The stranger didn't attract much attention while walking through the city. Being a border city, many different people came and went.
He entered a bar. On the left side of the bar were several small tables for three to four people. On the right was a long counter with bar stools and the bartender behind it.
The stranger took a seat at the counter—positioning himself opposite a group sitting at one of the tables, with his back turned to them.
He called out to the bartender and ordered a beer. When the beer arrived, he began to overhear the conversation behind him.
Man 1: Ahh… the beer here is really good, but the beer from the East was something else. I wish Lord Berin would bring some to Hotkeep.
Man 2: What do you mean by "the East," man?
Man 1: I mean the Sira Continent. I had to go there once for work. Helped a man out and in return, he gave me a barrel. It was amazing. I think even nobles and the Emperor of the Golden City drink that stuff.
Man 3: Isn't Sira kind of messed up? I mean, there aren't any kingdoms left there, and I've heard it's all chaos.
Man 1: Yeah, the only good memory I have of that place is the beer. And the money I got—can't complain about that either.
Man 3: Are the rumors about that place true?
Man 2: You mean about White Flame? Nah, come on, man. That's just a story to scare kids. You really think two old kingdoms could be wiped out by one guy?
Man 1: Honestly, I've never seen it myself, but I've heard a lot. I even talked to someone who claimed to have seen him. The guy was terrified just recalling it.
Man 3: So what was he like? Tell us—
Just as he was about to speak, someone walked into the bar. He was large and dressed noticeably better than most people. He wasn't a noble, but he didn't look poor either. The stranger guessed he was probably a merchant—or the son of one.
Then the whispers started behind him.
Man 3: Who's that?
Man 1: Just stay quiet... That's Raman, son of Karahan Agha, the richest man in the city. They say he once crushed a man's skull with his bare hands.
Man 2: I heard his father has powerful connections, even with the nobles.
As Raman swaggered into the bar, half-drunk already, the bartender subtly gestured to the stranger to get up—to warn him. But the stranger didn't move.
Raman approached and shouted:
Raman: Hey, you! Get the hell outta my seat!
Some of the people in the bar had already begun to leave in fear. But the stranger didn't even flinch.
Stranger: If you speak to me like that again, you'll never speak again.
Raman laughed and turned to the rest of the bar, shouting drunkenly. He had clearly been drinking before arriving.
Raman: HAHAHA. Hey everyone, did you hear that? He talked back to me. I'm Raman, son of Karahan… and this is what I do to people who defy me!
Raman suddenly threw a punch, but the stranger slipped out of the way and landed a knee straight into Raman's gut.
Raman tried another punch, but the stranger dodged again and landed a solid hit to his face. Raman stumbled back and pulled out a knife from his pocket.
Raman: [Weapon Enchantment](Note: [x] = magic spell cast)
The blade began to glow blue—indicating it was water-element magic.
Raman: Yeah, you're strong, but I can use magic, you son of a bitch!!
Raman, boosted by magic, moved surprisingly fast for his size and lunged at the stranger. But the stranger easily evaded again, grabbed Raman's knife arm, slammed a blow into his chest, and then broke his arm—causing him to drop the knife.
Raman collapsed to his knees in pain. The stranger looked down at him and spoke.
Stranger: I don't even need magic to beat a pathetic worm like you.
He kicked Raman in the back, knocking him flat on his stomach, then stepped on his head and picked up the dropped knife.
Stranger: You introduced yourself. Now it's my turn. I'm the White Flame from the Sira Continent—and I always stand by my words.
After shouting those words for the whole bar to hear, he used Raman's own knife to cut out his tongue.
White Flame: Let it be known—White Flame is now in Sin.