CHAPTER 58: DATE OR CELEBRATION (1)

While the massacre of the Ashborn Clan was a huge matter and had shaken the whole Godshine City, it still didn’t affect its daily workings too much.

Max had the driver drop him close to the Sinclair Clan Main Keep and then he walked to its back to pick up Stelle.

Arriving near it, he hid behind a tree and watched the huge concrete walls with many enchantments on them.

’I guess infiltration would be tough unless I’m Platinum or Diamond Rank,’ Max thought.

Just then, he noticed a small part of the wall shifting before a passage opened up there. From it, a figure walked out and began to look around.

’Noice!’

Max took a deep breath to calm his nervous heart and went towards her.

She also noticed him and waved her hand at him, making Max smile and quicken his pace.

He adjusted his mask slightly and stared at her while she did the same with him.

Stelle wore an oversized black hoodie, sleeves pushed up just enough to reveal the edges of her CID.

Her charcoal-gray cargo pants were tucked into her worn combat boots, and a dark beanie covered most of her short-cropped hair.

Her mask was simple, matte black, but it couldn’t hide the glint of mischief in her eyes.

Max chuckled. "You look like you’re about to rob a convenience store."

She smirked beneath the mask and pulled it down slightly. "You look like you’d help me escape."

Max laughed, easing his nervousness as he stretched his hand and asked, "Shall we?"

"Sure!"

Surprisingly, Stelle just smiled and held his hand.

’It seems she’s in a good mood because of the celebration,’ Max thought.

Together, the two of them left the manor and took a roundabout route to enter the city again from the southern entrance.

Fortunately, Stelle knew a lot of secret routes of Godshine City, so they easily entered the city without alerting anyone.

By then, the sun had also drowned in the horizon, filling the world with neon lights of the bustling city.

"Wanna take a bite first? Because of excitement, I haven’t eaten for the whole day," Max asked, still holding her hand.

There was a layer of clothes between their hands, but he could still feel her warmth. It was early winter in the Corelhelm Kingdom, so it made him appreciate it even more.

"Sure! I’m also quite hungry," Stelle said and began looking around. "Where do we go, though? Most restaurants recognise me."

"Who said anything about visiting a restaurant? Come with me," Max scoffed, and took her by the hand.

They walked side by side through the food stalls, blending in with the crowd. Nobody gave them a second glance—as they were just two random nobodies grabbing some street food.

Max took her to a cozy food stall tucked into the corner of the Floating Lantern Market. The scent of sizzling batter and sweet sauce filled the air.

A small bench beside the stall invited them as they took a seat.

Stelle balanced the steaming takoyaki tray in one hand, two wooden picks sticking out of the golden-brown spheres.

"Careful," the vendor warned with a wink. "They bite back if you rush ’em."

Stelle snorted. "I like food with attitude."

They sat down, masks slightly lower, and stared at the tray like hungry hyenas.

"You first," Stelle said, gesturing like a gentleman...gentlewoman.

"I’m not falling for that." Max narrowed his eyes. "These things are lava bombs when hot."

"Fine, fine. Coward," she teased, picking one up and blowing on it dramatically.

He raised a brow. "You’re gonna regret this."

"Please. I’ve eaten fire pepper noodles before—"

CHOMP.

Her eyes widened instantly. "Hot! Hot—! Why is it so spicy!?"

Max burst into laughter, nearly doubling over. "I told you, brat!"

Stelle frantically fanned her mouth. "Damn! It seems like the sun reincarnated into a squid ball!"

Max chuckled softly, picked one up, blew on it for a good ten seconds, and popped it in. "Mmm. Perfect."

Stelle gave him a betrayed look. "You’re evil."

"And you’re dramatic."

She finally managed a second bite, slower this time. "Okay... not bad. Crispy outside, chewy inside. Sauce is good."

Max nodded, licking a bit off his lip. "And that little sprinkle of magic salt? Chef’s kiss."

They kept eating, sharing bites, occasionally fighting over the last piece like kids.

At one point, their picks clashed mid-air.

A moment of silence.

"You wanna duel for it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Max smirked. "I was born ready."

Their legendary takoyaki duel began—and ended with both of them laughing as the last ball rolled off the tray and hit the floor.

They stared at it.

"...Truce?" he offered.

She grinned. "Next time, I get two trays."

"Sure!"

The vendor shook his head with a smile on his face seeing their antics and muttered, "Ah! It’s good to be young!"

Since filling the stomach was off the list, they began to wander aimlessly in the Floating Lantern Market.

It was a wonderful market for middle-class people with lots of warm Lanterns floating in the air. Their presence made the atmosphere calm and peaceful.

Max gave a side glance at his partner for today, who was looking around the market in excitement. Perhaps, she had not come here often so she was curious about everything.

"So, princess," Max teased in a low voice, "how does Her Highness like eating street food in alleyways?"

She elbowed him lightly, "Shut up. This is actually ten times better than silverware and fake smiles."

While talking to her, Max swiftly bought a soda can and handed it to her. In doing so, their gloved fingers brushed for a split second.

Stelle raised her head to look at him and snorted, "You’re a pervert. Why are you getting excited over touching a girl’s hands?"

"It’s your fault," Max shrugged lightly.

"How is that my fault?" Stelle asked in confusion.

"Why are you so cute?" Max asked, looking directly in her eyes.

Stelle froze in her steps and stared at Max’s back with her mouth wide open. She wanted to say something, but her mind seemed to have crashed.