Normal POVThugs and suspiciously looking men surrounded the Barrel Zone.
But none of them dare to attack her.
After all she work under 'him'.
Yuu, also known as the orphan girl from the fire.She got a lot of nicknames growing up.
The orphan girl.
'His' girl.
Little pink girl... And so on...
She's quite a celebrity in the underworld.After all she also have a unique look.
Unusual pink hair with a bit of streak of white hair, sparkling emerald eyes and pale skin tone, as if she was a ghost....Everyone turn their heads just to look at her.Every step that she takes, silent whispers go through her ear.
"Successful loot again.." one of the men said."Looks like it, when did she even fail....I swear he was raising her to be a criminal" another whisper."What a shame..." the men shook their heads in disappointment.Yuu can only walk proud, raising her head high and smirk.She's used to this.
Surrounded by judging eyes all her life.
She doesn't care anymore, as long as she makes him happy.
Yuu pushes the heavy door of their 'hide out'.Not really a hide out.
It was a big beer club house.
Flashing lights everywhere, people dancing left and right.
Music that bursting to her ears.
Other seem already intoxicated, other were under the influence.
It was a chaotic place, but she called it her home.
"Another one, huh?" She approached the tall muscular man with thick beard behind the counter.He was wiping glasses while he greeted her.
"Yup! And Aetheral knights can't even catch me" she laughs as she put the loot on the counter.She take seat while the man give her an iced tea.
"Oh come on Zack! Stop treating me like a kid" she complained and pouts at her drink.The man only let out a chuckle.She take a sip of the iced tea and her eyes lit up.
It was indeed a good feeling drinking an cold beverage after the long day of work.
"You seem enjoying it though" Zack replied.She put the glass on the counter with a loud tud."That's because I was craving something cold, it's hot in here!" She complained again.
"What can we do? We're in the lower zone, even getting a fresh water is a struggle here." He refills her drink.She looked around, the music still banging and the lights are still flashing.People looked happy, but deep down, they know the struggle of the lower people here in the Barrel Zone.
"Aetheral is bullshit, how many times they promised that they'll provide us fresh water!" She can hear others complained about the system.Glass shattering, people fighting and other is dancing.The other corner is smoking, and under the influence.
She continue to drink her ice tea while Zack serve other costumer.
Suddenly everyone goes silent as the heavy door easily got burst open.Instinctively, she grabbed her loot and hide it behind her.
She turned her back to witness the scene.
It was him.Her 'father' and his men.
Some immediately fix their posture as they greeted him.
No one ever know his name, he was called by the name 'Warden'.
After all, he takes criminals and homeless people under his wing and make sure that they don't misbehave.
He was feared in the Barrel Zone.No one dares to attack him, he got a nick name with 'black iron fist'.
He got this nickname long time ago, after he defeated the former Warden.
People were relieved that the former Warden got replaced.They said that the former Warden were cruel and selling lower people as a slave.
Not until one boy decided to stand up.
He lost his hand in that battle but he won at the end.
As for the appreciation for his bravery, the lower people destroyed the bridge that connects to the slavery island and made him a prosthetic for his hand.Old people in lower said that his hand were created by the black elves that's why his punch is ten times stronger now.Strong enough to take down a ship with a single punch.
He was a hero that's the reason why they also build a statue of him in the middle of the Barrel Zone.It was big and made of scrap metals and iron.
However, despite all his hero doings.People also feared him just the same as they love him.
There's a famous story about a foolish man thinking he can scam the Warden into buying cheap fake metals.When the Warden found out about this. He immediately take the man and throw him in the slave island were the rumors said that there's a monster hybrid living there.
But that's just a make up story that people spread about.Warden wouldn't mind about it though.
He believes that it's better to be feared than love.
...Yuu immediately rise from her seat and bow down to him."Hello, father" she smiles as she met his gaze.
It was disappointment."I heard you cause a ruckus again" he raised his hand indicating that people can continue what they're doing.
The people chatter again, his men surrounded the area as he take a seat in the counter too.Zack immediately serve him his usual drink.
"I'm sorry, father...but I got the loot succesfully!" Yuu handed the bag full of gemstone to him.He only sighs as he put the bag on the counter."You raided a Merchant's vehicle." He takes a sip of his drink.
"Erm...well, your birthday is coming soon so, I thought I could use this to buy you some gift." She looks up to him hoping he would be pleased.But he didn't.He slammed his fist on the counter making everyone flinch.
"That's not just a normal merchant's vehicle, Yuu."
And that is the signal that he was displeased again to her."It was traders from the Southern Kingdom, the capitol is already at panicked just for these stones."
His words drip like venom as he emphasized each words.She can her people snickering and laughing at her.
The Warden is displeased again.
"Really? Just for five shining gemstones, I guess nobles have a particular taste." Yuu shrugs off making the Warden even more furious.