Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 324: Obsidian Whisky

Chapter 324: Obsidian Whisky

Over a hundred floors, over a hundred bars sponsored by the god of wine. The Vortex was one of many and one that was not special. A single coal amongst the great fire that was the Endless Bar. The dance floor was a shimmering, iridescent surface that changed colours with the beat of the music.

Dasha sat at the bar, nursing a glass of Obsidian Whisky—a smoky, dark liquor with a hint of sweetness that left a warm burn as it went down. His gaze was steady, observing the ebb and flow of the crowd. He watched as a patron discreetly slid a coin across the bar to the bartender, who leaned in, whispered something, and nodded. Information was being exchanged—a common practice whether on Earth or the White Abyss.

When the bartender approached Dasha for his next drink, he handed him the empty glass. "Another Obsidian, please."

The bartender nodded, quickly preparing the drink and sliding it over. Dasha took a sip, savouring the flavour. His attire had changed. Ruh-al-Qital and even the Seven-league Boots were damaged from his fight against Raoul. He switched to a dark, cool look: a black vest, a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up at the elbows, and black pants and shoes. To blend it together was a dark red tie.

His god-like facial features were scarred. The nose, the forehead, the brows, and the cheek each contained marks. In spite of his missing high-class equipment, including his gauntlets, there was an intensity to the lone Dasha. The Venetian mask hid not only the remaining part of Jack but the deep set of dark brown eyes that neared black.

"That man over there..." Dasha said. "I feel like I should recognize him."

"He fought in the round of sixteen in the previous Martial God Tournament. He survived a combo from Li Tianlu."

Figured. His gi was too high-quality. It wasn’t a uniform either, so he was likely of the Unorthodox Sect or an independent. "Is that right? I betted against him then."

The bartender chuckled. "I as well."

"Ha..." Dasha exhaled and laid a finger on his Venetian mask. "The Monster Hunters...they haven’t gone to Valhalla’s Colosseum in a while. I hope it is not what they say it is. I have bets to make."

Making bets to see if a group or guild had actually killed monsters. On the upper floors, it was a massive business. Much of Valhalla’s Colosseum pertained to betting, the act of slaying monsters akin to betting sports. In certain sections, signs were hung to display which floors were cleared and by which guild, with benches in the airport hub to observe the updating signs.

The bartender raised an eyebrow but kept polishing a glass. "And what are they saying?"

Dasha leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a deep, monotone tone. "Either Jack killed them, or the Yngling themselves did the job. Raoul is their banished son, and the journal he has in his possession is..." His tone held a tinge of conspiracy, hardly noticeable, and that was what made it so captivating. "...they are only rumours but it holds the experiences of everything he’s done."

The bartender’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Everything, you say?"

"Everything. Every monster and their organs, their origins, illustrations of them, and their weak points."

"Is that right..."

"Everyone who has worked for the Monster Hunters long enough knows about the journal Raoul keeps on him. The details are said to be a bit controversial because even the greatest do not know about them."

The bartender’s curiosity was palpable now. "You must bet often."

"I am one of their biggest supporters. They are the easy bet, of course. The policy is for them to take on floors that they know they can finish, which works in my favour. I know them well."

"I see..."

"Rumours are rumours. I doubt they held as much weight as we wish they did. I doubt Jack the Ripper, if he has returned, could defeat them." Dasha downed the rest of his drink and stood up. "I am sure they are preparing for their next great battle. Thank you for the drink," he said, leaving a generous tip on the counter. The two types of currency in the White Abyss: points and coins. According to Xavier, a quarter of trade was done through exchange of gold and diamond coins. It could never replace the points system due to lacking authentication.

Dasha never dabbled in coin exchange as it was a way to trace back to him. To let others know he did indeed exist. Tonight, that was what he wanted. And so, he let the bartender examine before moving towards the dance floor.

Inside the crowd of dancers, he scanned rather than danced. It didn’t take long to find what he wanted. A blonde woman whose moves were sorely lacking. She was practically standing in the middle of the dance floor. Dasha swooped her up by the waist and got to dancing. Her summer dress fluttered and they came close.

"Oh god!" Grace hushed. "You scared me!"

"I told you to dance and camouflage."

"I like dancing! I don’t like partying!" Grace said in a hush.

Dasha’s gaze was empty. Hands still on her hips, he got her to start moving and dancing. He purposely put his lips close to his ears so that anyone watching would think they were growing intimate.

"We’ll be leaving in exactly five minutes. Try to look happy."

Grace got to smiling and acting happy. Clearly, it was what she was good at. They danced and swayed, Japanese music from the 1980s playing. Dasha inevitably released her waist to just dance. As the music swelled around them and the time passed, Dasha grabbed her waist again and then guided her towards the exit.

The hall had people lounging about. The beat of the music could still be heard. Being a hall that surrounded the dance floor in a circle on the twenty-second floor, elevators were the sole way to leave. Pressing the button, they waited and went through.

"Can I ask why we were here?" Grace asked.

"Information."

Although whether it was gaining or delivering, he purposely did not specify.

"Grace," Dasha called out. "You have successfully enrolled for your Sorcery Degree, yes?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then show me the syllabus and begin teaching me."

Because now, more than ever, he needed a deep understanding and study of magic.