"There's danger in the inn."
Klein muttered the divination incantation, entered a meditative state, and flipped a gold coin upward.
Ding!
A faint but clear sound echoed in the quiet room as the coin tumbled and fell into Klein's palm.
This time the number side was up, indicating denial.
No danger... Klein frowned and scanned his surroundings. He took a bottle of insect-repelling essential oil from the coat on the hat rack.
He sprinkled a circle around himself, quickly walked four steps in reverse, and ascended into the gray fog to make a confirmatory divination.
In just about ten seconds, he received an omen: still no danger.
Returning to the real world, Klein shook his head, put the coin and bottle back, put on his coat, trousers, and leather boots, sat on the edge of the bed, leaned against the pillow, and remained cautious.
He still remembered his "Fortune Teller's Code," especially the rule "Divination is not omnipotent," so even though the answers were very safe, he did not dare relax and go back to sleep.
It wasn't that he didn't trust the gray fog's ability to block interference, but that he believed there were too many possibilities; his divination statements might not be precise or comprehensive enough, leading to misinterpretation.
He already had a certain guess about what had just happened: that the group of four adventurers from the restaurant earlier had indeed found an abandoned and forgotten ancient temple in the primeval jungle of Simem Island, gaining wealth or relics, but also alerting a corresponding, barely surviving evil spirit, and were now entangled by malice or a curse.
As time passed second by second, Klein suddenly sensed a subtle spiritual fluctuation spreading outward from a nearby room, quickly merging into the surrounding darkness.
The hidden undercurrent that he had faintly detected disappeared, and the tranquility of the night fully returned.
Indeed... he does have extraordinary ability... is this already resolved? Wait a little longer, anyway, it will be dawn in one or two hours... if something really goes wrong, there is a church and a team of "Punishers" here... Klein half-closed his eyes and began to meditate.
...
Bhayam, Fragrant Leaf Bar.
Determined to fool his watchers, Danitz held a glass of "Lilang," drunkenly watching the provocative dances of several women on the boxing stage.
"Shit! They haven't taken off a single piece of clothing this whole time!" he shouted loudly along with other drunkards.
Then, regardless of whether anyone responded, they laughed heartily, clinked glasses, and took big gulps of strong alcohol.
"Read the newspaper?" a man who was still hanging out in the bar late at night gave a long burp and said to his companion.
"Did a donkey eat your brain? Do you think, do you think I can understand those squiggly letters? Storm above, I'm only interested in this squiggly stuff! Hahaha!" the companion raised his glass, pointing at the dancing women, laughing heartily at what he thought was a humorous reply.
The man who had spoken earlier smacked him on the back of the head:
"'Steel' is dead!
"Killed by 'Flame'!"
Danitz, who was nearby, was startled at first, then sat upright and tilted his head slightly.
He cleared his throat, took a gulp of strong alcohol, and pretended nothing had happened, but secretly moved closer to hear what others were saying about this matter.
The adventurer and pirate who had brought him into the trade once said that without strong liquor, women, and boasting, life at sea would be meaningless.
"Steel? What steel? Let me tell you, when I was young, I once defeated a steel pipe!" another drunkard interrupted.
"What exactly did you do to that steel pipe? Should I say, 'Ooh, you're so thin!'?" the man who spoke first showed a knowing smile.
Without waiting for an answer, he continued:
"'Steel' Meviti is dead, the second mate of the 'Blood Admiral' is dead!"
His last half sentence was shouted out, scaring a man nearby who was already unsteady, sliding under the table and muttering fearfully:
"It wasn't me, it wasn't me..."
Shit! The bar is always so chaotic! Hurry up and get to the point! I'm waiting for you to praise "Flame"! The disguised Danitz wanted to throw his glass at those guys' heads.
"The newspaper says it was a joint operation by the navy and the church. 'Steel' is dead, 'Bloody Thorn' is dead, 'Calm Skoll' is dead, and that bunch of scoundrels including John Smith have been arrested!" a relatively sober drunk squeezed over and joined the conversation.
"No, no, that's not the truth!" the man who first brought up the topic smiled and shook his head. "I have a friend at the newspaper office. He told me they have concrete information but can't publish it. The navy and church were just pawns. The real culprit is 'Flame' Danitz and a mysterious, seasoned, powerful adventurer and bounty hunter."
"Impossible! 'Flame' Danitz absolutely cannot defeat 'Steel,' even if by surprise attack, he can't take down Steel!" several nearby drinkers gave similar opinions at the same time.
"The key point is that powerful adventurer. I suspect he is a man close to the level of a Pirate General!" the man directing the conversation emphasized. "I don't know where Danitz got to know such a guy. Hmph, he also made a contribution; it's said that he took out 'Bloody Thorn'! Haven't you noticed? 'Flame's' bounty poster has changed; the reward is now 4,200 pounds!"
"Yes!"
"Really?"
"'Flame' is not simple!"
"He is truly a ferocious pirate, no, a great pirate!"