Kaijin Fighter: So I Have to Make Monsters, So What?-Chapter 263: Two Old Men share a bottle

’Wait...do I know this guy?,’ Zhen Shi thought to himself as he stared up and down an old man from Roaring Tide that had just asked him if he could sit next to him. Something about the old man’s face stirred a memory on Zhen Shi’s head, but he couldn’t recall it exactly.

Zhen Shi’s body might have been a tad younger but his memories were still worn.

Regardless of any gut feelings he might have had, he might as well stomach them for now.

<<No problem. What’s a favor from one old geezer to another?>>

<<Old geezer? You look young enough to be my son! Ha!>>

’Why would he flatter me like-oh right, fucking somehow got younger...shit, then I might actually know this guy...but he doesn’t know me...okay, going to abuse this.’

The old man took a seat next to Zhen Shi, as he did, the latter poured him a drink, a green liquid that smelled of smoke and cinnamon, in an equally sized shot glass.

<<Much obliged, sir.>>

<<Don’t mention it. Cheers.>>

<<Cheers.>>

*Tink*

The two old geezers shot back their glasses after doing a short cheers, with only one of the two complaining about the taste.

<<Bah. Cactus wine. I will never understand why the people out here don’t use anything reasonable like rice or Lake Plums,>> the old man grimaced.

<<Eh, you get used to it. Cactus wine has its own charm once you get pass the initial burn. There should be a pleasant after taste in a few seconds.>>

<<What are you-oh. Huh...learn something new even in my old age,>> the old man smacked his lips in surprise, <<mind pouring me another glass?>>

<<Of course.>>

The cactus wine had initially tasted like the most bitter tar in the world, but gave away to a refreshing flavor that reminded him of the tropical beaches of his younger days.

<<Pardon me for being forward,>> the old man began to say as held the shot glass between fingers, <<but the way you mentioned the "taste" suggests you’ve been living in this city for a while, but your Tide Tongue is impeccable. Is it safe to assume you were born here and your parents taught you how to speak it or you immigrated here a long time ago?>>

Zhen Shi was about to say he immigrated, that was the truth of the matter, but that feeling in his stomach came back when he was about to say so. He felt the need to lie, but he wasn’t entirely sure why.

Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.

’Is it because of shame? Or is there something about him that is setting off my intuition for danger?’

<<I was...born and raised here. My parents came here awhile back and taught me both Hoof Speech and Tide Tongue. The former to socialize with greater society and the latter for at home, but the arrival of the Zhen Clan allowed me to use both,>> Zhen Shi lied in a practiced manner.

This was an old alibi he and Bai Hua came up with a long time ago, back when they first arrived to Stampeding Bison as a whole. Just add a few details here or there, but the general structure was the same: immigrant parents, studiously ingrained language. It was honestly astounding how many people bought that story over the years, but who was he to look a gift horse in the mouth?

<<Ah yes...the Zhen Clan...>>

Judging from the old man’s tone he bought the story that Zhen Shi had sold, but he could sense a small sense of agitation when he mentioned his clan’s name.

This...this was questionable.

’Hold the fuck up, I recognize that ring...it can’t be...’

The two old geezers downed another glass before Zhen Shi decided to take initiative of the conversation this time around.

<<Now what of you old friend?,>> Zhen Shi asked as he poured both of them a third glass, <<it’s not everyday that travelers come here, especially from Roaring Tide. What are you looking around for in Stone Claw? Business? Pleasure? Trying to run away from something or someone, that is a very popular option for the people here.>>

<<Ha! Very true!>>

The old man laughed at Zhen Shi’s joke about the circumstances of a majority of Stone Claw’s residents for a few seconds before answering the question in a tone that went from amused to somewhat serious.

<<In truth, it’s a mix of the first two.>>

<<Oh?>>

The old man was about to go on a spiel about what he was here for, before shaking his head about it.

<<On a second thought, I wouldn’t want to bore you with the details. It’s just...a personal affair.>>

Zhen Shi gave the man a pointed look, the type of look one gives when they have heard of such things before and were willing to listen anyways.

<<My friend, at least half of the people in this tavern alone is looking to kill someone in a different tavern that is probably half way across town. Speaking of which...>>

Zhen Shi turned his head back and switched to Hoof Speech.

"Hey, if anyone is looking for a Rodrigo Mortez, he is in the Swollen Bear, near the fabric district."

"Fucking knew it!," a walking meatslab of a man said as he settled his bill and made his way to the door.

The old man looked at Zhen Shi in shocked as he so casually did that.

<<Mortez failed to settle a couple thousand debts. Stiffed my business about five hundred gold coins.>>

<<Ah,>> the old man nodded in realization, <<well then...I suppose I can tell you afterall.>>

The old man reached for the ring on his hand and polished a few times before placing it on the table for Zhen Shi to inspect.

To anyone else, it looked like a more elaborate version of what the Zhen Clan use as their symbol.

To Zhen Shi, it made his stomach sink.

’Oh fuck me sideways.’

<<Huh? Looks kinda like the symbol the Zhen Clan use,>> Zhen Shi lied through his teeth. It was a good thing he was drunk, otherwise he’d be showing more tells than mirrored sunglasses at a poker game.

<<As it should, because the founder of the so-called Zhen Clan is a traitor to my family,>> the old man grimly stated, <<my name is Zhen Wang. And I am here to wipe clean the stain he left on our honor.>>

<<Damn...that’s heavy.>>

Externally, Zhen Shi looked calm and acted in a manner that suggested he was used to such things.

Internally, he was screaming curse words like it was a barbershop quartet.

________________________________________________

[Oh shiiiiittt. The Lord ain’t gonna like this bit of news...I hope grandpa here knows how to keep a low profile...]