Inside the Fiery Revelry Bar, Andy sat at the counter, a picture of carefree arrogance. He snatched a bottle of wine from the bar owner, Stet, and poured a large glass for himself.
"Red Hawk-sama..." Stet's face was etched with worry, sweat beading on his forehead. His eyes kept darting to the sinister blade Andy had placed on the bar. Even sheathed, the sword exuded a terrifying, chilling presence. Stet knew that if it weren't for his fear of this demonic blade, he would never have let Andy touch a single drop of this wine.
The bar's other patrons, usually boisterous and friendly, now kept their distance. The cursed blade was a menacing barrier, filling them with a palpable dread. Though the scabbard dulled its sharpness, the fierce, piercing aura it gave off was like a needle pricking their nerves, keeping them from getting any closer.
"Gulp... gulp... gulp... Ah, that hits the spot," Andy said, completely ignoring Stet's pleas. He lifted the glass and downed the wine in one go, a deep sigh of satisfaction escaping his lips. To him, this was the perfect life for a Red Hawk: free, unbound, and truly alive.
"Stet, I'm getting ready to leave Reverse Mountain. Aren't you going to have a drink with me?" Andy asked casually as he reached for the bottle to pour another glass.
"Leave?" Stet was taken aback, his face a mask of shock. But he quickly composed himself. "Of course. It's been over a year since you got here. Now that this terrifying cursed blade is forged, a man like you can't be buried on a small mountain. I'm sure it won't be long before the world knows the name of the West Blue's Ultimate Evil—Red Hawk Andy!"
The other patrons in the bar suddenly understood as well. It was true, a man of Andy's caliber couldn't stay in a place like this forever. His true stage was the Grand Line. Their eyes gleamed with excitement, certain that Andy would conquer that sea of legends and make a name for himself that would echo across the world.
Stet abandoned his earlier objections. He bent down, rummaging through his liquor cabinet to pull out a bottle of fine wine he had saved for years. It shimmered under the light, a sign of its exquisite quality.
He stood up, a small smile on his face. "A dignified Red Hawk-sama can't drink ordinary rum. This is what you should be drinking!"
"Whoa!"
"Is that Flame Dance?"
"Stet is actually willing to give that away? Flame Dance is a special wine from Reverse Mountain, with less than twenty bottles made a year."
"That orange-red color... it really is Flame Dance!"
"But that wine is so strong..."
A murmur of excitement spread through the bar. Flame Dance was famous in Reverse Mountain, and its rarity made it a prized possession.
Stet took out two delicate wine glasses and filled them with the orange-red liquid, which glowed enticingly in the dim light.
"This is the legendary Flame Dance?" Andy asked, his nose twitching as he took in the unique aroma. He couldn't help but swallow, captivated by its rich, mellow scent.
"That's right. Come on, try it. I know you'll like it," Stet said, raising his glass with a warm smile.
Andy slowly raised his own glass, staring at the liquid. To his eyes, it looked like a burning flame, full of passion and power. He took a deep breath, inhaling the wine's aroma, then tilted his head back and drank the whole glass.
A powerful burning sensation shot from his throat, spreading through his entire body. Andy felt as if he had been set ablaze, a hot current coursing through his veins and making his heart pound. His face flushed, and his eyes filled with an exhilarating excitement.
"What an incredible drink! This is truly great wine!" Andy yelled, his voice echoing through the bar, drawing envious looks from everyone.
Stet smiled in satisfaction. He drank his own glass in one gulp, his body trembling slightly before settling down.
"Flame Dance is like the spirit of our Reverse Mountain," Stet said, putting down his glass with a sigh. "Passionate, wild, and full of power. Once you're gone, who knows when you'll be back for another drink."
Andy laughed heartily. "In that case, let's drink 'til dawn! Stet, pour me another!" He then put the Vermilion Demon sword into his system space.
As soon as the sword disappeared, everyone in the bar felt the oppressive aura vanish. A wave of excitement washed over them, and they swarmed toward Andy with their glasses in hand.
They wanted to drink with the legendary Red Hawk Andy. In the future, they could brag to others: "You know, we once drank with the famous Red Hawk-sama, Andy, in this very bar!" Just the thought of it made them feel amazing.
The bar became a whirlwind of cheers, laughter, and clinking glasses. Andy drank with everyone, glass after glass. The atmosphere was a mix of chaos and camaraderie, and it continued until dawn when everyone finally passed out on the tables.
Andy, though, wasn't completely drunk. He washed his face to sober up and slowly walked toward Rex's home. It was time to say his goodbyes and leave this place behind.
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