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Thugs and suspiciously looking men surrounded the Barrel Zone.
But none of them dare to attack her.
After all, she works under 'him'.
Yuu, also known as the orphan girl from the fire.
She got a lot of nicknames growing up.
The orphan girl.
'His' girl.
Little pink girl... And so on...
She's quite a celebrity in the underworld.
After all, she also has a unique look.
Unusual pink hair with a bit of streak of white hair, sparkling emerald eyes and pale skin tone, as if she was a ghost.
...
Everyone turned their heads just to look at her.
Every step that she takes, silent whispers go through her ear.
"Successful loot again.." one of the men said.
"Looks like it, when did she even fail....I swear he was raising her to be a criminal" another whisper.
"What a shame..." the men shook their heads in disappointment.
Yuu can only walk proud, raising her head high and smirking.
She's used to this.
Surrounded by judging eyes all her life.
She doesn't care anymore, as long as she makes him happy.
Yuu pushes the heavy door of their 'hideout'.
Not really a hide out.
It was a big beer club house.
Flashing lights everywhere, people dancing left and right.
Music that bursting to her ears.
Others seemed already intoxicated, others were under the influence.
It was a chaotic place, but she called it her home.
"Another one, huh?" She approached the tall muscular man with a thick beard behind the counter.
He was wiping glasses while he greeted her.
"Yup! And Aetheral knights can't even catch me" she laughs as she puts the loot on the counter.
She takes a seat while the man gives her an iced tea.
"Oh come on Zack! Stop treating me like a kid" she complained and pouts at her drink.
The man only let out a chuckle.
She took a sip of the iced tea and her eyes lit up.
It was indeed a good feeling drinking a cold beverage after a long day of work.
"You seem to be enjoying it though," Zack replied.
She put the glass on the counter with a loud tud.
"That's because I was craving something cold, it's hot in here!" She complained again.
"What can we do? We're in the lower zone, even getting fresh water is a struggle here." He refills her drink.
She looked around, the music still banging and the lights were still flashing.
People looked happy, but deep down, they know the struggle of the lower people here in the Barrel Zone.
"Aetheral is bullshit, how many times they promised that they'll provide us fresh water!" She can hear others complaining about the system.
Glass shattering, people fighting and others dancing.
The other corner is smoking, and under the influence.
She continues to drink her ice tea while Zack serves other customers.
Suddenly everyone goes silent as the heavy door easily bursts open.
Instinctively, she grabbed her loot and hid it behind her.
She turned her back to witness the scene.
It was him.
Her 'father' and his men.
Some immediately fixed their posture as they greeted him.
No one ever knew his name, he was called by the name 'Warden'.
After all, he takes criminals and homeless people under his wing and makes sure that they don't misbehave.
He was feared in the Barrel Zone.
No one dares to attack him, he got a nickname with 'black iron fist'.
He got this nickname a long time ago, after he defeated the former Warden.
People were relieved that the former Warden got replaced.
They said that the former Warden was cruel and sold lower people as slaves.
Not until one boy decided to stand up.
He lost his hand in that battle but he won at the end.
As for the appreciation for his bravery, the lower people destroyed the bridge that connects to the slavery island and made him a prosthetic for his hand.
Old people in the lower class said that his hands were created by the black elves. That's why his punch is ten times stronger now.
Strong enough to take down a ship with a single punch.
He was a hero, that's the reason why they also built a statue of him in the middle of the Barrel Zone.
It was big and made of scrap metals and iron.
However, despite all his hero doings.
People also feared him just the same as they loved him.
There's a famous story about a foolish man thinking he can scam the Warden into buying cheap fake metals.
When the Warden found out about this. He immediately takes the man and throws him in the slave island where the rumors said that there's a monster hybrid living there.
But that's just a make up story that people spread about.
The Warden wouldn't mind it though.
He believes that it's better to be feared than love.
...
Yuu immediately rises from her seat and bow down to him.
"Hello, father" she smiled as she met his gaze.
It was disappointing.
"I heard you cause a ruckus again" he raised his hand indicating that people can continue what they're doing.
The people chatter again, his men surrounding the area as he takes a seat at the counter too.
Zack immediately serves him his usual drink.
"I'm sorry, father...but I got the loot successfully!" Yuu handed the bag full of gemstones to him.
He only sighs as he puts the bag on the counter.
"You raided a Merchant's vehicle." He takes a sip of his drink.
"Erm...well, your birthday is coming soon so I thought I could use this to buy you some gift." She looks up to him hoping he would be pleased.
But he didn't.
He slammed his fist on the counter making everyone flinch.
"That's not just a normal merchant's vehicle, Yuu."
And that is the signal that he was displeased again to her.
"It was traders from the Southern Kingdom, the capitol is already panicked just for these stones."
His words dripped like venom as he emphasized each word.
She can her people snickering and laughing at her.
The Warden is displeased again.
"Really? Just for five shining gemstones, I guess nobles have a particular taste." Yuu shrugs off making the Warden even more furious.