It was impossible for a duke recognized by the royal family and holding a title to appear in such a small tavern. Therefore, 'Duke' was more likely a nickname or a code name. Seth quickly recognized this and moved toward the bar.
He heard someone yelling, "Sanqi, another beer over here!"
Sitting on the high chair before the bar, Seth didn't take the initiative to speak. He was certain the original owner had visited the bar before but had yet to learn what the original owner was doing there.
Although he had inherited the body's memories, they seemed only fragmented.
He needed to retrieve other memories himself to piece together a complete past.
This quest could start at the Kraken Bar.
The bartender, who had just delivered a glass of beer, didn't seem surprised by Seth's silence. He continued wiping the glass, "I thought you weren't coming back. My work would have been in vain if that were the case."
Seth looked up and glanced at him through the black iron mask.
The bartender shrugged. "Why, did you forget? You entrusted me to inquire about something."
"It seems you have some information about that matter."
Seth deliberately lowered his voice, making it deeper and more mature, different from his usual bright and clear tone.
The bartender, Sanqi, glanced at him casually. "Are you sick? Your voice sounds different from usual. It has a heavier nasal tone, not as hoarse."
"Yeah? Thanks for the reminder." Seth adjusted slightly and said, "Probably because I haven't closed my eyes in the past 48 hours."
Sanqi smiled. "That's normal. You're our best bounty hunter. Not sleeping for two days is nothing."
"Bounty hunter? The original owner was doing this? I probably know why he was so proficient at killing people. But why did this young master become a bounty hunter?"
"Interest, or another purpose?"
"By the way, do you want to know the result? I mean, the information." Sanqi put down his glass and looked at Seth.
"Of course."
Seth was also curious about what the original owner had entrusted him to ask. The bartender took a small notebook from under the bar, threw it before him, and asked, "What would you like to drink?"
Seth took the notebook. "The usual."
Sanqi snorted and began mixing the drink.
Seth opened the notebook to see some scrawled information.
"Shadow Gauntlet. This is a half-finger glove, material unknown. It can increase the user's strength and the force of their blows. During an attack, it randomly summons 'Shadow Fist,' which emerges from the void or shadows, impacting the target's body and mind. The chance of summoning Shadow Fist increases in dark or shady environments."
"This is an extraordinary weapon!"
The original owner was collecting extraordinary weapons. Did he know about extraordinary abilities? This is not surprising, considering he was already a bounty hunter, one of the best in this small place.
But then, why was someone killed on the Alfalfla, giving me the chance to be reborn?
If the original owner's death was orchestrated, wouldn't it be suspicious to see him come back to life?
Could I already be on someone's list?
Thinking of this, Seth broke out in a cold sweat. It seemed he had disembarked safely, possibly due to some arrangement.
He must improve his strength!
And it starts with getting this extraordinary weapon!
Seth put down the notebook. At that moment, Sanqi pushed a glass of red wine, red as blood, toward him. Did the original owner like to drink this?
Gently lifting a corner of his mask, Seth drank it in one gulp. It tasted like juice at first but felt like a burning flame in his stomach.
Re-covering his mask, Seth pushed the book back.
"Where can I get this?"
Sanqi put the notebook away, leaned forward, and lowered his voice. "The seller is here, in the card room. His name is Bridge. You can negotiate with him directly."
Remembering Leon's guidance and the hunters' habit of gathering information, Seth asked, "What do you know about Bridge?"
Sanqi shook his head and smiled. "You know, Duke, I have to protect my clients' privacy and cannot provide their information."
Seth took a stack of banknotes from his pocket, picked out a 5-pound note, and placed it on the bar.
San Qi shook his head, quickly covered the note with a cup, and said, "This guy just came to our town recently. He seems to be in trouble. He's suspicious and likes to play cards. He entrusted me to find him a bodyguard, but only temporarily."
Seth took out another 5-pound note.
"There's more."
"Damn it, Duke, you can't make me do this," Sanqi said, taking the note.
"Well, Mr. Bridge should be in a lot of trouble because, in addition to wanting a professional bodyguard, he also specified that it's best if the bodyguard is Extraordinary!"
"Yes, you heard that right. He needs an Extraordinary person as a bodyguard. God knows what trouble he's gotten into. If I were you, I wouldn't wade into this mess."
Seth put away the remaining banknotes.
"I appreciate your honesty."
"Get lost!"
San Qi growled but honestly pocketed the 10 pounds, pointing to a room behind the bar.
"That's the card room."
Seth lowered his felt hat, walked along the wall, passed some drunks, and reached the card room.
He knocked on the door, and someone opened it. A choking smell of smoke wafted out, and the misty white smoke floated in the air, making the light of the gas lamp seem surreal.
Seth walked in and handed his hat and coat to the waiter next to him, exposing the holster. He leaned against the wall, not participating in the game.
After observing for a while, Seth realized they were playing Texas Hold'em, a game invented by a fellow traveler.
A middle-aged man with gray hair in a formal suit turned over his hole cards at the poker table. An Ace of spades and a 10 of spades appeared on the table, along with the 2 of spades, 9 of spades, and King of spades, forming a flush.
This made the men around him groan in regret. The middle-aged man had won.
He stood up, a hearty smile on his face, and swept the banknotes on the table toward his corner. Before they could start the next game, Seth coughed lightly.
"Which one is Mr. Bridge? Sanqi introduced me, and I want to buy something special."
The man who just won the money raised his head and looked at Seth. His gaze lingered on the iron mask for the longest time, then the gun holster under his arm. He smiled and spread his hands. "Gentlemen, how about we call it a day?"
It seemed he was Bridge.
The others knew he and Seth had something to discuss and left one after another. After the waiter left, Bridge counted the banknotes and asked, "What do I call you?"
"They all call me 'Duke,'" Seth announced his nickname.
"Duke?" Bridge raised his head.
"Are you the best bounty hunter in this town?"
"Perhaps. Mr. Bridge, what is the price of your 'Extraordinary Weapon'?" Seth pulled up a chair and sat down, leaning forward slightly, showing concentration and a slight sense of oppression.