Chapter 172: Yusuke the Shrouded Man

"My name? Don't you know it's rude to ask without giving your name first?" The man replied.

"Rein Xilris," he said, knowing that he wasn't on the wanted list, therefore there was no need to hide his name.

"Rein, huh? Nice to meet you kid. The name's Yusuke, I'm from far east Orthlys," the man put his hand out for a handshake.

Rein took hold of his hand and shook it.

"Wanna head to a cafe? It'll be my treat,"  The man named Yusuke offered, to which Rein accepted.

Yusuke lead Rein into the entertainment district of town, and into a large, overcrowded bar. Rein stood outside and stared at the bar, unamused.

"This is what you call a cafe?" Rein sounded as Yusuke was about to head in.

"Hey, come on! I haven't had a beer all day, cut me some slack. I can order you something non-alcoholic," he pleaded, happily entering the bar as Rein reluctantly followed.

The lively man cave, which smelled like sweat and seawater, filled Rein's senses. Songs were being sung by some groups, while other groups of men laughed loudly, while some were arm wrestling in the corner of the pub. In general, it was an environment that Rein wasn't very familiar with, apart from the few times he entered the local bar in Lifah to deliver barley from the local farmers.

"I've already reserved that seat for 2 in the back corner. Let's take a seat while the waitress comes to get our order," Yusuke outlined.

The 2 took their seats in the corner, and Yusuke instantly got comfortable, leaning back into the comfortable red couch, and putting his feet on the table. Rein sat comfortably as well as he leaned back into his seat and rested his head.

"So, tell me about what you saw in the gulf," Yusuke said, which made Rein's eye dart to his smiling face.

"You think I went down there?" Rein tried playing it off, which made Yusuke laugh.

"You think I didn't notice that tablet in your pocket? You're a student there, right? And you're a Ranger at that," Yusuke deducted, his observational skills once again impressing Rein.

"Fine, looks like you caught me," Rein relented as the man was too cunning to deceive. "It was ruin. There were no signs of life, the school was destroyed, and the entire town," Rein gave him a quick summary.

"Huh?! Even the school?!" The man brought his feet off the table and exclaimed in surprise, bringing his face closer to Rein's.

Rein could smell his breath, which smelled better than he'd thought, though it had a small tinge of beer in it, which lead Rein to believe that he'd been lying about not having drunk all day.

"Yes, even the school," Rein reinstated.

"You're kidding… Someone actually beat that monster in a fight?" Yusuke uttered in amazement.

"That monster? Are you talking about our principal?"

"Yeah! Hard to believe she'd lose to anyone."

Rein lifted his eyebrow at him, wondering why he revered principal Julianne so much, then remembered that she was the only known 13th prestige Ranger, so no wonder she'd be well admired.

"Actually, she and my homeroom teacher had just left that morning to do a 13th prestige mission in Draconica. It looks like this attack was planned with that in mind," Rein informed, which made Yusuke sigh a breath of relief.

"Wow, thank god. If that woman had lost against them, then what hope would we have?" He scratched the back of his head, then suddenly wore a serious expression. "So these guys planned the attack while she was gone, huh? So, how did you escape, Rein?" Yusuke asked.

"I was also absent when the attack happened," Rein replied.

"Oh, you were? Maybe they planned the attack around you then?" Yusuke joked, however, Rein didn't take it as a joke.

His heart began to ache as he realized that that theory was most likely the reality of the situation, and began blaming himself for sending his friends back before him. Of course, he let none of this show on his face and remained silent as Yusuke laughed at his own joke.

"I want to hear what you think, Mr. Yusuke. What do you think they were after?" Rein posed, which made Yusuke stop laughing and go into a pensive pose.

"Hmm… What they were after…" Yusuke continued thinking, then a provocative, mischievous smile appeared on his face. "Maybe, it was for those cursed Springs the gulf was harboring," he lowered his voice as he spoke, Rein's face slowly growing shocked as Yusuke's arrogant smile lingered.

"How do you—"

"Welcome to the Stogue Bear Den, what would you like to order today?" A beautiful waitress in a maid dress stood at their table, one who drew the eyes of the rest of the men at the establishment.

She had short brown hair, was well endowed, and had a pretty smiling face.

"Ah, she's the main reason I wanted to come here," Yusuke pointed out to Rein, which disappointed him, bringing his opinion of the man back down.

"Sir? Is there something in particular you would like?" The girl asked again, to which Yusuke turned back to her with a smiling face.

"Ah yes, of course! I'd like… You, please," Yusuke winked, to which the girl laughed.

"Oh, really? Well sir, would you like to come to the back room then?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am!"

"Oh, and what about this boy? He doesn't look like he's old enough..." She said as she looked at Rein, who sat there, dumbfounded at the situation, the same as the other customers who were burning with jealousy at the same time.

"Yeah, the kid's with me. Don't worry, he's fairly experienced for his age," Yusuke grabbed Rein by the arm and pulled him up from his seat.

"I see! Follow me then," she began walking to the back room, followed by Yusuke, who was dragging Rein behind him, who was wearing an emotionless expression the entire time.

As they reached the back room, the maid woman closed the door and locked it behind them, a dim light in the corner providing them with their only source of sight, except Rein could see everything thanks to his skill.

He saw the woman slowly take off her maid dress in a provocative manner, smiling at both of them. As Rein was about to speak up about his qualms with the situation, he saw that the woman was wearing a business suit under the dress. Yusuke quietly sat on the chair in the back of the room, tapping the seat beside him as he got Rein to also sit down.

"So, what would you like to know?" The woman asked the 2 as she dropped her maid act and took out a cigarette.

"Hey, first gimme a cig. You know you can't just puff one out in front of me without getting me jealous," Yusuke complained, to which the woman scoffed and threw him one of her cigarettes and her lighter.

Yusuke put the cigarette in his mouth and lit the butt, puffing it out in front of Rein's face, who saw a notification pop up on his System as he inhaled the fumes.

Poison Resist: Pending…

Rein dismissed the notification then sighed.

"Care to explain what's happening?" He inquired, which caught Yusuke's attention.

"Oh, yeah I still haven't explained, have I?" He said while the cigarette was still in his mouth, taking it out before introducing the woman. "This here is Kasia Starsage, Julianne's little sister."