the thick fur.
He felt his hand travel from the broad back down to the enormous head.
His fingers paused at the wound in his heart for a moment, then reached inside and felt the edges.
"Tsk."
Silas let out a gasp.
"Perfect."
He turned around and looked at Su Wei. The hideous scar on his face seemed to have softened a bit, making him look less terrifying.
"Young man, do you know what you've done?"
Su Wei was taken aback, somewhat confused.
"I killed a bear?"
No, you created a work of art.
Silas patted the huge bear's head, making a dull thud.
"The scars on the bodies of Kodiak brown bears weighing over 600 kilograms are from their battles for territory, but they are also a nightmare for fur traders."
He pointed to the glossy fur on the bear's back.
"But apart from the small wound on its shoulder, its fur was almost completely undamaged. There were no bald patches, no old injuries."
"The most important thing is the head."
Silas pointed to the back of the head that had been flipped open, his tone becoming somewhat urgent.
"Undamaged front! This means that if it were made into a specimen, it would have a perfect, powerful face. Its roar would be frozen in time forever."
"Plus this physique..."
Silas gave a thumbs-up, his tone affirmative.
"No matter which wealthy person it is, just putting it in their living room gives them a huge sense of prestige. It's a collector's item, a priceless commodity."
Upon hearing the words "collector's item," Aruk whistled excitedly, his eyes practically sparkling.
"How much is that worth? Silas, don't try to rip us off, Black's right here watching!"