The Priority (Part 3)

The Palace Tavern.

The name was fitting for the grandiose four-story structure. From outside, magical crystal lamps lit up the interior like daylight, and decorations sparkled.

Shirone: "Let's go in."

As Shirone's group stepped forward, a bouncer blocked their way, just as expected.

Bouncer: "Hey, you can't bring weapons in here… Ugh!"

Rian grabbed the bouncer by the throat, pushed him inside, and slammed him to the ground.

Bouncer: "Gah!"

By the time the bouncer caught his breath and struggled to his feet, Shirone's group had already disappeared inside.

Opening the inner door, the loud music poured out like a flood.

Drunk people were dancing, and curses, insults, and lewd jokes filled the air, unable to escape.

Tess frowned.

Though Galliant was a peaceful resort, it transformed into a swirling vortex of desires once the sun went down.

Tess: "Could Amy really be in a place like this? There are so many people, and what's with their outfits? Aren't they embarrassed?"

Shirone agreed.

Shirone: "It's not the kind of place Amy would like. The question is why she went along with Jis's story. Be careful. We won't get any help from security here."

If Marsha's words were true, this place was also connected to the local government in some way.

After failing to find Amy on the first floor, the group headed to the second floor.

The atmosphere was completely different. A dangerous gambling den was in full swing, with everyone smoking.

The third floor had a row of rooms with iron doors along the hallway, and the fourth floor was reserved for VIPs.

Rian: "This is going to be tough. She's not in the hall or the gambling area. Searching the third floor means checking every room, and the fourth floor is swarming with bodyguards."

It was time to make a choice.

Either search meticulously, asking for permission and combing through every corner, or cause a scene to draw everyone out.

Of course, they chose the latter.

Now that they knew why Amy had been taken, they had no intention of playing nice.

Bouncer: "There they are! Those guys!"

Just then, the bouncer who had been roughed up by Rian pointed at Shirone's group from the hallway entrance.

When the man the bouncer brought over rolled up his sleeves and approached, even Shirone couldn't help but flinch.

'He's huge.'

The man was so tall his head nearly touched the ceiling, and his shoulders were broad enough to fill the hallway.

Shirone: "…Is he the enforcer?"

Shady establishments often screened their customers.

Usually, the bouncers handled it, but there were always those like Rian who barged in and caused trouble. The enforcer's job was to deal with such people through force.

Enforcer: "What's this? A bunch of brats still smelling of milk? Well, this girl isn't just a brat."

The enforcer leered at Tess.

Her appearance, honed by natural physique and exercise, stood out more than anyone on the first floor.

Enforcer: "Hehehe, you'd fit right in here. Let's see, should I take care of you?"

As the enforcer's massive hand, the size of a pot lid, reached out toward Tess, it completely blocked her view.

Tess: "Hmph!"

With a snort, Tess grabbed the enforcer's middle finger and bent it upward with all her strength.

Enforcer: "Aaaah!"

The sight of the giant's body writhing was comical.

However, the way his middle finger bent backward enough to touch his hand was enough to make anyone wince.

Enforcer: "It hurts! It hurts!"

Tess: "You think you can act tough just because you're big? Even a girl like me has stronger arms than your middle finger! You idiot, don't you know the human body is all connected?"

Enforcer: "Aaaah! You little—!"

Unable to bear the pain, the enforcer swung his other fist wildly.

At the same time, Tess released his finger and twisted her body like lightning, swinging her elbow.

A swift strike landed squarely on the enforcer's chin.

The timing was so perfect it almost seemed like the enforcer had walked into it on purpose.

Enforcer: "Ugh!"

The moment he was hit, the enforcer's consciousness flickered, and his eyes rolled back as he collapsed.

As Tess stepped aside, the giant's body fell like a rotten tree with a loud thud.

The bouncer who had been watching was stunned.

Bouncer: "H-how…?"

He never expected the enforcer, known as the best in Galliant, to be taken down by a single strike from a girl.

Tess: "You're nothing special."

Shirone stared blankly at Tess as she dusted off her hands.

Meanwhile, Rian shook his head. There was no room for a man to step in at this rate.

'Still, she's amazing. The Elzian family.'

Elzian swordsmanship was famous for its precise and refined attacks.

Based on a mindset that prioritized finding the opponent's weaknesses and training to strike vital points in any situation, it could instantly neutralize differences in strength or size.

Rian (thought): 'The focus to deliver a precise strike to the chin with minimal movement. You're lucky. If Tess had drawn her sword, you'd already be dead.'

Shirone was also stunned, watching the giant enforcer lose consciousness in a single blow.

The movements of a swordsman, rivaling a mage, were in some ways like magic.

Shirone: "That was amazing, Tess."

