Endless Vertex

Huang Li squirmed to restore his ear, but it was futile. The man waved at the waitress and said. "Two Absinthe 65 percent. Hurry, I gotta return to my job."

"Uncle, isn't your job over!?" Huang Li eventually gave up on resisting.

"Shush! There are times when you speak and times when you don't." He snatched the two green bottles on the counter, and sauntered off, Huang Li still in his grasp.

Before he reached for the main exit door, he glanced back. "Nice job. I remember you. The boy with the broken mug. You good too." Then he left, leaving awkward speechlessness.

"Where did he come from? How did he appear?" Everyone's thoughts went haywire. All this was not logical at all.

Atlas lightened his stiffened hand. The glass crumpled into morsels, and so did his mind.

[When did drivers evolve this rapidly? Is the salary that high?] Atlas and Nova recognized the man whom Huang Li called uncle. It was the Huang driver guy who Wang Mou was abnormally respectful too.

"Snap! I forgot to ask for an photograph!" Tristan yelped after dazing off for a moment.

"Who is he?"

"Huang Sui! One of the most secretive and potential candidate for the Huang Family lord election! Not to mention, he is also a Galaxy Arena member!" His eyes dazzled with admiration.

[Class 1 Family Huang? Is this a good time to ask about the Qin Family? Will it be too rush and obvious enough for Tristan to question my motive?] Atlas's thoughts bickered strenuously. Why does saying a few sentence seem like a fighting a complicated political war?

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"Last warning, do not pick up fights without reasonable explanation." On an empty platform arena in a different floor, Huang Sui flicked away the cap of the Absinthe with the tip of his thumb, handing it to Huang Li. "Grow up, don't quarrel over petty things. Be a gentleman, don't be too demanding with women. Man up a bit, stop drinking tasteless tequila. Exclusive liquor designed for people like us only, try one, heighten your taste by discovering the gist."

Huang Li rubbed the mouth of the bottle nostalgically, touching the scars on his face gently. "Thanks. No wonder my brother looks up to you as well. You are like a father who actually cares for his children. Huang Yan will never get the throne. You'll succeed uncle."

"I'm happy to hear that." He clanged his drink with Huang Li's, and gulped it all down in one serving. "Bao Li, a term for violence. You and your brother's names are acts of desperation to let his offsprings inherit his primitive behavior. Never forget that. Control the beast. Don't let the beast control you."

"Yes, I'll never forgot your valuable teachings."

Huang Sui stared blankly into space, deep in thought, and quietly murmured. "One question. If a person before you, was the son of a once unsurpassed talent, would you slay him to minimize potential competition, to preserve dominance? Or would you spare him to build a friendship strong enough to last an eternity?"


"Depends." Despite all the rigorous pondering, Huang Li's low-toned answer was reduced to simplicity.

"Good answer. Also, no need to be too solemn. Enlighten up! Let's go throw some punches. Remember, one foot out, any foot, and maintain your centre of gravity..."

The stadium pervaded with a sweet, lighthearted sensation.

———————-

"Reporting to all Coiling Dragon Arena members. Today's mission will be podcasted at the recreational area on the negative fifth floor. Please proceed there for more detailed information... hey!" The serious attitude was suddenly cut out by a sound of complaint.

"That's it for today! Peace! Zzz..." Compared to the previous announcement, a more juvenile voice interjected and the speakers buzzed out.

Just as bewilderment took part, an old man carrying few pieces of documents entered the bar. The emblem with three white stripes on his shoulder indicated his position— a Sky Arena member.

"Listen up youngsters! I'm not repeating so pay attention." The old man ambled to the bar counter, beside Atlas's seat. He scattered the sheets of papers on the clean counter.

"There are 11 class D missions this time, worth either 10 or 20 Dragon points, which I'm not going to specify. Recommended for Earth Arena members." He smudged it across the counter to the left.

"Next. There are 5 class C missions this time. I will be specifying them respectively. C number 1, collect Marangõ Herbs in Mount Cangyan, pass to returning local guards and switch positions. 50 points for one Marangõ Herb retrieved..."

Tristan raised his hand attentively. "Isn't that flawed? The guards coming back might not return the Marangõ Herbs if they're dishonest."

The old man glanced at Tristan. "No worries, we always have a solution. 20 Dragon points granted to them for every herb brought back boys, so no need to worry about your points at all. Of course..." he paused. "Unless they die on the way back. Recommended for Sea Arena members."

He didn't even flinch, reading the next mission as if talking about dead people is a casual part in a conversation.

"C number 3, eliminate 2 foreign, unauthorized cultivators of about Tier 4 Expert in XXX Chinese territory. The local has sought help from the government. 100 Dragon points for participation. 50 Dragon points per elimination. Recommended for Sea Arena members."

Tristan tapped Atlas's shoulder, murmuring. "That might be my cue. I need combat experience."

Atlas nodded. [When should I ask about Qin?]

"C number 5..." the old man finished going through the missions at a very sedate pace. Everyone was barely resisting the temptation to sign up for the most suitable mission immediately.

"With 100 Dragon points, I can finally dump my atrocious sword for the Yhilpym blade..."

"Hey, don't steal my ideal weapon! I found out about it first!"

"I'll takin one of the D missions. Been feeling sloppy lately."

The Warriors in the bar were already engaged in discussion, imagining what they'd do after accomplishing the missions, and unaware that there was still a sheet of paper in his hands.

"Before I leave, I have one more announcement." The old man knocked on the counter with indignation, denting the metal surface. "This is the last mission. A difficult class B mission. The award for completing this will be..."

He created a moment of suspense, and out of no where, Atlas started drum rolling on the counter with his fingers.

"1000 Dragon points for participation. 50 granted per Axonn elimination. Extra points granted for specific kills."

Ebulliently, the bar roared!

"Wait till the end. The mission, is to raze the Sinister Scales to the ground. Recommended for Sea or Sky Arena members."

The excitement died down. Fast.

Sinister Scales? Really? The alluring, whopping 1000 Dragon points was worth the danger of a B class mission. However... Sinister Scales drowned their sanguine yet unrealistic ambition.

Even though Dragon Points are extremely valuable to the point where one will risk his life, what's the purpose of obtaining it when you can't even survive to use it? It's not shameful in any way, because the mission is titled '?'.

"Done. Come forth and select your mission. First come first serve." The old man watched as the Axonns swarmed the counter like hungry animals begging for long lusted food.

Atlas tapped the counter in a rhythmic order, deep in consideration.

"Petal, no one is taking the class B mission right?" Petal was closer to the papers and had a better view.

"Yeah, Everyone is avoiding it. What's the matter?"

Nova turned to Atlas, and Atlas snapped out of his contemplation simultaneously, meeting Nova's perceptible gaze.

They opened their mouths, saying something that was so ridiculous it was traumatizing to hear. "Very well. We'll take it."