A Duke, acknowledged by the royal family and possessing a noble title, would obviously not appear in a tavern in such a small Town. So 'Duke' was closer to a nickname or codename, Lex easily discerned this point and moved towards the Bartender's counter.
He heard someone call out to the Bartender's counter: "Sanchi, another beer over here."
Sitting on a high stool in front of the Bartender's counter, Lex didn't speak first. He was sure that the original owner had often come to the bar before, but he didn't know what the original owner came to the bar for.
Although he had inherited the memories of this body, it seemed to be only some fragments at present.
He needed to retrieve other memories himself to piece together the complete past.
This matter could start from the Sea Monster Tavern.
The Bartender, who had just delivered a beer, didn't seem surprised by Lex's silence. He continued wiping glasses and said, "I thought you weren't coming back. In that case, I would have wasted my time."
Lex looked up and glanced at him through his black iron mask.
The Bartender shrugged: "What, did you forget that you asked me to inquire about some things?"
"It seems you have a lead on that matter." Lex deliberately lowered his voice, making it sound deep and mature, distinguishing it from his usual bright and clear vocal tone.
Bartender Sanchi casually glanced at him: "Are you sick? Your voice sounds a bit different than usual. Your nose sounds heavy, and it's not usually this hoarse."
Is that so? Thanks for the reminder. Lex made a slight adjustment, then said, "Perhaps it's because I haven't closed my eyes in the past 48 hours."
Sanchi chuckled: "That's normal. You're the best bounty hunter we have here. Two days without sleep is nothing."
Bounty hunter? The original owner was actually doing this? I probably know why he's so skilled at killing, but why would this young master get himself a bounty hunter identity?
Interest, or another purpose?
"By the way, do you want to know the result? I mean that matter." Sanchi put down the glass and looked at Lex.
"Of course."
Lex also wanted to know what the original owner had entrusted him to inquire about. Then he saw the Bartender pull out a small notebook from under the counter, throw it in front of him, and ask, "What would you like to drink?"
Lex took the notebook: "The usual."
Sanchi said "Oh" and began to mix a drink.
Lex opened the notebook and saw some information scribbled on it.
'Shadow Gauntlets. These are fingerless gloves, Materials unknown. They can increase the user's strength and improve striking power. And during an attack, they will randomly summon 'Shadow Fist'. Shadow Fist will generate from the shadows, impacting the target's body and mind.
Hmm, I heard it increases the chance of summoning Shadow Fist in dark or shadowy environments.'
This is a Beyonder weapon!
The original owner was actually collecting Beyonder weapons? Did he know about the existence of Beyonder abilities? That's not surprising, he's already a bounty hunter, and the best one in this small place.
So the question is, as an excellent bounty hunter, even if he was just an ordinary person, why was he killed on the Clover, giving me a chance at Rebirth?
If the original owner's death was man-made, was it planned? Then seeing him alive again, wouldn't it arouse suspicion?
Could it be that I'm already on some people's blacklist?
Thinking of this, Lex broke out in a cold sweat. Now it seemed that his safe disembarkation might also be due to some arrangement.
Must improve strength!
Hmm, let's start by getting this Beyonder weapon!
Lex put down the notebook. At this moment, Sanchi pushed a drink towards him. The drink was red like blood, as if fresh blood had seeped into it. Did the original owner like to drink this stuff?
Gently lifting a corner of his mask, Lex drank it in one gulp. It felt like fruit juice when it entered his mouth, but when it went into his stomach, he felt a ball of flame burning.
Putting his mask back on, Lex pushed the notebook back: "Where can I get this thing?"
Sanchi took it, then rested his hands on the counter, leaned forward, and lowered his voice: "The seller is right here, in the card room. His name is Bridge, you can talk to him directly."
Lex remembered Leon's 'guidance' and the hunter's habit of collecting intelligence, so he didn't rush to leave the counter and asked: "What do you know about this Bridge?"
Sanchi shook his head and smiled: "You know, Duke, I have to protect my clients' privacy and can't provide their information."
"You can."
Lex took out a stack of banknotes from his pocket, pulled out a 5-pound note, and placed it on the counter.
Sanchi shook his head, quickly covered it with a cup, and said: "This guy just arrived in our little Town recently. He seems to be in trouble. He's very suspicious and likes to play cards. Oh, and he asked me to find bodyguards, but temporary ones."
Lex pulled out another 5-pound banknote: "And what else?"
"Damn it, Duke, you can't make me do this." Sanchi fiercely took that banknote as well. "Alright, our Mr. Bridge's trouble must be quite big, because the bodyguards he's looking for, besides being professional enough, he also said they should preferably be Beyonder!"
"Yes, you heard right. He needs a Beyonder as a bodyguard. Heaven knows what kind of trouble he's stirred up. If I were you, I wouldn't get involved in this mess."
Lex put away the remaining banknotes: "I like your honesty."
"Get lost!"
Sanchi said grumpily, but his body honestly took the 10 pounds and pointed to a room behind the bar.
That was the card room.
Lex pulled down his felt hat and walked along the wall, brushing past some drunks, until he reached the card room.
He knocked on the door, and someone opened it. A choking smell of smoke wafted out of the room, and a hazy white smoke floated in the air, making the Sea of Light from the gas lamp seem somewhat unreal.
Lex walked in, handed his hat and coat to the waiter nearby, directly exposing his gun holster to the air. He leaned against the wall like that, not participating in the card game.
After observing for a while, Lex knew they were playing Texas Hold'em, a game invented by that Transmigration compatriot.
Now, a middle-aged man in a suit with slightly graying hair on the card table revealed his hole cards. So, a Spade Ace, a Spade 10 appeared on the table, while the others were Spade 2, Spade 9, Spade K, forming a flush.
This made the men around him groan in regret. Clearly, the middle-aged man had won.
He stood up, a heartfelt smile on his face, and swept the banknotes on the table towards his corner. Before they started the next game, Lex cleared his throat.
"Which one is Mr. Bridge? I was introduced by Sanchi and would like to purchase a special item."
The man who had just won money looked up and scrutinized Lex. His gaze lingered longest on the iron mask, followed by the gun holster under his arm. Then he smiled and spread his hands: "Gentlemen, how about we call it a night?"
It seemed he was Bridge.
People knew he and Lex had something to discuss and left one after another. After the waiter also left, Bridge counted the banknotes and said, "What should I call you?"
"They all call me 'Duke'." Lex reported his nickname here.
"Duke?" Bridge looked up, "Are you the best bounty hunter in this Town?"
"Perhaps, Mr. Bridge, what is the price of your 'Beyonder weapon'?" Lex pulled up a chair and sat down, leaning slightly forward, showing focus and exuding a slight sense of pressure.