Chapter 2: Alze, The Lady Informant / Pink Hat

“What kinda dirty place even is this? It stinks.” Evan said, walking inside

“Hey, kid. If you’re gonna act like that imma have to kick you out.” A large man said

"Sorry about that. Wasn't trying to be rude, it's just.... I have a pretty sensitive nose." Evan said, sneezing

"Get the kid. Tie him up, sell him, leave him to rot, I don't care. Nobody disrespects my bar." The large man laughed

A bunch of guys stood up, weapons readied

“And, why exactly are you readying your weapons?” Evan asked, touching the end of a sword that had been pointed at him with his finger, inspecting it

“What? Why the hell are you just letting him check out your weapons?! Get him already, you morons!” The large man said

“Two large groups, two large idiots, two big fights, one single day. They’re frozen, man. Can’t move. That’s why.” Evan said, flicking the sword

“What? What are you, a damn magician?” The man laughed

“Yeah. I am. Why do you ask.” Evan said, summoning a flame and melting the sword he had his finger on instantly, charring the hands of the person holding it. What was left of the blade was red hot.

“I’ll go get my boss, okay? Apologies, sir.” The man said, suddenly polite

“Alright. Well, I’m going to unfreeze you guys now, so keep in mind to put your weapons away immediately.” Evan said

He unfroze everyone, and they went back to their seats, except a few

“How dare a brat like you do that! Imma kill you, a magician is useless in close combat!” A man yelled, charging, with his sword pointed towards Evans heart

Evan took hold of the sword with two fingers, shattered it, and beheaded the man with the shattered blade pieces in his hand.

“Man, always wanted to do that once. Alrighty, then. My bloodthirst has been slightly sated, so you guys can just sit back down and I’ll leave you be.” Evan said, smiling

They sat down quickly

The beheaded man exploded into thinly sliced bits.

Blood was splattered everywhere, and half of Evan was coated in it like paint.

“Darn it. Least it didn’t get in my eye.” Evan said, wiping his face

He picked an eyeball off of his shoulder and tossed it, disgusted.

A young woman had been standing there the entire time, the large man from the counter now behind her

“What kind of monster are you?” The woman asked curiously.

“A pretty damn big one. I like your tone for some reason. It’s nice to meet you, I’m Evan. Your god.” Evan said

“I see… that doesn’t seem like a lie. So god really does exist, huh? And you guys almost pissed him off. Idiots. Anyways, I’m Alze. Nice to meet you.” Alze said

“Huh. So…. no Chinese names? Odd. Guess not everything is the same.” Evan said, thinking

“Why did you come here?” Alze asked

“Huh? Ah, right. I came to ask about a girl named Gold. Her siblings.” Evan said

“That...Hmph. Even god has dirty hands, huh?” Alze asked, seemingly upset

“I freed their sister. Gold doesn’t have her soul bound anymore. You misunderstood me.” Evan said, holding up his hands

Alze looked visibly relieved

“Thanks, then.” Alze said, a slight smile on her face

“For what? Aren’t you guys the ones that do that stuff?” Evan asked, frowning

“Oh, heavens no. We deal in information. That’s still a pretty dirty job, though. Specifically, we take requests for highly unpleasant jobs and spread them to the unpleasant people who are interested in taking said unpleasant jobs. I’ll tell the siblings what happened when they come in tonight.” Alze said

“Hm. A bad person who isn’t a bad person, huh? You are an odd one.” Evan said

“Look who’s talking.” Alze said

“Just for clarification. Who exactly did that to Gold? Specific people. Just… interested.” Evan asked, smiling

“You sure you’re god? That is not a heavenly smile. Ah, whatever. The emperor. Well, the guy that’s under the emperor. Technically. The emperor himself is fine. Quite nice, actually. But the guy who did that is in the emperor’s palace.” Alze said

“Alright, thanks. Gold is outside in the alley, and I will be right back.” Evan said, disappearing

“I hope he doesn’t tear down the country. That could be a problem.” Alze said, sighing

“You seem…. oddly okay with that boy. Are you alright?” A man asked, walking in from a back door

“That boy is god. You’d do well to remember that, Guzo.” Alze said

“If he really is, then you’re right. Rather, it would be better for the empire if we got on his good side.” Guzo said

“Which you don’t care about one way or another. So why are you acting interested?” Alze asked

“I care about my betrothed. She lives here. Besides. He seems cool.” Guzo said

Alze stared at him

“What?” Guzo asked

“Nothing. It’s just that I forget how simple minded you are in person, sometimes.” Alze said

“Thanks. Where did he go, anyway? I didn’t even get to introduce myself.” Guzo said

“He… went to the palace….” Alze said, eyes shifting away

“He did what now?” Guzo asked, raising an eyebrow