Tess: "Hehe! Was it good? Shirone, you really have an eye for this. Unlike someone who hasn't said a word."

Ignoring her, Rian approached the bouncer.

Rian: "Hey, don't come any closer! Do you even know where you are?"

Rian: "That's why we're here. Do we look like we're playing hide-and-seek? Where's Amy?"

Bouncer: "Damn it! How should I know who Amy is?"

Rian grabbed him by the collar.

Rian: "Should I make you remember?"

Bouncer: "Damn it! I really don't know! If you're so curious, why don't you look for her yourself!"

Rian: "You little…"

Rian's eyes narrowed.

Time was already tight, and this guy was wasting it.

Shirone stepped in.

Shirone: "Rian, that's enough. What's the point of asking someone who doesn't know?"

Rian: "Then what do you suggest? Search every room?"

Shirone: "No. We'll ask someone who does know."

Rian: "Someone who knows?"

The bouncer flinched as he met Shirone's gaze.

It was a different kind of killing intent compared to Rian's.

Shirone: "Ask him where Falcoa is."

The Palace Tavern. Basement Level 1.

Those in the know called this place "The Temple."

It wasn't actually a place where gods resided, but some people saw gods here due to the hallucinogenic effects of the drugs.

In the end, The Temple was a space for pleasure-seekers, where various drugs circulated.

It was divided into 17 sections, with a total area 1.5 times larger than the first floor.

It was always packed, but Room 4 was never opened to guests.

It was the private room of Falcoa, the enforcer of the Freeman organization and the owner of The Palace.

Falcoa: "So I asked him, do you want to be buried after you die, or die after you're buried? You know what that guy said?"

Thug: "Hehehe, what did he say, boss? What did that guy say?"

Falcoa pretended to die as he shouted.

Falcoa: "Please~ save me!"

Thug: "Puhahaha! This is insane! Please~ save me!"

Falcoa's thugs banged on the table, laughing hysterically, but Jis couldn't understand it at all.

'These lunatics. What's so funny about this? They're all out of their minds.'

Thug: "Hey, why aren't you drinking?"

Jis avoided eye contact with the employee sitting next to him and shook his head.

If he drank here, he might not live to see the sunrise tomorrow.

Trying to soothe his parched throat, he gulped down water and glanced at Amy, who was sitting to the side.

Of course, she didn't seem to understand Falcoa's sense of humor either, as she just stared straight ahead.

'She's amazing. I'm scared out of my mind, but she doesn't even change her expression here.'

Normally, anyone would be nervous surrounded by dangerous gang members. But her expression was calm, almost bored.

'This is boring.'

Amy moistened her lips with her drink.

It was hard to believe she had once enjoyed such tales in her childhood.

When had she changed?

'Maybe…'

From the moment I embraced a life too vast to be filled with trivial stories.

'I want to train. I want to push myself to the limit. The other graduating students are probably burning the midnight oil right now.'

Was coming to Galliant a mistake?

Amy shook her head.

Even if she could turn back time, she would have made the same choice.

'He should be back by now.'

Why was Shirone late? It must be because he got caught up in some unnecessary commotion.

From an omniscient perspective, how many people in the world truly need help?

'Haha, did he want to imitate me? I…'

When you think about it, Amy's reason for coming here for Jis wasn't all that different.

Even after countless thoughts passed through her mind, the drinking party showed no signs of ending.

Amy was starting to get annoyed.

'What's his game?'

If he tried to force her, she was prepared to use her skills, but contrary to her expectations, Falcoa didn't pick a fight. He simply apologized for the day's events and offered her a drink.

'Should I make the first move? But it feels awkward to ask him to let Jis go in this atmosphere.'

Falcoa glanced at Amy out of the corner of his eye.

'Keke, I can hear the gears turning in her head from here.'

No matter how much of a thug he was, he wasn't stupid enough to openly threaten a noble.

To be more precise, he had a weapon that could ensnare any noble.

It was called "Loop."

'Whether it's a noble or a king, one hit of this and they're done.'

In fact, many high-ranking nobles at the temple had become slaves to Loop, and the drinks they were currently consuming were laced with powdered Loop.

'It's about time for the drug to take effect.'

Thinking this, Falcoa raised his glass.

Falcoa: "Come on! Let's make a toast!"

Others: "Yes! Cheers!"

Just before the glasses clinked, a loud crash was heard outside the door. The employees shouted.

Employee: "Hey, you! What are you doing? Ugh!"

Another Employee: "Stop them! That's the boss's room!"

As soon as the words ended, the doorknob snapped, and three people burst in.

Jis: "…Huh?"

Jis stood up as if he had seen a ghost.

It was Amy's friends from the harbor.

Falcoa's expression twisted.

Troublesome customers could be forgiven if they paid double, but the temple being invaded without permission was an entirely different matter.