The attendant from earlier returned, balancing their order effortlessly on a tray. With practiced ease, she set down the drinks and fries before flashing them both a playful smile.
"Please, if there's anything else you need, just give me a call and I'll take care of it. I heard you two are going all out tonight, so I'll keep the food coming while you keep ordering!"
Song blinked, caught completely off guard.
"…Going all out?"
What the hell was she talking about? He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"!?"
It only took a few seconds for the realization to hit him like a truck.
Wait, wait, wait! Who the hell said anything about going all out?!
Song immediately snapped his gaze toward Marcus. The damn bastard was looking away, staring off in another direction as if the walls had suddenly become fascinating.
"…Marcus."
No response came. It was as if he'd gone completely deaf.
"Marcus!!"
The fellow choked on his drink, coughing violently before forcing an awkward laugh. The attendant giggled softly at the exchange before taking her leave, leaving the two men alone.
Finally, Marcus scratched the back of his head and gave a sheepish grin.
"Alright, alright. Forgive this old man, will ya? I might have mentioned to Madame Ross that I was bringing a friend tonight… and I might have talked you up a little too much. Things just… got out of hand."
"Oh, is that right? Trying to pull a fast one on me, you bastard?"
"I swear, it's not what you think! Well, okay, it is exactly what you think, but at least hear me out!"
"You're dead."
"Okay! Okay! I'm sorry! Geez, it was just a stupid joke. I wanted to have a bit of fun, that's all. You've been ignoring me these past few days, so maybe I built up a little resentment and decided to… you know, get even!"
"What are you now? A jealous high school girl?"
Glaring at Marcus's punchable face, Song didn't know whether to laugh or cry out of sheer embarrassment.
Just what kind of rotten luck did he have?
Suppressing a sigh, he reached for the menu placed on the trendy table stand and flipped it open. His eyes immediately caught the prices listed beside each dish.
Thankfully, he wasn't exactly broke. Recently, he'd exchanged a hundred Spirit Shards for a clean hundred thousand dollars. After all, he had slain several Lesser Fiends — and even a few Greater Fiends — harvesting shards from their mangled corpses.
So his pockets certainly felt heavier than usual.
Of course, he already had plans for it.
For instance, restocking his weapons, both the pistol and revolver, along with their ammunition. Equipment for the upcoming Black Spire expedition would take priority as well.
If possible, he wanted to use the remaining funds to buy a new place to live and maybe, set some aside for the future.
That was his plan for the future. Still, he intended to indulge a little.
Nothing excessive, just the occasional luxury here and there. As long as he didn't go overboard and ruin himself, a bit of comfort wouldn't hurt.
Not to mention, Song was starving! At this point, he felt like he could devour an entire cow!
Killing all those monstrosities and hideous abominations had built up quite the appetite.
Song muttered under his breath, barely audible:
"I suppose we can go all out tonight."
"Eh? What was that?"
"I said, order whatever you want. Everything's on me."
Marcus's eyes widened in surprise. Then his grin spread from ear to ear and instantly made Song regret every word that had just left his mouth.
"Oh-ho! Now that's what I like to hear! You're the best! Do you know that I always loved you?"
"Do you want to get punched?"
Completely unbothered by his threat, Marcus raised his hand like a soldier taking an oath, waving down the attendant with all the enthusiasm of a man about to win the lottery.
"Another round of whiskey! And let's see… ah, the chef's special platter! Oh, and that spicy lamb dish... Oh, oh! Add the seafood combo too! And dessert. Two of them!"
"This bastard…"
Song blinked in disbelief, utterly dumbfounded.
How could someone be so shameless, especially when spending someone else's money?!
Then again, he only had himself to blame. He'd opened his stupid mouth, and now he had to swallow the consequences.
But Marcus was on a roll, the words tumbling out faster than Song could stop him.
"Relax, relax! You said everything's on you, didn't you? So let's make it count, my friend! Tonight, we dine like kings!"
The surrounding patrons turned to glance their way, amused by the loud declaration. Song sank lower in his seat, feeling like a concerned rabbit.
"God, I hate you."
Marcus chuckled.
"You'll thank me later. You need to loosen up, my guy. Ever since a few days ago, you've been acting kinda weird."
Then, mid-sentence, his grin swayed as if a critical realization had just struck him.
"Wait a second… you said we could go all out tonight, right? That's not like you at all. For that matter, when did you get the money for that?"
Oh, so now he decides to ask? After placing that ridiculous order?!
Song had an urge to throttle his so-called best friend, but he swallowed it and merely shrugged.
"You could say that I went on an adventure and received a boon."
Marcus raised a brow.
"A boon? What's that supposed to mean? You joined a cult or something?"
Song almost choked on his drink.
"...What?"
Marcus shrugged with a grin.
"Hey, you've been acting all mysterious lately, disappearing for days, showing up randomly at school, and suddenly throwing cash around like some mob boss. What else am I supposed to think?"
"You seriously think I'd join a cult?"
"Wouldn't surprise me. Those weirdos are everywhere these days. You never know who's selling their soul for money or power."
If only he knew how close that statement actually was to the truth.
Forcing a smile to spread across his lips, Song hid his unease behind a calm expression.
"Relax, man. It's nothing shady. I've just been... working, that's all."
Marcus leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table.
"Working? And doing what exactly if I must ask? Don't tell me you finally took my advice and became a gigolo. You certainly have the best tool for the job, if you know what I mean."
"Tell me how you want to die, bastard."
The boy only laughed, and Song clenched his teeth, torn between throttling his so-called friend and pretending nothing happened.
Unfortunately, before he could do either, the female attendant returned with their newly placed order.
Balancing another tray like a seasoned professional, the attendant set down their steaming dishes one by one. The savory aroma of grilled meat and spices instantly filled the air.
"Here you go, gentlemen. One chef's special platter, spicy lamb, seafood combo, and two desserts. I hope everything's to your liking."
Marcus whistled.
"Now this is what I call a service!"
She smiled gracefully, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Enjoy your meal. If you need anything else, just wave me over."
As she walked away, Marcus's eyes followed her with a grin that made Song want to bury his face in his palms.
"Unbelievable, you're like a dog in heat." Song muttered as he grabbed a fork and stabbed a fry.
Marcus snorted.
"Hey, don't insult dogs. They at least have a filter. I'm just appreciating the view."
"You call that appreciation? You've been ogling her since she showed up. Are you trying to fuck her with your eyes?"
"Is such a thing even possible? If that's the case, then alot of girls would have already been pregnant."
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised, Song thought dryly.
Then Marcus added,
"And you've been pretending not to notice. Don't think I didn't catch you sneaking a glance."
Song froze for half a second, hovering his fork midair.
"…I was not sneaking a glance."
"Sure you weren't."
"Keep talking, and you'll be the one sneaking into the ER tonight."
That only made Marcus laugh harder. Despite himself, Song couldn't help but crack the faintest smile. As annoying as Marcus was, the idiot had a way of lightening the mood.
He was loud, carefree, and somewhat lacking in the brain department.
Part of him envied that simplicity.
If only Marcus knew what kind of "boon" Song had really earned... and what kind of hell came with it.
'Well, it doesn't matter.'
That solitary thought lingered only for a moment before fading away.
Song picked up his fork and resumed eating. After all, he was the one footing the bill, so he might as well make the most of it, filling his mouth with something crisp and delicious.
Then—
Ding! Ding!
The door chimed softly as new customers stepped into the establishment.