From the Abyss of Stars

052. "What You Love is Your Life"

052. "What You Love is Your Life"

Bang!

The tavern door was kicked open. The numbed patrons didn't even bother to look at the new arrivals. They kept pouring drinks into themselves, trying to numb their chromed nerves with alcohol to escape this messed-up reality.

The bartender lifted his rough electronic eye, glancing at the 'scavenger' with makeshift firearms and a chain-wrapped arm. The latter, with his female companion, approached the bar and dropped a glowing bottle cap, speaking smoothly:

"Vodka on the rocks with a bullet, mixed with a bit of coke. And a glass of hot water for the lady."

"Too bad, we don't have such grand liquor."

The bartender shrugged, serving Li Aozzi a warm beer and a glass of hot water:

"You know David, I must say, you're the most tasteful scavenger I've ever seen. This one's on me."

Qiu Ran hesitated, looking at the white sediment floating at the bottom of the wooden cup, wondering about the water quality in this place.

"Thanks, buddy."

Li Aozzi lifted the beer but didn't drink immediately. Through the mask, he glanced at an old man tinkering with a revolver, focusing on the silver-gray gun, and asked:

"Gamble•Vick—is it from 199?"

"Heiberlong Arms Factory."

The old man, unkempt and weary, casually replied:

"You scavengers shouldn't care about stuff under thirty years old, right?"

"Weapons are an exception. Only fire and Kalashnikov can bring a bit of warmth in these cold times."

Li Aozzi smiled faintly:

"The Justian Democratic Republic, the most peaceful among the Four Nations, but its Heiberlong Arms Factory kills nearly two million people every year with its weapons. That's the best advertisement."

Click.

The old man opened the cylinder and loaded a bullet. He lifted his head, his bright yellow eyes locking onto Li Aozzi. The wrinkles on his face were deeper than the lines on the floor, but his eyes seemed to pierce through time, reflecting Li Aozzi's face.

"A word of advice," the old man said. "Enjoy life to the fullest; you don't have much time left."

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the bar froze.

"Is old Dmitri's brain implanted with a fool chip?"

Someone murmured:

"That's a scavenger. In the blink of an eye, Robben, Yuri, and Zhao Ming lost their lives. Does he think he's lived long enough?"

"Shh, keep it down. Old Dmitri's curses are real. Everyone he said had little time left... all..."

"Ahem, let's just keep drinking."

Li Aozzi swirled his beer, studying the old man called Dmitri through the amber liquid.

This was a crucial step to complete the Blood Magic Flow, and Li Aozzi knew Dmitri was the only one who could make jewelry-type equipment in the early stages of Frost-Plated Republic.

Jewelry-type equipment, if one foregoes weapons, can theoretically equip up to 14 pieces, more with totems and tattoos.

This type of gear has no stat requirements, making it perfect for low-stat classes like the Mutant.

With his high Charm and knowledge of the plot, Li Aozzi skipped the tedious verification and conversation process, triggering the quest stage directly.

Anyone else would need at least two days to investigate the weapon's origin and build rapport with the old man before Dmitri would mention their limited lifespan.