Chapter 12 : City of Art (1)

Bala-Luri, the city of art and creativity. it's actually an interesting city just by the coast. but the most prominent thing about the city is that it's flooded all year round... except for winter. There's also another name for Bala-Luri: 'City of tears', because this is the location where most dreams die... where goodbyes are said... and where hearts get broken...

Wait, aren't those last 3 things the same thing? I was wondering about that as we are traversing the city. Since most of its land is submerged in water the main method of transport for the city is by boats. and boy oh boy do we have a problem. Firstly none of us can operate a boat... and secondly... WHY THE HELL ARE THERE FISHES FLIPPING ABOUT!? YOU'RE NO M*****RP! AND STOP GETTING WATER ON MY FACE!

Irritation grew in me as I prepared myself to turn a few fish into sashimi!

"WAIT NATE! Whatever you're thinking, don't do it... those fishes are protected by law!"

!?!?!?

"Those are rare carps that secrete oxygen... while the numbers are not anywhere near endangered, they're still protected by law!"

as if snickering at me, one of the fish with green fin splash water at my face once again. I prepared to jump aboard and teach that fish a lesson or two, but in mid air my body is grabbed by none other than Smith.

"Stop it! You do know that you can always use the rooftops to transverse instead of boats right? why don't we just use it instead, yeah?"

Oh hell no, I got a score to settle with the fish! THAT ONE IN PARTICULAR!

"Or... I could just leave you here, after all I'm the one that's paying."

"..."

"..."

"You know the baldy's right, he's got a point Nii-chan."

FINE! COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS FISH! BECAUSE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER I'M GOING TO TURN YOU INTO A SASHIMI.

===

The city is... Amazing to say the least the ground level is filled with water, so for housing, they had to build upwards. and they didn't disappoint. Most houses here are a few meters taller than the water level, and thus only on selected points that one can get off public transport.

and the sight above ground is also amazing. Rooftops are all flat to provide a leeway of walking space to pedestrians, and I can even see some of the local citizens here do some spectacularly pleasing parkour moves... you go old man don't let those kids get away with it! as a passing old man seems to be chasing a thief.

"Ano... I didn't mean to ruin the sights here, but shouldn't you help that old man?"

Pfft these newbs didn't know who they're talking about. I saw the 'power' of the old man. long story short, he's a beast, I bet if he wanted to he could beat all of the young ones here.

And like I expected those kids ended up out of breath, and the old man easily catched up to them, beat them senseless with her walking stick, and then proceeded to throw them into the water below.

Old men are... awesome sometimes, and looking at his uniform... is he a chef? a freaking chef? Mayhaps he's running a good restaurant! I should've helped that old man... Well you win some you lose some...

"Nate! Nate!"

"Yeah? What is Eli?"

"I'm hungry!"

"Me too, let's find a good restaurant!"

"Yeah!"

and so.... off we go

===

We're standing in front of a fancy restaurant... behind an old man, in fact this old man is the same old man that we saw whooping ass before. No, we did not shamelessly follow the old man, in fact we're openly sure that he knew we were following him and he let us. so in any case he's leading us back to his restaurant! yeah!

"..."

"..."

"I'm not opening the restaurant today."

"Why?"

"Not in the mood to."

"Grumpy old man."

"Tch. Hipsters"

!?!? Hipster?

"Hey Smith"

"Yeah?"

"Do I look like a hipster?"

"..."

"..."

"You look like a weeb."

"Thanks, See old man, I'm no hipster!?"

Everybody's face palmed on that.

"Kids these days..."

I suddenly felt insulted.

"I've lived 10 lifetimes young man, you better show some respect."

"You're one of those returnees aintcha?"

his eyes turn sharp as his hands clenched into a fist.

"Yes, and one that lived for several centuries mind you, so you better--"

and before I even finished speaking a kick found itself on my face, but I stood still, the force is admirable at best, but to me, it means nothing.

*Bang*

"That's it young man? I thought you had it in you, I guess the fire in those eyes is fake."

the old man suddenly sent a somersault kick my way as I didn't even bother to dodge. and another series of kicks are sent my way... this way of fighting in particular tells me that this is also one of those returnees as I felt concentrated mana on the impact point every time he strikes.

"Did nobody ever tell you, that technique is for lightweights?"

as I said that I focus all my killing intent on the man in front of me. Only a second is enough for him to stop on his tracks, activate a wind magic from his feet, and make a distance and break out a cold sweat while clutching his chest.

"You always ran, didn't you?"

"!?"

"I don't know what you're running from but those strikes are not techniques warriors who have been in the battlefield would use. You're just a coward, someone who deserted the battlefield. I changed my mind, let's go somewhere else to eat."

It's true... Using your leg to fight in itself is not strange, but what is strange is every time he's about to attack or did in fact attack, there's traces of wind mana in his feet.

Usually they release it during the attack to increase the momentum or make the enemy suffer internal damage via shockwaves... but that never came, all though I'm sure he knew that none of those will hurt me, he still saved it to run away. What a coward.

"WAIT!"

"Nope"

"!?"

"No one's going to wait for you just because you said so, Young man. The world's changing..."

So I walked away with the rest while we found a way better pizzaria.

===

Yukira's Pov:

Spy number ... Why do I even bother with my name anymore... I'm defeated, Just end me already! But nooo they decided to humiliate me. by bringing me along to BalaLuri. it's the hotspot for us... most of our safe houses are here...

At first I thought it's not going to get worse than this but... WHY IS THE GRAND SPYMASTER OF THE ORGANIZATION HERE ? AND CHASING KIDS AT THAT!? WHY...

EH WE'RE FOLLOWING THE SPY MASTER!? Eh... Don't tell me they knew about me already and want me to sink into more despair as they dismantle my organization!? I wouldn't---

*Bang*

Yeah you show him Spymaster! EH? He's unhurt!? but... I'm pretty sure you've already broken the sound barrier with that strike...

...

A few strikes later Nate doesn't even move... Ok... I gave up... If the spy master can't even make him move. what change do i have... EH? He's a coward? AND WHAT YOU'RE THAT OLD!? WHAT SKIN CARE DID YOU USE!?

Ok... I officially gave up... Eh? a good place to eat? Oh yeah I was the one who said that food here is good huh... eto... other than SpyMaster's eatery... Let's go to his rivals! yeah! I heard that it has 3 Tire-Company Stars!

umu... Food is always welcomed when you're in a lot of stress!