Atem turned to find Boro, the gate attendant.
"Morning, Boro. You seem busy today."
"When is it ever not?" Boro snorted. "Old Man Yi says he'd rather let the whole building collapse than turn down coin."
As if remembering something, Boro's expression tightened. "You know you shouldn't be here… Old Man Yi hates you down to the bone."
"Hate is a strong word," Atem sneered.
Boro raised an eyebrow. "Not strong enough. If he knew you were coming, he'd have locked the front doors and pretended the place was on fire."
"That would be a first," Atem said, brushing past him with an easy nod.
He stepped through the entrance.
The inn's first-floor hall was already crowded—dock foremen arguing over morning shipments, merchants bargaining over storage fees, and a few sailors half-asleep over bowls of broth.
The usual mix.
But the moment Atem crossed the threshold, a few heads turned toward him.
"…Isn't that Twin Shores?"
"…Why's he here?"
"…Old Yi's gonna explode."
Atem ignored the stares the same way he ignored the smell of boiled fish. He walked straight toward the counter.
A thin man behind it froze halfway through recording a shipment slip. His gaze meticulously scanned Atem from head to toe.
"Atem… why are you here?"
"Breakfast," Atem said plainly. "And a conversation."
The clerk swallowed. "I'll… inform the owner."
"You do that."
Atem sat at the nearest vacant table, maintaining an upright posture and a neutral expression.
A serving boy approached with hesitation. "Tea?"
"Please."
The boy fled as if he'd just been told to deliver a message to a sea serpent.
A few sailors grinned at the tension, sensing entertainment coming.
Another group of merchants shifted away, wanting distance, and someone at the back muttered, "Not this again…"
It didn't take long.
Heavy footsteps descended the staircase like a slow avalanche.
Old Man Yi emerged, his stocky frame and ring-adorned fingers immediately capturing everyone's attention. His eyes, sharp enough to peel bark, shifted from neutral to intense fury in an instant.
"Well, look what washed in with the morning tide."
Atem sipped the tea that had just arrived, unbothered. "Good morning to you too."
"You're bold to walk in here, considering the last time you did, half my shareholders demanded compensation for the rumors you spread."
Atem tapped the rim of his cup. "They weren't rumors. You really were buying spoiled medicinal stock and diluting it."
Yi's face twitched.
"That little stunt cost me a fortune," Yi snorted coldly.
"You shouldn't have sent thugs to drag me into an alley," Atem sneered. "A bad business habit."
A few customers at nearby tables pretended not to listen, but failed miserably.
Yi looked at him with contempt. "You ruined a ten-year supply network."
"And you tried to kill me for it," Atem said calmly. "Let's not play innocent."
Silence spread across the tables like spilled oil.
Yi straightened, masking his anger with a smile. "Lovely. You always did know how to embarrass a man in his own establishment."
"You make it too easy."
One of Yi's assistants hurried over, bowing nervously. "S-sir, perhaps we should move this to the private rooms—"
"Yes," Yi glared at him. "Before this brat poisons my morning any further."
Atem stood and extended his hand. "After you."
Yi turned sharply, waving for Atem to follow him into a narrow corridor extending toward the rear chambers.
Boro, still watching from the entrance, muttered under his breath, "Here we go…"
Atem stepped into the corridor behind Yi, letting the noise of the hall fade away.
Whatever came next would not be pleasant.
But he hadn't come for pleasant—he'd come for answers, and Old Man Yi had plenty of those locked away upstairs.
---
"What exactly brings you here, boy?"
Atem remained calm as he settled into the seat across from him.
"I came to discuss a business transaction."
Yi raised a brow, amused more than anything. "Business, is it? Considering the history between us, I doubt it will be pleasant. But speak your piece."
Atem rested his hands on the table. "I am prepared to offer you twenty percent of the Cold Restoration Pill market."
Yi's expression shifted slightly. The change was subtle, but it was the kind of reaction that told Atem he had managed to surprise the man.
"You are suddenly feeling generous? That does not fit your reputation."
"I keep my word," Atem replied. "If we reach an agreement, you will receive exactly what was promised."
"That sounds acceptable. Tell me what you expect in return."
Atem tapped a knuckle lightly against the table. "You must have heard about the most recent medicinal review conducted by the Harbor Authority."
Yi gave a short nod, acknowledging the matter without surprise.
"I heard enough. What else?"
"Someone has begun copying the spears I designed with Old Man Ash. I want to know who is behind it."
Yi's eyes narrowed faintly. "That piece of information does not come cheaply. Twenty percent will not cover it. I want fifteen."
Atem looked at him in surprise. "You intend to give me five percent back?"
Yi's expression turned cold. "Do not play games with me. I want fifteen percent of your spear distribution."
Atem looked at him for a long moment before answering. "You might as well snatch my coin purse on the street. I do not produce enough spears for a cut that large to make any sense."
Yi shrugged casually. "Then the deal ends here."
Atem did not get up. He simply shifted his weight, considering the numbers again.
"I can offer five percent."
Yi shook his head. "That is far too low. I want fifteen."
Atem pressed his lips together for a moment.
"Ten percent. That is the limit. I will not negotiate further."
The old man studied him, trying to determine if Atem had left any room for retreat. After a moment of silence, he nodded.
"Very well. We have an agreement."
Atem leaned forward slightly. "Then you can begin by telling me what I am paying for."
Yi did not answer immediately. Instead, he reached into a drawer and produced a thin contract sheet, sliding it across the table.
"Before that, we should finalize our arrangement."
Atem kept his expression controlled, though he knew Yi would not say another word until ink touched parchment. He signed his name slowly and neatly, then passed the sheet across the table.
Only when the contract was stored away did Yi look satisfied enough to continue.
"Now I will tell you what you want to know." Yi's gaze sharpened.
"You are being targeted."