Nightfall

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Settle in, take your time, and let's see what waits in the dark 🖤

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The creature was a skunk.

Or perhaps, because of its coloring, a white skunk was the better term.

If someone wanted to flatter it, fragrant skunk would fit even better.

When Corvin suddenly mentioned the white skunk that was trying its hardest to escape, of course it was not because he wanted a taste. He had noticed its value.

'How much could it sell for?'

He thought about that, and the way he looked at the skunk gained new depth.

He happened to be short on money for a good blade.

'When the time comes, I'll name that blade White Skunk. That way, this little thing won't have sacrificed itself for nothing.'

When Wolf Rat heard Corvin ask whether skunk meat was edible, he had no real interest in the answer.

The only reason he fell into thought was that he was trying to put himself in Corvin's position and think through the question from there.

"It is!"

After two seconds of thought, Wolf Rat gave his answer with absolute certainty.

He did not care whether it could actually be eaten. He could tell Corvin wanted to eat the skunk.

That reason was enough.

This was the third principle of his friend-making guide: put yourself in the other person's shoes.

Corvin smiled. "Then let's bring it."

"No problem. I've got a good cook at my place. If he handles it, he can turn even skunk meat into a proper dish."

Wolf Rat nodded, then looked at Corvin.

The two stared at each other for a moment.

Corvin kept smiling.

Wolf Rat grew confused.

Not far away, the white skunk was still crawling desperately away.

'What's going on? Why is he staring at me instead of picking up the skunk? Did I say something wrong?'

Wolf Rat was bewildered at first, then his heart tightened slightly.

Until he understood, he could only stand there with Corvin for no reason at all.

Suddenly, Wolf Rat noticed Corvin looking at his bloodied hands.

'Oh. So he's worried about my injuries? The friend-making guide really does work. Once you put yourself in the other person's place, they'll naturally think about you too. Give and take. That's what friendship is.'

Wolf Rat's thoughts moved quickly, and he felt the touch of emotion that came from finally seeing his efforts rewarded.

Gradually, though, something felt wrong.

A bad suspicion formed.

Wolf Rat looked at Corvin's smiling face and tested the waters.

"How about I carry it for you?"

"Wouldn't that be a little inappropriate?"

Corvin answered while glancing at the blood and dust on the white skunk's body.

Wolf Rat let out a breath. It seemed things were not what he had imagined.

Then Corvin continued, "But since you offered, I'll have to trouble you."

Wolf Rat fell silent.

For a moment, he wanted to press his bloodied hands straight against Corvin's face.

Ten minutes later.

Two men and one skunk arrived at the entrance of Tatamu's Nightfall.

"So this is the place."

Corvin looked around.

Last night, he had hunted three pirates here. It was also where he had first met Wolf Rat, who was lacking friends.

At the time, his eyes had held only prey. He had spared no attention for the bar hidden inside the alley.

Corvin turned toward the distinctive skull oil lamp on the wall by the entrance, and his gaze shifted slightly as the lamp stirred a few old memories.

Back in the Hunter world, he had often spent money in underworld establishments to gather information.

The places he visited most often were bars hidden deep out of sight.

Those bars rarely saw daylight, and they certainly did not open their doors to ordinary people.

Whether in atmosphere or decoration, they were full of strange, unsettling style. Skull oil lamps were a common touch.

The bar before him, named Nightfall, felt very similar. It gave Corvin a faint sense of familiarity.

"Come in."

Wolf Rat pushed open the door and led Corvin inside.

After passing through the short entryway, the first thing Corvin saw was a circular bar counter under dim red light.

Behind the counter, Tatamu was wiping a glass as usual. Hearing movement, he turned his head toward the entryway.

When he saw Corvin, his gaze sharpened almost imperceptibly.

He remembered the very dangerous woman with the blade from last night.

Without a word, Tatamu withdrew his gaze, lowered his head slightly, and continued wiping the glass.

Corvin took in Tatamu's thick brows and large eyes, then glanced at the empty seating area.

Just like Sol's weapon shop, business here was bleak.

But the decor was not as careless as Sol's store.

From the lighting to the atmosphere to the placement of the seats, it was clear the owner had put real thought into the place.

Unfortunately, compared with a refined bar, the pirates of Mad Hatter Town preferred loud taverns. No wonder there was no business.

Wolf Rat walked to the bar counter and placed the lifeless white skunk on top.

"This is Tatamu, the owner of the bar and a friend of mine. Don't let his build fool you. Cooking, mixing drinks, anything with his hands, he's good at all of it. Leave the skunk meat to him and I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Wolf Rat introduced Tatamu to Corvin, mentioning his cooking along the way.

The white skunk shuddered on the counter and fell into even deeper despair.

"His name is Usopp. A friend I just made."

Wolf Rat introduced Corvin to Tatamu as well, then gestured for Corvin to come over.

Corvin came to the counter and greeted Tatamu. "Hello. Nice to meet you."

Tatamu silently looked at Corvin and nodded in response.

Wolf Rat deliberately watched Corvin's reaction and explained, "Tatamu's always like this. Don't take it personally."

"I won't."

Corvin did not mind.

"Good."

Wolf Rat smiled, then gently patted the half-dead white skunk with a serious expression.

"Tatamu, Usopp wants to eat skunk meat. See what you can do with it."

Tatamu glanced at the skunk, then shook his head, indicating that he would not take the order.

"I'll pay more. Triple?"

Tatamu shook his head again.

Wolf Rat, however, was stubborn. He raised his blood-covered right hand.

"Five times!"

Realizing Wolf Rat would not give up unless he spoke, Tatamu explained, "Can't eat it."

"Huh? You can't eat it? It can't be that different from rabbit, right?"

Tatamu said nothing more.

Wolf Rat was instantly disappointed.

Corvin, meanwhile, looked at Tatamu in surprise.

The man looked so rough, but his voice was clear and pleasant, almost like a young woman's.

That obvious contrast made Corvin think of someone he had known in the Hunter world: Melody.

Tatamu and Wolf Rat both noticed Corvin's reaction.

Tatamu remained expressionless.

Wolf Rat, seeing that Corvin was only surprised by Tatamu's voice and showed no sign of mockery, quietly breathed easier.

"Usopp, looks like skunk meat is off the table."

Wolf Rat sounded regretful.

Corvin had never really intended to eat the white skunk, so he did not explain. He simply followed the flow.

"What a shame."

Wolf Rat picked up the white skunk and tossed it casually onto a nearby seat.

"Tatamu, make Usopp one of your house specials. I'm going upstairs to deal with my wounds."

"All right."

Tatamu answered and began mixing a drink.

Wolf Rat turned to Corvin. "Usopp, sit for a while."

"Mm."

Corvin nodded.

Wolf Rat headed toward the stairs leading to the second floor.

At the counter, Corvin watched Tatamu mix the drink.

"You have a good voice. It reminds me of an old friend."

Tatamu's hands paused suddenly. He looked at Corvin in surprise for a moment, then said nothing and continued mixing.

Corvin smiled, turned his head to look around the room so different from Battleaxe Tavern, and sighed.

"This place... it's nice."

"Thank you."

Tatamu gently pushed the finished drink in front of Corvin.

Corvin looked back. He had no intention of drinking it.

"Tatamu, do you sell information here?"

Tatamu's eyes gradually became serious.

He did not answer the question. Instead, he asked one of his own.

"Are you a pirate?"

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