Ernado's expression grew serious, the magical energy around him intensifying with a hint of fear creeping in. The atmosphere in the room was taut when Sabo hesitated and stepped forward, only to be interrupted by a burst of applause.
**Clap, clap, clap.**
The crisp sound shattered the tense silence. Bai Yi turned and saw a beautiful woman with striking red hair entering the room, a calm smile on her face. Her elegance was unmistakable, and the long sword at her back, radiating a sharp aura, hinted at her profession.
Her tone carried a noble quality, softer than that of most swordsmen: "Ah, Dongwu City. Full of hidden talents—it's truly eye-opening."
Ernado paused, his head lowering slightly as he greeted her, "Big sister."
Just then, data about the woman began appearing on the large screen behind Irene, but before her energy level could display, a sword mark slashed across the screen, followed by a fiery arc that instantly destroyed it.
Bai Yi frowned. This swordswoman was powerful, even stronger than the mage. She appeared on the verge of breaking through—a telltale sign of a near-gold level expert, probably around level 50.
"We came to capture members of the Scarlet Cult, not to cause trouble. Next time, be more cautious," she scolded Ernado, turning to Bai Yi with a hint of diplomacy. "Mr. Bai Yi, the Scarlet Cult follows the ancient god, the Crimson Lord. They seek to bring his power down upon Dawn. I assume you understand what the Crimson invasion would entail. So, shall we overlook what just happened here?"
Bai Yi's expression softened, though his posture remained guarded. "Fine. But Mr. Seth here will need to compensate me for damages. Once that's settled, we're even."
"Compensation?" A hint of danger flickered in Kami's eyes.
Bai Yi was unphased, responding smoothly, "Yes. My employee suffered mental distress—1,000 gold coins. The young lady here broke my diagnostic monitor, worth 3,000 coins. And this mage's antics are worth another 2,000. So, 8,000 gold coins total should cover it."
The room fell into stunned silence. Not only was the amount staggering, but his arithmetic was baffling. Didn't 1,000 plus 2,000 plus 3,000 equal 6,000?
Kami's voice edged with impatience. "Enough of this—"
**Snap.**
Bai Yi raised a finger, and with a crisp snap, Seth's face turned a sickly green. He dropped to one knee, coughing up blackened blood that sizzled upon hitting the floor, leaving a small corroded pit.
Bai Yi's tone remained calm. "You have one minute to decide. And since the floor's been damaged, that'll be an additional 10,000 gold coins."
Kami cast a hard look at Bai Yi. "Are you really not afraid of the consequences?"
Bai Yi checked his watch, his expression unfazed. "You have forty seconds. And remember, Dongwu City doesn't belong to your Will family."
Kami took a long breath, her gaze shifting from the gasping Seth to Ernado. "Hand it over."
"Big sister—" Ernado began.
"Do it." Her voice left no room for argument. Begrudgingly, Ernado tossed a Dawn Badge in Bai Yi's direction. Bai Yi accepted it, glancing at the 10,000 contribution points it contained, then holstered his demon-hunting revolver and snapped his fingers once more.
**Snap.**
Another worker bee emerged from the ceiling, landing on Seth momentarily before returning to Bai Yi. Seth's face, which had turned purple from the poison, gradually regained its color. Although he radiated a mixture of fear and resentment, he wisely kept his mouth shut.
Kami cast one last cold look at Bai Yi, briefly glancing at the passageway beside the counter before she turned on her heel and left the shop. Ernado followed her, seething inwardly. This was the first time he had been so thoroughly humiliated, especially by an alchemist.
The two orc guards, still in the shop, bowed respectfully to Bai Yi. "Our apologies, Mr. Whiteblight," they muttered, before following after the Will family members, duty-bound to protect them.
With the room finally cleared, Bai Yi's smile faded, his expression settling back to a frown. He eyed Sabo, who had been hovering in the corner during the altercation.
Turning to Irene, who was gazing at him with wide, grateful eyes, he teased, "Awestruck by how dashing your boss is? Let's just say the mental distress compensation is officially revoked!"
Irene blinked, her eyes going from warm to dry in an instant. She shot him a look of exasperation, thinking, *This guy just loves to mess with me.*
Still, she nodded, lowering her head. "Thank you, boss. I'll work even harder and help you make more money."
Pleased with her response, Bai Yi shot a quick look at Sabo. "See that? Now *she's* a model employee—way more loyal than you, for sure."
Without waiting for Sabo's reaction, Bai Yi waved Irene off. "Go to the lounge and stay in the shop for the next few days. We're on lockdown, and that means overtime."
Irene froze, but then, recalling the dangerous looks from the Will family before they left, she softened, nodding. "Understood, boss. Thank you." She moved to the reception area where a small lounge sat in the back—the same place where Bai Yi often daydreamed.
Once alone in the hall, worker bees fluttered down from the ceiling, discreetly returning under the hem of Bai Yi's coat.
"Why interfere today?" Bai Yi asked Sabo, curious. Their relationship was one of mutual benefit, not dependence, so it was rare for Sabo to directly step in.
Sabo chuckled, his proportions as out of place as ever, his grin uneasy but genuine. "Just paying my respects to a newly minted Silver alchemist, my friend. And well," he admitted sheepishly, "I caught wind of the Scarlet Cult activity and noticed your revolver going off. Thought I'd stop by."
Bai Yi's expression shifted, understanding the significance of his Silver rank. This level change represented a significant boost in both status and value—enough to attract attention, he mused.