Descending Into A Novel-Chapter 107:City of Creatures (5)

Thomas wiped his face with a towel, his whole body felt sweaty. His body exhausted from the constant fighting and moving.

Mobilizing the few remnants of holy energy in his core. He circulated it throughout his body, regenerating his muscles and helping to relieve some of his fatigue.

But it didn’t help with mental fatigue. He still felt like lying down and putting on some rain asmr to fall asleep to.

He sheathed his longsword, but not before noticing a small nick on the blade.

’!! Madeline’s going to be mad again. This is the fourth time its happened already.’

At least it gave him more practice for the smithing club, he would have to reschedule his other club activities to repair it however.

Just then, he noticed one of the construction workers struggling to lift a long steel beam. Without any hesitation, he immediately rushed over. Helping to lift one end of the heavy beam.

With Thomas helping to lift it, the two of them brought the beam to where it was needed. The man giving him a grateful smile as he thanked him.

"Thanks kid. Wish my son was as nice as you to help me."

"You flatter me sir, it was my pleasure to help."

Waving him off, Thomas returned to where the others were waiting for him. Chatting with them as they returned to their hotel.

Or rather, it was only him, Zachary and Audrina. Lucy and Cador were staying in a different hotel which the Florida Family had paid for.

Thomas couldn’t help but wonder what the other team was doing currently. With Raymond’s skills, they were definitely guaranteed to finish the mission. Although he worried for Ellen and Noelle, the two of them argued frequently. With their arguments often devolving into brawls.

"The sky is really pretty today isn’t it? Don’t you think so too Audrina? It actually has almost the same colour as your hair!"

As he chattered on, he failed to notice the increasingly lethargic state of Audrina who could barely responded to his rapid fire conversation with nods or hums. Her eyes already drooping as she fought to stay awake. Eye bags evidence of her recent lack of sleep.

"...mhm."

"Right? By the way, you still have some blood on you.

"...mhm."

"Look that dog is working the cash register!"

"...mhm."

"I saw a really interesting restaurant just now as well! We should go there for dinner later."

Audrina, without processing what Thomas had said. Simply gave the same reply, a decision she would come to regret soon.

"...mhm."

"Great! Zachary do you also wanna come with?"

He shook his head, "No thanks. Right now, I just want to lie down and rest."

"Thats a shame. Are you injured? I can help if you are. I recently got a first aid certificate."

"Seriously? Maybe I should also get one. Might be useful one day."

He already had a skill copied that could heal him and others. But learning basic first aid would be useful for the few situational moments where he might be out of mana.

"It was really fun! They even had a few actors there that I had to treat on the spot."

As they each entered their own rooms. Thomas set his sword down, taking off his combat equipment and putting on a more comfortable set of sleepwear. As well as a googly-eye sleep mask.

Quietly putting on a loop of rain noises. He set an alarm for two hours later for dinner time. Making sure to include a note to bring Audrina as well.

Lying down on his bed, he closed his eyes. Falling asleep like a baby within moments.

***

Hearing the calming sounds of an opera singer, Thomas calmly removed his sleep mask. Stretching his body as he did so.

"Time for dinner! I wonder whether she’s awake right now?"

Dressing into a set of comfortable casual clothes. He left his room, walking to the room next door where he proceeded to rap his fingers against the door.

Knock knock knock

"Hello? Audrina?"

Inside, a head turned. Eyes glowing in the dark as she recognized that voice. Annoyance in her eyes as her sleep was interrupted.

Knock knock knock

"Are you awake?"

"..."

She pulled the blanket over her head, ignoring the feeling of her horns piercing it and spilling the filling out on her as she tried to ignore his annoyingly cheerful voice calling her out.

All to no avail, as he continued knocking on his door. Only now did Audrina remember what she did a few hours ago, when she agreed to go out with him.

Knock knock

His voice rang out from behind the door again. "Audrina? Are you in there?"

