For breakfast the next day, Nol didn't eat anything.
The piece of pie sat in his stomach like an ever-lasting piece of ice, dissolving very slowly in his stomach acid. It made him lose his appetite, and Nol just had a glass of milk before hastily finishing.
It was a pity about the special grilled meat Aunt Sophie made specifically. It all went into Teest's stomach. Aunt Sophie looked at him with a stern and disappointed gaze, her expression saying, "Just as I expected."
Avoiding Aunt Sophie's scrutiny, Nol slowly sipped a cup of hot water. The cold feeling in his stomach made him frown. Fortunately, he transferred the gold wheel from Teest to a space within his body. Otherwise, his stomach would feel even more uncomfortable now.
Nol couldn't resist keeping that inexplicable [Lament of the Weak]. When seeing special things, even if it's just a bottle cap, he decided not to fight against his gamer's heart. Now in his skill bar, he had the skills [Bloodline Suppression], [Lament of the Weak], and [Smelling]. He hoped that the next time his skills evolved, he would get more skill slots…
Nol used a wooden spoon to stir the milk in his hand while lost in thought.
Teest leisurely finished the grilled meat and thin pancakes and was tasting a few purplish-red figs. Seeing Nol lost in thought, he quickly swallowed the fruit in his mouth and asked, "What's your plan for today?"
"What's your plan for today?" Nol echoed the question back at him. "I'm not in a hurry."
Teest tilted his head in confusion. As long as conditions allowed, Nol was always in a hurry. This was the first time Teest associated the phrase "not in a hurry" with Nol.
"Well then, let me tell you." Teest drank his milk and cleared his throat. "A date in the morning, make some money in the afternoon, and as for the evening… well, let's see. Grape Collar has lots of good wine, and the night is long."
The look of disapproval was evident on Aunt Sophie's face. Such a lack of ambition; the typical schedule of a loafer.
She looked at Nol, hoping that this seemingly redeemable young man would decline. But without hesitation, Nol nodded rapidly.
"Then it's settled," Nol said.
'They're both hopeless,' Aunt Sophie thought.
...
Even though autumn had arrived, the sunlight was blindingly intense. It illuminated the rooftops in Grape Collar, making them shimmer brightly. The clothing of the pedestrians on the street was similarly radiant, and everything was enveloped in a warm glow. Only the grapes—whether juicy purple or green—appeared even more vibrant. They were piled in large wicker baskets, placed in smaller baskets lined with grape leaves, and finally ended up on either soft or parched lips, leaving behind a few drops of sweet nectar.
Previously, whenever Nol arrived at a place, he would subconsciously search for similarities with the game, only to then briefly admire the views.
But now, he walked slowly, taking in the entire city. He saw grape seeds covered in mud and clearly observed the grapevine patterns on the tower's enormous bell. The city was no longer just a conceptual representation. It seemed alive, as if it was breathing.
Teest led him through the market, through crowded streets and alleys, towards dark lanes where the sunlight couldn't reach, until they could no longer detect the sour-sweet aroma of grape juice.
The stone walls around them were crumbling, and the surroundings grew dimmer. Earlier, they could step over a vagabond or two, but now not even a few rats could be seen. Teest walked half a step ahead, leaving Nol with only a view of a color-disguised black braid and an unguarded silhouette.
Several days had passed, and Teest hadn't mentioned the gold wheel kept with him, nor did Nol feel like returning it proactively.
It was a fragile yet sweet connection, and he cherished this feeling.
After walking for almost another half hour, Nol couldn't hold back any longer. "…Is this what you call a date?"
"Did you really want to go on a date with me?" Teest said with a playful grin, without turning his head. He casually fiddled with a young grapevine twig—god knows where he plucked it from.
"I'm just curious about our destination," Nol said. "Tell me. I won't run away."
"I'm a bit curious too," Teest responded, with his habit of answering evasively. "I've taken such a roundabout route, and you seem to harbor no ill intentions."
"What are you talking about?" Nol said, puzzled.
"I'm just thinking, since you've taken the stage, there are more suitable partners for you," Teest turned around and said almost reproachfully. "You could've ambushed me with that letter opener, end our fake engagement, then secretly meet the leaders of the other Players. I'm sure some would be eager to team up with you—there's no particular reason it has to be me, honey."
Nol tried to look serious but couldn't help but smile. The implication was too reminiscent of a jealous lover! It didn't match the Mad Monk's image at all.
"I can get the information without teaming up with them," Nol said with a smile. "I prefer working with you."
It felt freer, more discreet, and sometimes he genuinely needed a touch of wicked guidance and comfort.
Teest discarded the grapevine twig and examined Nol carefully.
Alright, the guy seemed honest. Nol gazed directly into his eyes, and the blue irises appeared even more pure and beautiful than before. Teest could sense affection in them.
For the sake of hunting, the Mad Monk occasionally lured his targets deliberately. He was fortunate to possess a body that most found aesthetically pleasing and was adept at making others feel "loved".
He had seen similar looks on the faces of his targets, but they never had the clarity Nol possessed.
Even in his wildest moments, Nol remembered his motives. It was rather uninteresting, like performing magic for an audience who knew the tricks—Magician Teest felt somewhat frustrated.
"You said you liked working with me." The Mad Monk leaned in, their noses almost touching. "What do you think of me right now, honey?"
