Unusual Fate Records

Chapter 91.029. Taking the Initiative

Jazz bar.

The orange-red lights and soothing jazz music attracted countless drinkers.

At the bar, an elegant bartender, dressed in a well-fitting uniform, sporting a handsome mustache and neatly combed hair, listens attentively to the patrons' concerns with a smile.

Ryoma sat at the bar, looking somewhat dejected.

Sure enough, the young temporary bartender was never seen again. Now that I think about it, how could a bartender who could remain calm and composed in such a conflict be an ordinary person?

But the monster lurking within him...

Longma clenched his fist.

It has already taken the lives of two or more of his companions. If he doesn't stop it, he will be branded as the mastermind behind it all.

Although Pride and the others didn't say anything, they all understood that the Seven Deadly Sins' series of dramatic changes only occurred after they encountered them, so how could it be that they had nothing to do with them?

It's this kind of trust from the other person that makes me feel even worse.

Ryoma doesn't deny that he's a burden, but if someone can contribute their strength, he'd consider it even if it means dying on the spot.

The light reflected off the liquor and onto Ryoma's face. He took a sip; some of the liquor really was hard to drink.

The bitterness in my throat grew stronger.

"Hello, a Long Island Iced Tea, please." A customer sat down next to Ryoma.

Ryoma was taken aback by the other party's nonchalant tone...

He turned his head and saw Fu Xun looking down as he packed his shoulder bag.

The older man changed into a gray casual windbreaker with a white T-shirt underneath. He rested his elbows on the bar, his fingertips moving rhythmically, and his legs kicking in time with the beat, looking just like an old bar patron who was trying to strike up a conversation.

He didn't turn his head, but glanced at the dragon horse out of the corner of his eye and said, "Hey, buddy, how have you been?"

"You are--"

Fu Xun raised his index finger, making a shushing gesture.

"Hello, um, have you heard anything from Mr. Jin?"

"Unfortunately, I'm still trying my luck too," he said with a smug grin. "But this bar has a nice atmosphere."

"Could you tell me more specifically what... is on my body?"

Whenever Longma mentions his misfortune, he feels a pang of unease, as if he's afraid the other person might overhear.

"To put it another way, this thing is growing, just like an insect breaking out of its cocoon to become a butterfly, or a tadpole undergoing metamorphosis, and it will soon develop its own consciousness."

Ryoma's expression instantly turned ugly.

"The dead have become its nourishment, without even a chance for their life's words to dissipate. This is a monster born from your destiny."

"If I die, will the curse stop working?" Ryoma seemed to be making up his mind.

"That depends on whether the thing on you agrees." Fu Xun glanced at him, his dangerous gaze not looking at him, but rather seeing the sinister Grim Reaper monster behind him through his own body.

This feeling sent chills down the spine of the dragon horse.

It was as if death was truly standing behind him, closely watching his every move, ready to kill those around him the moment he found an opening.

He could only clench his wine glass tightly, his eyes red with embarrassment.

"If you ask me, fate isn't actually that mysterious," Fu Xun seemed to change the subject. "Even the most powerful fate, once detached from life, ultimately becomes nothingness, doesn't it?"

"Your Long Island Iced Tea."

The bartender bent down and handed the amber-colored iced liquid to Fu Xun: "Please enjoy."

Fu Xun gave a thank-you look and continued the conversation: "So—"

He took a big gulp, the spicy liquor and crushed ice rushing down his throat.

"To hell with fate, if you mess with me, I'll bite you back."

He remained noncommittal about the dragon-horse, a deep melancholy lingering between his brows.

"Don't keep relying on others. In our line of work, there's a saying: 'Your appearance reflects your heart.' Instead of waiting for others to help you, you should find your own solutions."

"Is this really something that human beings can overcome? It's too shameless to decide the life or death of others so casually." Ryoma was a little out of control, covering his forehead to hide his teary eyes.

"Who knows?" Fu Xun swirled the glass in his hand, downed the liquor in one gulp, completely disregarding its strength.

"Are you leaving?" the young man asked, somewhat wistfully.

"Of course, I'm terrified of you," Fu Xun laughed.

"Is there really nothing that can help me? I'm willing to pay any price." Ryoma's expression was somber.

Fu Xun stood up and put his hand into his pocket.

"Guest, you can scan the QR code over there."

The bartender offered a brief reminder.

Fu Xun mumbled something like "reimbursement" in Chinese and quickly paid the bill for the drinks.

"There's nothing I can do to help you, just consider it a small token of my appreciation to practice your divination skills." Fu Xun chuckled as he placed a slip of paper on the bar counter and moved it across to the dragon horse.

"Hey buddy, you have to try your best to survive."

After Fu Xun finished speaking, he strode away from the bar with his hands behind his back.

The dragon horse unfolded the paper; it contained a QR code.

Feeling uneasy about the crowded area, I put away the note and got up to pay.

……

"We ran into each other." Fu Xun let out a burp, slumped onto the sofa, and puffed out his cheeks.

"Aren't there any employee discounts or anything? It's ridiculously expensive, 100 yuan a cup!" He smacked his lips. "The main problem is that it's not enough to satisfy my craving."

Jin Ziyue glanced at him and said indifferently, "If you really want to drink it, you can order it online with free shipping. I'll mix it for you and it'll be cheaper."

"Damn it, looks like I've been ripped off by cash on delivery quite a few times," Fu Xun complained.

"What's the origin of this knife?" Fu Xun looked at him, quietly wiping his own knife, which was long and sharp, gleaming faintly under the fluorescent light, indicating that it had seen a lot of blood.

Lately, he discovered many of Jin Ziyue's toys, and when he felt itchy to use them, he couldn't help but want to stretch his muscles. Unfortunately, his cheap brother-in-law was taciturn and like a silent gourd, and had never explained where the mysterious armory behind him came from.

There's absolutely no fun in being around them.

Jin Ziyue quietly applied the protective oil to the knife before slowly sheathing it: "A gift from an old friend."

Fu Xun craned his neck to take a look, but couldn't see anything amiss, so he had to give up in frustration.

Suddenly, Jin Ziyue sat up straight and said, "Something's wrong."

The two turned on the listening device, each with an earpiece, their focused expressions suggesting they had returned to their childhood days of playing pranks together.

"Everyone, I have important news."

The voice clearly moved Longma; it was noticeably more invigorated than before.

"Here, someone gave me a QR code. The website on it contains a lot of information that might be useful to us."

"QR code? Be careful of hackers." The steady male voice likely belonged to Greed, one of the seven.

However, his tone didn't seem to reveal much joy or anger.

"This is a shell company."

"If it's not a prank, it's probably the other party's hiding place," someone speculated. "Are they trying to tell us this information?"

“This is indeed their stronghold,” Greed said.

"Not long ago, Aoyagi sent us an email. He claimed that he was giving us a legitimate opportunity to take revenge, and the location... was exactly the same as the company address in the message."

Jin Ziyue frowned, looked up and met Fu Xun's eyes, both of them sensing the apprehension in their eyes.

(End of this chapter)