The entire tavern was focused on the stage.

Nox and Audrey stood among the crowd, surrounded by laughter, alcohol, and conversations that were growing louder by the minute.

The lights remained fixed on the main platform.

And finally...

The show began.

Two masked figures appeared from opposite ends of the stage.

The crowd applauded.

One wore a green mask and an orange outfit with green details. He was so huge that the clothes looked too small for him.

As if he had grown too quickly for the costume.

The other wore a red mask.

Dressed in blue and red.

And the moment he appeared...

Nox burst out laughing.

"What?"

Audrey asked.

Nox pointed at the stage.

"I know him."

Audrey blinked.

"You know one of the dancers?"

"Yeah, and so do you."

He pointed at the red-masked performer.

"He’s the guy we just scammed at darts."

Audrey stared at him for a few seconds.

"...No way."

"Yep."

And both of them started laughing.

On stage, the two dancers exchanged kicks and combat movements as if it were a dance.

They jumped.

Spun.

Dodged each other by inches.

Everything looked perfectly coordinated.

The audience watched in fascination.

Meanwhile...

Two bald men in expensive suits approached Audrey from behind.

One of them handed her a drink.

"For the darts champion."

The other nodded.

"You made us a lot of money."

Audrey smiled and accepted it.

"Thanks for paying off your debts."

The men laughed and returned to their friends.

Nox looked at the glass.

"Are you going to drink that?"

"Yes."

"Some strangers gave it to you."

Audrey raised an eyebrow.

"So?"

Nox held out a hand.

"Give it to me."

"Why?"

"I’m going to try it first."

Audrey looked confused.

"For what?"

"To make sure it’s safe."

The hunter let out a small laugh.

"Don’t worry."

She took a sip.

"I don’t think there’s anything in that drink that could affect me."

Nox watched her for several seconds.

Then smiled.

’She’s learning fast.’

Not long ago she barely knew anything about alcohol.

Now she was accepting drinks from strangers.

Winning bets, scamming drunkards, and apparently enjoying it.

’They grow up so fast...’

He felt strangely proud.

Like an irresponsible father.

Or a questionable older brother.

Maybe both.

◇◆◇

The dancers kept appearing on stage.

One after another.

Each performance earned another round of applause.

But eventually...

The crowd began chanting a name.

"MISTY!"

"MISTY!"

"MISTY!"

"MISTY!"

Nox raised an eyebrow.

So did Audrey.

The audience’s reaction was completely different.

It was obvious the woman was the star of the group.

Then the black-bearded dwarf appeared.

Dragging something behind him.

A massive metal hoop.

He placed it in the center of the stage.

And immediately afterward...

Set it on fire.

The flames illuminated the entire platform.

The crowd began murmuring.

Audrey stared at the hoop.

"I don’t get it."

"Get what?"

"What are they planning to do with that?"

Nox wasn’t sure either.

The hoop was ridiculously small.

Then it happened.

A gust of wind swept through the tavern.

The flames didn’t go out.

But the air shifted.

From one end of the stage...

To the other.

And when everyone looked again...

Misty was there.

Standing on the platform.

As if she had appeared out of nowhere.

Her white mask gleamed beneath the lights.

Her black hair fell over her shoulders.

And her black dress with golden details seemed to move along with the wind.

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

All at once.

Misty performed an elegant bow.

And began to move.

She jumped.

Spun.

Jumped again.

Every motion looked lighter than the last.

As if gravity could barely touch her.

Nox watched closely.

And then he understood.

"...She’s going through the hoop."

Audrey looked from the hoop to Misty.

"I don’t think she’ll fit."

"That’s what I’m thinking."

It simply didn’t seem possible.

Then...

While spinning on one foot...

Misty lifted her head.

And looked directly toward where they were standing.

Or at least it seemed that way.

Then she made a small gesture.

As if blowing a kiss.

Directly at Nox.

The demon blinked.

"...Huh?"

Audrey didn’t seem to notice.

Nox kept staring.

Then shook his head.

’Impossible.’

In a crowd this large...

There was no way she had recognized him.

It was probably part of the performance.

It had to be.

Then Misty started running from one side of the stage.

Straight toward the ring of fire.

The crowd held its breath.

Nox and Audrey did too.

And just before reaching it...

Misty jumped and spun several times.

Passing through the hoop.

Without touching it.

Without even brushing against it.

She didn’t get burned at all.

The tavern exploded into applause.

But she still wasn’t finished.

The moment she landed, she spun in place and threw a kick.

A blast of wind shot directly toward the hoop.

Extinguishing every flame.

The crowd went wild.

"MISTY!"

"MISTY!"

"MISTY!"

"MISTY!"

Audrey was applauding.

Even Nox was impressed.

Misty performed another bow.

The crowd continued shouting her name.

Meanwhile...

Audrey had finished her drink.

And seemed strangely energetic.

"THAT WAS AMAZING!"

Nox slowly turned his head.

The hunter was smiling way too much.

And speaking much louder than usual.

"...Audrey."

"Yeah?"

"How much did you drink?"

She thought for a moment.

"One glass."

"Just one?"

"I think."

Nox narrowed his eyes and watched her for a few seconds.

"...No."

Audrey kept smiling.

Completely dizzy.

"What?"

Nox pressed a hand against his face.

"I can’t believe this."

"What?"

"You got drugged."

Audrey blinked.

"...What?"

"You got drugged."

She blinked again.

Then smiled.

"That would explain a few things."

Nox let out a deep sigh.

’She’s definitely drugged.’

The tavern lights suddenly went out.

The entire crowd fell silent.

And when the lights came back on...

Misty was no longer on stage.

Applause once again filled the tavern.

The masked dancers returned for their final bow.

People celebrated, toasted, and kept drinking.

Meanwhile...

Nox was watching Audrey.

Audrey was watching the stage.

And Audrey was still smiling.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"I think I like this town."

Nox sighed.

Yeah.

She was definitely drugged.