Chapter 272: A Performance (800 Plus)

Night.

The bustling bar was as lively as ever, but with one waitress missing, Baerjin appeared somewhat flustered.

Aaron glanced over the counter and called out to the busy Baerjin: "Get me a glass of lemonade."

"Right away, boss."

Baerjin replied, immediately bringing Aaron a glass filled with clear water, a slice of green lime tucked onto the rim.

Aaron took a casual sip, scanned the surroundings, and said: "It's quite busy tonight, after all, we're down two hands... How is William doing lately?"

That kid volunteered to explore the church last time and nearly lost his life! If he hadn't entrusted Karl to save him beforehand, he might not have been seen again. Even so, William was severely injured upon his return, with three broken ribs.

His attire had changed dramatically—a shimmering silver-white suit, a tall white top hat, a pure white cape behind him, and a red rose pinned to his chest.

"Understood, I've been wanting to suggest that for a while. What are the requirements?" Baerjin asked.

"Everyone, Happy New Year... well, the New Year has already passed..."

He opened the document and pressed the final report onto the table.

His cheeks were gaunt, his chin pointed, and he had a pair of captivating, bright eyes; he looked very handsome.

Even so, Aaron generously reimbursed those bounty hunters for their paper and travel expenses. Beyond that, the 100-pound bounty had never been claimed.

"Yes..." The young bounty hunter raised an eyebrow and replied with great confidence: "That Baron Jacques is no simple man; he holds a court position, although he is only in charge of His Majesty the King's cloakroom..."

He looked around and decided to conduct the transaction at the bar, as this young man had no blood on him, nor was he carrying any terrifying items like corpses. It seemed to be a more routine commission, such as retrieving lost valuables or pets.

Aaron looked at Baerjin beside him, only to see the manager exclaim upon seeing the name on the paper: "Gelin Bote?!"

The young man walked straight to the bar, scanned Baerjin and Aaron, and spoke: "Who is the boss? Please get me a mojito."

For some time now, many bounty hunters had taken on this task, but they could only produce some messy investigation reports.

"Requirements?" A hint of a smile played on Aaron's lips as he thought of some of William's quirks, and he said with a straight face: "Naturally, they must be young, pretty, and beautiful. At the same time, they must be full-figured, especially with a prominent hip line..."

"You can try!"

"The famous Magician Kobo Phil?"

This task was issued by him personally, albeit anonymously.

Aaron pulled the trigger directly.

Aaron raised an eyebrow slightly, then suddenly smiled, counted out 80 pounds in banknotes, and handed them over: "Young bounty hunter, if you prove that you have successfully completed the task, I am willing to pay the reward."

"Kid, are you here to cause trouble?"

The bounty hunter tugged at his cloak with his right hand and tossed it into the air.

As he walked closer, Aaron could see the silver strands of hair on the man's forehead.

Bang!

Amidst the sound of a gunshot, countless white, red, green, blue, and colorful ribbons sprayed from the muzzle of the shotgun, as if it were not a lethal weapon, but a festive party popper.

A gold-rimmed monocle was perched on his left eye, adding a touch of scholarly air, which, paired with his slightly pointed chin, bright eyes, and handsome face, made him look unique and imposing: "Let me reintroduce myself, I am Kobo Phil!"

"As for his social circle, it is under the scrutiny and supervision of the Royal Guards, so I don't think there is any problem. As for the real culprit of the arson case, they are right here."

"Boss, your bar's reputation in the Mysterious world is growing, it's quite a stage..." Kobo Phil drank the liquor on the bar counter without a care, a playful smile on his lips: "I am just a Magician here to perform magic. Hmm... for instance, this shotgun of yours, perhaps it doesn't fire bullets, but fireworks?"

As for the real culprit of the arson case, they had never been found.

He wore a pitch-black cloak that covered his chest and back, and he wore a hood, much like a sneaky, mysterious person.

The night grew deeper, and the bar door was suddenly pushed open, letting in the cold wind from outside.

"I understand, boss..."

"Very good."

Many drunks looked up toward the entrance and noticed a young man walking in.

Because his 'Danger Perception' had not been triggered, he kept a smile on his face and let the other party act.

Aaron, behind the bar, felt a subtle sense of familiarity and smiled: "I am the boss, you can tell me anything."

"With your potions, boss, he is mostly recovered, but I see his spirit is a bit listless; he is currently busy in the wine cellar."

Aaron feigned anger, reached under the bar with both hands, and quickly pulled out a Double-barreled Shotgun.

"Haha... I just wanted to perform a show, no need to be so nervous."

The dark muzzle pointed at the young bounty hunter's forehead.

This was the secret signal for a bounty hunter to complete a task, a rule Aaron had set himself after becoming the boss.

"Sigh, young people always get hurt in love; that is youth..."

Baerjin replied.

The young man reached his right hand into his cloak, pulled out a roll of documents, and said in a steady voice: "It's the commission to investigate the arson case at Baron Jacques' manor."

The young bounty hunter flipped the paper over, and on it was... completely blank!

Aaron forcibly suppressed the urge to retort, suddenly sensing an Extraordinary Ability being activated.

Aaron's hand holding the shotgun did not relax in the slightest, pointing straight at Kobo Phil's head: "Why come to my bar and cause trouble?"

'This isn't changing cognition, but a form of illusion... 'Shadow'? He covered the surface of the paper with a layer of illusion...'

"Did you find the truth?" Aaron asked curiously.

Aaron sighed and said, his eyes rolling as he thought: "After Isabet, the bar needs to hire new people; go find two more waitresses."

Even after the fireworks, a small flag was shot out, and as the unfurled flag hung down, it revealed the Invis text on it—'Happy New Year'!

This was a festive banner for the New Year, and there was no telling where Kobo Phil had gotten it.

Saying this cold joke, Kobo Phil took off his tall white hat with his gloved hand, shook his silver cape, and holding the ruby-encrusted cane, bowed like an actor leaving the stage: "Goodbye!"

Bang!

Another gunshot rang out; it was 'Madman' Karl!

But the bullet could only futilely pass through a wisp of smoke; the Magician within had long since vanished without a trace.

(End of this chapter)