CHAPTER 065: Lunchtime intermission, pt. 2

Back at the hotel, Mister Perfect Genes nervously paced outside room 220. True to his name, despite falling 20 meters onto packed earth, he suffered no serious injuries. Indeed, the young lad ran here the second his frozen muscles finally relaxed.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Enter," the voice of an older man said from within. Not even waiting for the door to finish opening, Mister Perfect Genes immediately apologized.

"Uncle Eugene, I'm so sorry! I've failed the Genome Society, and all you've done for me! Please, have mercy!"

"Relax, our avenues are not yet closed."

Uncle Eugene wore a lab coat over his formal attire, and spoke without looking up from the stacks of folders in his lap.

"But, I thought you said I needed to impress the All Star League. How can I do that if I'm eliminated?"

"Ha! Those hacks are yesterday's news. Don't concern yourself with whatever riff raff is gathered for the new roster. No, I have a new job for you; seek out the contestant known as 'the Pioneer,' and get into his good graces."

"... I don't understand."

"Let's just say his party will have better refreshments."

"Oh... I still don't get it."

"He's going to be captain of the All American League, you dunce! Suck up to him, and get us a spot!"

"Oh, I get it now! Yes, uncle; I shall not fail the society again!"

"You are a good boy, just keep following orders and you will lead us to new heights!"

"I better leave before he starts laughing again. I never know whether I'm supposed to join in when he does that," Perfect Genes thought, just a step too late.

"MUAHAHAHAHA!"

"Shit, I mean, Ha HA HA!"

"Why are you laughing? Get out of here!"

"Yes, uncle!"

Closing the door gently behind him, Mister Perfect Genes fled before his uncle could remember to give punishment.

Elsewhere, Li Bao struggled to find Red Cap amidst the throngs of people trying out fried foods.

"Ugh! Now I understand what he meant, I'm going to be sick if I loiter any longer here."

The sudden call from a park mascot arrived like an oasis in the desert.

"GMO Wonderland, now reopen! Tickets half off! Get them before they are gone!"

"One please," he said, running into the park before even getting his change. The flora here was incredible, with apple vines in bloom right next to a forest of corn trees.

"Much better!" RUMBLE! "Uh oh, looks like the vistas here are a little too eye catching for my stomach to handle."

Li Bao explored deeper into the park, slaying the occasional carnivorous plant along the way. eventually, he reached a hill overlooking all of Festiville.

"Such a beautiful view... And there's a tree right here for shade, too!"

"Indeed, too bad I am occupying it," a hoarse voice said from behind the tree. Li Bao circled around to see a figure in a hoodie, busy eyeing the festivities below.

"Oh, but this place is too beautiful not to picnic. Would you reconsider if I shared some food?"

Before mysterious figure could decline, Li Bao summoned a bento box.

"Qilin curry, yum!"

The figure reached out an albino hand to grab the dish, but ultimately stopped short.

"No, I've fallen for that trick before. You lure me in with delicious food, and then I wake up hours later in your secret dungeon. Get lost!"

Right at that moment, however, Albino could see Ferdiad looking in their direction.

"... On second thought, stay."

"Are you sure? I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"I said stay, so stay!"

"Okay; here, have a plate... So, is that story true?"

"You think I kid? Would you like to see the scars I bear as proof!?!"

"No! I am just surprised people can do that to each other."

"It is surprisingly easy when the other side doesn't see you as human. Oh, this is good!"

"Yeah, I think it was 7th mother who made this one."

"Ah, an ivory tower. How nice some people have it."

"Just because I have parents to give me nice things?"

"YES! You haven't had to beg for food, nor hide from adults looking to harvest your organs!"

"I haven't, but I bet most people haven't either."

"You're right, most people who look like me wouldn't live long enough to be complaining to you now."

"Is this why you are still so bitter, despite such a good meal?"

"Bitter? No, I'm in a good mood today. Things are looking up, and my path forward is clear."

"But how do you know it is the right path to begin with?"

Albino glared at Li Bao suspiciously.

"Because it ends with me standing up to those who'd wish to do me harm. When this is all over, my power will be mine alone to use!"

Li Bao found this line resonating within him. Perhaps it was because of his own circumstances, or perhaps it was because he did not know whom Albino was observing from afar. Either way, his future plans were affected.

"Yours alone, huh... That does sound like a pleasant place to end up."

"Oh, I forgot. You might actually be similar to me in that aspect."

"Surely, not! My parents would never force me into something I wouldn't want."

"I thought that too, on the way to the witch doctor..."