Chapter 55: Going to another country
Emily Reed's POV:
My brows arched skeptically at Noah's request. 'Permission to explore the Dalholiya forest? How amusing...'
Indeed, amusing.
Honestly, I expected the guy to ask for something more...'conventional', like money, a weapon, a skill or perhaps an Art?
Or maybe, just maybe he would make a bold move—an atypical one, but...perhaps my number...er...or a date?—not that I would agree! But that's not the point.
The point is, what he asked was far from ordinary. Just like he is—strange and bizarre, not necessarily in a bad way, but definitely not fitting the mold of normality, to say the least.
But after talking with Noah and seeing his mannerisms for myself, I was certain about one thing. The rumors about him did him no justice.
I was actually foolish to believe in such rumors to begin with...????????...
Oh, I kinda feel bad for the guy. I was indeed very rude to him in the past.
Should I say a sorry?
I shook my head changing the topic in my head as I went on with the ongoing discussion.
"And you have a 'team'?" I reaffirmed his earlier claims.
Noah simply gave me a curt nod in response.
Dalholiya was dangerous, and I was sure he knew that. But to think he have an adventurers team ready? Still, it will be very dangerous if he was really planning to go there with his level of strength.
As I looked into his black orbs which reflected much less of the light, absorbing them like black holes, and the way he acted while sitting... something about the way he carried himself, just. Yes, it oddly felt familiar to my elder brother's mannerisms.
'He acts much older than his age. Call it a gut feeling— perhaps an irrational thought? But there definitely is familiarity.'
But, it was definetly refreshing to met a guy who didn't shower me with compliments every few minutes.
"I'll consult father regarding your request."
He nodded, understating the agreement, and proceeded to take another sip of his coffee.
'Now that we have that settled!' I propped my chin with my left hand, 'let's dive into the real questions...'
"How exactly did you manage to secure the 6th rank in the dungeon trials?" I asked, my tone taking on a more serious demeanor.
His strength barely reached (G+) level, so how did he manage to rank so high?
He suddenly lifted his gaze, setting the cup aside. Even with the sunlight luminating his face, his eyes remained dark— a deep black that complemented his otherwise pale complexion.
Not even a shade of reflection was visible in those orbs.
"In all honesty, I see no reason to answer that question. I'm not inclined to reveal my cards?" His reply was flat. "But, if I were to offer an answer, let's just say it was my dumb luck?" He shrugged his shoulders casually.
"And what if I were to force you? Mr Dumb Luck?" I couldn't help smirking.
Teasing time!
"Try me." He replied, unafraid.
My 'intense gaze' bore into him, but he didn't falter unlike the most other radioactive insincere cowards of our class.
"You do know, I can make you to spit it out?"
"Are you seriously telling me that?"
"Oh, absolutely! Not only can I, but I can do it right now. And trust me, there's zilch you can do to prevent it, Mr. Dumb Luck."
"Well then," he adopted a more cold demeanour, protecting his secret as he challenged," do it."
"Hah! Jess, you don't have to be so serious, I was only joking, you know! Chillax! Chillax!"
I offered him a weak apologitic smile.
After a short pause, I winked playfully trying to lighten the mood but to my surprise...his face reddened!
'Oh my!'
Just that much, and gone was his bravery, crumbled to dust.
His tough act vanished and I couldn't help chortling at the absurdity, while trying to cover my mirth with a palm on my mouth.
Seeing my reaction Mr. Dumb Luck grumbled, shooting me a death glare! My my!
"Hehehe, my bad! I'm sooo sawrry, I was only joking around a bit!" I clapped my hands in a prayer pose, seeking mercy and forgiveness from the now agitated Mr. Dumb Luck.
Seeing his annoyed face I changed the topic and posed another question, "How did you come to conclusion that Karthik was stronger than me?"
He met my gaze with a slight raise of his eyebrow, as if to imply that the answer was obvious. "It's actually quite simple," he began, taking one last sip from his remaining coffee.
"You excel as an archer, specializing in long-range. On the other hand, Karthik is a swordsman, proficient in close range. Naturally, a marksman's primary advantage lies in their ability to attack from a distance."
"But, they are weam in short-range combat," he explained, pointing a finger in my direction. "That's why marksmen like yourself," he paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in. "Need either a tank or a mage to provide protection."
I nodded to myself, acknowledging the truth in his words.
"Since our mages were occupied elsewhere, there was no one to shield you. Karthik easily parried and dodged your arrows in such close proximity. Ultimately, in a melee fight, you would have been defeated,which you were."
His explanation made perfect sense, resonating with my own reflections.
So in the end, it was my own ego that led to my downfall.
