Bar.
Crude shouts and the sound of tables and chairs being overturned filled the air, thick with a mix of cheap alcohol and sweat.
Although the Sun had just risen, this bar seemed to have no concept of morning. A large group of aliens formed a circle, each with a ferocious look, covered in strange symbols and patterns, shouting excitedly, with various curses echoing in the air.
"Beat him to death! That garbage from Sokar Star can't possibly win!" A blue-skinned giant waved the wine glass in his hand, splashing liquid everywhere.
"Don't just shout, bet, bet!" Another alien covered in scales shook a stack of glittering chips, grinning to reveal a mouth full of sharp teeth.
In the center of the circle, a burly, heavy-faced alien brute was kneeling on the ground, covering his nose, blood dripping from between his fingers. He looked up, staring at his opponent with a look of disbelief, panting heavily, struggling to stand up.
Dominic stood there, one hand casually holding a glass of murky liquid, the other hand lazily tucked into his pocket. He gently swirled the glass in his hand, took a small sip, seemed quite satisfied with the taste, and then curled his lips into a playful smile.
"Who's next?" Dominic's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears in the noisy environment. His tone was understated, as if knocking down a dozen big guys was just his routine morning exercise.
"Damn it, this guy isn't human at all!" A small, six-eyed alien exclaimed, then took a large gulp of alcohol to bolster his courage, "Ten more won't do any good!"
The crowd erupted in laughter, cheers and taunts mixing together. An alien taller and stronger than the last one stepped into the circle, carrying an iron bar covered in nails. He gritted his teeth and looked at Dominic, his voice low like it came from deep underground: "You're quite capable, let's see how long you can last."
Dominic didn't even glance at the iron bar. He simply downed the drink in his glass, casually threw the empty glass onto the ground with a crisp sound. He slowly stretched, and said lazily, "I'm also curious how many of you can come. Why not continue to entertain me?"
The alien brute roared and charged forward, swinging the iron bar, the nails reflecting a cold light under the lamps. Dominic merely sidestepped, casually extended a hand, and grabbed the swinging iron bar. The brute's strength was like a child's plaything in front of Dominic. With a gentle twist, the iron bar broke free from the brute's hand, and then with a bang, the brute's body was sent flying by an invisible force, crashing heavily against the wall.
The crowd was in an uproar. Some aliens were already excitedly placing bets, while others were stunned. Someone mustered up the courage to shout: "Come on! Bring more, all together!"
Suddenly, the door creaked open, followed by Quill's habitually disgruntled complaint: "What the hell is this place? Why is it that every time someone says 'bar', it's always accompanied by messy fists and flying chairs?"
Quill stood at the doorway, looking at the chaotic scene before him. His gaze swept over the several large figures sprawled on the floor, then landed on the composed Dominic in the center of the circle. His mouth twitched: "Are you hosting an 'Alien Version of a Fighting Tournament'?"
Dominic looked up at Quill, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Consider it a form of relaxation. Why are you here? You're not here for a challenge, are you?"
Quill walked forward, instinctively waving his hand: "A challenge? Please, I have more important things to do – like avoiding being beaten into a pulp by some alien drunks."
A watching alien turned to look at Quill, seemingly interested in this sudden intruder. He elbowed his companion beside him and asked in a low voice: "Where did this idiot come from?"
Quill heard him, paused, and then loudly retorted: "Hey! I'm Star-Lord, leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy! Idiot isn't my title!"
Dominic couldn't help but laugh out loud at Quill's embarrassed look from being mocked. He casually picked up another drink from the bar and gestured to Quill: "Looks like your 'leader's halo' still needs some polishing, Star-Lord."
Quill glared at Dominic, about to retort again, when a burst of laughter and shouting suddenly erupted from behind him: "Another one! Fight, don't stop!"
Quill almost used all his strength to drag Dominic out of the bar. He held Dominic's arm with one hand, carefully avoiding the scattered bottles and overturned tables and chairs on the ground. "You know, having a one-man wrecking crew like you walk into a bar is a complete disaster," Quill panted, looking utterly unwilling.
Dominic, however, was unconcerned. He tidied his collar and said unhurriedly, "I didn't ask them to provoke me, they came looking for death themselves."
"Looking for death?" Quill turned and glared at him, his eyes full of exasperation, "Are you confusing 'self-defense' with 'gang beating'? I just saw at least five alien brutes being thrown out the window by you with one hand."
"So what?" Dominic shrugged indifferently, "Bar windows are for throwing people out of, aren't they?"
Quill rubbed his forehead and took a deep breath: "Please, we're currently the 'most wanted' throughout the galaxy. Do you think making such a scene in a place like this won't attract attention?"
Dominic looked at Quill with a half-smile, deliberately lowering his voice: "Are you worried that someone will notice me, or are you worried that someone will notice your 'Star-Lord' face?"
"Hey!" Quill immediately straightened up and patted his chest, "I'm Star-Lord, the most handsome and smartest adventurer in the galaxy!"
"And the easiest one to be chased for debts," Dominic added lazily.
Quill opened his mouth, about to retort, but heard Gamora's voice from not far away: "What are you two doing? We still have a pile of supplies to buy, are you planning on wasting the whole morning?"
Gamora stood in front of a simple supply station, arms crossed, her face etched with impatience. Behind her, Rocket was carrying a large pile of parts he'd gotten from who knows where, while Groot followed behind Rocket, carefully holding a can of green liquid.
"We haven't wasted any time," Quill quickly put on a serious face and flashed Gamora a bright smile, "In fact, I just saved this guy—" He pointed at Dominic, "—from tearing the whole bar down."
Gamora's gaze swept between the two of them, finally settling on Dominic: "What kind of trouble are you causing now?"
"Me?" Dominic spread his hands innocently, "I was just drinking. They were the ones who insisted on bothering me."
Rocket sneered and casually dropped the parts in his hands onto the ground: "Sounds like your usual activity. Next time, can you 'drink' somewhere else? Like a Planet where no one will recognize you?"
"Like a deserted Planet," Quill added.
"I am Groot," Groot raised the can in his hand, his voice carrying a strange cheerfulness.
Dominic looked at this group of "living treasures", his lips curving slightly. He shook his head, his tone a little playful: "You guys are really interesting. Being with you, I always feel like life won't be boring."
"That's truly our honor," Gamora replied coolly.
Quill coughed, interrupting Gamora's sarcasm: "Alright, alright, everyone stop arguing. Let's hurry and get the supplies and leave this godforsaken place. Honestly, I've had enough of this smelly, troublesome Planet."
"Agreed," Rocket rolled his eyes, "If I stay any longer, I'm afraid I'll catch the stupidity from the idiots here and become one of them."
"I am Groot," Groot seemed to nod very seriously, expressing his agreement.
Dominic walked behind the group, hands in his pockets, a meaningful smile on his lips. His gaze swept over every pedestrian on the street, as if observing something, or perhaps deep in thought. Perhaps what truly interested him wasn't this boisterous group of the Guardians of the Galaxy, but this Universe full of unknowns.