’...just leave me alone...’

She curled up even tighter, to the point her invisible horns touched her knees. Closing her eyes as she tried to fall asleep again under the covers.

’...why did mom even want this for me...’

"I’m coming in if you don’t answer!"

Audrina:??!!

She tossed the blanket off of her. Looking down at her own clothes, she was still wearing her combat clothes which were covered in dried blood and the occasional piece of flesh. Which had dirtied her room and practically everything she touched. Staining and leaving marks everywhere.

"!!"

Audrina hastily leapt from her bed, rushing to hold the door down before Thomas could open it and get in. (How he even managed to get a key was beyond her.)

"...wait."

She was never bothered by the gore, or the sensation, or the smell. In fact, she actually quite liked it. It reminded her of home back in the demonic realm occasionally. Where killing was as common as dirt and cleaning it up became a hassle unless it got too far. But such a thing was definitely not normal for humans!

"I smell blood. Is everything alright?"

"!!!"

Mentally panicking, she desperately searched for any excuse possible for her to use.

Too tired to clean? No, she knew many humans highly valued cleanliness. An injury that she had? Then his worry would only increase, besides. He had already saw her hours ago and knew she had no injuries. She also didn’t want to risk him using his holy energy on her. Such a thing would easily expose her identity as a demon when it came into contact with her demonic energy!

"I apologize for disturbing you then. How long will it take for you to get ready?"

Unexpectedly, while Audrina was still in the midst of panicking. Thomas already apologized for disturbing her—causing her to go still at the sudden godsend. Although his tone sounded a bit weird?

"...five minutes."

"I see. Take your time, I’ll wait for you outside then."

She let out a sigh of relief. Feeling his presence fade away as his footsteps got quieter and quieter. Before quickly looking around her luggage. Searching for a set of clean clothes she could wear for outside—a part of human culture she disliked. Why the need for so many clothes? Why couldn’t she just wear her combat clothing for everything? It was comfortable, functional and it protected her at all times.

Compared to other pieces of clothing such as jeans, shirts and the worst of them all—skirts and dresses. It was leagues better.

Dressing into a spare set of casual clothes, Audrina didn’t even think to wonder why she was agreeing to this dinner outing.

***

Raymond quietly glanced at his side.

Ellen, silently perusing the menu. Lost in thought about what to eat for lunch today, feeling his gaze on her. Turned and looked at him, asking.

"What is it?"

"Nothing."

He stealthily snuck a glance in front of him diagonally as well.

Noelle, similarly looking through the menu. Pondering on what to order as she flipped through the pages.

"Lin are you seeing this?"

"I’m surprised too."

In the last hour or so. Ellen and Noelle hadn’t argued once.

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise, they would eventually run out of steam after all. But the constant silence between the two felt so unsettling. It was like when you were outside and the sounds of the crickets abruptly stopped out of nowhere.

Unable to bear the silence, he asked her. "Hey Ellen, which one are you going to get?"

"I’m not sure yet. Why?"

"I’m stuck between two different options, which one do you think I should get?"

Pointing at the two different items, she raised an eyebrow.

"What a coincidence, I was just planning on getting the one on the left."

"Really? Then I’ll get this one and you can get this one and then we can share."

Meanwhile, in a separate booth next to them. A certain white haired boy was still rambling on to a certain other girl he dragged out of bed. Both parties unaware of the other’s presence.

"Wow! Doesn’t this look good? They say all the workers aren’t human, but how do you think they get the meat for these dishes?"

She stared at him, if it was anyone else who was subjected to his gaze. The small percentage of her bloodlust leaking out would have made them pee themselves. But for Thomas, he didn’t even register the fact she might be annoyed at him.

"...mhm."

He didn’t even realize that her ’mhm’ was shorter then what she normally did. Pitch higher then usual as she glared daggers into him.

"I think I’ll get this one. What about you?"

"...this."