Jun Ho

Ai left money on the table, paying for both of their dishes as she insisted Orion still was more like a tourist than a host to pay. He looked at the exact amount and took out some cash to pay as a tip when Ai held his hand.

"What happened? I had some cash so I thought we could give some tips for the service."

Ai shook her head,

"We don't give tips here. It's not states, tips are considered rude here. The amount is already enough for the service done by the whole Restaurant. "

Orion was taken aback a little because in America he was used to this culture. Waiters were someone who got help from these tips, thus making this system relevant in his eyes as a chef. As more good food is, the more tips the waiters get.

After emerging out in the city, she insisted on letting the car sit there as they roamed the city as she had permission from the restaurant owner. Both of them walked some distance when she stopped and gestured to him to come with her.

They entered the narrow street and from there to inside the small ramen shop. She continued to walk ahead while he followed behind her quickly. After some criss-cross , in the end, they ended in front of the bar.

It was a sleek and trendy but mild bar designed in Korean style. It was screeching about kpop vibes but they were subtle enough that Orion, a non-fan, missed them completely.

She took him inside as they entered under the gaze of a largely built bodyguard. Inside it was a cheerful and happy atmosphere, with half of the customers spending time dancing and drinking while attempting karaoke. While some of the mild ones were laughing and chatting in the chairs set in the back.

She went forward and sat on the table for two, while Orion sat opposite her. He wanted to ask her what about it? But was still recovering from a previous 'burn' from the restaurant thus kept his mouth shut.

She ordered two shots for both of them, and leaned in little loud music to talk to her,

"It is 'Felis' bar famous for its Korean style as well as Korean beautiful waitresses. But the thing we are here for is because of its owner. "

Orion was about to ask who the owner was when she turned back to see a young Korean dashing man arriving with shots in his hand. He placed them on the table and greeted familiarly to Ai,

"Hey Ai, Great to see you again. And here I can see a good man. Introduce me, maybe he will remember about this little suitor of yours in future."

Ai shook her head while shaking her hand with her. Then, he extended his hand to shake hands with Orion.

"He is Orion Trudger. I think most of you must have heard about him till now. "

Orion felt the little loss of grip in the handshake, but it was subtle enough that only he noticed. The Owner seemed to be a little shocked but his face didn't give away even a little of what he was thinking, with the perfect smile.

"Orion Trudger, the talk of the town. I am honored to meet you. I am Ji Ho, owner of this little Bar. If you have any task for me you can contact me, of course, expect some moderate fees too."

Orion smiled and greeted him politely. The man bowed a little and then left both of them to chat here. As soon as Orion sat down he felt music around him lighten down, as he felt subtle magic vibrations in the air.

It was Ai who created a little barrier that dampened the surrounding noise to let them talk easily.

"Don't go on his innocent face. He is one of the most well-connected people of the town and also powerful. He is a conjurer but his reputation comes from his father who is a famous Warlock.

He is famous, I will give you his number later. Many people, with most magics, come here to hang out or most of the time to get information from him. It is a kind of small place of gathering for both humans and the underworld. "

Orion felt impressed but also confused. Warlocks are not humans inherently thus, included in the Underworld like vampires, werewolves, etc. As told by Asahi, They are what you could say is a mix between Devil and humans. Warlocks are nuclear powerhouses of magic among the mages.

But because of that, they are limited in population and also usually restrained in one way or another, keeping them under strict check. Jun was a child of Warlock, thus making him both part of the underworld as well as of humans, helping him in setting this business.

"So basically he is running the information market. And you know him because he is pursuing you?"

Ai downed her drink and snapped her fingers,

"Hmm, He is not the boss but a major link in channeling information throughout the city. He is like an essential link, which you come across in every route."

She checked left and right to see the people talking around and continued lazily,

"Pursuing Nah, it's just his way of talking. He always chats like a flirt. You should see him talking to older ladies, ten on ten they would keep him if he just hints at them slightly.

I knew him because he and his father once visited our clan when both of us were small. We played together for some time and made friends."

Orion tasted his alcohol and found it a little too spicy as it burned down his throat. Maybe he should order for himself, otherwise, this girl would mess his tastes too.

"Oh….so childhood sweethearts."

Ai made a face at him as she pointed to the back. Orion turned back to see a group of youngsters, typical bikers with their faces pierced and trendy hairstyles.

Their biker jackets and ripped muscles peeking from the clothes were indicators of the toughness of their gang.

"Those are kids, kids from the neighborhood you don't want to piss off. "

"Kids?" Orion raised his eyebrow,

"They look more like boxers and fighters to me."

Ai smirked,

"That's right because their elders are double of them. They are the second pack of werewolves that has a permanent base in west Tokyo. And you know the most basic rule, don't mess with the pack."

Orion nodded, mentally including bikers in the list of someone to not piss off.

"So there are two different packs in Tokyo?"

"Yeah, this is the second one. While original and first is a little bland, covert, and hardworking. But they are two times more dangerous than this pack. They are mafia, and mafia-wolves go hand in hand a very long way."

The talk in the bar turned into small lessons about the politics of wolves in Tokyo. Both packs remain clear of each other but also are hostile. They seldom interfere with one another's work but when they do, a lot of passersby get hurt.

She had advice for both of them. Keep clear of the second pack who is led by the alpha named - Mark. While originals, do not mess with them too. Their leader has a name that hasn't changed in almost a decade - Wood.

Almost one hour and three shots later, she and Orion exited the bar. They walked in a certain direction for a few minutes when Orion stopped in front of a modern restaurant.

She looked at him confusingly and asked him what happened.

"They are hiring?"

She looked at the restaurant and said,

"You are looking for a job? "

"Yes, of course." he walked right into the restaurant with curious Ai behind her. Orion stepped to the reception and knocked on the table.

"Hmm...is your boss here? I am here for a job as a chef."

The Japanese girl first gave a full look to Orion and then looked at Ai who was standing behind him. She then pointed at the last room on the side.

"He should be inside."

Orion thanked and walked to the end room. Ai caught up to him and asked,

"You know how to make food?"

"Yeah, I learned cooking for a few years. "

"Wow, and here I am. I can't make decent ramen. "

"Relax, even I can't make decent ramen because I never learned about making them. But I could cook some other dishes. "

They entered the room to find a man sitting in the room with his back to them. From the first look, he was a middle-aged man with an average build. But as he turned back, a stern look on his face stopped Orion and Ai in their tracks.