The bar's air was a thick mixture of cigarettes, alcohol, and food. All kinds of people were in there.
Some of them were having a drinking contest. They were quaffing down their drinks like there would be no tomorrow and it was their last chance to enjoy their liquor.
Some of them were just eating their food, while talking amongst them.
While the rest were playing some games. Cards was the most played game in the pub.
Suddenly, the pub's door opened and a woman walked in. She was wearing a white shirt and black pants. Her hair was orange in colour, only reaching to her shoulders. She had a lazy look in her green eyes.
Walking towards the bar's counter, she took a seat on a stool and said, "Bring me some liquor to drink. Hah, I am really tired."
The bartender gave her a blank look and snorted, "What right do you have to feel tired? Alexandra, you are just a lazy bum with no job, and don't even pay the rent. Did you find any client?" She was a woman in her 50s. Her eyes were filled with disgust, directed towards the woman in front of her.
Alexandra shrugged, "You know the market is very tough now-a-days. Clients always tend to choose the guild for their requirements. Hah, even with low charges... they always choose the guild," she turned towards the man sitting beside her, "oi, you are an adventure, aren't you?"
"Me! No, no, no! I am not an adventurer!" yelled the man. He was terrified by Alexandra's sudden question. His colleagues have always said to avoid the orange-haired woman in the pub.
"Huh, you are not? Then, why is there a star on your chest. You are a low ranked adventurer, aren't you? Is that why you said no? Are you ashamed?"
The man gritted his teeth in anger and yelled, "No, I am not ashamed! Why are you even talking to me?! Shouldn't you just quietly drink?"
Alexandra narrowed her eyes and sneered, "I can do whatever I want to. Do you want me to hit you? Did no one teach you to behave in presence of a woman?" She was tempted to hit the man.
The man shivered in fear and ran away.
"You! Why are you disrupting my business?!" The bartender pinched Alexandra's cheeks, causing her to cry out in pain.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! Old woman, let go of my cheek! It hurts! Yumi, let go!" Alexandra tried to push away Yumi but she couldn't.
Yumi yelled, "You lazy bum! Don't even dare to disturb any more guests! Otherwise, I will throw out." With that, she released Alexandra's cheeks and went to bring her drink.
Alexandra rubbed her cheeks and glared at Yumi. That old woman always tormented her with different methods. She sighed and rubbed her arms. There was no way she could do anything about it... not unless, she paid her rent.
"Here, drink this," said Yumi. She slammed the glass on the table and walked away to tend the other guests.
Alexandra pouted, "Why can't be she nice to me for even a moment?" She gulped down the drink in a single go. "Oi, why did you give the cheapest stuff from your stash? There are countless expensive bottles in your shelves. Why don't you serve me from those?"
"You should pay the rent first, and then talk about drinking expensive alcohol. Also, pay for the drink that you just had. This time, I am not letting you go unless you pay for the drink," said Yumi.
Alexandra's face paled. She pleaded, "Yumi, can you please let it go? I don't have any money with me. Even you strip me naked, you won't find any."
"Stop saying weird things! I don't have any desire to see you naked! Just pay for the drink or else, I will beat you," Yumi snarled. This woman wouldn't correct her ways, would she?
"Yumi, I am like your daughter. So, please... can you please forget about the drink? Also, forget the rent too." Alexandra gave her a sweet smile.
Yumi yelled, "I don't have a shameless daughter like you! I need my money! Pay for the drink now, and pay the rent later. Or else, I will throw you out of my house which I rented you graciously."
Even after hearing the same threat for too many times, Alexandra still trembled in fear. She shouldn't try to push her luck... Yumi might throw her out this time for real.
Pouting, Alexandra pulled out a gold coin and handed it to Yumi.
Yumi smirked at her and put the gold coin inside pocket.
"Hey! What about my change?!" yelled Alexandra.
Yumi shrugged, "Change? I will consider this coin as the payment for your drinks this week."
"Huh? Can you give me more booze then?"
"Nope. You can go now."
Alexandra closed her eyes, and rested her head on the table. She was hungry... very hungry, and Yumi would never give her food... not unless she paid for it.
At that moment, Alexandra heard a commotion. She opened her eyes and lifted her head. Turning her head back, she saw some men harassing a young woman. The nearby people were ignoring them, letting them do whatever they want.
The young woman was wearing a pair of glasses, and her dress was... full of holes. She had a scared look on her face as she tried to pull her hand out of the man's hold.
"Please let me go! I-I... I am sorry... if you don't want to do this mission... but p-p-please let me go," pleaded the spectacled woman.
"Why? You were here to seduce me, weren't you? Although, you are quite shabby... your face looks quite good. I don't mind to try a 'dirty' beauty. After I 'play' you, my friends will also play with you as well." The man laughed along with the rest of his party members.
She shook her head in denial but didn't say anything. Her whole body trembled with fear.