The bar door opened with a whine that looked to seamlessly blend with the raucuous noise inside. A few of the inhabitants took notice of the newcomer entering the bar, but drunk as they were, they quickly had their focus pulled back to the half-empty mugs in their hands. There were some shady-looking individuals who were donning blacks cloaks gathered in the corner of the bar, but they also only took brief notice before talking back among themselves.
The newcomer of the bar, a young man, walked toward the counter with composed steps that indicated he wasn't a greenhorn who never stepped into this kind of establishment before. He weaved past the stretched legs and appendages of the drunk men on their tables standing in his way, smoothly reaching the counter and sitting on an upturned barrel placed before it.
He placed an elbow on the surface of the counter and leaned on that hand, deliberately relaxing his demeanor as he swept his gaze noncommitally across the bar. He was going for a leisurely look to hide a slight nervousness that had been growing in him ever since he stepped inside.
Wiping a wooden mug with his hands, the bar owner glanced at the young man, but seeing him just sitting there, he showed no reaction and ignored him. He would only respond if his customers ordered or came to him first, otherwise he didn't care what they did.
Unless they caused trouble.
Aren't you going to order something first? Don't forget, you have to look natural.
Amber heard the voice in his head, once again thinking that every time it spoke he had to endure a strange itch that scratched at his brain. Focusing on a certain spot from the corner of his eyes, he responded with his thoughts: Sorry, I almost overlooked that. Looks like I focused on them too much.
Amber turned toward the bar owner after confirming that his targets weren't making any suspicious moves yet. He was about to open his mouth when he frowned. Sighing, he moved his hand to scratch an itch at his sides, going under his clothing to reach his bare skin. It felt so unconfortable wearing the crude leather clothing.
You've been scratching all over your body like a chimpanzee. Are you trying to audition for a zoo back on Earth?
Spare me, Amber retorted sharply in his mind. I don't wear designer clothing brands, but cheap local shirts with awful stitching still has modern technology applied to them. All this coarse leather shirt will do is give me skin problems.
I'm looking forward to that. But, oh well, good luck, I guess?
Amber ignored the voice and spoke to the bartender, "Boss, I want a Bol fruit ale diluted with half a mug of Kjon red water, a fresh and clean one please."
"That's two Inglain coppers."
Amber reached into the pouch tied to his waist and plunged his hand inside. He stayed still like that for three seconds before pulling out exactly two round small coins. Putting them neatly on the countertop, he checked again with the corner of his eyes at his targets.
You can't help me look out for them or some other things, right? Is there a discreet loophole or just a minor hole you can exploit to get around the rule?
Amber asked again. He didn't want to hold on to useless hoping, but confirming his facts was already a habit to him. Once everything was straight and in order, only then could he plan out how to best move forward. Like this mission, for example. The entity in his head was just like a messenger issued to him by the unknown mission giver. There were rules that it had to follow. He wanted to see how tight those rules were.
The system is perfect. There won't be any loopholes unless you're a Hacker or a Mod. I'm just an Author writing this book about you; I don't have any Authority. And even if I can sense a loophole by myself, why should I tell you? Aside from the fact that I'm not allowed to in normal terms. In the first place, you've already commited a slight by asking.
Here:
[ Warning Notice ]
[ To Character #342
[ Penalty ]
[ Penalty Level: 1 ]
[ Type: Rule-breaking ]
[ Rule Broken: Clause #4 "Any and all inquiries, discussions, etc. related to rule-breaking is strictly prohibited...." ]
[ Penalty Quote: "Arrogant and meddlesome brat." ]
[ Penalty Content:
(1) Additional content will be added to ongoing Mission/s
(2) N/A ]
Amber nodded,