As Logan maintained his casual composure and strode toward the club, a taxi pulled up outside the grand entrance. Then a girl in a school uniform stepped out of the car, complete with carefully applied makeup.
'Wait, maybe something is off.'
Logan's expression froze momentarily. The girl in the school uniform walked confidently toward the nightclub's entrance as if this wasn't her first time there. On the way, she noticed Logan who was also wearing a school uniform and she gave him a strange look.
The girl exchanged a few words with the two suited security guards at the door. Then, as if realizing something, she turned and flashed Logan a knowing smile, a smile with a certain world-weariness that shouldn't belong to someone her age, before slipping through the revolving doors.
"..."
'Hey, classmate, what's with that 'I've seen too much' look? You must have gotten the wrong impression. I'm just here innocently to talk business!'
Logan felt an ominous chill in his heart.
"Come in."
'Sure enough…' The corners of Logan's mouth twitched. The two brawny security guards, who is originally looking at him with suspicion, shifted their attitudes after seeing the girl in uniform. They gave him welcoming, almost familial nods, their looks now warm and encouraging, as if inviting him home.
'F**k! Can you guys stay shallow, please? And stop looking at me with those weird expressions!' Logan resisted the urge to yell. He knew it was all a big misunderstanding, a result of ingrained biases, but explaining himself now would only dig a deeper hole.
Logan bit his tongue, stifling any explanation that might just make things worse. After a moment, he swallowed down his frustration and accepted his current reality.
One of the suited guards even opened a side door for him with a warm smile.
"... Thanks." Logan finally squeezed out a word. No one knew the silent resentment felt by this highly capable Ninja who had to keep his strength, and temper, contained in such a ridiculous situation.
Logan hurried inside, hoping to escape as soon as possible. The lobby was almost excessively luxurious, flooded with dazzling lights illuminating every corner. Logan surveyed the room, but there were no rows of girls in short skirts lined up as he might expect.
Aside from the reception area, only a few people were scattered around, likely because it was still early. The real nightlife here would probably start once night fully set in.
"Um, is your boss here… I mean, may I ask if Mr. Damian Light is in?"
In his own inner world, Logan rarely thought twice about calling gang leaders by any name he chose. But mid-sentence, he reminded himself to rein it in. It wouldn't do to be too arrogant, and if some cheesy situation erupted, he'd have to play along with 'meekly defeating the bad guys' yet again.
'Why do I say it again...' Logan sighed, steering his mind away from thoughts of web novels and absurd scenarios.
"Damian, Damian Light?" The receptionist blinked, repeating the name in disbelief.
"Yes, that's right," Logan nodded. "I believe I have an appointment with him. He mentioned it to me earlier."
Compared with Logan's casual attitude, the receptionist's heart skipped a beat. She worked the front desk and knew the names of the prominent figures here. After confirming the details, she hesitated slightly: "Yes, there's an appointment… Could I confirm, are you Mr. Logan?"
Her tone slowed as she read his name, and she looked him over, not expecting someone so young and, frankly, so… fresh.
Logan sighed when he saw her reaction, 'Sure, I knew I am handsome, but I don't want to be ogled like this.'
After handing over his information, he chose to ignore the receptionist's lingering stares and continued toward his meeting with resolute calm.
"This is the last job," Logan reassured himself as he stepped into the elevator to the top floor. When the doors opened, there stood the familiar figure of Damian, the bigshot gang leader, casually waiting for him.
"You made it, little brother. I was just about to come down and greet you." Damian said, momentarily surprised by Logan's school uniform, which stood out in the lavish setting. But he quickly adjusted his expression and smiled.
"Yeah." Logan, who was not in a very good mood, responded perfunctorily.
Two of Damian's men followed behind him, and Logan recognized them from the night he had been ambushed by the Sand Down Society, though he couldn't quite remember their faces.
"Sorry to make you come all this way. I have something to do today..." Damian greeted warmly. Despite being the Blue Gang's leader, he showed Logan genuine hospitality, while his trusted aides looked on with respectful seriousness, as they'd witnessed Logan's extraordinary abilities firsthand.
Since their first job together, Logan and Damian had met up several times. With the Blue Gang steadily expanding, Damian's aura naturally grew more intense, but the intimidation that would make an average person tremble had zero effect on Logan.
After their call yesterday, Damian had readily agreed to meet him. Right now, he seemed more like an old friend than the untouchable top boss of the underworld.
Once they were alone, Damian settled into his usual 'boss' posture and raised his teacup ceremonially.
Logan took a sip of plain water, jumping right to the point. "Tell me, who to hit this time?"
Damian halted mid-sip, thrown off by Logan's words. He hadn't even delivered his opener, and Logan's blunt approach had no sense of decorum.
After mentally wiping away nonexistent sweat, Damian put his tea down cautiously, "Uh, well, this time, our target is..."
'No, it was just too direct. What era was this, where we'd bluntly discuss 'hitting' someone?' Damian, who'd once shared tables with high-ranking officials and other gang bosses, felt his dignity slipping.
He couldn't help but sighed. In fact, this type of unfiltered conversation was refreshing for him.
"Little brother, this time, it may be a little more complicated than before."
"Oh?" Logan's steady voice hinted at his growing interest, "How complicated?"
Damian absentmindedly stroked the plush upholstery of the sofa and said, "We may not be able to support you as fully as usual."
"Oh." The emotions expressed by the two voices were completely different. Logan's tone shifted, his interest deflating, "I see."
"Tell me, who to hit?"
"..."
Damian shifted uncomfortably, feeling strangely pressured. He coughed, adjusting his posture to sit up straight, "Is it no problem?"
"No problem."
Logan's calm answer carried an unmistakable air of nonchalance, as if he were saying that their involvement made no difference to him whatsoever.
Damian suddenly felt a little hurt by Logan's response. People usually sought his help! He couldn't help but missed his domineering aura.
Logan, oblivious, took another sip, his face tinged with a faint impatience. Damian shook off his brief disappointment, producing a gilded envelope.
"This time, it's out of town, which complicates things."
"Where to?" Logan asked curiously.
"Napa."