"Rex… a good name!"
Ethan Drake's gaze lowered slightly as he smiled, his words carrying an enigmatic undertone.
"No, that's not the point!"
"Big brother, what you're doing is wrong! Firstly, ordinary tables and chairs aren't worth 10,000 gold coins, and you've also damaged Josef's property. This is extortion! Moreover, it was that warrior who owed you money; how can you demand Josef to pay? This is not proper…"
For some reason, looking at Ethan Drake, Rex felt an inexplicable sense of unease, as if encountering someone of significant fate, though not a friend.
Despite Ethan Drake's warm demeanor and sunny disposition, Rex felt a creeping sense of danger rising within him, warning him incessantly.
Danger, danger!
Suppressing the strange feeling, Rex spoke firmly to Ethan Drake.
"Is that so? Kid, but this boss did give me the money! This is a matter between us, a mutual agreement, isn't it?"
Ethan Drake smiled as he looked into Rex's eyes, shutting him down with just a single sentence.
"Um…"
Rex was momentarily stunned, at a loss for how to respond.
"Kid, this world is neither purely white nor purely black!"
"Before speaking up for others, try to understand the full story! You're still too naive!"
Ethan Drake gave him a long, penetrating look. "You… have a long way to go!"
He then casually waved his hand,
And with a flash, he vanished from sight.
He arrived with arrogance and departed with grace!
"Black… white…"
"Naive…"
Rex stood frozen, staring at the now-empty spot where Ethan Drake had disappeared, clenching his fists in frustration.
The farce came to an end!
"Unexpectedly, Josef actually gave him the money?"
"Wow, that young man is quite strange!"
"Josef, are you alright? Do you need any help?"
...
Ethan Drake had come suddenly and left just as quickly.
It's human nature to revel in chaos.
The surrounding patrons chattered as they left.
Josef looked around the chaotic tavern, the overturned tables and chairs, and Jack lying on the floor.
The previously warm smile on his face gradually faded.
A miscalculation!
He had thought it was just a small tavern with a sudden flare-up due to some secret formula!
He hadn't anticipated the involvement of such a mysterious figure!
"Everyone, I apologize for today's events. My hospitality was lacking! I will cover all of today's expenses for everyone!"
He spoke generously to the patrons.
In reality, the loss of money was secondary!
The real loss was the damage to his reputation!
Calling Jack to confront the intruder was meant as a warning!
To make the intruder rein in his arrogance! To make him recognize his place in Sunfire City and understand the rules.
But the intruder turned out to be a tough nut, flipping the table over!
The warning didn't land; instead, he got bitten back.
The sign of his prestigious tavern was trampled on!
...
The patrons exchanged pleasantries and left.
"Albert, how strong is that person?"
Josef looked at the wrecked tavern,
His fingers drumming lightly on the counter, his gaze turning sharp.
He then called out into the air.
"Sir, he's very strong, extremely powerful! He seemed to notice my presence!"
A shadow flickered, and a figure in a black robe and hood emerged beside Josef.
The cloaked figure reported in a low voice.
"Since when did such a person appear in Sunfire City? Can you not defeat him?"
"I can't."
"One chance in ten, and he'll kill me. The other nine chances… I'll die!"
The cloaked figure replied coldly.
Josef hesitated, then spoke gravely, "Report this to that person! And investigate thoroughly; I want all the information on this Black Flame Tavern!"
"Understood!"
The cloaked figure nodded, the magical runes on his body glowing.
Just as he was about to leave,
"Wait a moment!"
Josef remembered something and called him back.
"Dispose of Jack as well!"
He pointed to the fallen Jack.
"This wretched dog who has damaged my reputation is no longer worth keeping alive!"
"No… please, spare me! Please!"
"Give me another chance…"
The pitiful cries abruptly ceased.
Everything returned to calm.
...
"Creeeak…"
"The King of the Desolate World awakens?"
"If that's the case… could we become friends?"
In a place where sunlight does not reach,
Among the white bones and howling winds,
On the blackened, lifeless land,
A low, hissing voice echoed.
On a throne of frost formed from withered bones, a figure slowly rose and gazed eastward.
Issuing a series of hissing whispers.
Meanwhile,
"Creak creak~"
Accompanied by the grating sound of bone against bone,
The earth heaved,
One, two, three…
Under the sweep of dark energy,
Figures began to crawl out from the barren, blackened earth.
Unbeknownst to all,
An endless army had already assembled around the throne,
Pledging their loyalty to their king!