Chapter 94 96:You Are A Menance
Chapter 94 96:You Are A Menance
As I walked through the dimly lit pathway, the sights and sounds of the black market surrounded me.
Hawkers shouted from their stalls, trying to sell all sorts of dubious goods.
"Buy this sacred soil. It will increase your earth affinity."
"Mr, please come and take a look at this authentic piece of art. All for 500 Velos.."
"Sir, have this candy. It will boost your energy."
"Boost energy for what?" a man asked, stopping before the shop.
"For bed!"The seller replied.
"BAH! I don't need this shit. I am young and virile. Sell it to an old man."
I clicked my tongue seeing the blatant lies and walked around.
Masks hid everyone's faces, making it feel more like a bizarre masquerade than a place for trade.
I glanced around, trying to piece together the fragments of memories from the game.
"That stall... the one running the Thieves' Guild commissions. Over there... organ trafficking. That one sells monster parts. And that building at the corner is where they hold meetings to sell forbidden knowledge."
The familiarity sent a chill down my spine. This place was exactly as I remembered, but experiencing it in real life was something else entirely.
Ahead of me, a light tower stood tall, its beam sweeping across the chaotic market. It was a popular landmark and an easy meeting point. I took out my phone and sent a message.
[I have reached. Where are you?]
The reply came quickly.
Saber: [I'm near the lighthouse as you said.]
I looked around, scanning the area. [Any notable reference that would help me identify you?]
Saber: [Hmm! I'm smoking. Can you spot me? The cigar is stuck in my mask through a hole.]
I paused, my eyes darting to every figure in sight. Then, near a stall, I noticed him—a man in a rabbit mask, the cigar wedged comically between its teeth, with a single black horn sticking out from the hood of his cloak.
Swallowing hard, I typed back.
[I found a man with a rabbit mask, a cigar in his mouth, and a horn pointing out from his hood.]
Saber: [Yeah, that's me.]
For a second, I almost dropped my phone. The absurdity of his appearance made my stomach churn. I stared at him in disbelief.
He noticed me and waved. "Here."
Taking a deep breath, I walked toward him. As I got closer, the ridiculousness of his outfit hit me again—a rabbit mask with a cigar, a black horn jutting out from his hood. I suppressed the urge to slap him.
"Why the hell are you dressed like this? It's not Halloween."
"Halloween? What's that?" Saber asked, his voice genuinely confused.
I wanted to say something—ask him how he was, maybe—but I bit my tongue. Sentiment wouldn't help either of us right now.
The bartender pushed open the door, and before I could step in, a voice thundered from inside.
"LUKAS, YOU SON OF A BH!* You're the trashiest piece of shit I've ever seen!"
I froze for a second, then stepped in, smirking. Samuel was standing, his hair disheveled and his eyes bloodshot, glaring daggers at me. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, his body tense with anger.
Behind me, Saber took a cautious step back and muttered, "We aren't about to be killed, right?"
I chuckled, amused. "Nah, why would he? Despite his theatrics, he's benefited plenty from me. Isn't that right, Samuel?"
"You..." Samuel growled, his lips twitching with fury, but he didn't deny it.
Saber followed me into the room as we took our seats. Samuel was about to explode again when the bartender interrupted, asking what we'd like to drink.
"Vodka," Saber said immediately.
"I'll take a soft drink. Coke, preferably," I added.
"What are you, a pussy? Why don't you drink?" Saber asked, staring at me like I'd just insulted his family.
"One of us needs to stay sober," I replied curtly.
Samuel, watching our casual interaction, looked like he was about to lose his mind. His lips quivered before he finally shouted, "Do you have any idea what I've been through since I sent that message? The lengths I went to, the risks I took? I was locked in prison, tortured, left without food—treated like a dog...No, I was treated worse than even a fucking dog!"
The bartender returned with our drinks. Saber took his vodka eagerly, while I just placed my Coke on the table without drinking it. Turning to Samuel, I asked, "Is it over?"
"Huh?" He blinked, confused.
"I mean, is your narration over?"
"Y-yeah... I guess."
"That's it?" I raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious.
Saber, mid-sip, choked on his vodka and stared at me like I was insane. His expression practically screamed, Bro, what the hell do you mean by 'that's it'?
Clearing my throat, I clarified, "I mean, it's better than I expected."
Samuel's face twisted in disbelief. "Better than expected? What the hell did you expect?"
"Oh," I said, scratching my cheek as I thought about it. "I thought that they'd skin you alive, pull out your fingernails, whip your back, and maybe stab your ass a few times to make you confess."
The room fell silent as words hung in the air like a bad omen.
Samuel and Saber both stared at me, their faces pale. A cold, dreadful tension swept through the room.
"..." Saber.
"..." Samuel.
F**k, this guy's a menace, Saber's eyes seemed to say.
I took a casual sip of my Coke, enjoying the uncomfortable silence.
novelzi