When the night finally fell, Haku and Alexander sat together at the table to eat
Surprisingly, Alexander's cooking was pretty good
As they ate together, Haku asked Alexander more questions now that he had calmed down.
"Alex, do you know who those people were?
And how can they fly ?"
pussled Alex responded
"They must have been immortal Cultivators
although they say Imortal its closer to people chasing imortality expanding theyre life by cultivating sorry to say i dont know more since i nerver met any before
people say that meeting one is as rare as getting hit by lightning twice while sleeping."
Haku listened while getting a bottle from behind the bar
"So there aren't that many?
That's good. Are there any other beings capable of similar feats?"
"No, Boss, not that I'm aware, although the swordmasters can jump from leaf to leaf to travel, but flight is only for those who can ascend to a higher realm."
Haku took a big sip straight out of the bottle and sat back down
'what the hell does that have to do with sword fighting for fucks sake that doesnt make sence am I in Murim now as well?'
"And I heard that Mages above the 6th circle or higher would also be able to perform similar flight, but they use relics to allow flight, and are a lot slower. Maybe a 9th circle mage could, but this continent hasn't seen one in almost a thousand years."
'Great magic as well. Next, you're gonna tell me that Unicorns and leprechauns are here.
No i shouldnt make fun of it what if he says its true on what goddamn laws does this place run '
Haku massaged his temples, the throbbing headache threatening to bloom again. "Okay, so flying guys are rare, maybe magic users exist, and swordmasters can do...leaf parkour? Is that what we're calling it?" He chuckled mirthlessly. "Alex, you wouldn't happen to know what governs the laws of this place, would you? Is it some kind of...I don't know...cosmic rulebook? Or whatever the strongest guys say goes?"
Alexander scratched his head, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "That's a difficult question, Boss. There's no one 'rulebook,' exactly. There are laws, of course, enforced by the local garrisons and the guilds. But power definitely plays a part. A powerful Cultivator, or even a high-ranking Mage, could ignore the laws of a small town without much consequence. Bigger cities have stronger defenses and alliances, making it riskier."
He paused, drumming his fingers on the table. "Ultimately, I think it's a balance. Strength allows you to bend the rules, but not break them entirely, unless you're willing to face the consequences, be it from other powerful individuals, established organizations, or even the heavens themselves, if you believe in that kind of thing."
Haku took another swig from the bottle, the fiery liquid burning a welcome path down his throat. "The heavens themselves? So, like, actual gods?"
Alexander shrugged. "Some believe so. There are legends of ancient beings, celestial entities who watch over the world, intervening when the balance is threatened. But those are just stories, mostly. Most people focus on the here and now, the power they can grasp themselves."
Haku sighed. The more he learned, the more confused he became. This world was a chaotic mess of conflicting powers, ancient legends, and ambiguous rules. "So, in short, it's complicated."
"Very," Alexander confirmed with a wry smile. "But don't worry too much, Boss. Most people just live their lives, trying to get by. As long as you don't go looking for trouble, trouble usually doesn't come looking for you. Usually." He added the last word as an afterthought, giving Haku a knowing look.
Haku groaned. "That's not exactly reassuring, considering I seem to be a magnet for trouble these days." He pointed to the half-empty bottle. "I'm going to need a lot more of this to figure things out." He paused, a new thought striking him. "Hey, Alex, do you know where I can find a good tailor?"
Alexander looked at Haku, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. "A tailor, Boss? Why?"
Haku swirled the remaining liquid in the bottle, then took another long drink. "Because I need to look the part, Alex. I'm a bar owner now, apparently. And I'm pretty sure this...this peasant garb isn't exactly screaming 'successful businessman.'" He gestured to his worn clothes. "Plus, if I'm going to be dealing with these 'Cultivators' and 'Mages,' I want them to think twice before messing with me."
He slammed the bottle down, a glint of something calculating in his eyes. "Image is everything, Alex. Even if I don't know the rules of this game, I can still play it. And if I can convince people I'm more powerful than I actually am, well...that's half the battle, right?"
Alexander chuckled. "I suppose that makes sense, Boss. There's a decent tailor in the next town over, Oakhaven. Old Man Tiberius. He's a bit eccentric, but he makes quality clothes. Though..." He hesitated. "His prices are a little steep."
Haku waved his hand dismissively. "Money is no object, Alex. We're rolling in it, remember? Riches beyond your wildest dreams!" He winked, a playful smirk on his face. In reality, the bar's coffers were probably emptier than a politician's promises, but Alexander didn't need to know that. Not yet, anyway.
"Well, in that case," Alexander said, a grin spreading across his face, "I'll map out the road to Oakhaven in the morning. It's a few hours' walk, but we can probably haggle for a ride on a merchant's cart if we're lucky."
"Perfect," Haku said, already picturing the kind of outfit he wanted. Something imposing, something that screamed authority, even if he felt like a complete fraud on the inside. He had seen enough movies, read enough books, to know how the game of appearances was played. He might not be a powerful Cultivator or a skilled Mage, but he could certainly look like one. And in this world, that might be enough to survive.
He leaned back in his chair, a new plan forming in his mind. Oakhaven wasn't just about getting a new wardrobe. It was about gathering information, assessing the competition, and finding out exactly what kind of world he had landed in. He needed to know the players, the rules, and the unspoken power dynamics. And he needed to learn it fast.
"Alex," he said, his voice suddenly serious, "while we're in Oakhaven, I want you to keep your ears open. Find out what you can about these Cultivators and Mages. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their organizations. Anything that might give us an edge."
Alexander nodded, his expression mirroring Haku's newfound seriousness. "I understand, Boss. I'll do my best." He paused, then added, almost hesitantly, "Boss...are you...are you planning on becoming one of them? A Cultivator, I mean?"
Haku burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the empty bar. "Me? A Cultivator? Don't be ridiculous, Alex! I'm not cut out for all that meditation and tree-hugging nonsense. I'm a businessman, a bartender, a purveyor of fine spirits!" He took another swig from the bottle for emphasis. "Besides, I've read enough of those Cultivation novels to know they're all the same. Endless power struggles, betrayals, and harems that would make a Roman emperor blush. Not exactly my cup of tea."
He paused, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "No, Alex, I have a different plan. A plan that involves using their own arrogance against them. A plan that involves turning this backwater bar into the most influential power base in the region. And all it's going to take is a little bit of knowledge, a whole lot of cunning, and maybe a well-placed explosion or two." He chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down Alexander's spine. "Trust me, Alex. We're not chasing immortality. We're chasing power. And we're going to get it, one drink at a time."