Chapter 216 ⤞ My Half-Step Back Was Deliberate

When Bell ran away, his sudden departure caught the attention of other adventurers.

"What's going on all of a sudden..."

"What happened?"

"Who is that boy..."

"He actually dared to dine and dash at Mama Mia's place — that's gutsy."

"Really? How bold!"

Not knowing the circumstances, they simply assumed Bell was skipping out on his bill.

"Bell, Bell—!" Syr rushed out from behind the counter, calling his name as she chased after him.

Ais, who had been sitting at the Loki Familia's table, rose and followed when she saw Bell.

Of course, Adam followed as well.

But as soon as they left the tavern, they watched the "Rabbit" dash around a corner into an alley, vanishing into the night in the blink of an eye. All three stood helpless before his incredible speed.

"That person is..."

"Bell..."

Syr softly murmured his name, her voice carrying both recognition and concern.

Watching him flee into the night, Adam remained silently thoughtful.

This was Bell's turning point, the beginning of his rise. Only through facing this setback and recognizing his weakness would he find the drive to grow stronger and earn the right to aim higher.

How can one see the rainbow without weathering the storm? The harsh words of others will become the driving force for progress!

So grow stronger, young man!

"Those people were too cruel to say such things."

"Mm."

"True strength isn't about mocking others freely, is it?"

"Mm."

"Even if they're from Loki Familia, they shouldn't mock others like that."

"Mm."

"Right? The customer thinks so too, doesn't he?"

"Mm."

"Could it be that you know Bell and are worried about him too?"

"Mm... Huh?!"

Lost in thought, he had been mindlessly agreeing with the person speaking beside him. When he finally registered the question and saw who was speaking, his expression changed.

It was Syr! The tavern's most popular waitress!

And also the avatar of the beautiful Goddess Freya!

Ais, who had been standing on the other side, had already left. Looking back, she had been forcibly led away by Loki, who had an arm around her shoulders.

Now, only Adam and Syr remained standing in the street. The two stood in the darkness, with the lamplight at their feet forming a boundary between them and the bright tavern.

Have I been targeted?!

He felt like there was a huge "DANGER" sign floating above his head.

"Do you know Bell? Could you tell Syr about it?" Syr looked at him inquiringly, then stepped closer.

Her delicate face drew near his, her eyes looking up at an angle, trying to glimpse the face hidden under his hood.

A beautiful girl's ultimate technique — the 45° upward gaze attack!

"!" The girl's proximity made Adam want to flee.

His internal alarms blaring, he instinctively took half a step back to create distance between them.

Meanwhile, his inner voice was screaming: Don't come any closer!

Beneath his hood, Adam maintained an expressionless, icy face, uncertain whether the girl could see his features.

"Eh, why did you step back? Did Syr frighten you?"

The incredibly cute girl appeared surprised and apologetic, expressing remorse for her sudden forwardness as she sought forgiveness from the customer before her. She naturally emanated an air that inspired protection.

Seeing her like this, Adam shook his head gently, "No, I was just surprised that Miss Syr would speak to me, that's all."

"You weren't scared?" Syr confirmed again.

"No."

"That's good!" Relieved at being forgiven, Syr let out a deep breath and patted her chest. She then asked, "By the way, do you know Bell? You seemed to rush out after him too."

"...Sort of, I met him once in the Dungeon." Adam gave an ambiguous answer.

His reluctance to converse and subtle gestures made it clear he wanted to leave quickly.

This seemed to anger the charming young girl before him.

"Does the customer not want to talk to Syr? Or do you have somewhere you need to be?" She asked with a slight pout.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because the customer seems uninterested."

"Uninterested... no, Miss Syr, you misunderstand." Adam tugged at his hood, speaking in a slightly deep voice, "I'm just at a loss for what to do after being suddenly addressed by the tavern's most popular Miss Syr, which is why I acted in a way that displeased you. I hope you can forgive me."

His words were thought-provoking yet seemed sincere, though their true meaning remained known only to him.

"Hehe, the customer is quite smooth with words." Syr laughed at his response but wasn't about to let him off so easily, "However, even if you flatter Syr like this, Syr won't let you skip out on your bill."

"...Eh?"

"In other words, don't think about dining and dashing like Bell did." She placed her index finger under her cherry lips, feigning pitifulness, "Bell's actions tonight will surely make Mama Mia angry, and if there's another case, Syr and the other servers will get scolded, so... you're Anya's customer, right? You wouldn't want Anya to get scolded by Mama Mia, would you?"

Her eyes seemed to speak, carrying an irresistible plea that would unconsciously draw people into their special depths.

Adam's mind went blank for a moment.

But in the next second, a cooling sensation enveloped his consciousness, bringing him back to his senses.

So this is the Charm of a Goddess?! Truly frightening!

"I see..." Without showing any abnormality, he pulled out coins from his pocket and handed them to Syr, "I apologize for my carelessness. Here's my payment for the meal."

"Yes! Payment received! Please wait a moment while I get your change." She smiled brightly after taking the money and ran back into the tavern.

Adam couldn't help but sigh in relief.

That was terrifying!

He had worried about being targeted, but she was just concerned about the bill.

Yet somehow, he felt both relieved and slightly disappointed.

But wait — weren't all traversers supposed to catch that beauty goddess's attention? Why hadn't she noticed him? Was his soul not radiant enough?

No, no, no — he was a righteous young man!

There could only be one explanation: his Recognition Obstruction Cloak was working perfectly.

Yes, that had to be it!

"Sigh."

"Why are you sighing?" Syr returned from the bright tavern with his change, looking puzzled at his dejected figure in the street.

Adam gazed into the gloomy night, his voice weighted with meaning, "It's nothing — just that there will be rain tonight... a heavy rain."

"Is that so? Then you should hurry home. Here's your change. Thank you for your patronage! We look forward to serving you again!"

The sad man remained silent as he took the coins from the young girl's hand. After receiving her polite farewell, he turned and disappeared into the night.

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