CHAPTER 22: SLEEPLESS

"Wow, this smells really good. Looks like they used some special seasoning on the chicken," Nolan said. Am in a village, but honestly, it feels more like a city. They’ve got electricity, clothes they shouldn’t even have here, and dishes like omelettes. I even saw it on the menu, but I’m not sure if it’s the same as back in my world."

He picked up a knife and cut a piece of chicken. Celia and Linda didn’t touch theirs at first. Nolan noticed.

"Is anything wrong?" he asked.

"No," Celia replied softly. "Is it okay if we eat?"

"Please, help yourselves," Nolan said with a smile.

They picked up their forks and knives and cut slices. As they took their first bites, both paused.

"What is this? It’s yummy, and it’s so juicy!" Celia said.

"This is really good," Linda added.

Nolan’s smile widened. "Good. I’m happy you’re enjoying it."

Just then, Nolan sensed something off. Not ordinary, someone radiating bloodlust, someone with intent to kill. He looked up, but the feeling was gone. He stood, scanning the area.

"Is anything wrong?" Celia asked.

"No, nothing. Continue eating your meal," Nolan said.

Later, he walked outside the inn

. The street was empty, the person had already run. Nolan extended his hand. "Zuru," he called, and a yellow light shone from his palm. From the ground, a circle opened, and Zuru appeared, shrinking to the size of a small pig.

"You’ll still be powerful," Nolan said, patting Zuru’s head. "Watch over this place while we sleep. I’ll still keep my guard up."

Zuru nodded obediently. Nolan then returned to the inn.

Mira spotted him as he entered. "You went out. Is there a problem?" she asked.

"No, there’s nothing," Nolan replied. He looked at Mira, five feet tall, a cute face. She’s really adorable, he thought.

"They’re done eating already," Mira said.

Nolan turned to the table in shock. Did they finish that fast? I just went outside. Were they pretending to eat slowly? He realized they had already eaten one and a half chickens before he even returned.

"You guys are really fast eaters," Nolan said. They bowed their heads, smiling.

"Well, I can’t blame them," he thought. "They went through a lot, and the food they had before in that carriage wasn’t good. Just some fruits. Nothing else."

Mira walked up to him again. "Sir, I’ve prepared your room. It’s spacious and enough for all of you."

"Good. Wait, what do you mean?" Nolan asked.

"One room is available," Mira said. "It’s large enough for all of you to stay comfortably."

Nolan panicked inwardly. No, no, no... that doesn’t mean I get to spend the night in one room with these beautiful ladies. What if I can’t control myself? They wouldn’t like this... no, no, no!

Then he noticed Linda, sitting on his chair. She stood up and smiled gently.

"It’s okay if it’s just one room," she said softly. "I wouldn’t mind sharing the room with you."

Nolan felt his heart skip. Butterflies... what is this feeling? What did she just say? She had folded her hands and rubbed them together shyly, but her voice was calm.

As long as it’s you I’m sharing the room with, she added.

Nolan’s face turned bright red. He bent his head, utterly flustered. How do they have to say it that way? Will I even survive just this one night?

Celia held his arm. Nolan turned and looked back, this time, it was Celia.

"I’m okay, sharing the room with you. As long as you’re okay with it," Celia said.

Nolan lowered his head. Not you too, not you too, he thought.

"Then it’s agreed. It’s agreed," Mira said.

"Wait, but I haven’t agreed to it!" Nolan protested.

Mira ignored him. Does that mean my opinion doesn’t matter? Nolan thought. He muttered in a small voice, Looks like she won this round...

He walked into the room with Linda and Celia. The room was spacious, with a large bed at its center. Nolan held his breath, then slowly exhaled as he stepped inside.

Celia and Linda immediately sat down on the bed. Nolan swallowed hard. I can’t believe this is happening. There’s too much pressure on me right now.

"Master, please don’t stand. Come and sit," Celia said.

"It’s okay, I’m fine standing here," Nolan replied.

"You don’t want us to sit on the bed? It’s fine," Celia said. But then she stood, and Linda followed her.

"You can stay if you don’t want us to. We’re not even meant to have the honor. We aren’t supposed to share the same bed as you. Forgive us," Linda said.

"No, no, no, it’s not like that. Okay, fine... let’s all stay on the bed," Nolan said quickly.

They changed into their nightclothes while Nolan turned his face away to give them privacy. Afterward, he sat down in the middle of the bed. Celia lay on his left, Linda on his right.

It wasn’t even ten seconds before both of them had fallen fast asleep. Nolan, however, remained wide awake.

Am I the only one who’s nervous? he thought.

Celia shifted in her sleep, her body brushing against his arm. Nolan stiffened. He swallowed again, shaking slightly. I won’t be able to sleep tonight...

His eyes were wide and restless as he opened them. He couldn’t sleep.

"Nolan slowly climbed down from the bed and walked toward the window.

That was when he noticed it, his search skills. He saw Zuru was chasing something.

Without hesitation, Nolan jumped out of the window, landing quietly on the ground. In the next moment, he leapt onto the nearest rooftop, moving swiftly from roof to roof, following the signal of Zuru’s pursuit.

Finally, he spotted them, Zuru chasing someone. And then he recognized the figure. It was Garrick, spying on him.

Zuru could have finished the fight at any moment, but instead he circled, waiting for Nolan’s command. Garrick, panicked, had already drawn his sword and swung it hard at Zuru, only to realize in shock that his blade couldn’t pierce the beast’s skin.

"What the hell is this?" Garrick muttered under his breath, breathing heavily. "I was planning to sneak into the inn tonight and take that Rank E out. But instead, this creature showed up out of nowhere. It won’t break, it won’t attack me. It’s just chasing me down... what the hell is it?"

Nolan crouched on a higher rooftop, observing. What should I do? This guy isn’t going to rest until he gets his revenge. I didn’t even do anything to him...

He sighed. Forget it. I just want to sleep,"Nolan said.

Then Nolan moved towards Garrick he was to fast for him to notice, Nolan slipped down behind him. Just as Garrick felt a presence at his back and began to turn, Nolan struck him sharply at the neck. Garrick collapsed instantly, unconscious on the ground.

Nolan approached Zuru and gently touched the beast’s head. "You can go back now."

A glowing circle appeared beneath Zuru’s feet. The creature sank into it, as if descending underground, until it vanished completely.

With that done, Nolan quietly returned to his inn.