The first customer of the day was a freeloader, but he didn't get beaten.
He was Bail, Uncle Goodman's son, visiting the tavern for the first time since it opened.
Zhang Da Ye poured him some juice and let him sit by Tom while he attended to other customers.
When he returned, Bail had already received a piece of cat food from Tom. Though Tom wasn't fond of bratty kids, he treated this little brother kindly, willing to share his treats.
Unfortunately, Bail wasn't pleased: "Yuck! This tastes awful!"
Clearly, not everyone could appreciate cat food. Tom's dual human-cat taste buds allowed him to enjoy flavors while filtering out unpleasant ones. Artoria's taste for cat food likely stemmed from her hometown cuisine culture.
After serving drinks and meat, Zhang Da Ye asked, "Bail, why haven't you been around lately?"
Bail frowned: "Dad caught me at the shipyard, making me saw wood all day. Exhausting."
Zhang Da Ye laughed: "Wow, Uncle Goodman is serious. I thought he was just talking. And would Sister Molly even let you go?"
Bail waved like a miniature adult: "Haha~ Dad usually listens to Mom, but some things he decides on and never changes."
Zhang Da Ye was impressed: "Uncle Goodman is formidable."
Bail added, without mercy: "If he hadn't slept on the couch for three days, I'd fully agree."
"By the way, Da Ye, is Sister Artoria really that strong?" Bail had heard about Artoria through his father, who mentioned the tavern.
"She's even stronger than you imagine." Zhang Da Ye gestured to the dozens of people in the tavern: "Even if all of them joined forces, it wouldn't be enough for her."
Bail's mouth formed an "O," then said: "I also heard Da Ye fought off two troublemakers with just a frying pan."
"Haha, and I even used a folded stool on a fat guy once. Just small stuff~" Zhang Da Ye began to understand why Goodman liked bragging—being admired, even by a child, felt good.
Still, using frying pans, stools, and brooms in fights made Zhang Da Ye worry he might become the "Furniture Store Battle God"—carrying the store with him.
Out of boredom, he told Bail a few eerie stories from the "Impossible Science" series—mysterious and suspenseful, leaving listeners impressed yet unsure why.
Those who had sworn off stories secretly came back to listen, sheepishly promising to buy extra drinks after a glance from Zhang Da Ye.
By noon, the day's business ended. Bail relayed Mrs. Molly's invitation to visit their home. Zhang Da Ye happily accepted.
…
After closing the tavern, Zhang Da Ye rode the bubble car with Artoria and Tom to buy extra bamboo swords, ingredients, and check for seafood.
"Da Ye."
"Hmm?"
"We're being watched."
Artoria warned just as they were leaving the 59GR town.
"How strong? How many?" Zhang Da Ye remained calm at her steady tone.
"Ten. I can handle them quickly." Artoria said, "They've been following us, likely planning to strike outside the town."
"Then let's keep going. I wouldn't mind some combat experience." As long as he wasn't killed, he welcomed it.
Artoria nodded: "I'll prioritize taking out anyone with guns and minimize interference for your fight."
"Good." At his current level, bullets were a threat, though he doubted ordinary ones could kill him.
At the island's edge, ten assailants surrounded them from both sides.
Seven carried swords or knives, two held rifles, and one wielded a bow.
"Hah… hah…" the bowman croaked, "Thought we only needed the target. Turns out, the other two are high-level too."
The speaker, over two meters tall with skinny legs and a disproportionate frame, resembled a character from Doraemon. Without webbed hands, Zhang Da Ye might have mistaken him for a fishman. This was their leader, Peterman. His subordinates followed, cheering.
Zhang Da Ye whispered to Artoria: "Looks like human traffickers. No mercy needed."
Artoria nodded. Normally adorable and always eating, her battlefield feats proved she would show no leniency.
Tom was the most frightened, having been surrounded by four people before. Now, ten made him cling tightly to Zhang Da Ye's leg. Facing humans, his abilities often froze him in fear.
"Don't worry. Put on your swordsman outfit. They're weaklings." Zhang Da Ye reassured him, drawing his knight's sword and targeting a seemingly weaker foe.
Tom, trembling, donned his swordsman gear, gripping his rapier for comfort.
Peterman ignored the origin of their clothes and weapons, assuming they came from the bubble car, and warned: "Better not resist. If the valuable cargo is harmed, we'll be in trouble."
One by one, his men advanced with weapons, grinning in anticipation.
When they reached a suitable distance, Artoria acted first. Gripping an invisible weapon, she swept like a gust of wind, taking down the two riflemen with bloodied chests.
The others were stunned: "What happened? An ability user?"
Peterman retained some leader charisma: "Don't be afraid, just an ability user. Higher price, so deal with her first!"
His men calmed and moved to surround Artoria, confident in numbers.
Zhang Da Ye needn't worry about her safety—these people would have been defeated already if not for her letting him practice.
Tom also required no concern. His cowardice was simply part of the training.
Zhang Da Ye raised his sword, intercepting his chosen target.
(Peterman was the leader of the gang that trafficked mermaid Kemi to the human auction. Their gang, called the Hound Pets (or Hunting Pets))