Dafifi was no rookie. Having specialized in the beast-combat style for many years, he had developed his own system.
Even while deep in thought, he wouldn't be completely unaware of someone approaching so close, especially in an area with so many people around. A certain level of vigilance was essential.
However, the moment the voice reached him, Dafifi realized someone had entered within a meter of him… even half a meter.
If this were an enemy, they would have crossed his line of death, enough to deliver a fatal blow.
This sudden situation made Dafifi's body react faster than his thoughts.
Even after realizing the person who spoke held no hostility, his fist had already swung out.
It was a punch thrown with tensed muscles, holding nothing back.
"Crap."
After throwing the punch, Dafifi inwardly cursed, barely managing to pull back twenty percent of its force.
Then, the next second, he froze.
The punch, still carrying eighty percent of its force, was blocked effortlessly by the person's outstretched right palm.
There was no sound, no shockwave or impact from the collision of flesh, as if it had struck a ball of cotton.
'His Nen… it dissolved mine?' Dafifi's pupils contracted sharply. He could feel it… the moment his Aura-infused fist struck the opponent's palm, not only was the physical force of the punch negated, but his Aura was instantly dissolved as well.
Although it was a hurried punch, not channeling much Aura, the physical force was real.
'Just how strong was this person…?'
A storm of disbelief raged within Dafifi.
"My apologies, that was abrupt of me." The person said, withdrawing his hand and taking half a step back.
"Uh, I should be the one apologizing. My body moved faster than my brain. Good thing you... huh?" Dafifi quickly withdrew his hand, his tone full of apology. Suddenly, he got a clear look at the newcomer's face.
"It's you!"
By the light of the fire, Dafifi's eyes widened as he recognized the person's identity.
The newcomer wore a gray coat with a frayed hem, a white jade pendant hanging on his chest. His hair was disheveled, his face unkempt and covered in stubble, but his strong, defined features still exuded a certain mature charm.
A scar ran above his right eyebrow, and his eyes were like a pitch-black cold night, steady and profound.
It was Law, who had returned from the Dark Continent.
"You know me?" Law looked at Dafifi, a trace of confusion in his eyes.
Hearing this, Dafifi felt like a mouthful of blood was about to rush up his windpipe.
Seeing Law's expression didn't seem feigned, he felt a pang of heartache.
He didn't say something like, 'You forgot me?' Instead, he stated directly, "Dafifi, Buhara's master."
Law showed a surprised expression, then stared at Dafifi's completely smooth scalp, "I remember now. But I recall you weren't bald."
Dafifi, upon hearing this, reached up and touched his bald head, embarrassed, "I made a bet with someone. Since I lost, I got shaved bald."
As he said this, he paused, then asked, "You wouldn't recognize people based on their hairstyle, would you?"
"Not exactly." Law laughed it off, then said seriously, "It's just, if you had hair, I probably would have recognized you."
Dafifi looked exasperated, thinking to himself, 'Those words were even more hurtful.'
"Anyway, this fish stew can't be cooked any longer… it's overdone," Law pointed at the pot over the fire.
"I'm not very particular about food," Dafifi said, but he still moved the pot off the fire and placed it on a nearby rock.
"Got a bowl?"
Law brushed aside his coat hem and unceremoniously sat down cross-legged.
Dafifi didn't answer.
Instead, he stared silently at the left side of Law's body.
"What?" Law found it strange.
"Your left arm?" Dafifi asked.
When Law had brushed aside his coat hem moments earlier, Dafifi had seen that Law's left sleeve was empty. He was clearly missing an arm.
Losing limbs wasn't uncommon in the high-risk profession of being a Hunter. However, through that single punch just now, Dafifi had realized Law's current strength was absolutely formidable.
From his perspective, it had even reached an unfathomable level.
So, how did someone as powerful as Law lose an arm?
Dafifi was puzzled by this.
"Oh." Law touched his empty left sleeve, utterly unconcerned, "It's gone. But it's still here."
"Ah?" Dafifi was utterly baffled, 'Gone but still here? What did that mean?'
However, he knew Buhara had lost an arm before and that Law had a way to restore severed limbs, so he didn't dwell on it.
In reality, Dafifi didn't know that Law's seemingly missing left arm couldn't be restored by those means.
He certainly didn't know where Law had returned from or what he had experienced over the past few years.
"Never mind that. Got a bowl or not?" Law directly changed the subject.
Dafifi was curious, but seeing Law didn't want to elaborate, he tactfully didn't press further.
He went into his tent and brought out a bowl and utensils, handing them to Law.
Law took the bowl and utensils, then saw Dafifi empty-handed, "You only have one set?"
Dafifi nodded, "I'm alone. Of course I only brought one set."
"I see." Law handed the bowl and chopsticks back to Dafifi, then flipped his hand, and another set of bowl and chopsticks appeared in it.
Dafifi's cheek twitched slightly, 'Setting aside how he produced the tableware, since he had his own, why ask for mine?'
"This is deep-sea fish, right? And very fresh." Law paid no mind to Dafifi's reaction. Looking at the fish stew in the pot, he smacked his lips, "A small place like this can't get goods like this."
The local fishing industry in Yoru City was quite meager. There were large factories nearby that discharged waste directly into the sea.
Plus, the coastline was relatively high with towering reefs forming cliffs.
In other words, although it was near the sea, getting deep-sea fish here was impossible.
But that wasn't the key point… the key was that this deep-sea fish was very fresh.
"I had a friend airmail it. He's a Sea Hunter. Getting this isn't difficult for him." Dafifi explained.
"Didn't you just say you weren't particular about food?" Law understood, then very unceremoniously helped himself to a bowl of fish stew.
"Yeah, but when you're by the sea, you have to eat fish. But here..." Dafifi shook his head at this point and didn't continue.
Law understood and didn't press further.
He immediately took a big sip of the fish stew and ate a piece of the fish. The fresh flavor instantly filled his mouth.
It had no seasonings added, but this cooking method was the best choice, given that Dafifi probably didn't know how to cook.
It was just a pity the heat was too high, making the fish texture tough.
Seeing Law eat with relish, Dafifi played along with his familiarity and also started eating.
After finishing a bowl of fish stew, Dafifi asked curiously, "Law, did you also come to Yoru City for the unknown Magical Beast?"
"Unknown Magical Beast?" Law drank the last mouthful of his soup, a puzzled look on his face.
"You didn't know?" Dafifi found it strange.
Law shook his head.
He had been in an underwater cavern all this time and had just come ashore tonight. He was also wondering why there were so many people.
Seeing Law truly didn't know, Dafifi felt speechless but then spilled all the information about the unknown Magical Beast like pouring beans from a sack.
Law listened intently, his expression gradually turning peculiar.
'That's no giant bird. It's an ancient turtle, you know… Even if it can fly.'