Chapter 1: The Endless Sea
Part 3: TT Nightclub and New Allies
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A Night of Relaxation
After the chaos at the shop, Shin Hart suggested taking a break at TT Nightclub (Branch), a famous hotspot on the Noah. Known as a gathering place for the talented and influential, it was the perfect place to unwind.
John agreed, and the two parted ways to prepare. That evening, they arrived at the lively nightclub. Shin guided John to a reserved table and introduced him to a friend.
Yuseong—a man with leopard-like features—dressed sharply and exuded an air of confidence. Despite his composed demeanor, Shin teasingly called him a "playboy," prompting a sheepish laugh and lighthearted denial. The three quickly hit it off, chatting and laughing as the night unfolded.
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Bellita's Performance
Yuseong excitedly mentioned that tonight would feature a violin performance by Bellita, a renowned musician on the Noah.
Soon, a petite girl with snow-white skin and shimmering canine ears and tail stepped onto the stage in an elegant black dress. Her luminous eyes mesmerized the crowd as she lifted her violin.
When she played, the nightclub fell into an enchanted silence. The melody was hauntingly beautiful, captivating every soul in the room. Thunderous applause erupted after her first piece, and she continued to perform several more. As she finished her final song, she prepared to leave the stage.
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The First Confrontation
Suddenly, a massive man resembling a humanoid dinosaur stormed in, accompanied by none other than Crispy, the pig beastman who had caused trouble earlier.
Crispy shouted, "My boss, Jin, demands your company at his table!"
Bellita froze, her face pale with fear. She tried to refuse, but Crispy persisted. Unable to stand by any longer, John stepped in.
"You again?" Crispy roared, his face twisting with rage.
John's calm yet intense gaze silenced the room. His unflinching demeanor unnerved Crispy and Jin, forcing them to retreat with a growled warning: "We'll be back!"
Bellita thanked John profusely, her voice trembling with gratitude. The two parted ways shortly after, but John couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was far from over.
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The Ambush
On their way back, John and Shin were ambushed by Jin and his gang, who had gathered a group of beastmen to surround them.
Shin's face betrayed his anxiety, but John remained calm, ready to fight. Before the tension snapped, an arrow struck one of Jin's men square in the shoulder.
"Stand down!" a commanding voice echoed from the shadows.
Emerging from the darkness were three figures:
1. Tanuki—a dignified lion beastman wielding a bow with unparalleled precision.
2. Sewon—a gray cat beastman armed with a katana, exuding the aura of a seasoned close-combat fighter.
3. Nita—a young jaguar beastman with the agility of a shadow, moving like a trained ninja.
It was Yuseong and his team.
The battle broke out, and despite their numbers, Jin's group was no match for the skill and coordination of Yuseong's team. Defeated and humiliated, Jin and his gang fled into the night.
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Forming an Alliance
After the fight, Yuseong approached John. "I saw what happened at the nightclub and had a bad feeling, so I decided to follow you."
He introduced his teammates:
1. Tanuki—a master archer whose calm demeanor made him an invaluable tactician.
2. Sewon—a katana-wielding swordsman with unparalleled skill in close-quarters combat.
3. Nita—a young but formidable ninja with unmatched speed and precision.
Grateful for their intervention, John and Shin thanked them. The group parted ways, but a mutual understanding lingered—this newfound friendship could become a powerful alliance in the battles yet to come.
(End of Part 3)
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