329 Claw Marks (1/2)
Backlund Bridge area, Bravehearts Bar.
Klein pressed down the cap on his head, carefully protecting the wallet in the inside pocket of his grayish-blue worker's jacket. He walked around the customers who were surrounding the boxing ring and headed for the bar.
On the way, he looked around and didn't see the black market arms dealer, Kaspars Kalinin.
He's either playing cards or playing billiards… Klein nodded to himself, sat down at the bar, and said to the bartender, ”Half and Half.”
He had seen someone drink this type of alcoholic beverage the last time, and he felt that it likely suited his palate.
At least it's better than pure malt beer… Klein thought to himself.
The bartender raised his head and glanced at him.
”Which two alcohols do you want mixed? Different choices, different prices.”
”The typical one; the typical one will do.” The last time he saw someone drink it, the person had used alcohol of the worst quality. The whole glass of Half and Half was only worth two and a half pence.
”Four and a half pence.” The bartender watched as Klein arranged the brass coins on the bar and then went back to mixing. He said in passing, ”You here for Kaspars? He's not here anymore; his business has been snatched.”
”Huh?” Klein didn't expect such an answer.
Before the bartender could reply, a man with a protruded mouth next to him laughed and said, ”Yes, we've chased Kaspars away!
”Heh, how can a lame old man like him do such a business?
”If you have anything you need, feel free to come to us. Find our boss.”
A gang war? Klein subconsciously came up with this idea, wanting to reject the man's suggestion.
However, he soon thought of another possibility.
Could it be that the Rose School of Thought has deliberately sought out a gang to suppress Kaspars so as to force Maric and Miss Sharron to jump into a trap?
Yes, it's quite possible. Kaspars had been working here as a black market arms dealer for a long time; he's definitely not someone who can be chased away just like that. A while ago, because of the series of murders, the atmosphere in the whole of Backlund was rather tense, and the Rose School of Thought or other hidden factions wouldn't dare to recklessly kill and use spirit mediumship on Maric and Miss Sharron, even if they found them. This would result in a lot of bloodshed, and since they obviously only have a few suspects, and are unable to confirm anyone else having a way to contact Miss Sharron and Maric for the time being… Klein swallowed the words he was about to say and asked instead, ”Can I first get a quote before deciding whether to purchase?”
He planned to observe the faction made up of ordinary people who had taken over Bravehearts Bar's black market. If he discovered any problems, then he could use them as a favor to give to Kaspars, Sharron, and Maric.
In any case, Klein didn't want any conflict. He only planned on observing via normal processes, so there was no risk.
”Yes, the only requirement is…” The man made a zipping motion with his hand in front of his protruding mouth.
”No problem.” As soon as Klein answered, he saw the Half and Half in front of him, and the copper coins had been taken away by the bartender.
Without any intention of wasting it, he tipped his head and drank it. His brows gradually furrowed.
It's not what I thought it would be. The taste of the spirit is too heavy, the grape flavors are too mild… Klein put down his glass and followed the man to the third billiard room where Kaspars used to stay in.
When he was about to reach the door, he suddenly thought of something.
As someone who doesn't know much, even I can guess that this is a trap. I wonder if Miss Sharron and Maric who have been hunted for so long know about it? They definitely wouldn't appear…
However, Kaspars knows more than one Beyonder. He has connections with several different circles of Beyonders, and he might be able to get other helpers. That would complicate things.
At that moment, the man with the protruding mouth stopped at the doorway of the billiard room, and the distracted Klein almost bumped into him.
He pointed inside and said, ”Don't talk nonsense later. Our boss doesn't have a good temper.
”Everyone in the Backlund Bridge area and East Borough knows this.”
”Alright.” Klein nodded.
Satisfied, the man with the protruding mouth turned and pushed open the billiard room's door.
As the door opened, Klein saw a figure hanging in the air, gently swaying.
It was a burly man with a full beard. There was a rope tied around his neck, a rope that was tied in a dead knot.
His feet were off the ground, the tip of his tongue was protruding out, and his face was purple. He wore a contorted expression.
”Boss…” the man with the protruding mouth cried out in disbelief.
As soon as the tension in Backlund's atmosphere disappears, someone takes action… Klein tilted his head and glanced at the subordinate, he then solemnly drew a triangular Sacred Emblem on his chest.
”May he find peace with God.
”I hope his temper is cured as a result.”
The man with the protruded mouth didn't even hear what he said. He suddenly shouted, ”Boss!
”Murder!
”Boss is dead!”
Klein took two steps back as a result of the loud and shrill voice, and he also activated his Spirit Vision to take a look inside the room. There was nothing special other than the scattered billiard balls all over the place.