At first, Ron was completely distracted.
Nora had finally summoned the courage to talk to him, but every time she spoke, he just brushed her off with vague "mm" and "uh-huh" responses.
His mind was constantly on edge, worried that an assassin might leap out at any moment. Even with the system as backup and near-guaranteed safety, he couldn't help but feel a subconscious tension.
So, his attention was nowhere near Nora.
Though they walked side by side, Nora was always half a step behind, never daring to get too close, keeping at least a full body's distance between them.
She followed carefully in Ron's footsteps. Aside from occasionally pointing the way or saying a few things about the shop, she found herself with nothing to talk about.
It made her feel a little down.
So in the end... the boss really only brought her out for a supply run, huh?
Sigh…
Following Nora's directions, Ron headed east across the city. After a while, he noticed the silence beside him.
He turned and saw Nora walking with her head down, a gloomy look on her face.
It finally hit him—this was supposed to be a date.
He'd been so tense that he'd forgotten the most important thing.
Ron took a breath, adjusted his mindset, and temporarily shoved thoughts of Commander Webster aside. The assassin? He could leave that to Vital Bloom.
Right now, he should focus on enjoying the date.
They had already arrived in a small street in the city's east side.
The area was crowded with people dressed plainly—clearly not a wealthy district.
Few proper shops lined the street. Most were messy stalls selling odds and ends.
The road was uneven, paved with cracked and broken stone slabs that hadn't seen maintenance in years.
This was the eastern slum area of the City of Chaos, nestled against the foot of the mountains. It was filled with peddlers, thugs, and street rats.
Unlike the upscale Aikley Street, prices here were dirt cheap. Just a few copper coins could get you a filling meal—and plenty of little trinkets to go along with it.
If you could put up with being pickpocketed a few times every minute, this place was a treasure trove for bargain hunters.
Ron, however, hadn't been targeted.
First, he was clearly well-dressed—someone not to be messed with. Though plenty of shady eyes lingered on him, no one dared make a move.
Second, guys like him obviously kept valuables in a storage space. These local thugs understood that well enough and didn't waste the effort.
And third… Ron glanced sideways at Nora—just in time to see her glaring at a wandering vagrant by the roadside.
The man had been eyeing Ron but paused when he caught sight of Nora's glare. He froze for a second, then recognition flashed across his face. This girl… wasn't she that wild little thing who fought like a beast?
Honestly, with her clean face and neat clothes now, the vagrant almost hadn't recognized her.
If he hadn't been beaten up by her several times before, and remembered that fierce look in her eyes, he might've thought she was just some noble's maid.
Also… today was the first time he realized—Nora's a girl?!
Ron caught the man's stunned expression, then saw Nora's aggressive glare and couldn't help but chuckle.
He recalled the day Nora had beaten up three punks in the courtyard, and compared that to her shy and obedient behavior over the past few weeks. It really was a big change.
He wondered—was that wild Nora her real self? Or had that been just a survival mask, and this cheerful, "Welcome back, boss!" version was her true personality?
Even Nora herself probably didn't know.
As they continued down the busy street, they passed by a vendor selling candied hawthorns on a stick.
Nora's eyes drifted toward the bright red treats. Her tongue instinctively licked her lips, and she swallowed quietly.
I really want one...
She thought to herself.
But then she quickly shook her head, not wanting to waste her newly earned money on snacks.
Even though one stick costs just a copper coin.
Nora had grown up poor. Even with a small fortune of 10 silver coins in her pocket, she didn't dare spend carelessly.
What if something happened in the future? That money might mean the difference between life and death.
Ron, meanwhile, had noticed her glance—and the subtle gulp.
He followed her gaze, spotted the candy vendor, and gave a knowing smile. Without a word, he turned and headed toward the stand.
"Eh? Boss, where are you going?"
"Getting some candied fruit."
He handed over a copper coin and received a skewer of bright red treats.
The two continued walking.
"Wanna try it?" Ron turned to Nora and held the candied fruit up to her mouth.
Nora panicked, leaning her head back and shaking furiously. "I—I'm fine! You eat it, boss!"
Ron saw the longing still in her eyes and chuckled.
"You sure you don't want some? I'm treating you."
"…I'm fine."
"Really? Looks tasty though."
"I…" Nora hesitated. Seeing how serious he looked, she almost said yes—"Then I—"
"Too late." Before she could finish, Ron pulled the stick back and bit off the top piece. Crunch. "Mmm! Not bad."
Nora stared blankly at the missing candy, then pouted at the sound of Ron's exaggerated chewing. Her cheeks puffed out slightly, tinged with red.
She was mad—but mostly at herself for being indecisive. She felt like crying from the mix of embarrassment and regret. Her eyes shimmered.
"Pfft—!"
Cough cough!
Ron burst out laughing mid-bite and immediately choked, coughing a few times.
He reached out, gave Nora's cheek a little squeeze, and held the skewer up to her again with a grin. "Last chance. Want it or not? If not, I'm finishing it."
"Uuuu…" Nora flushed, her face both red and teary. But the candy was right there, and she really, really wanted it.
Afraid he'd pull it away again, she didn't even raise her hands—just leaned forward and went "ahm!"—biting off the second piece right from the stick.
And so, with Ron pinching one of her cheeks and the other puffed full of candy, Nora looked adorably flustered.
Ron watched her struggle to chew, her cheeks bulging. The sight made him want to keep teasing her.
He let go of her cheek, poked the other side, and the candy in her mouth shifted comically.
"Mnngh—Boss!"
Ron chuckled again and pulled his hand back, popping the third piece into his own mouth.
Now there was only one piece left.
He chewed a few times and swallowed, then noticed Nora still chewing the same bite with great difficulty.
Grinning, he offered the stick again.
"Last one. If you don't want it, I'm eating it."
"Ahm—!"
"Hahaha!"
Ron couldn't stop laughing as Nora now had both cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.
He playfully poked her again and again.
Nora glared at him, her eyes watery, mumbling through a full mouth, "Boss! I can't swallow anymore...!"