When Wei’en admitted it, Marco leaned against the desk, intrigued. "The first time I came here, I was completely captivated by her."

"I remember I was only sixteen back then. All I wanted was to stay here forever, even if it meant just getting to look at her..."

"At the time, my two older brothers had the same idea..."

He seemed very excited, rambling on and on about his glorious deeds in Nocturnal City over the past few years.

Besides stopping by to see Mitra, his favorite thing was to go to the basement and watch the "caged beast combat."

It was a barbaric form of combat. The participants included Demon Hunters, Wizards, pirates, and other Extraordinaries.

Their opponents, on the other hand, were various aberrations provided by Nocturnal City—some human, some beast, or even Sea Sirens caught from the Deep Sea.

Nearly every fight involved brutal slaughter, gruesome and bloody scenes, and, in the end, a heroic victor.

"If I could, I’d love to try participating in one, but unfortunately, my father and my brothers won’t allow it..."

Wei’en had no interest in any "caged beast combat." He said disdainfully, "That kind of fighting is far too dangerous. They’re right to forbid it."

"A true Warrior has to experience scenes like that."

Marco said with a sigh, "Actually, I’d much rather be in the Combat Department than here in logistics. I get to experience a few battles, but they’re never intense enough..."

’Not intense enough?’

’Is that what he really thinks?’

’Then what about running into Clelia in the slums a couple of days ago?’

Wei’en frowned slightly and took a closer look at Marco.

An unnatural flush colored Marco’s cheeks. His eyes were wide, but they lacked the usual sparkle they had back at the Secret Investigation Department; instead, they looked somewhat vacant.

’Is he being affected by the Desire Origin?’

At this thought, Wei’en abruptly clapped Marco on the shoulder and laughed. "It’s a good thing you didn’t go. I heard a captain in the Combat Department was assassinated. If you went to such a dangerous place, you’d have a target on your back every single day, wouldn’t you?"

"You have a point." Marco was taken aback for a moment, then scratched his cheek. "But Wei’en, how did you know about Captain Wenbland’s assassination?"

"I remember an internal gag order was issued about that. No one should have told you when you arrived, right?"

"Oh, that. I overheard Lisi talking about it..."

Seeing the flush on Marco’s face gradually recede, Wei’en breathed a sigh of relief. ’He seems to be back to normal now.’

CLICK, CLACK...

Just then, the crisp sound of footsteps echoed from within.

Wei’en quickly ducked his head, his gaze fixed on the space beneath the desk.

This Lady Mitra’s charm was overwhelming; he had no choice but to be careful.

’I hope I haven’t attracted her attention,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, being targeted by a Favored One of the Lord of Desire would have consequences far more severe than my run-in with Clelia.’

"Everything you wanted is here," she said. "Three sets of materials each for the Enlightenment Potion, Healing Potion, and a spirit defense potion. A mechanical power unit, gears, and..."

Mitra placed the items from her hands onto the table one by one. "The total is seven gold pounds."

"That expensive?!"

Wei’en shot her a surprised look, then quickly lowered his head again, pretending to inspect the materials on the table.

"Marco, didn’t you tell him? Items in Nocturnal City have a twenty-percent markup over market price."

"I forgot..."

"Forget it," Mitra said, leaning back in her chair. "If you don’t have the money, leave."

Marco gave a fawning smile. "Of course we can’t do that. I’ll just spot him the money."

"Suit yourselves." Mitra turned halfway in her chair, clearly unwilling to deal with them any longer. "Pay up and get out."

Wei’en hesitated. "Marco..."

Marco patted his back. "Don’t worry about it. This was my fault anyway."

"I’ll pay you back as soon as I can."

"Okay."

With that, Wei’en swept the items on the table into his Space Ring.

However, only half of the mechanical tools fit, so he packed the rest in the silver-white case to carry out.

Then, he counted out five gold pounds, placed them on the table along with Marco’s two, and said, "Thank you."

"Transaction complete."

Mitra said lazily, "Do come again, Little Mage."

"Right."

Wei’en grabbed the case and turned to leave. He didn’t want to spend another second in this godforsaken place.

"Well then, we’ll be going now, Lady Mitra."

Seeing this, Marco turned dashingly toward the door, his ponytail swinging flamboyantly a few times. He was in high spirits.

Once the two had left, Mitra tilted her head to look, revealing her fair neck and a bosom so heavy it seemed a precarious burden.

Her captivating eyes reflected the image of Wei’en and Marco as they passed through the corridor and hurried downstairs.

’A little apprentice of the Secret Technique school... How interesting.’

[You have been glimpsed by the Desire Origin of Mitra (Favored One). Evaluation: Unexpectedly lucky. This hardly counts as attracting her attention. Reward: Survival Points +3.]

[Note: You have left the special zone. Reward successfully issued.]

Wei’en, now clear of Nocturnal City with Marco, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

’Good thing it was just a glimpse... Just as the system panel’s evaluation said, not truly catching her attention was a stroke of luck in a bad situation.’

’I’m definitely never coming back here again.’

’Right, and I need to find a way to convince Marco to stay away from here, too.’

...

...

"So this is the ’cleanup’ you were talking about? This is the job of the logistics department?"

Wei’en’s mouth twitched. He fought the urge to smack Marco across the face with the broom in his hand.

Marco scratched his head in embarrassment. "Uh, well... it might not be exactly in the job description, but strictly speaking, we can still get something out of it..."

"You sure?"

Wei’en surveyed the textile workshop. Broken machine parts, scattered bolts of cloth, large patches of dried blood, and even a few stray chunks of flesh were strewn everywhere...

It didn’t look like there was anything to be gained here at all.

"Of course, of course! Don’t let the mess fool you. Once we clean up, all these parts and fabrics can be taken to the scrapyard in the Laos District to be recycled..."

"Oh, recycled at the scrapyard?"

"Ye-yes. We should be able to sell it for about one gold pound."

Wei’en gave him a dark look. "I hope for your sake you’re right, Marco."

"I promise..."

Even Marco didn’t sound very confident saying it. He could only vent his frustration on the ’trash’ in the workshop. "Damn that Combat Department! They didn’t leave a single thing."

Wei’en sighed and joined him in the work.

’Cleanup duty? This is just picking up trash!’

PS: Thank you to all my amazing patrons for your monthly ticket support.

Having you all here gives me all the motivation I need to write and gives me total confidence in this book.

PPS: My typing speed is just a little slow, and I’ve been pulling all-nighters to write these past couple of days, so I’m a bit tired...

So, there will only be two updates today.

I’ll be sure to make up for the Chapter I owe you all tomorrow. My sincerest apologies.