AZI Volume 1 Chapter 6

Closing hour arrives and upon giving the café a thorough cleanup, Zhou'er leaves for the day while Long Hua and the Owner heads to the back of the café.

"Right, let's see what you got for me."

"Should be to your liking."

If one considers the front of the café to be spacious in size, the back is more than three times that.

Much of what is placed in the back—outside of café related food supplies and preparation equipment—are advanced computer units coupled with specialized equipment that is designed to cool them off, for these machines are made to be ran 24 hours a day.

A set of stairs leads to the second floor that is being used as the Owner's bedroom.

Walking pass the café's supply room and the frigid computer room, the Owner brings Long Hua to a garage capable of fitting three vehicles.

Tools are lined up on the walls, along with a computer unit to the far right.

Parked within the garage at this time are two vehicles.

The first is covered by a black shroud, but judging by its size and two wheels it looks to be a motorized bike.

The second is a vintage sports car without a hint of flaws in its black paintjob. Its chrome wheels and pipes, along with the exposed portion of its engine couldn't be anything less than eye catching.

"Are you ever gotta take this thing out for a spin?"

"Oh, I'd love to if I could, but many tasks keep me occupied daily."

Turning his attention to the vehicle that is beside the vintage black car, Long Hua walks over to it and places his hand onto the cover shrouding its body.

Tossing the black shroud off, Long Hua is greeted to the sight of a black bike.

A sharp but flat front head that is often seen on streetfighter styled bikes—along with a clear clutch cover and bar end mirrors.

A twin pipe undertail exhaust system that gives the entire bike a more uniformed look from the front, while a single-sided swingarm gives it a cleaner visual from the right.

"I like it."

Looking at the bike's red rims and red forks, along with its entire body that is devoid of the manufacturer's decals, Long Hua smiles.

"If you take it, it will serve as your next payment for a job."

"Tch. Can't you make it a graduation gift?"

"Weren't you-"

"I was taught that everything in this world has a price to it. Fine."

Raising a sigh, Long Hua places a hand onto the bike's gas tank and closes his eyes.

(Tai Xuan.)

Muttering these two words in his head, a sea of information related to the bike instantly floods Long Hua's head.

"Jiǔlóng Heavy Industries, also known as Kowloon Heavy Industries. Model LX-12. So, what's the story behind it?"

Opening his eyes, and taking a step back, Long Hua turns to the Owner, who says—

"Bike was retrieved by Tiger Team 02 during a recent mission."

"Was it used as an escape vehicle?"

"Correct."

"I'm assuming it's been put through hell, so whoever put this thing back together must have been quite skilled at their job. So, why is it here now?"

"They don't need it anymore, and since you've mentioned in the past that you've been wanting a mode of transport, I told them to ship it here."

"VIN and everything related to registrations done yet?"

"Of course."

"Give me the key."

"So, it's a done deal then?"

"Yeah."

Walking over to the side, the Owner grabs the key off the table, and hands it over to Long Hua along with three other devices.

"These are graduation gifts."

"Heh? How nice."

Sliding his hands through the two black bracelets, Long Hua cuffs the loose black ring around his neck.

(Ergo feels more on the sportier side.)

Is his first impression upon mounting the bike and holding onto the handlebars.

"Ah Dr. Jìng Yáo was looking for you to do a checkup."

Opening the garage gates, the Owner looks back at Long Hua.

"Jing? The last one was only a month ago."

"Sinners that have their Relics as a part of their body tend to… You know."

"I'll see her tomorrow morning."

Inserting the key and pressing the ignition switch, the bike's digitalized dash screen lights up while the machine roars to life.

From the black bracelets, malleable black goo spews outwards to cover Long Hua's hands, and molds themselves into the form of tight-fitting gloves.

Simultaneously, the same goo spews from the metal ring that is hanging around his neck, and as the goo hardens a pitch-black helmet is formed.

"Right, I'll see you tomorrow."

Pulling in the clutch with the bike in first gear, Long Hua releases the lever gently while the machine begins to move and with that he rides out of the garage.

Hitting the road, Long Hua shifts the bike into second gear while raising its speed.

As Sinners are banned from entering the first and second wards without permission, those similar to Long Hua are forced to get creative with their living environments.

Prior to arriving in this city, the Guild that he is a part of had been able to provide him with a place to stay, and it is located in the third ward's port.