It was a perfect location, situated between a residential area and a bustling commercial
district.
The alley – without traffic lights – was just wide enough for two cars to pass each other.
Along that road, shops and houses faced each other.
It was past midnight, so the street was deserted, and most of the shops lining both sides were
closed. Amidst the closed shops, a few scattered lights flickered.
Among those shops was a building so quiet and unassuming that it was hard to notice. The
building had a simple exterior that gave a sense of peace. The entrance was located at the
corner beside the first floor.
Christoph, without hesitation, headed straight for the entrance and descended the stairs,
leaving Jeong Taeui shaking his head and clicking his tongue as he followed.
He hurried to keep up with Christoph's determined steps but couldn't fathom what this person
was thinking, daring to charge into enemy territory alone.
If he wasn't mistaken, this was surely Richard's bar.
If so, then most of the people inside were Richard's men or, at the very least, not allies of him
and Chris.
".....Are you okay?"
Jeong Taeui asked as Christoph turned to look at him. He asked with his eyes – "What?" –
Seeing that calm look, Jeong Taeui could only shrug.
Christoph Tarten.
The stories about him were like those of the protagonist in the 'European Killing Fields,' a
lunatic more dangerous than anyone could imagine. Despite hearing so much, seeing his
imposing presence with his own eyes was a first.
His extraordinary overwhelming ability could tear apart a few people in the blink of an eye
without hesitation. Even more terrifying was that despite getting his opponent's blood on him
and stomping them into pieces coldly, he didn't have a single scratch.
Though he had witnessed another monster and lived with it to the point of becoming
accustomed to such horrors, his heart still felt cold.
However, even in that situation, charging into enemy territory alone – Jeong Taeui knew
Christoph could protect himself, but he himself wasn't a strong enough ally to support
Christoph – this weighed heavily on him.He thought of causing chaos by calling the police if something happened inside, but Jeong
Taeui knew the police wouldn't be of help in this situation.
Jeong Taeui racked his brain for a long time, but in this unclear situation, no matter how he
tried to simulate different scenarios in his head, he couldn't come up with a good plan. He
had to resign himself to 'whatever happens, happens' and sighed bitterly.
Who knows. Everything will be fine anyway.
Just as he thought that, Christoph – who was four steps ahead of him – opened the wooden
door without hesitation.
All eyes turned towards them.
Following closely behind Christoph, Jeong Taeui clearly felt the scrutinizing gazes upon
them.
Those eyes primarily focused on Christoph and, after scanning him, shifted to Jeong Taeui,
who was accompanying him.
".... Wow.... The bar looks nice."
Jeong Taeui could only say that.
The surprised gazes at Christoph's appearance covered in blood, also regarded Jeong Taeui –
who was with him – as of the same type, staring at them with similarly intense eyes. Those
gazes were indeed very harsh.
He could hear murmurs - "That's Christoph, Christoph Tarten" - constantly echoing.
The whispers, mixed with surprise, obvious hostility, anxiety, and fear, filled the room. Jeong
Taeui looked around the bar.
The place didn't look any different from ordinary bars.
Inside, there was a slightly elevated bar counter surrounded by tables and chairs. The space
was quite spacious.
"Everything is fine, except I don't like the people here much. Customers or staff alike…"
Jeong Taeui muttered with a frown.
As expected, among those sitting inside were quite a few familiar faces. They were people he
had seen with Richard's faction.
Even though he recognized only a few, it was likely that the rest were similar. The way they
looked at Christoph showed they weren't allies.
Jeong Taeui silently prayed that everything would end smoothly today and took a deep
breath."Christoph!" – A voice called out from the bar area, calling Christoph's name.
A man in a not-too-formal, not-too-casual suit emerged from behind the bar. From his
appearance and demeanor, it seemed he worked there and held a significant position.
Christoph, who was walking in, turned his head towards the caller. Recognizing the man, his
eyes widened, and he stopped.
"Eric!"
It seemed they knew each other.
The man named Eric spread his arms wide, smiling joyfully as he approached.
"Oh my, how long has it been? So... it's the first time since we met in Serbia, right? Great to
see you again. But... Why are you covered in blood like that? Are you injured anywhere?"
The man approached Christoph, intending to pat him on the shoulder instead of shaking
hands, but seeing Christoph's furious glare, he laughed awkwardly and muttered – "Ah right,
I forgot." – He then noticed Christoph's blood-soaked state and looked very surprised.
But seeing his unconcerned face, Jeong Taeui realized that the question – "...are you injured
anywhere?" – was merely a formality.
This meant that this man probably knew exactly who Christoph was.
"Why are you here?"
Christoph asked, frowning. The man raised his eyebrows and laughed heartily.
"I'm a wanderer; it's not strange for me to be here."
"When did you come here?"
"Here? Oh, I came to Germany eight months ago and arrived in Dresden two months ago. So
I've been here for two months."
The man shrugged.
Christoph seemed about to say something but then fell silent, his face clearly showing
displeasure.
"Are you working for Richard?"
