Chapter 5 - 4. Dark Side of The Sun
Seul-ah came out of the taxi, finally taking pity on her own legs. She looked at the bright light coming out of a black-walled building, and a big holographic display on top of it spelled HELIOS. Expensive cars carrying people wearing trendy, luxurious clothes could be seen coming to the entrance.
Most of them wouldn't come out of the opulent entrance, however, but the back door or the basement. After all, their appearance seldom retained its initial elegance after spending a few hours there drinking and partying.
Seul-ah took a deep breath and walked toward the entrance of the lavish bar. It was a place that not everyone could enter; they scrutinized the guests, and only accepted those they knew could pay not only for the overcharged drinks they had inside, but also for whatever damage they might cause. Entrance fees and table charges were a must, but even if one could pay, the staff could deny entry if they didn't know who you were.
And how did the staff determine that?
Seul-ah walked toward a smaller side door instead of the huge, ornamented double door with security that other people used. The unassuming door was slightly hidden by a row of sculptures flanking the carpeted entryway, and those who saw it for the first time would think it was a door for the staff.
It wasn't wrong; the staff did use that door for quick access. But there were other people who used that door: frequent, high-ranking members or those recommended by the establishment itself. Only two people were standing there, and only one was security.
"Excuse me, Miss--have you made an appointment?" one of them asked her with a generous smile but calculating eyes and a dry voice. Still sounded polite, however.
But even if they asked rudely, Seul-ah wouldn't be surprised. Well, she did come in all-black formal attire which did not spell fun, even if all of them were branded. And she replied in a not-fun way, staring at the security with a cold, haughty gaze. "Do I need to?"
Both the security and the other man did not react much, only looking at her with a silent gaze. She knew it meant they were scrutinizing her; the spectacle that the other man used would capture her face and all kinds of information about her life from her date of birth to the last taxi she took to come over would get processed. An assessment would be conveyed in real-time through the earpiece attached to their ears.
Seul-ah was sure some of that information got obtained illegally, but that was exactly why she was there--or to be exact, why she decided to get there right at that moment.
"May I have your name?" the man with the spectacles asked with a smile after three seconds, even though Seul-ah was sure he already knew.