He was genuinely curious.
"…A married man?" Nol pondered and replied earnestly.
"I was always a married man."
"No, no, I mean in a more general sense." Nol explained with a smile. "It's like being attracted to someone you've just met, only to discover they're married. The attraction is real, but the decision not to pursue is also genuine. You don't have to worry about me pressing you for any responses."
"Oh?" Teest continued, his tone more relaxed and sweeter. "In your view, what am I 'married' to?"
"Yourself and your twisted psyche?" Nol responded uncertainly.
Teest: "..."
Teest: "Indeed, that's hard to separate from."
"See?" Nol nodded gravely.
Teest shook his head, amused, and resumed walking. After a short distance, he opened an inconspicuous wooden door. Had Teest not specifically stopped, Nol would've mistaken it for a rotting board.
"The Black Glove Tavern!" Teest sidestepped, revealing a narrow passage behind the door and a hint of light at the end of it. "This place has the best grapes and roasted suckling pig in the whole city."
"A decent date spot." Muffled chatter and music wafted out with the warm breeze. Nol caught the scent of roasted meat and spices.
"No, the sweet date segment was just now." Teest shrugged. "Now, it's time to make some money."
...
Teest activated the effect of the "A Midsummer Night's Dream" slightly. Even when he bumped into a drunkard who smelled like vinegar, the drunk just looked around in confusion, cursing at the ground.
Another "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was dangling from Nol's right earlobe. The two squeezed through the crowd, heading towards the bar.
The surrounding air was far from fresh. Nol detected the stench of abscesses, fresh wounds, and disease. The area was filled with oddly shaped humanoid creatures. Five customers together wouldn't make up one set of clean clothing.
The wooden pillars were plastered with wanted posters, recruitment papers, trade notices, and a few withered fingers. The wood was marked with crude graffiti, and various fluids stained the base. Nol decided not to investigate further.
"Two glasses of 'Golden Grape Leaf'." Teest smiled as they squeezed up to the bar. "The usual, no ice. The good grapes from Silver Windmill. Put it on the 'Doctor's' tab."
The bartender was a short, middle-aged man. Only when Teest spoke did he raise his mismatched eyes. Nol was startled. The man looked like he had been torn apart by a beast and hastily pieced back together.
"What grade of grape? What kind of grape leaf?" His gaze swiftly swept over Teest and Nol, quick as a lizard's tongue.
"The best grapes. Add two dark green grape leaves, the kind with dew on them."
After scrutinizing Teest for several moments, the bartender grunted. "Fine, pick them yourself."
Anticipating trouble, Nol tightened his grip on the staff disguised as a cane and followed Teest through a broken door behind the bar. As soon as he entered, he nearly dropped the staff—the space beyond was vast, making the previous tavern seem merely like an entrance hall.
Seeing Nol's surprise, Teest smirked contentedly, [Come back to reality, Mr. Lich.]
[What is this place?] Nol wondered as he looked around. It resembled the lobby of a five-star luxury hotel. Though not as expansive as the Lost Tower, its design was intricate, and its decorations were dim yet luxurious.
Except, where one might expect to see mounted deer or wolf heads, there were human heads with their eyes and mouths sewn shut.
[The "General" Black Glove trading post. It's best if we sell our items here,] Teest explained. [That door leads to multiple entrances, and any ordinary unlucky person who ventures in will only see a dimly lit storage room.]
Nol caught on quickly.
Days ago, he and Teest had looted several treasures from the dungeon of the Black Forest. The rewards were mainly jewelry and gems, and the dungeons themselves were hardly challenging.
But as the saying goes, money can be a hero's downfall*. If he wanted to support the neighbors in the Lost Tower, he couldn't keep taking money from Teest's pocket. Nol had planned to contact Anakin and her group to sell the spoils, but evidently, Teest had other ideas.
*A single coin can stump a hero (一文钱难倒英雄汉) Idiom referring to even a hero can be troubled if he has no money.
[The lovely siblings were conspicuous enough; better not add any more risks for them.] Teest nodded towards the reception desk in front of them. [Selling stolen goods here is the safest. Trust me, not even a god can trace it back.]
[Got it. Thanks for the heads-up,] Nol thought. [What brought you here?]
He doubted that the Mad Monk would kindly navigate and provide a guided tour with a smile.
[Half of the money in there is mine. I want to use it to buy some information.] Teest blinked. [Since you're not in a hurry, there's something I want to get my hands on.]
[The "Eclipse Shield", a small round shield made from the skulls of the Demon King's Guards. The "Demon King's Guards" might sound intimidating, but they're just particularly powerful Demon King's minions.]
Before Nol could inquire further, Teest thoughtfully explained.
The shield was originally in the custody of the Immortal Church in Grape Collar, stored in various secret locations. Over a decade ago, that particular Immortal Church was razed to the ground, and the location of the Eclipse Shield became unknown. The Mad Monk had kept an eye out for related news but always came up empty.
[I can help you find a better shield,] Nol thought internally.
[But you're the only one who could nibble on this shield.] Teest stretched his shoulders and said, [Let's go. Today's a good day to spend lavishly.]
Nol shook his head, about to follow, when his gaze suddenly fixed on a familiar figure about ten steps to their left.
Mr. Billy from the Alva Merchant Group was walking towards the same reception desk with a smile.