Sacrifice: Time of Mine

Outside the streets, there were a few activities that were only for adults at this time around.

At a specific bar, Jemer was taking shots with light expression as if he was free from the guilt.

'Finally, I'm free from Avion. I wouldn't mind us being friends, however, I would rather not take the risk of being associated with him. He's too mysterious and seemed too dangerous to be with.'

"Hey, mister, pour me one more!"

The bartender strangely looked at him, "Sir, your cup is still full. Also, that's your first cup. Are you sure you should be drinking out here if you're going to be drunk with a few sips?"

Jemer looked at his large cup, "I... I see... just got in the mood. This is my first time celebrating something. I'm not someone who abuses alcohol even if it's fun."

"You... you must have got a tough life." the bartender commented before a giant voice interrupted them.

"You! What did you say!?" a buff man with two women, who have thick makeups as if it's a mask, on both sides of his arm.

Jemer looked up and down, 'Rank Eeh Elementalist? Wanting a fight just because you think I'm a mortal?' he inwardly snorted.

"Is there something about what I said?" Jemer calmly asked.

"You said that you're not someone who abuses alcohol even if it's fun. Are you saying that others abuse it?" the buff man came in front of him with an intimidating stature.

"Yeah," however, Jemer didn't relent, "I don't like how people make their life sadder by drowning themselves in alcohol. They're too weak in my eyes." he then glared, preparing to defend himself.

'This guy must be already out of his mind.' he thought.

The buff man's eyes widened and sat beside him, "Well said!"

"Huh?" Jemer blinked a few times.

"Booze is amazing but people sometimes drown themselves and forget about reality. They just look at their weakness and cries about it. By doing so, they'll be stuck at the pit they are currently are." the buff man nodded as he agreed.

"R-right..." Jemer was a bit confused but he also agreed with the buff man.

Meanwhile, after taking their drinks, the two women waved at the buff man and said, "Raff, we'll be going now!" 

"Alright, be right there, girls!" Raff, the buff man waved back and asked Jemer, "What do you think about those two girls?"

Jemer awkwardly shook his head, "Ah, sorry, I'm too old for women."

"Not that- ahahaha, I'm talking about their makeups."

"Their makeup?" Jemer took a glimpse at the girls and commented, "I think it's a little too thick but it's good... it's good..."

"Oh, thought so. I guess I'll make it thinner next time and make it more natural." Raff said.

Jemer raised an eyebrow, "You mean, you're the one who did the makeup to your women?"

"Yes and no." Raff smiled but it looked menacingly instead, "I did the makeup but they're not my women. The one on the right is Jennifer and the one on the left is Rose. Their two of my best pals like everyone in this place, yah!?"

Raff raised his cup towards the other people who responded in unison, "Yah!"

"You're new here so sorry for approaching. I hope we can be friends, my name is Raff." he then placed his hand forward, "I own the near Si-i store there and I try to meet everyone here so that it stays safe.

"My name's Jemer." Jemer smiled and shook Raff's hand, "I'm a manager at a mortal Colosseum."

"Seriously!? That's great, man! But I'll see you later, Jemer!" Raff then stood up and went with the two women.

"Hmm... so he is just naturally intimidating in his appearance and always had a loud voice. I thought he was looking for a fight... but a good guy... a good guy." Jemer murmured as he took another sip.

The bartender laughed hearing this, "Yeah, everyone says that about him at first!"

Everything was back to normal again, but in less than a minute, peace was disrupted and hush fell.

Jemer looked with curiosity and everyone looked at the new arrivals. It was a hooded man carrying a super beautiful woman. However, the beautiful woman seemed to be messed up. Sweating all over the body, obvious fatigue, and messy hair.

'What's with the silence?' Jemer looked around and saw everyone else had a bitter expression.

"Here we go again..." Jemer heard the bartender whispered.

Once the hooded guy placed the woman down and sat near Jemer, a few seats away, the bartender said.

"I'm sorry, sir. But our rooms are only available for one person." the bartender said.

"Also, law enforcers are near this place so I suggest you do not continue with what you're planning to do." Raff's voice suddenly butted in with a frowned face.

The hooded man tilted his head a little, "Umm... no, I just want to know if do you sell any meal here."

'Hm? His voice is a little familiar.' Jemer got suspicious.

"A meal...? Yes, we do have. Although some are just snacks."

"Then I order the snacks first. However, please ready the heavy meals if there are. I'll just pay afterward." the hooded man urged.

At that moment, Raff sat beside the hooded man and said, "You seem new here."

"Yes, this is the first time I got here."

"Is that so... I must warn you since you're new. Many men come here and sometimes put pills on woman's drinks or food then places them in some places to commit crimes. However, this place is intolerant towards that kind of acts. Those men have come to the Colosseum and have died already." Raff intimidatingly continued.

'So that's what's going on here...' Jemer sighed, 'But the woman seemed to have already been affected.'

"I must say, I'm very knowledgeable about Si-i's and not to brag but I know what a Si-i a pill is at first glance and what their effects is."

However, the hooded man seemed unaffected and replied, "Is that so... but don't worry, I'm a man, I'm not going to be a victim."

"... I-I see... then I'll be watching this place then." Raff squinted his eyes.