Tatsuki thought, "Why on earth should I give you my money? Who do you think you are?" He spoke defiantly.
Tatsuki stated firmly, "I don't know who you are, but this is my money, and I won't part with it without a fight." He swiftly stashed the money into his pants pocket and charged towards Bao Chi. Within seconds, he closed the gap to a few meters, well within striking distance.
Tatsuki adjusted his stance, anchoring himself for stability, and slightly leaned forward. With a burst of aggression, he launched a series of fierce punches. However, Bao Chi effortlessly blocked each blow with a single hand, shaking Tatsuki's confidence and prompting him to flee. Tatsuki turned to make his escape but collided with an obstacle and fell.
As Tatsuki tried to identify what had halted his retreat, he was shocked to see Bao Chi standing before him with an air of arrogance. Bao Chi spoke confidently, "Kid, my skill far surpasses yours. You have no chance of defeating me. Hand over the money, and nobody will get hurt."
Inwardly, Bao Chi wondered, "Who in the world is this kid? Though I managed to fend off his attacks, the power behind them was so formidable that my hand still trembles from it."
Tatsuki, recovering his composure, retorted, "How can I trust you? You might just get greedy and come after the rest. Even if you don't, why should I give you my hard-earned money?"
Bao Chi scoffed, "Your hard-earned money? So you think that because nobody caught you cheating, the game was fair?"
Tatsuki flashed a wry smile and replied, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Bao Chi reached under his coat and produced a palm-sized, transparent glass sphere with a floating needle inside.
Bao Chi asked, "Do you know what this is, kid?"
Tatsuki considered for a moment and replied, "A compass, or perhaps a prop for some kind of stage illusion?"
Bao Chi shouted, "No, you idiot! Do I look like a clown to you?"
Tatsuki, looking dumbfounded, replied, "Oh yeah, right, you seem to be missing that clown hat."
Frustrated, Bao Chi retorted, "And you seem to be missing the point here."
Expressionlessly, Tatsuki inquired, "I'm...?"
Annoyed, Bao Chi muttered, "Just forget about it. Anyway, this is a mana sensor. The needle inside points towards the person who uses mana in its presence. I'm quite certain you were using mana back at the bar."
Inwardly, Tatsuki thought, "Damn it, even though I don't want to admit it, he's right. I couldn't have remembered the series of cards if not for the ability 'past view,' which allows me to look into the past and memorize details for a short period. He must have figured out instantly that I was using mana with that compass assessment."
Tatsuki conceded, "Hmm, I guess my secret is out. But it still doesn't concern you. It was something between me and the bum of Brigsnil. If I were to just take you out, no one would find anything."
Bao Chi contemplated, "If he were to attack again, I might have to give up the money or even resort to more extreme measures unless I can weaken his resolve to protect his money. He doesn't seem like he'll ever let go, especially given his determined expression. Though, I wonder why he chose to run away earlier."
Confidently, Bao Chi proposed, "I'm a 3rd-grade bronze magical mage, brat. I don't want to stain my honor by bullying someone weaker than myself. So, how about we make a deal? What do you say?"
Tatsuki thought, "Magical mage? He must be from nobility or perhaps another lackey of Shan's clan. I might have caused bigger trouble than I think."
Tatsuki asked, "What kind of deal?" He lowered his eyebrows, forming a suspicious V-shape, showing his anger and mistrust toward Bao Chi.
Bao Chi explained, "If you give me the money quietly, you'll have my aid three times in moments of difficulty. Not a bad deal, wouldn't you say? Hahahahaha."
Tatsuki, looking dumbfounded, asked, "Are you serious?"
Inwardly, Tatsuki thought, "Serious? Well, it's not a bad offer, and having one more ally might be beneficial later. However, I have no way of knowing if he'll fulfill his word or confirm his identity."
Tatsuki agreed, saying, "Well, I agree, but I want you to fulfill your promise now." He flashed a smile. "And then you can have the money."
Inwardly, Bao Chi wondered, "What is he playing at?"
Bao Chi reluctantly replied, "Very well, then. I agree, but you have to stick close to me all the time so I can be assured that you won't run away."
Tatsuki nodded and said, "Of course. Now, answer a few of my questions."
Bao Chi, appearing confused, sighed and said, "Hey, brat, I said I'd lend you aid, remember."
Tatsuki continued, "My first question is..."
Bao Chi, feeling neglected, interrupted, "You're not even listening now. Fine, just ask, then."
Tatsuki asked, "Why does everyone here have weird names? Back in my town, people stick to a common way of naming. However, people here just seem to be named whatever...?"
Bao Chi, looking dumbfounded, asked, "Weird names? Like what? I don't really understand what you mean."
Inwardly, Tatsuki thought, "I already know this world is different from Earth. They are still far behind in technology, and on top of that, all these people use some ancient language, weird gestures, and even perform odd rituals and practices. Sigh, this is one messed up world."
Tatsuki then said, "Yes, weird names. Just look at mine, I'm Tatsuki, and you are Bao Chi. What the hell kind of name is that...?"
Bao Chi explained, "I'm afraid I have no answer for that. It's always the call of the great element that has provided us with our names. So go ahead and ask something else instead."
Tatsuki thought, "Well, it's not like I was really expecting you to give me a satisfactory answer, so it's fine. I already asked the same question to pervy gramp before, and he said the same thing as him."
Tatsuki said, "Nah, no need, dude. Just answer this, and we'll call it a done deal for two aids, and I'll even give you the money."
Bao Chi, intrigued by the term "dude," thought, "What ancient term is this boy using? And he seems to know a whole lot of them. Could it be he's from some kind of nobility? That would explain his understanding of so many ancient terms."
Bao Chi cautiously replied, "Sure, go ahead, kid, ask."
Tatsuki then asked, "Why do you want this money? Give me every single detail."
Bao Chi, with anger in his eyes, responded, "Kid, you should ask something else. This is something I can't tell you. If you keep pushing it, you'll regret it."
Tatsuki, smiling, inquired, "Gonna break your promise...?"
Bao Chi hesitated for a moment before saying, "You... Fine, then. Hear this."
Bao Chi's expression shifted to one of grief and sorrow as he began to speak.
Bao Chi confessed, "I'm a descendant of the Integral Ki Clan, and I need that money to break through from the bronze level to the silver level. It's so I can hunt down a magic beast that appears to possess healing power."
Tatsuki, recognizing the clan name, said, "Oh, Integral Clan, the former nobility. No wonder your last name sounded so familiar. We're done here. I'm going."
Bao Chi, desperate, dropped to his knees and began to grovel asking Tatsuki to lend him the money. Startled, Tatsuki exclaimed, "Woah, you've got the wrong idea here! Take this money; I wasn't going to leave without giving it to you. Just get up, okay."
Tatsuki retrieved a bag of money and tossed it toward Bao Chi. Bao Chi caught the bag and then inquired, "But this is all the money you have, and I only need half of it. Then why did you...?"
Tatsuki replied, "Hmm, you need it more than I do, so just take it. But you better spend these last few months with your clan. That's the least you can do for them. If you still don't agree, consider that money my way of paying respect to the dead."
Bao Chi was stunned and angered, saying, "Kid, you can eat food easily, but you can't eat your own words."
Bao Chi gazed upon Tatsuki with cold eyes and noticed the serious expression on Tatsuki's face. He couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean by 'dead'? My clan can still be saved."
Tatsuki solemnly replied, "No, it can't."
Those words pierced Bao Chi's heart like a sharpened spear, and he fell into deep thought, looking utterly lifeless.