When Hal walked through the door of Dell's gate city Law enforcement station, he quickly garnered attention with the females who were quite captivated by his looks looking at him and trying their best not to swoon before wondering why they were being this way.

Fine, he was incredibly good-looking, but did he actually deserve to have their undivided attention, and make their loins burn with desire...

"Who the fuck are you?" The atmosphere that had been created for the females was immediately broken by what could only be described as a jealous inquiry.

At least that was how the ladies saw it.

Hal on the other hand, while not caring for the cuss word, saw nothing wrong with the question,

"My name is Hal and I came here to inquire about the bounty notice pinned to the outside." He said and pointed at the outside with his thumb.

Before the man who had asked his name could say another word, one of the ladies who Hal noted remained true to the skimpy dressing nature of the Doxon Duchy even in their law enforcing uniforms, beckoned for Hal to move closer,

"Oh is that so? Come over here then" she said with a bright smile.

"Oh thank you" Hal said and moved closer to her.

While her reaction was not all that different from the few other ladies in the station, she seemed the only one who could actually muster the courage to approach him.

He appreciated that and easily ignored the death stares he was getting from the men.

He was used to it by now.

"I'm Anne" the lady went a step further and introduced herself.

Hal smiled in acknowledgment.

"It's nice to meet you Anne" he said as she directed him to a round table which only one free seat.

She told Hal to take the free seat and then glared at the only man who was seated and coincidentally had been the one who asked Hal who he was. He stood up without a peep but with a glare at Hal who ignored him and exchanged looks with the other ladies seated at the table.

Maybe they could not yet be the first to speak to him but that did not stop them from flirting with him with their eyes.

"You're not from here, are you?" Anne asked.

Hal shook his head,

"Not at all. I just arrived from the Silva Duchy today"

The moment he mentioned Silva Duchy, he heard what was unmistakably a growl before...

*Puh*

... One of the guys spat on the ground in disgust.

"Silva Duchy. Of course... Why not? Always thinking they are better than everyone." He said and made sure it was clear he was directing his words at Hal who paused, looked up at him,

"I might not be better than everybody but I am sure I am better than you." He said before looking back at Anne who glared at the the man before smiling at Hal again,

"Really, the Silva Duchy? I never knew they make men this good over there" she said.

Hal shook his head with a smile,

"They don't. Now, what can you tell me about the notice?" Hal asked.

"Well, what more is there to say that has not already been printed on that comprehensive bounty notice.

The band of bandits has been a constant thorn on the side of Dell's gate city. They began operation about Ten years ago and since then have only grown both in strength as well as numbers.

When they first began, they were less aggressive against city folk and focussed more on other rival bandit bands at which time we tolerated them but we should have known already that they were merely marking and securing their territory.

That's not to say measures were not taken against them, just that they were not excessive measures. Especially when eventually, their reputation kept the other pesky bandit bands at bay.

However, when they actually began to hit travelers and perform raids on merchant camps, things began to get awry and it became ever so clear that we were suffering from our negligence"

'You think?' Hal could but help but make a derisive comment in his mind.

His comment was not directed at Anne herself but the leadership of this city who was clearly incompetent.

Meanwhile, Anne continued,

"So trade slowed down but never stopped completely. You see, the merchants worked out an agreement with the bandits. An agreement that granted them safe passage as long as they paid 'Tax' to the bandits.

Whatever tax they paid would then be multiplied and be reaped from their sales to us. So they still turn a profit while our city only seems to be degrading."

Hal frowned,

"What about Dell city?" He asked.

"What about them?" Asked the rude man.

"Well, shouldn't they have assisted with this problem of yours? I mean you ARE their gate, are you not?" Hal said but even before he could complete his words, he could see the answer in the dejected faces of the men and women.

Anne actually laughed but there was no mirth in her voice all through said laughter,

"Oh come on Hal. You are not naive enough to think Dell city actually gives a crap about us, are you? Because they don't. They are ready to let us continue to suffer as long as it does not affect their revenue.

The bandits have an agreement with the merchants but not with the people of this city. As such, traveling out of the city is still dangerous for us and without any actual monetary gain.

Especially since the bandits will be ready to take all we have.

However, the merchants coming from Dell city and who actually double their profits while still satisfying the bandits and aiding their continued growth will return to where they came from and in turn boost Dell city's economy with their profits.

Besides, we suspect... That not only did Dell city not wish to assist us, but they are also actually assisting the bandits to continue encamping us in here.

We are at their mercy and forced to satisfy ourselves with nothing more than existing for the sole purpose of enriching their coffers."

At first, at the end of it all there was silence and then the rude man spoke up,

"Now that you have heard this 'wonderful tale', what are you going to do?" He asked.

Hal raised his brows,

"Is that not obvious? I'll take on the bounty."

Funnily enough, the first one to make a skeptic comment turned out to be Anne,

"You and what army?" She asked.

"Actually, I will be doing it all on my own"

Anne frowned,

"What's your cultivation?" She asked.

"It does not matter what my cultivation is." Hal retorted.

"What is your cultivation?" She asked again and this time, her voice raised in tempo.

Hal released his pressure to show he was at the mid stage of the Cosmic Phenomenon realm.

The rude man looked smug,

"Are you making fun of us?" He asked.

Hal looked over at him but said nothing before he turned back to Anne,

"Anne, I know I can get rid of the Bandits and I don't see any reason why you should not give me this bounty. I mean, what do you have to lose?"

Anne sighed,

"You do realize that we have phenomenon realm experts in this city as well and they have been powerless against the bandits. The most they could do was pick away a few small. Guys who Red Beard would simply replace."

Hal looked her in the eye,

"What do you have to lose?" He asked her again but this time he stood from his seat and looked down at her.

Anne looked up at him,

"Nothing" she said in a faint voice "I have nothing to lose"