Man From Another Wold

CHAPTER 4: MEETING AT THE CAFE

Hansen stepped into an upscale café located in the heart of the city. The atmosphere inside was calm, with soft music accompanying the conversations of the patrons. The aroma of premium coffee blended with the scent of freshly toasted bread.

In the corner of the room, a young man in a casual suit sat leisurely, one hand holding a cup of coffee while the other played with his phone. He was Ferdinan, the best friend of the original owner of Hansen’s body.

Ferdinan looked up as he saw Hansen approach. His face lit up instantly. "Heh, you finally showed up! I thought you’d sleep all day after last night’s party."

Hansen gave a faint smile. "I’m not that bad."

He pulled out a chair and sat across from Ferdinan. Truthfully, he wasn’t particularly interested in this meeting, but based on the old Hansen’s memories, Ferdinan was a good person who had helped him in difficult times. For now, maintaining this friendship was beneficial.

Ferdinan observed him closely. "Hmm… you seem different today."

"Oh?" Hansen raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I don’t know why… but your aura has changed? You used to be more careless, always complaining about money and school assignments. But now, you seem… calmer."

Hansen smirked. "Maybe I’ve realized that life can’t always be spent complaining."

Ferdinan laughed. "Finally! I’ve been waiting for you to think like that!"

They chatted for a while about college and daily life. However, in the middle of the conversation, Ferdinan suddenly leaned forward and spoke in a lower voice.

"By the way, I heard something about Lauren…"

Hansen remained calm, even though it was the first time that name had come up since this morning. "What did you hear?"

Ferdinan glanced around before continuing, "I don’t know what happened between you and him last night, but I heard he looked restless and troubled this morning. Apparently, he went straight home after leaving the hotel. You… didn’t do anything strange to him, did you?"

Hansen looked at Ferdinan blankly. "Do you think I’m that kind of person?"

Ferdinan chuckled. "Haha, true. But still, this is the first time I’ve seen Lauren react like this. He’s usually always composed and confident."

Hansen simply shrugged. He wasn’t interested in discussing it further.

Ferdinan then pulled out a black card from his pocket and placed it on the table. "By the way, I want to introduce you to someone. There’s a gathering of important people tonight. I can get you in."

Hansen glanced at the card briefly. "Important people?"

"Yeah. Investors, businessmen, and a few big names in this city. If you want better opportunities in life, you need to start mingling with people like them," Ferdinan said seriously.

Hansen smiled slightly. "Interesting."

He wouldn’t refuse an opportunity to learn more about this new world. Besides, the faster he gained power and influence, the easier it would be to dominate.

Hansen was still sitting relaxed when two large men suddenly stood behind him. Their sharp eyes carried an intimidating presence, their muscular bodies covered in tattoos from arms to face. The atmosphere around their table instantly became heavy.

Ferdinan, who had been smiling, immediately frowned. "Hey, who are you guys?" he asked cautiously.

One of the tattooed men ignored him and kept staring at Hansen. "Are you Hansen?"

Hansen calmly sipped his coffee, then slowly placed the cup back on the table. He turned around, his eyes meeting the man’s directly.

"And if I am?" he replied nonchalantly.

The tattooed man smirked. "Then come with us. Someone wants to meet you."

Ferdinan immediately stood up. "Hey! What is this? If you have business, talk properly. Don’t act like thugs!"

But the two men ignored him. One of them even raised his hand, intending to grab Hansen’s shoulder forcefully.

At that moment, Hansen’s eyes narrowed.

With near-invisible speed, he caught the man’s wrist before he could touch him.

Crack!

The tattooed man winced in pain as Hansen squeezed his wrist tightly. His face paled. He tried to pull his hand back, but Hansen’s grip was as strong as steel.

"Ahhh! Let go!" the man groaned.

Hansen maintained his expressionless face. "I don’t like being ordered around."

The other tattooed man, seeing this, immediately swung his fist at Hansen. But before the punch could land, Hansen effortlessly dodged to the side and kicked the man’s knee.

Bugh!

The man lost his balance and fell to his knees, shock evident on his face.

People in the café began noticing the commotion. Some whispered, while others watched warily.

Ferdinan was stunned. He knew Hansen could fight, but he never expected his friend to move so swiftly and efficiently. It was as if Hansen had been fighting his whole life!

Hansen looked down at the man still kneeling on the floor. "Now, tell me. Who sent you?"

The tattooed man, still in Hansen’s grip, gritted his teeth. "M-Mr. Loutaro wants to talk to you!"

"Loutaro?" Hansen raised an eyebrow. "Who is that?"

The man coughed. "A boss in the underground world! He said he’s interested in you after hearing about the 'lucky charm' you sold at the market!"

Hansen’s eyes narrowed slightly. So this was about his charms?

He released the man’s wrist roughly, causing him to stumble back, holding his now-red hand.

Hansen then turned to Ferdinan. "Looks like I need to leave for a bit."

Ferdinan was still in shock, but he eventually nodded. "Are you sure you’ll be okay?"

Hansen gave a faint smirk. "Don’t worry."

As they stepped outside the café, Hansen noticed five more large men waiting. Unlike the two tattooed men who brought him, this group looked even more intimidating, dressed entirely in black with scarred faces.

One of them, a man with a buzz cut and a scar on his cheek, stepped forward. He stared directly at Hansen before pointing a finger at his face.

"You, Hansen?"

Before Hansen could respond, one of the tattooed men who had brought him shouted, "Who the hell are you guys?! Do you even know who I am?"

The man with the scarred cheek shrugged. "I don’t care who you are. My business is with him," he said casually while pointing at Hansen.

Hansen, who had been silent, merely smirked. Casually, he pulled out a cigarette, bit the end, and lit it with a lighter he found in his jacket pocket.

He exhaled the smoke slowly before speaking, his voice calm as if the situation was nothing to him.

"Looks like I can’t go with you… because of them."

The two tattooed men glanced at the five newcomers with tense expressions. The situation had suddenly turned more complicated.

The tattooed man who had shouted before tried to assert his authority. "Do you have any idea who I am?"

But the scarred man simply chuckled coldly. "Who cares? Get him!"