Qing Yan (frowning):
"Wait... what are these tattoos…?"
He knelt down, eyes narrowing as he studied the faintly glowing marks.
Qing Yan:
"...Don't tell me…?!?!"
His eyes widened suddenly.
Qing Yan:
"Is this some kind of trend?! Was this fucker some kind of tattoo fanatic?!"
He made an exaggerated wide-eyed face.
??? (the blue-eyed one from before, telepathically):
Tsk tsk. I thought you were arrogant, but turns out you're just stupid. A big one at that.
Qing Yan:
"Shut the fuck up, son of a bitch."
He sat down in a thinking pose, eyes still fixed on the tattoos.
???:
"Wh–What did you just call me?!"
Qing Yan:
"This surely isn't just some ordinary tattoo... but what are these? And how the hell was this fucker able to sense my presence?"
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Qing Yan:
"Looks like things are getting interesting."
???:
"To notice they aren't ordinary, you're quite sharp. Do you enjoy pretending to be stupid or is that just your natural talent?"
Qing Yan:
"Looks like you know something about these."
???:
"I'm not sure."
Qing Yan:
"Oho? I think I should get going then. I have to submit the bounty and receive my reward."
His stomach growled. He wiped at his mouth while drooling slightly.
???:
"Tsk. Such a weird human."
Qing Yan:
"Even if he burst, some body parts are still intact. Should be enough for proof, I guess."
He casually gathered what remained of Li Heiye's body.
Qing Yan:
"I'll get going now. I'll pay you a visit someday—make sure to welcome me properly."
???:
"Sure, sure. I'm looking forward to it." (in a taunting tone)
Qing Yan leapt into the sky and took flight.
???:
"How long has it been since a human talked back to me? Cursing me, even... Looks like something is changing. Not bad, I guess."
Qing Yan (while flying):
"It's night already. I wasted too much time on that bastard."
He sighed mid-air.
Qing Yan:
"Tsk. I should've just sucked out his memory instead of acting cool..."
A loud growl came from his stomach.
Qing Yan:
"Wait a bit more, you bastard. I'm doing this all for you!"
With a burst of speed, he streaked through the sky.
He arrived at the bounty guild and stepped up to the door.
Qing Yan:
Opens the door "Hey, manager! You there?"
He walked inside.
The usual manager wasn't there — instead, a different man stood behind the counter.
Qing Yan:
"Where's the manager?"
The Man:
"It's night shift, so I'm here in his place."
The man scanned Qing Yan's clothes, noting the dirt, damage, and faint bloodstains.
The Man (under his breath):
"Tsk..."
Qing Yan:
"I'm here to collect my bounty."
But something felt wrong. A sudden heaviness. His instincts prickled.
Qing Yan (thinking):
What is this uneasy feeling...? Qi sense—
The man's eyes flicked briefly — too quickly — then darted away.
Qing Yan (thinking, eyes widening):
Huh—?!
[TO BE CONTINUED]