Christoph's voice turned cold. The man's eyes widened in surprise, then he frowned.
"What are you talking about? I was just hired by Richard. Someone under him suddenly left,
and there was no one to look after the place, so they asked me to take over temporarily until
they found a replacement. You know I owe Richard a favor. How could I refuse?"
"So, you're involved with Richard because of that debt, right?""Oh my, Christoph. You have to listen to the whole story. I'm Richard's friend, but I'm also
your friend. Isn't that right? If I weren't your friend, why would I risk my life to save you in
Serbia? Even though my knee still hurts every time it rains, I've never blamed or regretted
that."
"..."
Christoph looked silently at the man. His face was gloomy, as if things weren't going as
expected.
"... So, Eric, are you using that to hinder me?"
When Christoph coldly asked, the man's eyes widened in apparent surprise. He raised both
hands in a gesture of surrender and spoke exaggeratedly.
"Oh my, how could I hinder you? If it's your business, I'm more than willing to help, never
causing any trouble! We're friends, right?"
Despite the man's friendly persuasion, Christoph's expression grew colder. His face became
more severe.
Jeong Taeui looked at the man with enthusiasm, then turned to Christoph. Christoph's face
clearly showed his discomfort.
It seemed this man knew both Richard and Christoph and had once risked his life to save
Christoph, resulting in a severe knee injury. He also had a debt to Richard.
Christoph coldly looked at the man welcoming him, then clicked his tongue and raised his
head. Then he spoke coldly.
"Call Richard. I need to talk to him."
"Richard? ...May I ask what it's about?"
Eric – the enthusiastic man – tilted his head in apparent surprise at hearing Richard's name
and asked cautiously. Christoph frowned.
"That's none of your business, Eric. I'm here to settle a personal matter with him, and I know
he's here. If he doesn't show up, I'll tear this place apart. If you don't want to see this bar
destroyed, bring Richard to me."
"What did you say?! This bastard dares to barge into someone else's place and—"
The man standing a few steps away, who Jeong Taeui had seen several times with Richard's
faction, shouted in anger upon hearing Christoph's words.
Ever since Christoph entered the bar, the man had been glaring at them with hostility, and
now, hearing Christoph's words, he could no longer hold back his anger.Christoph glanced towards him. The man brushed off his friend's restraining hand and
stepped forward.
"This isn't your place, you lunatic! It was bad enough seeing you at home, and now you're
here acting all high and mighty?! What did you say? If Richard doesn't show up, you'll tear
this place apart?! Fine, try it, but you'll have to get past me first if you dare!"
The man clenched his fist and shook it threateningly in front of Christoph. Christoph looked
at him calmly and clenched his own fist.
Jeong Taeui thought – 'He's going to be the first to go down'
– and quietly looked away.
"Why is this happening! My friend is here, and you act so rudely, where's my face?! Move
aside!"
The one who shouted and patted the man on the back was Eric – standing before Christoph,
grinning and speaking non-stop.
As the man tried to argue, Eric shouted – "Don't argue with the manager, move aside. Oh my
man, my man!" – and quickly pushed him away. Then Eric turned back to Christoph, smiling.
"Sorry about that, hope you understand. Most of the people working here are under Richard,
you know. Please overlook this for my sake. Oh right, come on over. We have a special drink
that just arrived today! I guess I'm lucky today because you came. Come, sit down. – Oh,
you're friends with Christoph, right? You come to sit too."
At some point, Eric had guided Christoph to an empty seat inside the bar.
Jeong Taeui followed a few steps behind, feeling impressed.
The clever man had led Christoph without touching him and then skillfully brought him to
the bar counter. It seemed he knew well Christoph's habit of avoiding physical contact.
While admiring this cleverness, Jeong Taeui followed and saw Christoph already sitting on
the chair Eric had pulled out.
Though looking dissatisfied, Christoph didn't seem too angry, appearing to agree midway.
"So, what's the special drink you mentioned—?" - Taeui
"No need. Bring Richard here now. I need to see him immediately."
Christoph coldly said, turning the glass Eric handed him upside down and pouring the drink
onto the floor. Eric shook his head regretfully and muttered – "Oh, such a precious drink…" –
He didn't answer Christoph but turned to Jeong Taeui with a friendly smile and said
"What would you like to drink, my friend? Don't worry, it's on me."
"Then I'll have that precious drink you mentioned. I'll drink on Christoph's behalf. Seems
like I'm lucky today."As Jeong Taeui mumbled, Eric suddenly stopped and then burst out laughing. He patted
Jeong Taeui's shoulder hard.
"You're an interesting guy, really interesting! Alright, I'll get it for you. This special drink
is―"
"Eric!"
Christoph interrupted Eric coldly. His deep, cold voice carried the implication that if Eric
interrupted and diverted the conversation one more time, he would overturn everything.
Eric seemed to understand this, his face briefly showing concern before he sighed
exaggeratedly. Strangely, while such an action would look ridiculous on someone else, it
made others feel sympathy for him.