The sky of Lumeria had almost completely darkened. The crystal lamps along the main street began to light up, replacing the sun's role with a dim, warm yellow glow. The activity in the city had now fully shifted into a night market in the Main District. Several food vendors opened their culinary businesses at this time.
Rent walked out of the Guild gate with sluggish steps. In his hand, the sack of coins earned from today's hard work (and suffering) felt slightly heavier, but his heart still felt empty. At least for a first mission, it wasn't too bad.
"Total assets currently: 33 Copper Coins," Rent muttered softly, like an accountant auditing a bankrupt company. "Debt: 50 Coins. Deficit: 17 Coins. Remaining time: 2 days."
"Pathetic statistics, Master," commented Moro, who was floating casually beside him. "But at least we won't be homeless tonight. And my advice is, maybe there's no need to sell the book and pen, Master."
"Why? Is it because those two items are gifts from that silly god?" Rent retorted curtly.
"Of course! Ahem, maybe the God who brought Master knew that Master Rent likes to complain? So maybe that's why Master Rent's starter items were just a book and a quill pen," Moro chimed in.
Rent didn't answer. His eyes were still staring straight at the street, where the atmosphere had begun to change. Ahead, people were starting to line up between shops and stalls. A good time for insomniacs to roam around.
Rent kept walking, but there was something slightly odd. Usually, there would be whistling sounds or annoying teasing from someone. But this time, that voice didn't appear, as if its owner had run out of voice. Rent glanced slightly out of the corner of his eye to the back. A few steps behind him, Kaensista walked with a style slightly different from usual.
The girl was no longer walking upright like a catwalk model. Her shoulders slumped slightly. Her steps were slow. And most noticeably, her hands were constantly pressing against her flat stomach.
Even though she had just finished a jumbo portion of fried rice this morning. But it seemed the "Sewer Backflip" mission earlier had burned all the calories in her body into the negatives.
It's rare for her not to be noisy. Does she have a toothache? It's impossible for someone like this not to be noisy, Rent thought.
"Hey," Rent called out without turning around. "You're going home to Luna Manor, right? The way is through here."
"I know!" Kaen answered quickly, trying to straighten her body again. "I'm just... enjoying the night view! Night air is good for the skin, you know!"
Groooowl~
That sound was heard again. This time longer and more pathetic, like the sound of a rusty door being forced open.
Rent stopped walking. He let out a long sigh. "So... your 'night view' sound is very noisy."
"T-That wasn't me!" Kaen denied, her face flushing under the street light. "That was... the sound of a frog! There are wild frogs around here!"
Rent just shook his head, then resumed walking. They passed a row of street food stalls that were starting to get crowded with hungry adventurers. The aroma of roasted meat, grilled bread, and spices stung the nose. This was hellish torture for a thin wallet and an empty stomach.
Suddenly, the footsteps behind Rent stopped completely.
Rent turned his head slightly. In front of an old wooden cart billowing thick white smoke, Kaensista stood frozen. Her purple eyes stared straight at a large cauldron on the fire stove. There, the seller was stirring a thick Cream of Mushroom Soup, yellowish in color, with abundant chunks of mushrooms and chicken. The aroma was savory, creamy, and warm. Perfect for a cold night.
Kaensista's throat moved up and down. She swallowed hard. The ahoge on her head—which usually stood defiantly—now hung limply, pointing toward the soup pot.
The girl patted her skirt pocket. Empty. Of course, it was empty. Her 20 coins had moved to Rent's pocket a few minutes ago.
Rent saw it all. He saw how his "other self's" eyes sparkled for a moment, then dimmed upon realizing reality. Kaen sighed, then looked away with jerky movements. She forced herself to walk again, passing the cart while whistling stiffly (and off-key).
"Hmph. The smell is average. Lacks pepper," Kaen muttered loudly as she passed Rent, trying to convince herself. "My diet soup at home is much tastier."
Rent said nothing. He only stared at the girl's back as she slowly moved away toward the building next door—Luna Manor. His hand inside his pocket squeezed the coin sack tightly.
Upon arriving in room 304 of Arvia House. Rent hung his shabby brown jacket on the wall, then threw himself onto the mattress. Fyra-Bunn, the useless fire rabbit, was still sleeping in the same position. And still snoring softly as if her world was only about sleep.
