After seeing the message sent by the other party, Loren shook his head with a wry smile.

Your courage wasn't this small back on the Federation Network, Mr. Hunter...

With that thought, Loren, wearing a faint smile, put away the black and gold portable computer in his hand, rose from his chair, and walked slowly towards another man in front of the bar counter.

At this moment, the man wearing the cowboy hat also sensed something.

He turned his head somewhat stiffly, looking at Loren who was walking towards him with a mix of confusion and surprise.

Simultaneously, the large black dog at the man's feet instantly stood up, looking at Loren with a vigilant expression, emitting a low growl from its throat.

"Huck, calm down!" the man in the cowboy hat whispered, soothing the black dog beside him.

After calming his animal companion, he also stood up from his chair and spoke tentatively to the approaching Loren:

"Keeper?"

Loren gave him a slight nod.

An astonishing surge of joy instantly erupted on the man's face, a wild smile spreading across his features...

Things in the Star Realm really are crazy!

I actually managed to get this extremely dangerous person to help me!!

Security Bureau, prepare to die!

I've found someone more dangerous than devils to take revenge on you!!!

Seeing the other's reaction, the smile on Loren's face became even more pronounced. Then, he asked with a mischievous tone:

"Baby?"

Hearing this, the smile on the face of the man in the cowboy hat froze!

Sure enough, his personality is just as terrible as it is online...

"Don't call me that, it's a bit uncomfortable..." The man's expression stiffened slightly.

"You can just call me... by my name, Cook P. Jones."

The man in the cowboy hat introduced himself to Loren in a low voice.

"Okay, Baby," Loren replied with a smile.

The corner of his mouth curled into an extremely mischievous grin.

Raven, this story teaches us that we must be careful when choosing online nicknames, especially if we plan to meet people offline in the future...

Otherwise, you'll end up as awkward as this guy... Loren shared his insight with Raven in his mind.

"...Really, just try to be a decent person, Master."

Raven's voice sounded somewhat melancholic.

Meanwhile, Cook P. Jones also wore a look of helplessness on his face as he said:

"...I swear, I'll change my nickname as soon as I get back."

"No, absolutely don't change it! It's perfect, Baby! Hahahahaha..."

Loren's cheerful laughter echoed through the small tavern, lingering for a long time.

Only when Cook P. Jones's face began to darken slightly did Loren's laughter subside a bit.

"You're even worse in person than you are online..." Cook P. Jones said, shaking his head.

"Thank you for the compliment," Loren agreed with a nod.

"...Clearly, that wasn't a compliment," Cook P. Jones silently facepalmed.

"Oh? It wasn't?" Loren's tone sounded regretful.

"Of course not! Who would take that as a compliment?!"

This guy doesn't seem quite normal...

Cook P. Jones was clearly beginning to doubt whether inviting Loren for help was the right decision.

At that moment.

Anna, behind the bar counter, unexpectedly interrupted the two men's friendly "greeting ritual."

"Excuse me, allow me to interrupt."

"Mr. Destiny, is this guest a friend of yours?" Anna asked.

Hearing this, the two men who had just become acquainted both looked puzzled.

They turned together to look at Anna behind the bar, their eyes filled with confusion.

"Yes, why do you ask, Madam Anna?" Loren asked softly. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Seeing Loren acknowledge his friendship with Cook P. Jones, Anna turned to the man in the cowboy hat with a smile and said:

"According to the tavern's operating rules, friends of shareholders enjoy a ten percent discount on all services at the Illusionary Night's Dream tavern."

After saying this, Anna waved her hand and retrieved 58,000 Spirit Stones from her spatial storage device, piling them on the surface of the bar counter.

"It's a pity we only just learned of your relationship with Mr. Destiny."

"I think the tavern has another piece of information that needs to be shared with you, guest."

"Those suddenly increased numbers of stray animals in Jadeite Main City have already caught the attention of the Security Bureau."

"Furthermore, precisely because of this matter."

"That Security Bureau chief of Jadeite Main City with the injured left leg will be transferred to the Central Star Domain in five days. At that time, Jadeite Main City will receive another Legendary Agent who has just returned from the battlefield."

"This piece of information will not be charged by the tavern. It will be given to you free of charge as one of the benefits for friends of shareholders..."

After listening to Anna's words, Cook P. Jones's expression became grave, his face turning quite unpleasant.

After organizing his thoughts for a moment, he nodded gratefully to Anna.

"Thank you for the information provided by the tavern."

Then, Cook P. Jones turned to look at Loren, who appeared as a young man with curly hair, and said quietly:

"It seems inviting you for help was the most correct decision I've made. I didn't expect you to be a shareholder of the Illusionary Night's Dream..."

In response, Loren returned to being serious, offering just a light smile.

"My honor. The advanced knowledge you provided me is also very important, Mr. Cook."

Hearing this, Cook P. Jones slowly shook his head.

"Someone like you would always find a way to get that information eventually."

"I just got lucky, happening to answer you at that particular time..."

To Cook P. Jones's words, Loren merely gave a slight shrug of his shoulders, offering no response.

Mr. Hunter, what you don't know is that what I really have my eye on is that special stone slab...

Seeing Loren's reaction, Cook P. Jones simply assumed Loren was a man who kept his promises and didn't think much more about it. He said quietly:

"Let's go, to my gathering point now..."

"I think my plan needs some adjustments."

Hearing this, Loren gave a slight nod. "Of course. During this time, everything is your decision."

Upon hearing Loren's reply, Cook P. Jones said with a smile:

"You're not that terrible after all, you know..."

Then, Cook P. Jones turned back to Anna behind the bar and gave a light tip of his cowboy hat.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Anna."

Loren also turned back to Madam Anna standing behind the bar, making a gesture of tipping a non-existent hat on his head to bid farewell.

After saying their goodbyes, the two men walked together toward the tavern's entrance.

Cook P. Jones walked at the front, with Loren, appearing as a curly-haired young man, beside him.

The imposing large black dog that Cook P. Jones had brought followed quietly behind his left side, keeping as much distance from Loren as possible.

"Mr. Destiny, Mr. Cook, please take care on your way."

Anna watched the backs of the two men and the dog walking toward the tavern entrance and spoke softly.

I have a feeling I've brought a rather strange shareholder into the tavern...