F/VoH Ch 98: Disturbed by a Group of Women

After walking for quite a while, Ryan finally stopped in front of a small building that looked simple compared to the luxury surrounding it. The building was quiet, only illuminated by the dim light from a chandelier at the front door. Without thinking twice, Ryan opened the door and stepped inside.

Inside, the atmosphere was much calmer. There were several women lounging on an old sofa, their bodies weary after a long night. However, there were no men in the place—a rarity for the Red District, where women and men usually mingled together.

"Wow, who is this? A kid?" the voice of one woman broke the silence, her tone filled with mocking laughter.

"Hey, where did this little one come from?" another woman chimed in, her voice equally teasing.

"Hey kid, do you want to play with the Pretty Sister?" another woman added, waving slowly with a smile full of deceit.

Ryan was not disturbed. He knew what he was looking for, and it wasn't cheap seduction. Ryan continued walking toward the bartender's table, where a young woman stood, gently wiping a glass with her hand. The woman's eyes then fixed on Ryan with a curious glint, different from the other women who were still flirting behind him.

"Good evening," Ryan greeted in a low but firm voice, his sharp gaze directed straight at the bartender.

The woman tilted her head, offering a slight smile. "What can I help you with, sweet child? A glass of milk? Or... that's not what you're looking for here, is it?"

Ryan shook his head. "I need information," he said bluntly. "And I know this place has it."

The bartender raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised yet entertained by the courage of the boy standing before her. "What exactly are you looking for? Information is expensive, dear," she said, her tone now more serious.

Ryan leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "I'm looking for the Blue Butterfly Woman. I know she's here, and I came to talk."

The room fell silent instantly. The women on the sofa stopped laughing, while the bartender stared at Ryan with narrowed eyes, assessing whether he was serious or just looking for trouble.

"I'm not looking for trouble," Ryan continued, understanding the doubt that appeared on the bartender's face. "I just want to speak with her."

The room, which had been filled with whispers and teasing laughter, was now quiet. A tense atmosphere crept in slowly, like cold air slicing through the skin. The bartender, who had been calmly wiping the glass, now looked at Ryan in disbelief. However, Ryan remained calm, his eyes unfazed by the sudden silence around him.

"That woman is not an ordinary woman you can meet, kid." The bartender smiled faintly, but her tone was now heavier, aggressive, with a threat hanging in the air. "You don't know what you're doing."

Ryan stood tall, not wavering in the slightest. "I know who that woman is. I just want to talk to her. I have something she wants."

The bartender let out a small laugh, her cynical tone clearly evident. "Hah? Really? What she wants is something you could never have, little boy."

Ryan simply smiled, looking directly at the door behind the bartender. "I know you're back there, Miss Blue Butterfly."

As those words slipped from Ryan's lips, the wooden door behind the bartender slowly opened, and a graceful woman stepped in. She had short blue hair that shimmered like butterfly wings, and her bright blue eyes glowed with a hidden threat.