"It was more of a mismatch than a difference in strength. Perhaps you should consider obtaining some enhanced arrows to avoid such a situation in the future," he suggested, gathering his belongings as he spoke.
I watched as he rose from his seat, a question lingering at the tip of my tongue, but I chose to hold it back.
Not now, whatever Freya said must be sensitive topic...but in the future...
"Now if you will excuse me?" he addressed, standing up, "I do hope you keep your promise."
With those words, he turned and left, without asking for my phone number or offering any compliments...not that I needed anyway!
He came, did what he came for, and left just as quickly.
Regardless of my status or beauty, yes, I was being narcissistic, but, he didn't ever left that cold demeanour...anh! Annoying!
I rose from my seat, following suit, and made my way to the counter to settle the bill. But ,just as I was about to pay for Noah's portion as well, I was met with a surprise
"He already paid his bill, ma'am," the cashier informed me.
"What? Why?" I blurted out, puzzled by his actions. "I told him it was on me..."
Why would he go the extra mile to pay?
Was this pride?
***
Noah's POV:
???????????—????????????!
I splashed cold water, feeling the droplets splatter on my face.
"Ahhh!" I sighed, leaning against the bathroom sink. "She was different from what I imagined. Quite a lively girl...and cute...yes, definitely cute-"
!!
'What the fuck is wrong with you Noah? Why are you thinking so much about her?'
Damn hormones! Fucking hormones!
'She's just a pretty face, Noah.'
'Just a pretty face!'
'Get your shit together.'
I closed my eyes, attempting to clear my mind.
But amidst the calm, a thought sprout, 'B-but it wouldn't hurt to be friends, right?'
"Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with me?" I exhaled a weak breath. "She's main cast! It's not right to get involved with her. I will get killed like some side character if I am around them."
"Must be her charm stats. No, it must be the other Noah's memories effecting my nature. Yes, that's right! That wimp's simpness is rubbing off on me! And fucking hormones...or maybe she used some kind of seduction potion in my drink? Possible...very much." I mumbled a load of bullshit trying to excuse my choices.
I shook off my wandering thoughts, focusing on the task at hand.
I met my own gaze in the mirror, with determined gaze.
"Listen up, buddy. No simp behavior here. Focus on your goal. You're not some average Joe, you're a giga-ultra-sigma-hyperversal chad. You're Noah Grey. Don't forget where you came from..." I pointed at the mirror. "You're so much more than this, an ultra-megaversal chad. Remember? You never relied on Dr. Amodni's beautiful back or Professor Layla's soft lips...Emily is just...she's nothing man, nothing but an adorable cute- oh goddamit! I'm done with you bastard! You scoundrel!"
***
Vrashyad, situated in the northern region of St. Sebastin, the country I currently was in.
That's where the second mystery—the [Solaris Amulet] was.
When conceptualizing the novel, I deliberately scattered the mysteries across different corners of the world. Vrashyad became one of the chosen destinations.
But I wasn't satisfied with myself so I even put some mysteries in outer space all together.
Now, that foolishness is gonna come back and bite me. Right in the ass.
How on Earth or rather, in space, am I going to reach those mysteries?
Build a spacecraft from scratch?
Headache...headache ??????????!
With a click sound, the call to the travel agency was connected.
"Hello?" I greeted.
"I would like to book a guide, a seasoned one."
["???????? ????????????, ???????? ?????????? ???? 4?? ?????? ????????????????, ?????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?????? ???? ??????????????."]
What's with this strange accent?
After finalizing the necessary details of my journey, I started packing my essentials.
***
THE NEXT DAY-
"Mr. Noah...!?"
Engrossed in checking the details of my guide and travel arrangements, I was momentarily distracted.
"Mr. Noah?"
I heard the airhostess call my name, the same one who had assisted me in finding my seat as I boarded the plane.
"Oh yes, what is it?"
"May I see your boarding pass? And what would you like for your meal?"
"Um... I believe I booked a non-veg meal," I replied with a puzzled expression, while handing her my boarding pass.
I had been too preoccupied to pay attention when they announced the meal selection from the provided booklet.
"Yes, I see, but specifically, what would you prefer?" she asked again, tearing off one half of my boarding pass as a standard procedure, I presumed.
"What do you have?"
"Sir, I have a chicken sandwich and..."
"Alright, I'll have that," I interjected.
"And what beverage would you like?"
Once again, I gave her a perplexed look.
"I have coke and bel-monté."
"I'll take a coke."
"Enjoy your meal, sir," she smiled, handing me my tray.
I sighed looking out of the window..
The clouds outside welcomed me. I was in Vrshyad now, a different country.
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