Chapter 577: When Has It Not?

    The moment Gu Luoxin took his first bite, an explosion of rich and heavy flavors tore through the bitterness that had dulled his tongue for days, forcibly awakening his taste buds. The swirling thoughts in his head burst akin to fragile bubbles, and all he could do was stare at Noir wide-eyed in shock, a faint twinkle emerging in his tired eyes.

    In response, Noir simply arched a knowing brow as if saying, ’See? What did I tell you?’

    Damn, who gave him the right to be so handsome? Gu Luoxin scowled inwardly as he bit into the skewer with exaggerated force, as if venting his frustration on the innocent piece of meat. And then he belatedly realized that he couldn’t seem to stop his mouth. Damn, why is this so good?!

    And so, the two of them polished off the table of food without a word, drawing sidelong glances from the other customers.

    There were just some people like Noir who, despite eating at a roadside stall, were still blessed with grace and elegance in their every mannerism— and then there was Gu Luoxin, who gobbled up the food before him like a hungry ghoul.

    By the time they were done, Gu Luoxin was so stuffed that he couldn’t even muster the will to move. He felt like he had swallowed a whole elephant into his stomach and the slightest shift would cause him to throw up a chunk of meat.

    How did things turn out like this? He couldn’t help but question his life as he slumped across the table. Why did he end up eating so ravenously like... like he had been starved for weeks? In front of the person he liked, to boot?! What had become of his image in his senior’s eyes?!

    But Noir, as heartless as ever, did not even give him time to be melancholic as he dragged him up by the arm, "Come on. Let’s walk and digest a bit."

    Albeit a little resentful, Gu Luoxin had no choice but to trudge along behind the man.

    As soon as they stepped out of the stall, a crisp, refreshing breeze welcomed Gu Luoxin— it was a stark contrast to the heavy aroma of spice and seasoning inside. Instinctively, he drew in a deep breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs before exhaling slowly. With each breath he took, it felt like the foul air weighing down on him was easing bit by bit.

    He repeated this a few more times before realizing that Noir had walked off on his own without the slightest intention to wait for him.

    Gu Luoxin: QAQ

    Startled, Gu Luoxin hurried to chase after him. This time, however, he did not fall into steps beside Noir like he did earlier. He trailed three steps behind instead, gingerly and playfully stepping on Noir’s elongated shadow which was cast by the street lamp.

    He stared at the man’s tall and broad back, feeling inexplicably calm and secure. He found it incredibly difficult to describe the subtle feeling arising in his chest right now, but somehow, being shrouded by Noir’s shadow made him feel so... safe. It was as though he could hide from his sadness and trouble this way, even if it’s just for a little while. Noir did not even need to utter any comforting words to cheer him up. It was simply miraculous how the man’s presence alone managed to dispel the gloomy clouds that had been pressing above his head. He did not even realize that lights had begun to return to his dull and sad eyes.

    Gu Luoxin was immersed in his own little world, and thus he was surprised when Noir suddenly halted on his tracks.

    "What are you doing sneaking up on my back?" the man asked lightly without turning around. "Come here."

    "Oh..." Gu Luoxin had no choice but to quicken his pace and stand beside Noir. Only then did the man resume walking again.

    Unable to resist, he stole a glance at the man beside him and hurriedly dropped his gaze before Noir could catch him in the act. Now that they were walking side by side, their shadows stretched long beneath the streetlights, overlapping and intertwining as though they had always been one to begin with. Gu Luoxin pursed his lips, feeling the urge to whack himself silly.

    Wake up, Xinxin. Why did such a minor detail make your heart flutter like crazy?!

    Feeling antsy and embarrassed, Gu Luoxin cleared his throat and racked his brain for a topic. Lo and behold, he truly found a suitable one. "I decided to challenge a high-level Cycle after this," he began humbly. "Have you ever entered one, Senior?"

    Gu Luoxin had only wished to talk to Noir and he just so happened to choose this topic for a start, but he didn’t expect Noir’s reaction to be so strong.

    The man once again stopped and turned to him with a frown. "A high-level Cycle?" he repeated. "Must you go?"

    Gu Luoxin had never seen such a severe look on Noir’s emerald eyes before – even more severe than when he had gotten injured after he foolishly jumped to protect the man in the previous Cycle. And it inevitably made him feel a little flustered. Within those deep and piercing eyes, Gu Luoxin could sense the obvious... disapproval? But why?

    "You... don’t want me to go?" He tentatively guessed.

    Noir parted his lips to say something, only to close them again. The frown between his brows deepened, so much that Gu Luoxin had the urge to reach out and smooth out the lines. Thankfully, he managed to stop himself on time lest he embarrasses himself again.

    "... It’s dangerous," Noir stiffly uttered these few words after some time.

    So it’s like that? Gu Luoxin’s shoulders relaxed and he retorted softly without thinking, "And when has it not?"

    Whether it’s a low, mid, or high-level Cycles, danger had always loomed in every corner. This aspect would never change. Had this been a few days ago, Gu Luoxin would have been fretting over the fact that he needed to enter a high-level Cycle solo. He would have lost his mind out of fear and anxiety. Even now, that gnawing unease was still there but after what happened to Shang Hao... it made him realize how close they were to death. It had always been right there, concealed in the most unassuming moments, waiting to catch you off guard.

    When it came, it was swift and inevitable. Unstoppable.

    So rather than shrinking back and cowering in fear, why not try to dance around it? Perhaps if he was lucky, he might even be able to reap unexpected benefits.

    This reckless mindset was so unlike him, Gu Luoxin knew.

    Had he matured somehow or... had he simply grown numb to it? He couldn’t tell for certain.

    They said only three types of players would challenge a high-level Cycle: the desperate, the powerful, and the moron. Gu Luoxin felt like he was slowly transforming into the first type.

    Noir was rendered speechless by the other person’s statement. He wanted to say something more, but when he looked into Gu Luoxin’s eyes, he somehow knew that it was futile. The young man had made up his mind, and no words could make him change it.

    Releasing a rough exhale, Noir spat out, seemingly vexed yet also helpless, "Fine."

    He reached out and pressed down on Gu Luoxin’s head with his large hand, causing the latter to cry out in surprise. "S-Senior?!"

    "I’ll tag along as well," Gu Luoxin heard the man say, leaving him utterly stunned.

    "H-Huh? You will? Why?" The questions slipped out of his mouth without him being able to control it. The death rate of high-level Cycles was horrendously high, which was enough to deter most players. Not to mention, Noir had no business going inside. He wasn’t the slightest bit ambitious about improving his rank and power. He was a salted fish player who would rather remain in one place and take a nap if the situation allowed him to.

    So why— why did he suddenly make this decision as soon as he heard Gu Luoxin was going?

    Gu Luoxin seemed to have an answer in his heart, yet he still stubbornly wanted to hear Noir say it. He stared at the man with bated breath, waiting...

    Alas, he was doomed to be disappointed. With a slight sneer on the corner of his lips, Noir inserted his hands into his pocket and walked away in large strides. "Why ask so many questions?"

    Gu Luoxin’s gaze followed after his back, flabbergasted. T–This... this was so unfair! Huffing and puffing, he trotted after the man, exclaiming, "Wait for me, Senior! Ah, why are you walking so fast?!"