When the plot-skips players into the game world

The bald man said, "Preparing the ritual will take about an hour, and right now it's just about that time... Do you want to try it out for yourself?"

... By that time, he had already discerned through those hours of conversation Aiwass's burning desire to touch upon the taboo. He knew that Aiwass could not refuse this invitation.

Looking back now... they must have deliberately arranged to meet here and were intentionally late.

Since it was already mealtime and they were caught in hunger, with other customers around ordering food, they naturally wouldn't go looking for another place to eat.

So, could it be understood that the two "Noble Red" scholars of Demonology had specifically asked to meet him at the Pelican Bar and even prevented him from taking them elsewhere because they believed this was the only absolutely safe place?

And there was a handsome young man from the upper echelons of society, dressed neatly, sitting in a cheap bar in the Lohar District filled with laborers and sailors, staring at a book for a full two hours over a pint of light beer.

— So, could a bartender with a good memory possibly forget him?

Even if he wasn't a Wild Elf but just a human bartender... bearing witness to such an outrageous scene, he could easily remember it for a whole month, and he'd use it as small talk, frequently boasting or making fun of him to others.

Not to mention, the turnover in the Pelican Bar wasn't too high to begin with, they didn't even get thirty customers a night.

Therefore, there was definitely something wrong with this bartender.

His deliberate pretense of not recognizing Aiwass, in fact, betrayed his inner fear. Since Aiwass had come wrapped in a cloak, it was on purpose not to have his identity recognized. Hence, the bartender played along with Aiwass's intention, attempting to help him hide his identity as well.

This was to lower his guard and stabilize him temporarily;

At the same time, it was also in the hope that Aiwass would assume this identity.

If Aiwass truly wanted to conceal his identity, going along with the bartender's words and pretending to be an "elderly man."

Then he couldn't have a clear conversation with the bartender, and for the time being, there would be no interaction between them.

— Thus, it would buy some time.

"Mr. Admar, right."

Out of nowhere, Aiwass, wearing his hood, suddenly spoke, "Are you waiting for someone?"

This was the name of the bartender he had overheard from other customers the last time he came.

"... What?"

Hearing this, Hayna turned back with some confusion, "Do you know him?"

But after glancing at Aiwass, she couldn't see any particular reaction from him.

However, when she turned back around, she saw a clear look of shock and hesitation on the bartender's face.

In that moment, something stirred in her heart. She vaguely sensed that she had grasped something.

Before she could ask, Aiwass chuckled lightly as if affirming something.

"Hayna."

Aiwass's voice was very gentle, like that of a superior or a mentor. It was not as polite as before when he addressed her as a senior student; instead, he now called her by name, as though from a higher authority.

But perhaps it was exactly because of this that Hayna, accustomed to obeying orders, suddenly became alert.

"Yes!"

Instinctively, she focused her attention, stepping forward diagonally from behind Aiwass, slightly positioning herself in front of him to protect him, and tensely awaited further commands.

"Draw your sword—"

Aiwass commanded.

Although still unclear about the situation, Hayna didn't hesitate to follow Aiwass's instructions. In the blink of an eye, she drew her Elf sword from its sheath.

The sword blade slid from its sheath as if alive, and a pure white light illuminated from the sword's body.

A dazzling white light brightened the already well-lit bar at noon.

In Hayna's originally lake-blue eyes, a silver-white halo gradually lit up, resonating with the "Path of Sovereignty."

The strength infused in her bloodline was gradually activated, with overflowing power surging into her limbs and body. A wave of energy roared from her as the center, spreading to the surroundings. The bottles on the liquor cabinet shook, making a chaotic but clear tinkling sound, like wind chimes.

The few patrons in the bar were startled and one after another left their seats, running towards the door.

And seeing this, the bartender's face instantly changed, and his heart skipped a beat.

—Have I been exposed?

Why?

He was shocked and confused in his mind.

In the pressing situation, he also chose not to just sit and await his doom.

He took a deep breath, and something seemed to move beneath his skin like worms wriggling, bulging out.

Purple lines spread from the starting point below his lower eyelids, sprawling across his face. Like veins that suddenly change color, a web-like pattern covered most of his face. The only area left uncovered, which was where a beard might have grown—skin around the mouth and chin, remained free of the purple lines.

With every deep breath he took, the purple lines on his face brightened. They would illuminate with each inhale and slowly fade with each exhale.

These lines, like a curse, spread rapidly across his skin, extending from his sleeve cuffs until reaching the tips of his fingers.

"Demon Scholar—"

Hayna recognized his identity. Or rather, she had a rough idea.

A Transcendent could use mystical skills and all sorts of casting materials to use their transcendent powers in a non-combat state. But to get serious and mobilize the power of their Path to unleash those powerful transcendent skills, they had to resonate with the Path.

Everyone's resonance characteristics were different, but the common point was that there would be a light effect corresponding to the color of their Path.

Just as white is the color of the Path of Sovereignty, purple is the color of The Path of Transcendence. The former symbolizes diamonds, while the latter represents amethyst.

Although she really did not know what the specific profession of this Wild Elf was, it certainly belonged to The Path of Transcendence.

The Path of Transcendence is always illegal!

So she would just assume the other party was a Demon Scholar—

—Mr. Aiwass really found him!

A sense of joy rose in her heart.

She had no idea how Aiwass had identified the man's identity because she had not seen any flaws revealing his identity.

But once the battle started, this was her area of expertise!

And looking at the Wild Elf bartender with purple web-like lines covering his skin beneath... Seeing such an obvious feature, Aiwass finally recalled his identity.

The original "Sin Nexus Pelican Bar's" number one, "Evil Bartender" Admar!

In his memory was that burly man with arms as thick as war hammers, hunched and bare chest, his upper body covered in glowing deep purple lines—

His image gradually overlapped with the Wild Elf who was inflating like a balloon.

—Originally, Aiwass just intended to let Hayna intimidate him a little, to put some pressure on him.

He hadn't expected him to be unable to withstand the pressure, morphing at just a light press!

Now they had found their true target directly!