"I see, how much does it cost?"
The young man pretended to be interested and played along with the man's trick.
"It's only ten gold coins! Isn't it a good deal? Meeting me is your greatest luck." The man extorted shamelessly, not treating the young man as a human being.
"It's not... expensive." The young man shook his head awkwardly, but his face showed surprise.
Do you really think I'm a fool? Ten gold coins for a fake map? Do you think it's my first time in the world?
The young man cursed inwardly.
"I have to say, brother, you are so insightful."
The man nodded, nearly moved to tears. This was the first time someone didn't haggle. He thought he'd profit for sure.
The man was lost in his joy, oblivious to the young man's shrewdness.
By the time he realized, the young man had already walked away.
"Huh? Wait, you haven't bought the map yet!"
The man quickly caught up.
"What's wrong?" The young man acted as if seeing him for the first time.
"The map! You need the map to stay safe here!"
The man said with a smile, thinking the young man had forgotten.
"Oh!" The young man feigned understanding.
"You really are forgetful." The man smiled, thinking the young man would pay.
"I don't need it." The young man refused simply.
"What?" The man was stunned.
"Don't you understand? I don't need it. Walking unknown roads is full of fun. I don't care about following an established route."
The young man spoke with a strong sense of individuality.
He smiled at the man, waved, and disappeared like sunshine obscured by clouds.
The man realized he had been tricked.
Anger boiled inside him, contrasting sharply with his earlier joy.
"Boy, you used your cleverness in the wrong place!"
The man approached from behind, speaking in a vicious tone, pressing a dagger to the young man's waist.
"Oh? What's wrong?" The young man looked innocent, without fear.
"Come with me, or I'll cut you." The man threatened.
"Okay." The young man seemed unfazed, ready to follow.
They walked into an alley.
"This routine is too old." The young man joked as they entered.
Several rough-looking men appeared, as if waiting.
"Oh! Good afternoon, everyone." The young man greeted brightly.
"Knock out this clever guy's teeth first!"
The man ordered the strong men.
They obeyed, charging at the young man.
Soon, the young man walked out of the alley unscathed. He glanced back at the scene and left without a word.
Encountering sinister hearts and dealing with evil are part of life.
This young man was Kaizen. He had left the Buggy Pirates over half a month ago, wandering the seas.
His comfortable life was becoming stale.
Every night he slept under the stars, sharing his thoughts with the sea.
Alas! Alas!
"Without the world's fireworks, life feels empty!"
Kaizen scratched his head, stepping away from his regrets.
Loneliness can shatter faith.
What he wanted was a peaceful life, not a lifeless one.
Streets were filled with people heading home.
The sun was setting again, disappearing as it pleased.
"Mom, is it over today?"
A little girl asked her mother innocently.
"Yes! Another wonderful day has ended, but don't worry, tomorrow will be just as wonderful."
The mother replied warmly.
"Okay!" The little girl was even happier.
"Xiao Fang! Let's go back together today! I'd feel uneasy if you walked alone at night!"
A middle-aged man lit a cigarette, speaking affectionately to a young woman.
The young woman laughed, "Dream on! Wake up!"
She lifted her skirt and walked away proudly.
The middle-aged man, cigarette in mouth, was left behind, defeated.
"If pirates attacked, I'd protect you first. But you ignore my love. Life is nonsense!"
The man shouldered his burden again, walking against the wind.
"Destined evil path! Are you here again? You can't get involved here, go back..."
Suddenly, a bald old man in underpants, trembling with excitement, shouted seriously at Kaizen.
"This old man is crazy. Stay away."
A passerby warned Kaizen and quickly walked away.
"It's such an interesting place." Kaizen shook his head and left calmly.
After a long walk, he saw a tavern.
Without thinking, Kaizen entered eagerly.
"Hahahaha, look! Another idiot is here!"
As soon as he entered, a harsh voice greeted him.