After a bit of a detour, Lucian arrived at the bar at eight o'clock in the evening. He had initially thought that Jill was inviting him alone, but upon arrival, he realized that was a mistaken assumption. The entire S.T.A.R.S. team was there; it was more like a team-building event.

  “Hey, Barry, you're here early,” Lucian greeted with a smile. He was quite familiar with the S.T.A.R.S. team.

  “It's not early anymore. It's already evening,” Barry replied with a stern expression. Barry was a very steady man with a strong sense of justice. Initially, he had been dismissive of Lucian, but after some incidents, he had come to recognize Lucian’s character. They were essentially the same kind of people, but sometimes there were no other options—different methods could still lead to the same results.

  As the two chatted, another person entered through the door. Jill was dressed in casual wear today. She wore a tube top with straps that wrapped around her neck and a short skirt paired with high boots. Her outfit was youthful and bright, yet also quite revealing.

  This was the cssic look from the game, including a towel around her waist that seemed like it could be used to wipe off sweat after a run or workout.

  Seeing Jill’s alluring outfit, Lucian’s eyes instantly lit up. “She looks stunning.”

  “Then put in some effort,” Barry said with a smile, patting Lucian on the shoulder. “Do what you need to do. Don't regret it ter because you missed your chance.”

  Lucian felt a surge of motivation and walked over. He did need a woman to help him. “Hey, Jill, you look beautiful tonight.”

  Jill smiled upon seeing him. “Not as pretty as the women on the street.”

  “In my eyes, you are the most beautiful,” Lucian made an inviting gesture. “How about a drink together?”

  “Sure,” Jill agreed without hesitation. If it hadn’t been for Lucian saving her earlier that day, she wouldn’t have agreed to drink with him. She didn’t particurly like Lucian and even felt a bit of disgust due to their different values, mostly because of his involvement in illegal activities which made him seem like a bad guy.

  Lucian let out a sly ugh in his mind. His pn was to get Jill drunk.

  Once they were seated, Lucian ordered a cocktail with a strong kick. “I’ve always hated anything that causes chaos. Since I was young, I had to be independent. So, I know how fucked up reality can be. It’s like a bitch—you either enjoy it or fight against it. I chose to fight because I didn’t want to die.”

  Jill listened to Lucian while occasionally sipping her drink. She seemed quite adept at handling alcohol. As she listened to Lucian, her impression of him began to change.

  Whenever someone tried to interrupt them during their conversation, Barry would stop them. He was quite happy to see these two good people together.

  “So, you have a lot of hardships? I’m sorry, I had a misunderstanding about you before.” Jill picked up her gss. “Let me toast you.”

  “No need to be sorry. Only by spending time together can you know if someone is a person or a demon. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met—strong, independent, and full of character. I like you a lot.”

  Lucian didn’t hide his feelings.

  Jill brushed her hair back, a gesture that made her seem even more feminine. “Thank you for your kindness, but I'm not currently looking for a boyfriend.”

  “Thanks, I like your straightforwardness. Even if there’s no chance for now, being friends is still possible. I hope we can be good friends. I don’t want to be a good guy, but I also don’t want to be a bad guy. With you around, I’ll keep my usual boundaries.”

  Lucian was also quite suave and didn’t expect to win Jill over on the first try.

  “Haha, you’re an interesting person.” Jill picked up her gss and started drinking again. Unconsciously, they had gone through several bottles of cocktails.

  Lucian was doing fine because he had drunk some yogurt earlier—yogurt can help line the stomach and reduce the effects of alcohol.

  Jill, however, was getting quite drunk. She was particurly drawn to Lucian’s story of a small person’s growth and found his journey from a street thug to a patrol officer very interesting.

  After a few rounds of drinks, both were a bit tipsy. Lucian checked the time. “It’s about time. Let me take you home so you can rest early. You must be tired today.”

  “No need, I can go back myself.” Jill covered her head and shook it, refusing.

  Lucian wasn’t about to give up. “I’m worried about you like this. Since we’re friends, it’s only right that I take you home. Besides, I need to handle some business on the way.”

  Jill didn’t ask what the business was. After a moment of consideration, she said, “Okay.”

  Instead of driving, they took a taxi to Jill’s pce.

  Jill lived in a single apartment which was cheap and small, consisting of a small living room and a bedroom—a one-bedroom, one-living-room yout with a small kitchen.

  When they reached the apartment building, Jill didn’t immediately go up but turned and said, “Thanks, I’m here.”

  “Alright, have a good night.” Lucian was about to leave when he suddenly turned back. “Wait, Jill.”

  Jill looked puzzled. “What is it?”

  “Can I use your bathroom?” Lucian asked with an expression of helplessness.

  Jill couldn’t help but ugh. It wasn’t actually that funny, but she found it amusing that a gang boss needed to borrow a bathroom. “Alright, come with me.”

  Lucian was ecstatic inside. He had found a reason to go up to her apartment—a step closer to victory.

  Once inside the apartment, Lucian used the bathroom and gnced at his “weapon”—twenty centimeters long and ready for action. Tonight was the night he would finally “eat some meat,” something he had been saving until now.

  Jill was smoking a cigarette in the living room with a beer on the table. “You can leave now.”

  Instead of leaving, Lucian picked up another beer and took a sip. “Thanks for having me.”

  Jill got up and went to the bathroom. “You’re welcome.”

  While she was in the bathroom, Lucian took out a pill—a very effective sleeping pill—and opened another beer, dropping the pill into the gss.

  Jill soon came out, still a bit tipsy. She gnced at Lucian. “Why aren’t you gone yet?”

  “I'll leave in a bit. Just need a little more time. Mind if I sit here for a while?” Lucian smiled. “Want another drink?”

  Jill instead fetched a gss of water from the fridge. “Do as you like. I’m feeling dizzy. Just close the door when you leave.” She had no idea that the water had been spiked with a sleeping pill earlier!