"Finally..." Rent stared at the wooden ceiling of his room. "Rest."
But his eyes couldn't close. The image of Kaen's face staring at the soup pot kept appearing in his head. The same face as his, but with a pitiful expression he never showed. An expression very unsuitable for a girl like Kaen.
"Ah, damn it," Rent cursed. He turned to the left. Still imagining it. He turned to the right. Still imagining it.
"Master Rent," Moro's voice appeared from above the wardrobe. "Just for info. Based on emergency medical analysis, humans with high metabolism like Miss Kaen could faint if they sleep on an empty stomach after heavy physical activity."
"She said she's on a diet," Rent replied curtly.
"Master knows that's a lie. Master also knows why she has no money."
Rent fell silent. The room was quiet, only the soft snoring of the fire rabbit. Rent sat up suddenly, making the bed springs creak. He sat on the edge of the mattress, ruffling his black hair in frustration.
"Why should I care? She was the one who handed over the money. It's her own fault for being so proud."
Rent stood up, pacing back and forth in his cramped room. Then he stopped in front of the table. His hand took 5 copper coins from his pocket. He stared at the coins with a hateful gaze.
"33... no, 30 minus 5... remaining 25. Damn it. My debt repayment plan is pushed back again."
Rent grabbed his leather jacket again. "Moro. Watch this stupid rabbit. I want to get some fresh air."
"Air that smells like mushrooms, Master?" teased Moro.
"Quiet, or I'll sell you to a satay vendor."
Fifteen minutes later. Rent arrived in front of an inn slightly more luxurious than his place, Luna Manor. In front of the place lined small ornamental plants; on the right and left sides of the front wall were green crystal lamps glowing slightly dimly. The inn had a small garden right in front of it, and a long bench in the corner as an addition.
Rent swallowed hard, remembering that the girl he considered noisy was far more established than him. Turns out she wasn't kidding. This place is much bigger than I thought, he thought.
"Okay, focus on your goal here. Just pretend you're visiting the wrong place."
Rent entered secretly through the slightly open front door of the inn. "Security here is quite loose, good so I can finish this quickly," he muttered softly. The hallway inside seemed quiet. Rent walked along the first floor, then slowly went up to the second floor.
When he arrived upstairs, he reached a white door. Under the gap of the door, the room light was visible. Rent carried a covered wooden bowl still steaming hot. He stopped in front of the room door which, according to Moro's info, was Kaen's room. No sound from inside. Maybe she was already asleep (or fainted from hunger).
Rent placed the bowl of Cream of Mushroom Soup (plus one bonus hard bread from the seller) on the floor in front of the door. He stood for a moment, staring at the wooden door. His mouth opened slightly, wanting to say something, but held back.
Finally, he only knocked on the door twice. Knock. Knock.
And the next second... ZWIIING! Rent immediately ran fast down the stairs as if he had just placed a time bomb, not food. He fled back to the building next door before anyone saw his red face.
Inside the room at Luna Manor. Kaensista's room was very different from the condition of Rent's room. Inside, it was much tidier, filled with bookshelves (not empty like Rent's), in the left corner was a small table with a backrest chair that looked more expensive. On the right side, right next to the bookshelf, was a standard small wardrobe. But its occupant, Kaensista, was lying face down on the mattress, hugging a pillow while lamenting the fate of her orchestrating stomach. "Haaah... hungry... tomorrow I'll have to eat rocks at this rate..."
Knock. Knock.
Her sharp ears moved. Kaen got up slowly. "Who is it? Fried rice debt collector?" With caution, she opened her room door slightly. The hallway was empty. There was no one. "Huh? A ghost?"
Kaen looked down. There, on her doormat, lay a wooden bowl that was still warm. The creamy mushroom aroma immediately assaulted her nose, making her drool almost drip. Next to it, there was a small piece of torn paper from the guild mission earlier this afternoon. The writing was ugly and stiff:
"Don't die next to my room. The smell will disturb me later. - Neighbor"
Kaensista fell silent. She picked up the bowl. Its warmth spread to her cold palms. Slowly, a small smile carved onto her lips. A sincere smile, not the narcissistic or mocking smile like usual.
"Create..." Kaen muttered while staring toward the building next door. "Dishonest Mr. Mirror."
The ahoge on her head stood upright again, swaying gently.