Alex and Sera entered the bar; Sera had changed into something more casual, a simple evening dress.
As the two entered, they draw all attention; however, nobody tried to hit on Sera, nor was there any vulgar comment; people only admired Sera's beauty and Alex's face before resuming what they were doing.
Alex went straight toward the bartender and sat; Sera sat on his left.
''Tonight's recommendation, please!"
The bartender's eyes widened before he smiled before preparing two cups of strong liquor.
Alex finished the cup in one gulp; Sera also did the same thing.
''Another one!" Alex ordered.
After their third cup, Alex started playing a Gold coin.
''Is there any recent unusualness ?"
''Like what?"
Faster than the light, the bartender snatched the gold from Alex's fingers; how can he not understand what Alex and Sera's goal is? From the moment they entered, and after they ordered tonight's specialty, the bartender knew what they want. Truth be told, he had been waiting for their arrival.
Alex did not seem offended, having his gold coin snatched; on the contrary, he brought another two and inquired.
''Like monsters rampage, disappearance, unusual phenomenon.''
At Alex's question, the bartender stayed silent for a moment, as if he was reorganizing his thoughts. Finally, the bartender said,
''Recently, there was no unusual phenomenon that appeared, at least not around here. However, fifteen kilometers from El-Reech they exist a village, in this village, people started disappearing, young people, especially young girl and there is a rumor.''
The bartender stopped talking, Alex almost cursed his shamelessness. However, he came tonight to get information, no matter how costly it was going to be. Therefore, Alex brought out gold coins; this time, instead of two, it was three; the bartender's eyes shined gold, he put on a beautiful smile and became talkative.
''There was a rumor saying a new black mine having been found. It was hidden deep in the middle of a mountain at the east of the village; not many are aware of this new, a drunken traveler told me.''
Alex and Sera both rolled their eyes at the bartender; he must have gotten the man drunk to force him to spill everything he knows.
''I see; how this village is called?"
This time it was Sera who asked instead of Alex; the bartender was not surprised, Sera was not your typical girl, there was something different about her, it was why the bartender was more respectful of her, he never looked at Sera twice; she was giving a dangerous aura, someone that works in the shadow.
''Lorr. Here is the map of the village, where is the red mark, it was where they spotted the new mine.''
Alex smiled; his smile was cold, suddenly he brought out Razor and used it to stab it between the bartender's fingers.
Tak!
Everyone turned their head in Alex's direction; however, before they could get a clear picture of what happened, they were forced to resume their activities because Sera glared at them; she released a bit of her aura.
Back to Alex and the bartender, the latter started sweating because he realized that his intentions have been seen through, that Alex was more dangerous than he had previously thought.
''You see, you are lucky. I don't like to be used. Do you think I won't know what you are trying to do? You are pushing toward that mine, I don't know how you suppress the information that a new mine appeared, but I'm not too fond of such a petty move. Tell me exactly what is going in Lorr, where the missing children are sent, who is behind it.''
Alex's request leave no room for a debate; the bartender sighed before starting to explain.
''My apologies, I mean no offense, just that I found you two to be reliable. You know we are the dark guild, we can ask assistance at the Adventurer Guild, not when we will be losing a huge amount of money, although this new mine is not big, we can earn a lot of money from it, it why we sealed the news. However, one of our men betrayed and joined hand with an unknown group, and mighty group, this group now occupied the mines, our men who we sent were slaughtered. We are just a branch, the headquarter is busy and can only send assistance in one month, by then the group would have excavated everything. As for the disappearance of the young children, especially girls, this is true; the reason why the Adventurer guild have not been alerted is that this village is ours, under our control, it is how men who are there can hold up for a while. Please, I beg you, please help us. You might find some answer over there; we will pay-"
''50%'' Alex cut the bartender off and stated his condition.
''I beg your pardon.''
The bartender had trouble believing what he had just heard.
''I said I want 50% of the mine. If you accept, I will go tomorrow and look into it.'' Alex said.
''This is, can you please lower-"
''No reduction, 50%. Let's quickly sign an agreement. Let's make it quick; who knows what I might say when I see the guild master tomorrow, he wants to see that old geezer, sigh!'' Alex declared while playing with his cup.
The bartender's expression turned grim; if previously Alex had thought of him as shameless, it was now the bartender's turn to think of Alex as shameless. Alex was threatening him, a naked threat.
Sera couldn't contain herself any longer; she chuckled. If not because of where they are, she would have laughed hard.
''30%''
The bartender proposed after a long moment of consideration.
''40%, and I won't go any lower. Let us not waste each other time. You are asking me to put my life on the line, so better propose some that can appease me.'' Alex gave his last condition.
The bartender held his throbbing temple and finally conceded defeat, accepting Alex's condition.
''40% it's then. We will establish the contract in three years. Is that good with you, Mr. Alexander?"
Surprisingly the bartender knew Alex's name; Alex showed no sign of surprise when negotiating never show any weakness, especially at the end; the bartender calling his name at the end is a way to tell him that they were aware of his identity, to gain some advantage as they lost big in this transaction.
''Yeah, it's okay with me, Mr. Allen, nickname Silent step,'' Alex responded with a smile.