TWOD 04
Chapter 04: Myself
Su Ye remembered that his parents had both worked at Kairton’s “Dolphin River” restaurant. When they left, Kairton had personally tried to persuade them to stay.
Kairton was a Silver Warhttps://orangenuna.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/woman-traveling-in-france-2023-11-27-05-16-47-utc_Easy-Resize.com_.jpgr. Though he hadn’t fought in years, his strength far surpassed that of a Bronze Warhttps://orangenuna.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/woman-traveling-in-france-2023-11-27-05-16-47-utc_Easy-Resize.com_.jpgr.
He owned multiple restaurants and was known for his generosity. Everyone in the neighborhood knew his name, and anyone connected to him could count on his help if they sought it.
Su Ye recalled his parents mentioning that if they ever faced difficulties, they could turn to Kairton. They had also said that Kairton had ties to a noble family—his true influence was greater than it appeared.
Su Ye sifted through all the information he had about Kairton, weighing his options carefully. In the end, he settled on him—not because Kairton was powerful or kind, but because Su Ye had something that would interest him.
“But before that…”
Su Ye removed his brown himation robe and examined his body. No jade pendant, no birthmark, no ring, no necklace—nothing unusual.
Undeterred, he tentatively muttered a few words under his breath, something about a “system” or “luck.”
Nothing happened.
With a long sigh, he resignedly put his clothes back on.
“I can only rely on myself.” Determination flickered in his eyes like the first light of dawn.
He took a step forward but suddenly paused, thinking for a few seconds. Then, he pressed his fingers to the shallow wound on his neck and deliberately tore at it, hissing softly in pain but not stopping.
Once satisfied, he raised the spellbook.
The white page had become as smooth and reflective as polished bronze—even clearer than a mirror.
Su Ye examined the wound and the bruising on his neck in the reflection, then glanced down at his clothes. They weren’t dirty enough. Just as he was about to soil them deliberately, an image of Kairton flashed in his mind. Instead, he brushed himself off, making his robe appear as presentable as possible—though anyone could tell it was far from pristine.
“Life has forced me to become scheming…”
With another sigh, he took a deep breath and strode out the door.
After a few steps, he turned back to look at the gray-white house, his mind lingering on the dim living quarters and the three statues.
No matter how hard he tried, the faces of the gods remained blurred in his memory.
Mortals cannot gaze upon the divine.
Su Ye quickened his pace.
At the street corner, he casually glanced around and spotted two familiar faces—the same men who had stood behind Lavens earlier.
Their eyes met briefly before Su Ye continued toward the Dolphin River restaurant.
As he walked, he reviewed what he knew about the place.
The Dolphin River was located at the border between the craftsmen’s district and the minor nobles’ quarter. It was the most upscale of Kairton’s establishments, barely qualifying as a high-end restaurant in Athens. Still, only minor nobles frequented it—true aristocrats would never set foot inside.
Every employee knew Kairton had been trying to curry favor with the high nobility, especially after his severe injury halted his advancement. Yet Su Ye’s parents had once said Kairton wasn’t just a vulgar merchant—there had to be more to his ambitions.
By the time Su Ye reached the restaurant, the sun had dipped behind the statue of Athena.
The Dolphin River stood on the bustling Ninth Avenue of the craftsmen’s district. One more block west, and he’d enter the noble residential area.
In this world, nobility had another meaning: descendants of the gods.
Gods do not walk among mortals.
The streets were sparsely populated. The restaurant’s doors were open, ready for business.
A beechwood sign hung to one side, its silver threads elegantly depicting leaping dolphins.
Two burly men flanked the entrance, keeping an eye on the street. They glanced at Su Ye but made no move to stop him as he stepped inside the spacious dining hall.
The moment he entered, two servers turned to look at him.
One’s eyes widened in surprise, while the other remained expressionless and approached swiftly.
“Honored guest, how may I serve you?”
Su Ye smiled. “Next time, try asking, ‘How may I serve you?’—especially when recommending wine.”
Before the server could react, he continued, “I’m here to see the generous Kairton. I have a business proposal he’ll find very profitable. If you’re not authorized to arrange a meeting, fetch your manager.”
The server hesitated only briefly before nodding. “One moment, please.”
He hurried off and soon returned with a middle-aged man wearing a practiced smile.
The manager’s attire was nearly identical to the servers’ and the guards outside—none of them wore full-length himation robes like Su Ye. Instead, they sported knee-length exomis tunics, with the left side of their torsos draped while the right shoulder and arm remained bare.
Throughout his walk, Su Ye had noticed only two styles of clothing: the exomis and the himation. Both were loose and simple—just fabric draped over the body and secured with a belt. It reminded him of a joke about ancient Greek fashion:
“A hundred ways to wear a bedsheet.”
“I hardly recognized you, young Su Ye. You’ve grown so much,” the manager said warmly.
Su Ye had completely forgotten the man’s name but smiled politely. “I’m honored you remember me. I’m here to discuss a deal with Kairton—one that could significantly raise the Dolphin River’s prestige. I’m certain he’ll be pleased.”
The manager didn’t hesitate. “Come. I’ll take you to him.”
Su Ye nodded, relieved to avoid the awkwardness of not knowing the man’s name.
As they walked, the manager sighed. “I heard about your parents. My condolences. They did well after leaving the Dolphin River. Who could have imagined they’d borrow so much to expand their shop, only to…”
They soon bypassed the dining area and entered the rear courtyard.
A gaunt, sallow-skinned man stood guard at the entrance. His sunken eyes were lifeless, his frame wiry. Unlike the others, his short brown tunic had sleeves, paired with a short cloak.
A dagger hung at his waist.
Su Ye recognized him.
Hack, the Bronze Warhttps://orangenuna.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/woman-traveling-in-france-2023-11-27-05-16-47-utc_Easy-Resize.com_.jpgr. A former soldier turned city guard, now Kairton’s personal protector. Rumors among the staff claimed Hack had killed at least a hundred men.
At the sound of their footsteps, Hack slowly turned his head. His skin was parched, like tree bark stripped of moisture. Su Ye’s limited knowledge of magic suggested either a severe spell injury or a botched potion experiment.
Hack’s gaze flicked over Su Ye before returning to the sky, his eyes shadowed by the eaves.
“Master Hack,” the manager greeted respectfully as they passed.
“Master Hack,” Su Ye echoed.
Hack didn’t acknowledge either of them, his hollow stare fixed on nothing.
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