Chapter 1137: This didn’t look calm to me.

"Uhh..." Allen, who had just returned after grabbing a few drinks, stood around the bonfire. He looked around, the lines between his brows deepening.

"Where is everybody?"

His face scrunched up in dismay, seeing that no one was around the bonfire anymore. If not for the other items left behind, he would think that everyone had left and forgotten about him.

"Where... did they all go?"

* * *

Meanwhile...

According to Mint, there was one reason she was also in town. Aside from her big love for Benjamin, she had other things to investigate in the town. Meeting Penny and seeing Zoren along the way was just a bonus.

The main reason she came home was because of this small gang that had seemed to make a base in the area. In an isolated town like this, it wasn’t surprising that some wicked people would set up shop and call it a business, only to exploit the townspeople for this so-called "protection."

Looking into them was what kept Mint preoccupied for the past few days.

But aside from the fact that this was beyond Mint’s jurisdiction, the police seemed to be along with it as well. After all, when Mint went there to file a report, nothing was done. She could do something about the police station here, but there was a due process she had to follow.

"So, you’re saying... after days of looking into this, you haven’t found their base?" asked Zoren as they were headed to a certain store on rented bicycles.

"I know, I know, it’s kinda messed up!" Mint rolled her eyes. "I tried asking around, but all I got were quite a few warnings! Besides, the gang’s hideout is said to be on the other side of the town! It’s why there are tourists here, alright?"

Zoren glanced at Mint, who was riding her own bike. He was this close to crashing his bike into hers. "If something happens to Slater—"

"Oh, come on! Nothing’s gonna happen to that guy! I’m more concerned about my cousin! Also, why are you even here?!"

"My Third Brother might be fearless at times, but his brave front is just that—a front," Penny, who was riding between them, huffed. "Let’s not argue about it. Let’s just hope they’re fine."

At this point, Penny was just hopeful that the destination, who had given Mint some information at their own discretion, could help. Or maybe they’d just received a call that Slater and Benjamin had returned and that they were all just overreacting.

Penny knew Slater and Benjamin would tease the hell out of them, but she knew that was the case.

Until...

******

[Back to the Pub... minutes before the present time]

"My little brother is missing, and my second brother is trying his best to act decently. Mock them again, and I assure you, this will be the last time you wear that smug look. Now, straighten up, fix your tone, and don’t make me ask you again. What do you mean by ’if they stayed around the area? What is it that we need to know?"

Mark and Hugo froze on the spot, wide-eyed. ’Didn’t he just say to stay calm?’was what crossed their minds. ’This didn’t look calm to me.’

Just like Hugo and Mark, the bartender was taken aback. His heart and eyes shook as they held the burning rage swirling in Atlas’s eyes. The bartender unconsciously held his breath and nodded before Atlas released his hand.

"Ahem!" the bartender cleared his throat, resting his hand on the edge of the counter. Before saying anything, he glanced around first. "Look, I don’t know anything, alright? I am telling the truth about your brother and that friend of yours. They’ve never been here because if they had, I’d remember them. I’m good with faces. With the town in this situation, I have to remember everyone’s faces—just in case."

Atlas tilted his head, but the sharpness in his eyes remained. "What about what you said earlier? If they stayed around the area."

"Ugh..." The bartender cleared his throat and looked around again. This time, when he set his attention back to Atlas, he lowered his head a bit and lowered his voice. "Like I said, this town is being controlled and exploited by a group. They are dangerous, aggressive, and violent people. Most of the tourists are safe from them, though."

According to the bartender, the whole town—or a huge part of the island—was controlled by a gang. He said there were some red areas around, but the tourists were mostly safe, even if they stumbled into these areas. After all, one of the group’s sources of income was exploiting money from the townspeople as a means of "protection."

They did not touch tourists because many business owners relied on these tourists to pay the group.

"At least, that’s how it was before," the bartender continued under his breath. "But as the group grows, new people come in. And the new members are more violent and... out of control. There have been a few cases of missing tourists in the past year. Some say these people went missing while surfing or out in the ocean, but we all knew that isn’t the case."

"You’re saying my brother and our friend could’ve been taken by this group?" Atlas asked, and the bartender still had to glance around before nodding once. "Tell me where to find these people."

The bartender panicked at Atlas’s remark. "You cannot do that."

"And why can’t I?" Atlas tilted his head a bit. "My brother’s missing, and until now, I haven’t heard a word from him. Our friend too. I’d like to ask those people a few questions."

"Haha... did you hear what I just said?" the bartender whispered, almost yelling. "These people are violent."

"And did you also miss what I said?" Atlas frowned. "My little brother is missing. I’m sure you have a sibling, niece, cousin—family, relatives. So, you should understand my stand on this."

For a brief moment, Atlas and the bartender stared at each other. Atlas did not back down.

"Don’t blame me if something happens to the three of you," said the bartender, only to see the three men across from him not flinch. He huffed, telling himself these guys were crazy. "Are you really going to confront them?"

"I will ask them a question and perhaps demand they give my brother back," Atlas remarked flatly, then pointed his thumb over his shoulder, where Mark and Hugo stood.

"You... you’re crazy."

"I am not... according to my doctor." Even after everything he had heard, Atlas didn’t budge. "Now, tell me where these people are."

The bartender hesitated for a second. "I’ve been to their base once, and I’m lucky I got out of it. However, before going there, there were a few red areas around this place. If you didn’t see them there, then they’re on the other side of the town."

"I see. Thank you." Having said that, Atlas pushed himself off the stool and was ready to leave. However, just as he did, the bartender held his arm to stop him. Looking back at the bartender, Atlas arched a brow. "What?"

The bartender gulped nervously. "They’re with the police. If you report them, you might not see your brother again. And please don’t let them know I’m the one who gave you this information. They’ll kill me."