"Dear 'Mr. Fool', please inform 'Mr. World' that I will gather the genuine roots and juice of the 'Misty Treeman' for him as soon as possible."
After receiving 'The Sun's reply, Klein nodded almost imperceptibly, muttering in silence:
"It seems he is quite satisfied with the weapon."
"Even without the environmental boost, the 'Hurricane Axe' is pretty good."
He had just conveyed the characteristics and restrictions of that extraordinary weapon to 'The Sun' through the method of manifesting a document. He didn't describe it directly to avoid sounding verbose and to maintain his image.
Having done all this, Klein didn't linger, immediately returning to the real world, changing his clothes, and leaving Black Palm Street.
…
Dharavi Street, East Borough. A cramped but lively tavern.
With great effort, and even using the abilities of the 'Arbiter', Xio finally squeezed her way to the bar counter and saw the person she was looking for.
He was a young man in his twenties, with a long, horse-like, thin face, thick and fierce eyebrows, but relatively soft features.
He was drinking heavily, chatting and laughing loudly with the surrounding customers from time to time.
"Williams, I need to talk to you." Xio knocked heavily on the wooden bar top.
This rude action immediately drew angry stares, but they quickly retreated under the stern look of the 'Arbiter'.
"Oh, Xio! Long time no see. Let me think, it's been a week, no, at least three weeks. Want a drink? 'Half and Half'?" The young man named Williams asked, half-drunk, half-surprised.
"Half and Half" was the most popular alcoholic drink in the East Borough, made from malt beer and fortified wine. Since it had exactly two ingredients in roughly equal proportions, it was nicknamed "Half and Half".
"Do you really want me to drink?" Xio raised an eyebrow.
"No, he doesn't!" The bartender, wiping glasses, hastily answered for Williams.
He clearly remembered how destructive the girl across from him could be when drunk. She would use her fists to persuade the customers here to quit drinking and throw them out one by one.
Williams curled the corner of his mouth and spread his hands: "Tell me, what do you want?"
He was one of the information brokers in the East Borough, connected to several gangs.
Xio frowned and said, "Williams, can't you quit drinking? Save up money, marry a nice girl. Every day you go home, there's hot water, food, and a warm greeting. You share all the things you see, and she tells you about the small trifles at home. Cute kids kiss your cheek and play around you. Isn't that warmth good?"
When she first arrived in
"Warmth?" Williams let out a disdainful laugh. "That's built on the money I bring back. I saw through it long ago. If I can bring home 20 Soule a week, then I'm sure my family will be warm, just like you described. But if I can't… Lord, women's screaming and cursing, children's crying and wailing would drive me crazy!"
"My mom is a perfect example. Every time my old man comes home, he's greeted with beatings and quarrels. Since that's the case, I'd rather use my Soule and Pence to buy drinks here. No one here cares how much I earn. Everyone drinks and chats, the atmosphere is great. If I want a woman, there are cute streetwalkers outside, and they won't cause a scene with you."
Xio twitched the corner of her mouth. "You are a hopeless believer of the
"At least I've enjoyed myself," Williams replied nonchalantly. "I haven't worked for almost three days. I'm not giving you a discount."
Xio stopped trying to persuade him, ran her hand through her messy, golden short hair, and handed over the portraits of
"This has his different appearances."
Williams, half-drunk, unfolded the paper, glanced at it, and clicked his tongue. "He looks too ordinary. And there are just so many people in the East Borough. People die, leave, come, become homeless all the time. It's going to be very hard to find him."
"Anyway, just keep an eye out. If you find anyone similar, inform me immediately." Xio took out a 5 Soule note and handed it to him. "This is for the drinks. If you can find the person in the portrait, I… uh, will give you another 10 pounds."
"10 pounds?" Williams whistled. "Xio, since when did you become so generous? Or is this man worth more than that?"
"That's the bounty for him. 10 pounds for a clue." Xio pretended to look around the tavern. "Don't forget this. I'll come looking for you again in a few days."
She had already run through a large part of the East Borough, issuing this task to the gang leaders and well-informed people she knew, prepaying several pounds.
As long as one succeeds, I'll make it back! I'll make a lot! Xio silently encouraged herself, covered her nose and mouth, turned around, and squeezed out of the tavern.