Chapter 4: Partners? Section 4

The voice was soft and cautious, as if afraid of disturbing anything. Following the sound, Black Hair immediately spotted a small figure.
Well, how to put it? It was a girl who seemed quite young. She was extremely beautiful, with skin as fair as milk, alluring to the touch. Her long, wavy golden hair draped casually over her shoulders, taking on a dreamy beauty under the neon lights. Coupled with her eyes as stunning as sapphires, she gave Black Hair the impression of a princess from a fairy tale.
Unfortunately, fairy tale princesses don’t wear servant’s clothes. Nor do they show signs of being oppressed by life. And certainly not have spots on their fair faces.
“Uh, are you talking to me?” Black Hair frowned slightly and asked softly.
“Yes, sir. Do you need a guide?” The girl bowed slightly and spoke timidly. Noticing the strange look in Black Hair’s eyes, she remembered the spots on her face, quickly turned away, and rubbed them hastily.
“A guide?” Black Hair pondered for a moment, casually glancing around the bar with the corner of his eye.
Well, there was no one standing out here. Aside from the waiter bringing the red wine, no one else in the bar was looking this way.
“Yes, sir. It’s obvious you’re here in Belling for the first time and might not know much about this place. This is North City, where many deals involve things that can’t be spoken openly. For someone from outside, it’s easy to suffer losses. A guide who is familiar with the local area and has good manners could solve your problems.” Seeing that Black Hair hadn’t refused outright, the girl seemed much more relieved, and her speech became smoother. Though still timid, she wasn’t as restrained as before.
It was then that Black Hair noticed the girl also had a good command of speech.
Smiling slightly, Black Hair took the red wine from the waiter. He nodded at the girl, signaling her to sit down. After asking the waiter for an orange juice, he spoke slowly.
“How did you know I’m here in Belling for the first time?”

“Because your attire is clearly not that of a merchant. If I remember correctly, it looks like that of a scavenger. And those who often come to Belin know well that scavengers are the least welcome profession in this city. Even if one really is a scavenger, they would change clothes before coming here to avoid trouble.” She said thank you first before sitting down. Then, after observing the black-haired man’s expression, she added cautiously, “Moreover, the seat you’re sitting in shows that this is your first time here.”
“Oh?” The black-haired man was taken aback and immediately became interested. “How so?”
“You might think you chose this seat because it’s quiet and less likely to attract attention. But you don’t realize that this seat has already been reserved. In entire Belin, no one except one person dares to sit here.”
“Hm?” The black-haired man frowned, realizing immediately that he might have inadvertently gotten into trouble—trouble no small amount of it. “But I haven’t received any warning.”
“That’s because no one here cares about others’ lives. Sir, if I were you, I wouldn’t be sitting here so calmly right now. I’d move quickly before that person arrives.” The girl paused, took the orange juice handed to her by the waiter, said thank you again, and then continued.
It was also the black-haired man’s fault for not knowing. This bar he had randomly chosen was actually very famous in Belin City—it was a place where elite assassins took on missions. And the seat this assassin usually sat in was exactly where the black-haired man was now.
What a dangerous place—just one misstep could mean facing death… The black-haired man shook his head, a wry smile on his face. His delicate glass glowed with a beautiful red light under the neon lights, while the girl across from him watched him with keen interest.
“If it’s really as you say, then why don’t you run away right now?” The black-haired man suddenly smiled and tapped the table lightly. “Miss, it seems the seat you’re sitting in is also here.”
“That’s different,” the girl said, shaking her head like a metronome. “The seat I’m sitting in is for clients, so Mr. Bloodpupil won’t trouble me.”
“Bloodpupil? Is that his name?”
“Yes. The mighty Bloodpupil, a great warrior of rank B, the messenger of the night. In the records of Belin’s mercenary headquarters, there hasn’t been a single mission he couldn’t complete. As long as the price is right, he can bring you anyone’s head.” The girl spoke slowly, her expression no longer timid but rather solemn.

“Sir, let’s change seats. I don’t want to be seen sitting in his seat when he enters. It would be an unacceptable shame for a killer. You don’t know—no one in Berin can meet his eyes without showing fear, not even the city lord’s guards.”
“Pfft…” The dark-haired man suddenly laughed. His body trembled as he drained the red wine in his glass, then he began to cough violently.
“Hehe, don’t mind me, miss. I’m not underestimating you. But I think your purpose in talking to me isn’t this, right?”
“Oh! Yes…” The girl realized she had gone too far. Panic appeared on her face. After hastily adjusting her clothes, she spoke again. “Then, esteemed sir, would you allow me to be your guide? Believe me, in Berin, you won’t find a better guide than me. I can not only show you around and explain things but also protect you from greedy merchants’ overpriced demands. If needed, I can even handle some legal disputes for you. All this for just a small fee of a thousand Kari.”
“Oh?” The dark-haired man became interested, his eyes narrowing.
“So, miss, you’re essentially doing the jobs of a guide, accountant, and lawyer all at once—yet the cost is only a thousand Kari. Don’t you think that’s strange? Why would such a good deal come to me? In this city of merchants, you should be able to get a higher price.”
Hearing the dark-haired man’s question, the girl’s expression changed instantly. Her small hands flailed around, not knowing where to put them. Even her frail body began to tremble slightly.
“That’s because she offended Black Gold,” a calm voice suddenly spoke beside the dark-haired man.