Chapter XXXIV - Girls Night (part 2)

DING!!

DING!!

I woke up from the sound of the bell. It's the third bell, and it's finally night time.

I quickly went to the bathroom to wash up and get cleaned. Killing a ton of skeletons doesn't come with tons of blood on me, so I'm kind of grateful. Unlike those times I went on a massacre. Kind of stupid the more I thought about it.

I put on my casual attire again, and brought my space ring like usual. Then, I headed out to Hod's diner, where the three of us will gather.

As much as I like the people in my old world, this one seemed better. Because it's lively, and no one is focused on their cellphones. There wasn't any here, which makes the environment not very toxic.

Back then, everywhere I went, everyone seemed to be more focused on their phones instead of other people. As much as I hate social life, I hate that kind of world more. People should talk to each other some more, instead of being so focused on their phones. 

The kingdom at night never ceases to amuse me. Sellers shouting things from the sides of the streets, advertising their items that they are selling. Music being played from street performers. Families strolling down the main street with their children running and playing around. The scent of cooked snacks from the food stalls.

This sort of life is a bit like what I'm looking for. And it made me realize a grim truth that is hidden behind the lively night.

This place is so peaceful and all, but somewhere out there, an adventurer is risking their life just so that they can eat.

... Okay. Negative thoughts, whoosh!

After walking for a while, I didn't even realize that I'd arrived. I looked inside Hod's diner to see if Cony and Valey had arrived, but I didn't see them anywhere. I can see Hod on the counter, accepting orders. Must be nice living like this...

Should I go inside? No, I think the others would prefer it if we went in together.

And... ten minutes later... I still waited.

I forgot that girls can be quite late sometimes. With them putting on makeup and all, their prep time will be considerably ten times slower. It's just a girls night, why should they be late???

Then again... I think I am a little too early. Was I just too excited for this...? This is so embarrassing.

Valey arrived a few minutes later. My eyes opened widely because she looked so pretty, thanks to her make up. She obviously wouldn't wear it when going on adventurers, so seeing her going all out when everything is peaceful and not hectic is quite refreshing.

"Sorry for being late! I didn't realize you were coming so soon."

She said to me after doing a short little run to approach me, and I just waved my hand at her. Hmm? Is that Cony behind her?

"It's fine, I guess I'm just a little excited. You look pretty, by the way."

"Thanks!..."

I said to compliment her, and Valey laughs while thanking me. But then her expression quickly changed, and I quickly checked what's behind me to find what's wrong.

"What's wrong?"

"You look the same as this morning..."

"A-Am I not suppose to--"

"No, no, no. I mean... Rize, do you not wear cosmetics?"

... no?

Heck no. What?

Why? Why would I ever... 

I guess my whole perspective of this was a little too... extreme. It wasn't because I was a guy in a girl's body, no. It was more that I simply cannot imagine myself looking that pretty with such products.

Her question wasn't by any means demeaning, but I just happened to take it in a way I wasn't supposed to.

So, I did what I end up regretting. I wore a really sour, annoyed expression on my face, and Valey immediately got it.

"O-Okay... don't answer that."

Sorry, Valey... but I don't think I can handle getting my face plastered with white dust for hours.

"Where's... Cony? I thought I was late, but I didn't realize she were--"

"Here!"

"HYAK-!"

Valey suddenly jumped and screamed, because Cony was sneaking behind her before suddenly shouted. I didn't get scared because I already saw her coming when Valey arrived. She had been tailing Valey for quite some time now, and it seems like the archer didn't notice it.

Cony bursts into laughter while Valey was full on red. She is very cute.

"Why are you sneaking up on me like that?? I could've died from a heart attack! And don't laugh, Rize!"

I... didn't say anything. Though, I guess my 'grin' was counted as laughing. 

After that short greeting between us, Valey and Cony went inside the diner. I simply followed behind them, and the smell of food immediately caught my interest.

"Hey, are we eating here?"

I asked the two while they headed for the counter, and they both grinned at me. I had a feeling those smiles don't mean well...

"Yep. I mean, where else can we get a discount?"

We get discounts...? Hod did not mention that. Then again, he probably doesn't want to say such things to avoid going red profit-wise.

How big of a discount are we talking here...?

Hod who was on the ordering desk noticed us walking towards him, and he smiled while waving at us.

"Hello, ladies. Girls night?"

"Yes, and you are not invited."

Valey said with a grin. Hod turned to me then asked another question.

"And I'm surprised to see you here, Rize. I thought this kind of thing wasn't your style."

"I'm surprised as well, then I heard I can get a discount?"

I said with a joking tone, and Hod lets out a tired sigh. He opened the notebook to write down the orders with a surrendering look in his face, and the three of us grinned at each other before ordering.

"You guys are going to get me bankrupt."

"Not a chance. Blue ranked adventurers are rich, remember?"

"Thank god I got to be Blue ranked... unlike someone."

Cony really tried using ranks to outplay Hod... but the mage destroyed her completely. Cony looked like she wanted to throw hands.

"So how much discount are we getting?"

I asked them while looking at the menu, and Valey ponders for a bit while thinking.

"Let's see... maybe half?"

Hod turned at Valey with a surprised look. But before he could say anything, Cony and I already agreed.

"Half sounds good."

"Half, it is."

Cony supported Valey's idea from her side, while I just completed the bullying. Behind the desk, Hod just shook his head while mumbling something about girls being so petty.

And to be fair, Half Discount is Crazy. Even for your friends.

Statistically speaking, if we were to eat here everyday, then he really is going to get broke. He is probably barely profiting already from a normal price.

Then again... he is a Blue ranked adventurer. Also he just leeched my mission earlier today, so I guess we're not even close to being even. I'm eating here every damn day for that 50% discount.

Speaking of prices, after we placed our orders, we sat at the most corner table near the door so that we were away from everyone else in the diner. I asked Cony and Valey about a bunch of stuff regarding how teams work in the adventurers environment, but it's just as I thought.

Starting from the mission rewards, the reward money gained from missions were split equally, but they could decide for themselves if they wished to give some of their share to another member of the team.

For the loot obtained outside of the mission reward, the splitting decision was given to the team members. For example, me and Hod could have decided that only either me or Hod gain more in that mission than another, but instead we cut it equally. One person can reap more money from the loot than others in the team, depending on how the team decides it.

Aside from missions stuff, we also talked about Cony's rankup test but from her up close and personal perspective. She kept on snapping about how scary it was at the Blue rankup test. Valey somehow agreed, and she added that she was just as scared as Cony. Still, she passed it, which made me wonder as to how difficult the test was exactly.

If I were to take it... would I suck at it? Or would I dominate it completely? Only time will tell.