“Huaaa~”
As I strolled down the streets of the urban landscape of skyrise buildings gleaming under the moonlight, I let out a long, exhausted yawn.
Even though I was against the idea of sacrificing my sleep to experience some nightlife, I had to admit one thing: people in this city know how to party.
And let’s face it, at least once in our lives, we all have daydreamed about gorgeous Elven girls in cute little waitress outfits serving us drinks.
Well, guess what? I lived that dream today.
Heh.
“Phew! Okay, yeah, that was good!”
The one who said that was Nero. He was walking alongside me.
By the way, he wasn’t the only one here. Anastasia, Amelia, Elijah, Chase, and of course, Kent were all also present here.
Apparently, since I wasn’t present for today’s excursion, Kent grouped up with these guys for sightseeing and shopping activities.
By the end of the day, he became such good friends with everyone that he talked them into coming out to a nightclub with him.
Of course, some people like Nero and Anastasia denied this idea, but they had to agree to come in the end because of peer pressure.
Then Kent pressured me into joining the group, reminding me of the promise I made to him during the Mock War.
To my surprise, I discovered that none of the group members were aware that I would be joining them.
But at least no one objected to my presence except for Chase Woods.
He has been giving me a rough look this entire time for reasons completely unknown to me.
I mean, what? What did I ever do to him?
“What do you mean, it was good?” from behind me, Amelia questioned. “You didn’t even drink anything!”
Amelia had Anastasia’s hand over her shoulder as she supported her while walking.
Today, we got to know something. Anastasia was a light drinker. And today was also the time she drank alcohol for the first time.
So right now, she was totally knocked out. If not for Amelia supporting her, she won’t even be walking properly.
“Hehe heh hehe.”
And she was also continuously giggling.
While some people here – ahem, Chase, ahem – may find her actions cute, I just couldn’t help and shake my head in pity.
She’ll experience one hell of a hangover in the morning.
I remember my first hangover… Arghh, I would rather not remember it again.
“I didn’t drink any alcohol because I can’t let my guard down,” Nero shrugged and responded to Amelia with a smug look. “I never let my guard down. After all, you may never know when and where the next attack on you is coming from.”𝐍𝒪𝑽𝖾𝓛𝒏𝑬xt.𝚌𝒪𝑀
“Oh, come on, dude! We are in the Central Continent. There’s no chance of an ‘attack’ happening here.” exclaimed Chase while putting the word ‘attack’ in air quotes.
Oh, this poor fool. Tomorrow he’ll realize the Central Continent is not as safe as he thinks.
“Hehe~ attack no happen here!” Anastasia continued to chuckle in the background in a drunk tone.
Nero shared, “I was taught to stay alert and observant of my surroundings and—”
But before Nero could finish his sentence, Kent interjected. “We get it, Nero! You’re cautious and brilliant. Now, let’s go, everyone!”
Elijah, walking alongside Chase, inquired, “Go where exactly?”
Kent replied dramatically, pointing ahead with his finger as if navigating a ship, “To the renowned Night Market of Silveserine City, of course!” and began striding forward.
“Okay, I’m going home,” I said and turned around. But before I could even take a step, Kent grabbed me from behind.
“Bro, come on! It will be fun!” Kent begged.
“I have to sleep,” I said. “And I doubt Night Market could be called fun.”
“Let’s try it, at least! Silveserine’s Night Market is really famous!” Kent continued to beg.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, I rolled my eyes. “You’re only going there to find drunk elven girls, right?”
“Plus, there will be drunk elven girls there!” Kent shouted as everyone present here rolled their eyes. “Hey, elves are hot! I can’t help it if they are hot!”
“That sounds kind of narcissistic coming from an elf,” Amelia frowned.
“It’s not narcissistic if it’s true,” Kent shrugged, letting go of me. “I am hot. Not because I’m an elf but because I’m just that handsome. Of course, my bro Lucas here is slightly better looking than me.”
“Slightly?” I raised an eyebrow. “Kent, I would rate you a ten out of ten. But I, my dear friend, am off the charts.”
Everyone rolled their eyes again at my remark when I flicked back my hair.
“What’s the use of a pretty face when you are disgusting on the inside,” Chase commented from behind me.
When I turned around to look at him, he was staring off into the distance, acting like his comment wasn’t directed toward me.
However, it was obviously a verbal attack.
“Do you have a problem with me, dude?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“Oh?” Chase looked at me with wide eyes. “Oh, we have a problem now, huh?”
“What?” I asked with an absurd look.
What does that even mean?
“Oh, acting like you can’t understand me now! You’re calling me stupid?! You think I’m stupid?!” Chase barked while getting in front of my face.
…Is this guy provoking me by any chance? Because if he is, then he’s not doing a very good job.
Before I could answer, Nero stepped in between us, his hands pressed against our chests.
“Okay, you both,” he said, pushing us back. “Calm down and take a breath. We are not in the academy. We can’t fight here. Settle whatever this is between you two when we go back.”
“He started it!” I pointed my finger and quickly realized how childish I must’ve sounded.
“Drop it,” Nero gave me a glare before turning to Chase. “And Chase, don’t forget that we are on this trip because of Lucas. Well… sort of. So be nice to him even if you don’t want him here.”
Huh? What was that last part? ‘Even if you don’t want him here?’ I didn’t come here by choice, you know! I sacrificed my sleep for this!
“Am I understood, you both?!” Nero yelled and emitted a wave of his mana pressure on us.
I bet it wasn’t intentional, but it made us agree with him instantly.
“Whatever.”
“Fine.”
Chase and I averted our gaze and promised to behave ourselves.
Even though I didn’t do anything in the first place.
“Good, now let’s head to the famous Night Market of Silveserine!” Nero declared. His mana pressure disappeared, and a goofy smile formed on his face.
Just like Kent, he pointed in the distance as if he was navigating a ship and started marching forward.
“Yay!” Kent exclaimed, bouncing with excitement and hurrying after him. “Let’s go find some drunken elven babes!”
“Wait, guys!” Amelia interjected. “Anastasia is passed out. We should take her back to the hotel first.”
“I’ll carry her,” Chase suggested with blushing red cheeks, his demeanor dramatically shifting from his previous interaction with me.
Amelia smiled blankly, “No thanks. Let’s pause for a moment and get Anastasia to the hotel before continuing.”
However, Kent and Nero continued to walk, with Kent waving his hand dismissively.
“We trust you, Amelia. You can handle it,” he said before calling out to me. “Come on, bro! Let’s go!”
“….”
As this all happened in the background, I took the opportunity to search for the location of the Night Market.
Luckily, it was nearby and conveniently located near the banquet hall where the masquerade party would be held tomorrow.
A thought crossed my mind.
While the rest of the group will be enjoying the Night Market, I can use that opportunity to scout out the area.
I can take note of potential escape routes and stuff like that. Maybe I can also set some traps.
“Okay.”
With that thought in my head, I nodded and decided to join the others on their excursion.