Kagero watched the new personality that stood before them.
It was almost like he was now a completely different person.
From his demeanor to his aura, and even down to his look. The Ghoul before them had transmogrified.
'This guy.' Kagero narrowed his eyes, clenching his fist in worry. 'Feels almost as strong as Gami.'
"Goth." A welcoming grin spread through Gami's lips. "Good to see you."
A different name?
This was all the confirmation Kagero needed. The person standing before him was no longer the jovial Gal.
It was a completely different Shinigami. One who for some reason— gave Kagero a bitter feeling in his stomach.
The figure grunted, folding his arms.
"I can see you're still as curious as ever." His eyes drifted over to Kagero, and the Barman observed him for a brief moment.
Kagero jolted under his gaze, then proceeded to sit straight.
"You're still going on your little expeditions." Goth took her empty glass, cleaning it with a hand towel.
The lady then let out a light chuckle, as her mind drifted back to past memories.
"Of course, there are far too many intriguing things in this world…" Her gaze fell on Kagero.
"…And out of it."
The Bartender scoffed, giving the woman another pour of golden liquor.
The Shinigami's eyes roamed around him furtively. Before he spoke out in a hushed tone.
"So what cocktail will you be going for?"
Gami's eyes narrowed sharply, her fizzog hardening under the seriousness of the situation.
"The King of all Liquors."
The lady replied his code with swiftness, causing Kagero to just stare at them, his face puzzled in confusion.
However, not even a second later, his pupils widened, his face shifting into a proud smile at his quick grasp of the situation.
They were speaking with cryptic words.
"The Shinigami King?!"
Gath yelled, before covering his mouth, and drowning his tone into a faint whisper.
"Why the saint are you searching for him?"
Gami drifted into her seat, responding to Goth's panic with a relaxed smirk.
"I'm conducting an experiment. And I'll need to find him to complete it."
The Bartender sighed.
He closed his eyes for some seconds in thought, then slowly opened them, a hard expression plastered on his face.
"Several Shinigamies and Ghouls have all gone before his presence." Goth placed his hands on the counter, transferring his shivers onto the table.
"And none have returned to tell the story." He locked a firm gaze into Gami, the latter resting her fingers under her chin with a mischievous grin.
"You think I don't know that?"
Having witnessed her unshakable resolve, Goth let out a breath, ramming his fist into the counter under his mirthful chortle.
"You really are one crazy woman." He offered a— complement? Wearing his spirited attitude once more.
Goth reached under the counter, clattering sounds escaping from beneath the table as his hand moved in search of a somewhat undiscoverable object.
"Here she is." He stood straight, now holding a scroll on one hand. "This'll lead you to the Shinigami King."
"Ah, thanks for your help." Gami thanked him hastily, reaching her arms for the scroll. But her fingers only scratched thin air.
"What are you doing?" Goth's eyes creased with annoyance.
"You've got to put some hay in for this horse to start galloping."
A shrewd smile spread across the bartender's lips.
Kagero's shoulders fell, and he shifted his attention to an irked Gami. Though she did her best to hide it behind a smile, her teeth were still gritted in annoyance.
Friend or not, a bartender was always a bartender. And according to Tavern 101, whenever you sought information from the master behind the pub, you'de have to…
"Drop some gold on me, you know the drill."
Painstakingly, Gami raised a finger into the air, causing an ethereal purse to emanate into plain sight.
"Can we have the scroll now?" She asked with her most ravishing grin, sliding a single golden coin before Goth.
But the Bartender had his priorities straight.
His smile hung on his face, the grin fading into a cruel frown a second later.
"What scroll?" He slowly tucked it into his pocket, casting a blank expression at Gami.
'Typical greedy Bartender.' Kagero mused, watching the extortion going on before his very eyes.
However, it didn't really do much to bug him. After all, with how prestigiously dressed Gami was, coupled up with her wide range of popularity, he could tell she was rich.
This was probably going to be one of those aura farming scenarios where she drops a bag of gold, and not only gets the scroll, but purchases the entire tavern!
Kagero couldn't help but watch with a wide grin spreading from ear to ear.
'This is going to be good—'
"Kagero, got any money on you?"
"Huh?"
Kagero turned to Gami, his face as pale as a ghost's.
"Heh?"
Gami tilted her head.
"…"
"…"
"I've run out, haha." She lifted her shaky finger with a childish smile.
Kagero's gaze darkened in shame as his face fell downwards.
"No."
"No I don't."
"Oh." She placed her finger on her chin in thought, snapping it the moment an idea hit her.
"You might have to wash the dishes."
Kagero immediately lifted his head. His mind was baffled by her utter lack of accountability.
"Why just me?—"
BANG!
A loud boom echoed through the tavern as the doors were violently kicked open.
Everyone including Kagero turned their attention to the source of the disturbance.
And right out of the doors came someone who made Kagero's eyes widen in shock.
"Big Buster's coming in hot!"
The recalcitrant giant came forward with two ghouls, each of them smearing their faces with stupid smiles.
His eyes motioned around the tavern, and then it stopped the moment he found Kagero.
"You!"
He pointed to Kagero, stealing everyone's attention with a thunderous bellow.
The giant then twisted his face into a wicked smirk and stumped his foot on a table.
"You're the human I've been searching for!"
The instant the word human left his lips—
Every Ghoul, ghost and Shinigami in the tavern turned their sights to Kagero, bloodlust shooting through their murderous gazes.