When Lex heard someone inquiring about him, the first person he thought of was Helen. After all, ever since he bought a mirror from her last time, Lex hadn't contacted her again.
And he hadn't moved to Green Emerald Street, so perhaps because of that, Helen came to the bar to inquire. Isn't that reasonable?
Lex asked nonchalantly, "A woman?"
Old Parker stopped wiping the table, glanced at him, and then continued his work: "Don't overestimate your charm to women."
You might as well just say I'm shameless.
Lex chuckled, "Then who is asking about me? Could it be that my enemies have found me?"
"That I don't know."
Mr. Parker said while wiping the table, "I heard from the doorman that those two people were asking about you in the bar."
"They don't look like locals. One is very tall, and from his accent, he's from the north; the other is shorter, completely bald, and has a goatee."
"Oh, right, the doorman also noticed that the bald man had a tattoo on the back of his right hand, which seemed to be the symbol of some organization."
Lex was stunned. Old Parker's description immediately reminded him of two people.
In early August, when he was still in Enki Town, there were two such people in the Sea Monster Tavern who wanted to buy him a drink, but they were 'sent off' by more than a dozen people, including Sanchi, with guns.
At that time, the Bartender also said that these two people were simultaneously inquiring about Bridge, who sold him the 'shadow gloves,' and for some unknown reason, they were now looking for him.
Now, they've actually come to Tingen?
"Mr. Parker, may I place a commission?" Lex looked up and asked with a smile.
Mr. Parker stopped his work, skillfully took out a pen and notebook from the drawer, and looked at Lex without speaking.
"I'd like to investigate those two people you just mentioned. Hmm, just an investigation, no other extra things needed."
"I hope to know their whereabouts, where they frequently go, and if I can get their names or other relevant information, that would be even better."
Lex spread his hands and said, "This is my first time placing a commission. How much do you think would be a suitable reward?"
The old man, while taking notes, replied professionally, "Two pounds for investigating the address, an additional three pounds for investigating places they frequently visit. For obtaining their names and related information, an extra five pounds. I think that should be about right."
Lex thought for a moment and said, "Then let's do as you say. Also, add one more condition: if it feels dangerous, the mission can be interrupted, and I will pay the corresponding reward based on the clues they provide."
Old Parker glanced at him, nodded, and put away his notebook and pen.
Lex smiled at him, "Is that it?"
"Yes, that's it."
"Alright." After finishing his drink, Lex jumped off the chair, put on his hat, and said, "Have a good evening."
He then gestured to the girl still practicing swordsmanship in the hall and left the bar.
Dock Area.
A unmarked carriage stopped under the streetlamp. The carriage door opened, and a man somewhat laboriously jumped out. He was wearing a long trench coat with its collar pulled high, obscuring his cheeks. He wore a hat pulled low, almost covering his eyes.
He walked into the light of the streetlamp, looked up and around. The gas streetlamp's light illuminated his face, revealing that he was no longer young.
Even the belt of his long trench coat could barely contain his rotund waist. He took off his hat, tidied his increasingly sparse hair, then put his hat back on. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and on his forehead deepened as he furrowed his brow.
Suddenly, he seemed to see something and quickly left the streetlamp, crossing the street under the coachman's gaze and entering an alley next to a warehouse on the opposite side.
In that alley, a faint red light flickered.
In the small alley, someone quietly asked, "The club's supervisor didn't show up?"
"Yes, sir," the fat gentleman, who had taken off his hat, respectfully replied, wiping sweat from his forehead. "I've waited for him for an hour, but he hasn't appeared."
A soft chuckle echoed in the darkness: "It seems he may not be the long-time friend you claimed, nor does he trust you enough."
"Perhaps he had an urgent matter, or perhaps someone gave him some advice. Should I try to arrange another meeting?" the fat gentleman asked, head bowed.
"No need."
"Since he didn't show up, it means he's already suspicious. If you try to meet him again, it will only deepen his suspicion."
"You go and do something else for me."
The fat man bowed his head even lower: "What is it, please?"
"Find a girl. I don't know her name. She's tall, beautiful, with short hair that reaches her ears. She should also be a Hunter. The people at that club might know where she is."
A simple sketch was handed over, depicting an imposing girl wielding a longsword.
"Once you have news, write it in a letter and send it to the Horse Riding Club."
The red light in the darkness suddenly brightened, followed by a puff of smoke that drifted across the fat man's face.
"Finally, remember this. After you go back, you will forget about meeting me, including my request for you to find someone. You will only unconsciously inquire and complete the task."
"Now, you may leave. When you get home, have a good sleep, so you'll have the energy to greet the next morning."
The fat gentleman responded in a dazed tone, "As you command."
A moment later, the coachman saw his master return. He seemed a little tired, his eyes dull and lifeless. After climbing into the carriage, he only said one sentence.
"Home."
On Tuesday morning, having no urgent need to go out, Lex drafted a telegram to Bison, recounting his assassination attempt by secret. Of course, he omitted the part about summoning a 'Rank Projection,' merely describing, from an observer's perspective, how two stone statues appeared in the restaurant and his crisis was inexplicably resolved.
As for what Bison would think, that was his business.
After having Matthew take the draft to the telegraph office, Lex entered his bedroom to summon the mystical book.
After the surrounding scene's colors deepened, Lex felt a heaviness in his hands, then saw the faintly glowing, ethereal tome.
It opened by itself, stopping on the 'Rank Projection' page, and on that page, he saw a message.
'Clemons Bergman: Little guy, you did well, at least you held out until I finished my desi pie and tasted the sweet iced tea. I've always wanted to try those two things, hmm, it wasn't in vain that I helped you out. But next time, can you hold out a little longer? You're a man, aren't you? If you're a man, you should be a bit more firm ~'
Of course I'm a man!
I'm also very firm!
It's just that I don't have enough spirituality to burn, but I'm only Sequence 8 after all. After I get promoted later, I should be able to last longer, right?
Lex turned to the message page and was delighted to see that his previous message had received a reply.
'mc404: Stay away from Bansi Port; do not go there before you reach a higher Sequence.'