[Chapter 52]
"Who is this... person?"
Evelin asked with dismay.
Sitting beside John, Jin glanced at him and spoke with a straight face.
"A friend."
Evelin furrowed slightly as she examined John with an incredulous gaze. Jin raised a brow.
"I'm assuming you have something to say."
Evelin shook her head.
"Nothing... It's just... when you said you knew a capable person in the lower districts, I was expecting someone else. You can say I'm a little disappointed."
Puffing his chest, John spoke furiously.
"Hey! You must be a bigshot, but this is the entertainment district. You're nothing but just—"
Evelin threw a chilling glare at him. John bit his words and said in a low voice.
"Never mind..."
Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Evelin spoke.
"So, what is it you want?"
Jin was about to speak, but seeing the waiter coming to their table, he decided otherwise.
A few days ago, he had asked both Evelin and John in the entertainment district. The young woman felt indebted to him and had promised to do him a favor, as long as she was capable of doing it. The thought alone was baffling. After all, one of the richest and strongest people in the entire Acropolis was backing her.
At first, he came up with several possible requests—armors, weapons, elixirs, and a higher position with the guild. But after the fiasco with the Halden Clan, his perspective changed massively. He was certain that she was the only person who could help him with what he was about to do.
As for his old friend, as peculiar as he was, he never let a gig go if it meant getting paid. Jin hadn't promised him anything yet, so he was also surprised that the man showed up at all.
He studied the waiter as he placed one dish after another.
When John mentioned that—he knew a place—Jin was skeptical to say the least. Now, he understood why Evelin was so disappointed. There was only one table in this restaurant, and the waiter, who was also the chef and owner, served us.
Rubbing his hands together, John plunged his fork into what was a large fish served on a platter.
"Dig in, guys, you'll never find anything better than this anywhere in the city."
Due to his grandmother's request, Jin had to finish his dinner at home, surrounded by Lian's family, before coming here. His stomach was already filled to the brim, having had two whole bowls of stew.
As the waiter left, both Evelin and Jin winced, the pungent smell of garlic and spices attacking their acute senses. John didn't mind their behavior and continued to fill his mouth with another bite.
Subtly turning to the other side, Jin spoke in a subdued tone.
"Before I get to the point, I believe you'll need some context."
Both of them turned to John. About to take another big bite, the young man stopped and asked with his mouth full.
"What?"
Jin cleared his throat.
"Tell her about the situation in the lower districts."
Taking another bite, John thought for a moment, wiped his lips with a paper tissue, and then spoke nonchalantly.
"Oh, that? There's not much to tell, though. The Fight Club's owner was holding the lower districts together. But since she's no longer here, all the smaller factions are starting to act up again. I heard that a guy named Thar replaced her, but his focus is only on the fight club. Well... that and the many other gangs he has under his control."
As he mentioned, the fight club's owner, Jin, noticed Evelin's expression had changed slightly. She seemed surprised, as if she wasn't expecting that piece of information.
Scratching his nose, Jin said, "Tell her about the factions."
Looking at the platter, John gulped and spoke.
"That... since the lower districts aren't regulated by the government as thoroughly as the inner sections, there are dozens of gangs and organizations down here. Some stay in their limits, while others... let's say they treat the lower district like a playground. All these factions, big and small, are fighting among themselves to decide who deserves to take over the Fight Club."
Evelin frowned deeply.
"Didn't you just say that place was taken over by Thar? Why would they fight over something they don't own?"
John squinted his eyes.
"You must not know. It's understandable, since you don't live down here... The Fight Club isn't just 'a club', it's a symbol."
Unable to hold back any longer, he took another bite of the overcooked fish.
"The previous owner... she was really strong. I haven't seen her fight myself, but even her bodyguard feared her. He was a third ranker, by the way. Which means she was at least a fourth-ranker, which is like... Commandant level in military terms. And as far as I know, there's not a single fourth-ranker in the lower districts, not a single one."
Seeing him chew thoroughly, Evelin said.
"Get to the point."
John gulped down a whole glass of water and spoke slowly.
"This is just an assumption, but I think the previous owner was a big shot in the inner districts. I've tried to dig up her past myself, but it's as if she didn't even exist seven years ago. If what I said is the truth, then the new guy is also from the inner sections. Probably from some clan, or it could even be the government."
As Evelin grasped the fork placed beside her empty plate, John shifted in his chair.
"Ah... All I'm saying is that people down here respected her. But now they hate her more than ever. That's why the other factions are trying to replace her and swallow all she had built over the years."
Evelin clicked her tongue.
"Do I have to repeat myself? How are they planning to overtake something they don't even own?"
John snorted.
"Heh. Let me tell you something, lady. No one owns anything down here. Do you think the previous owner bought the land and built the fight club herself? It was all done illegally, one way or another. The moment Thar falls, the stalemate situation will turn into a free-for-all. The power dynamic will shift toward the second and third ranking factions, The Dead Viper gang and The Big Boss to be precise. Once that happens, the lower districts will fall under a critical period until a victor is decided."
Having explained the situation, John returned to enjoying the scrumptious meal. The three sat in silence as Evelin processed all the information.
Jin had a vacant expression on his face. At some point, his thoughts drifted in a different direction. Lian's memories had left a bad taste in his mouth. The unresolved feelings and knowledge that his father was perhaps still alive were a lot to take in.
Until now, Lian was nothing more than a mere vessel to him. But now, he was a part of Jin's consciousness and being. The conflicting feelings, diverging thoughts, and everything else he was about to experience from now on, he wasn't certain he could keep standing till the end.
However, he didn't have a choice.
Rubbing her eyes, Evelin spoke.
"You still haven't told me what it is that you want."
As focus returned to his gaze, Jin tapped the table with his index finger.
"I want to kill Thar."
Shoving another bite down his throat, John nodded unconsciously.
"Hmm... you want to kill Thar."
A second later, the realization hit him. Choking on the piece of fish stuck in his throat, he gulped down Jin's glass of water.
"... I think I didn't hear you correctly."
Jin leaned over and grabbed Evelin's glass as well, placing it in front of John instead.
"I'm going to kill Thar. Tonight."
John gulped the glass of water, placed the fork down, and stood up in a swift motion.
"Well, that was a good meal. If you won't mind, I'll excuse myself now."
Before he could leave, Jin placed some cash on the table.
"That's your advance."
John looked at the wad of cash intently. However, he picked up the roll and safely put it in a pocket inside his jacket. Scratching his stubble, he sat down and said with an amicable smile.
"How can I ignore my best friend's request? Whatever you need, I'm your man."
Evelin crossed her arms and spoke.
"I won't kill someone, Lian. At least unless I don't have any other choice."
Jin replied with a distant gaze.
"Don't worry. You simply have to buy me some time."
Lowering her head, Evelin remained quiet for a few seconds. Finally, she sighed and stood up.
"Understood. Let's go."
Jin widened his eyes.
"What? You won't even ask why I'm doing it?"
Evelin shrugged.
"I'm just repaying a favor. I don't even have to mention the consequences of what you're about to do. Whatever it is that you're planning, I just hope you know what you're doing."
Jin smiled softly as he stood up. He had expected her to bombard him with countless questions. However, Evelin was more clever than he had imagined her to be. The only thing that bothered him was the fact that she still didn't trust him.
'... Why does it bother me?'
Feeling his emotions being affected by Lian's leftover consciousness, clicked his tongue and spoke in an annoyed manner.
"Let's move. We don't have much time."
John looked at the pitiful fish, half the platter still waiting for him to finish it. However, with Evelin and Jin already out of the restaurant, he placed a few bills on the table, tucked them under the plate, and followed them outside.