Air Hero

Interrogating small fry

“Look what we have here, a sweet hero. I never see that costume before. I bet he is just a nobody.”

“Wait, I’ve seen that costume before, if I’m not mistaken, he participated in the newcomer competition.”

“Heh, so it’s just another newbie hero who just got his hero license this year. He probably doesn’t know how scary this kind of place is.”

“Oh well, since we’re the host here, why don’t we introduce what are the services we offer here?”

The people inside the Red Rose Tavern are clearly looking down on Max. after all, Max is a new hero that has been promoted this year. Compared to them, they have been local ruffians for several years. In terms of seniority, they are clearly have been in this field much longer than Max and don’t feel pressured at all.

If it was a B-rank or A-rank hero who comes to this place, they might feel pressured. If Alexandra is the one who comes to this place, they will confess everything without even being forced to. Since it was Max, a new D-rank hero, he will need to figure out how to make them speak.

“I’m here on a mission to search for someone. I am willing to pay according to the information that you give me.”

Naturally, the simplest way gives and take relationship. Where Max offered money, and the people here become his informant. However, this method isn’t without demerits. After all, many people won’t refuse money and might give false information just to get some cash.

“Hehehe. Our little friend is impatient, alright then, who wanted to amuse him, feel free to go.”

So far, Max noticed that the man that is talking to him is a blonde man with a scar on his face. He has a muscular build and seemed to be the local boss on this Red Rose Tavern.

“Max, the person that keeps talking, is named Juno. He is the head of a local gang called snake town. They aren’t considered as a villain since the leader ability isn’t up to D-rank standard. However, you should still be careful since he has been leading the area for almost seven years.”

“Well, if what you said is true, then this man should know the ins and outs of this area. Finding Blur might be easier if we get to make this man to talk.”

“That’s right.”

“Then, can you track his record and find any information that I could use to threaten him? I mean, any information that could get him to jail is usable.”

“I can try.”

“Sure. Meanwhile, I’ll be taking him out for a walk.”

Max then approached the man called Juno. Juno himself is full of smiles as he doesn’t think much about Max.

“So, your name is Juno?”

The moment Juno heard Max is calling out his name, he is surprised, but he didn’t show it on his face.

“Oh, am I that famous now? Haha. How great it is for my name to be known by a hero.”

“Boss, maybe you’re going to be listed as a D-rank villain by the United Heroes association.”

“But, isn’t that bad? Doesn’t it mean that we will need to deal with D-rank heroes from now on? Ah, maybe this newcomer hero is here to test boss out. Or boss might be in the D-rank villain’s list already?”

Juno’s underling is speculating things while Juno himself knows that it is impossible for him to be a D-rank villain. He already goes past his prime, and his stats couldn’t reach the D-rank standard even in his heyday.

Honestly, there’s another way to get information out of someone else’s mouth: that is to do it by force. It is the simplest and most direct way. Looking at the situation, Max knows that it is best to take Juno away from this place. After all, if a fight breaks out in the tavern that is full of people, there are bound to be casualties.

Max summoned the wind from behind Juno with a flick of his finger, which propels Juno’s body forward. Nobody expected Max to use his ability out of nowhere suddenly, and Juno’s body is now abruptly within Max’s grasp. Max caught him by the neck of his shirt, and he immediately got out of the tavern and jumped to the rooftop of a nearby building.

It happened so fast to the point that even Juno himself couldn’t react. After all, it is to be expected since none of the people inside the tavern is a D-rank hero or villain.

“I don’t have time for this. I hope that you can tell me the thing that I want to know. After all, it is still daytime, yet you’re drinking with your buddies already. Do you want me to throw you from here so you can refreshen up?”

Max’s tone is casual and seemed harmless, but the words he used didn’t hide the danger within it. Although Max never used coercion like this before, he is, after all, trained by Kalina. He still remembers her advice.

“Max, when facing a villain and you need to force information out of them, the best way is to threaten their life. You don’t have any ability that is useful in convincing the other party. However, one thing stays true. Everyone is afraid of death. With their lives on the line, nobody will refuse to tell you the truth.”

It was a simple yet effective method that Kalina taught Max. Although it seemed a hypocrite that a hero is doing something more like a villain’s thing, it is common to force information out of someone’s mouth.

“You know Max. It would be best if you remembered that nobody should see you when you are doing this. After all, it is against the law to force someone to speak. However, if it was done in the dark, everything is acceptable. You get what I mean, right?”

As Max is thinking about what to do next, Marie’s information comes in handy.

“Max, it is suspected that Juno is involved in drugs dealer in the past few years. He managed to escape being caught several times due to the lack of evidence, but there is a suspicion that he has an insider as he managed to get away every time. Maybe, you could find out the identity of the rat, and it could increase your achievements.”