Chapter 33: Metro[GTG]
"I really need a mask at this point," I muttered, sighing and rubbing my temple.
Right now, I was in Metro, the sprawling city owned by the academy. It was bustling, with lights blazing from every building, advertising shops and eateries left and right. Seekers were calling out, hoping to catch the attention of anyone who even remotely looked like a potential buyer. This place was the academy’s heart, connecting every zone. It also housed the only portal leading to the outside world, so it was kind of a big deal. Nyways, when we become upper-level guardians, we’d be granted free access to this place.
I glanced around, taking in the crowds. Many of the students here were from my zone, their eyes wide as they soaked up the sights. Most of them were just thrilled to see something beyond the towering skyscraper and the classrooms they’d been stuck in for eight years. The best part was that, since this place was technically academy-owned, the point-based currency system applied here too. So, those with a load of points were probably living it up right now, eating and buying whatever caught their fancy.
But back to me, your humble narrator. I had a problem—a problem that had been bugging me ever since I stepped out of the portal.
Numerous eyes followed my every move.
Damn. Being this handsome was truly a curse.
[...Why do I feel like you’re enjoying this? Why are you happy about it?!] echoed the voice in my head, seething with frustration. The little bastard could scream all he wanted, but I paid him no mind. His attempts to mess with me had all backfired by now, and it was almost satisfying.
"Well... it actually isn’t too bad," I smirked, spotting a girl staring at me, wide-eyed. I winked, and her face flushed deep red before she promptly fainted. Literally. Well, she passed out, but still—it was a sight to see.
But jokes aside, there was something more unsettling. I felt like someone else was watching me, someone I wouldn’t be so thrilled about. I kept getting this prickling sensation, like a hidden presence was tracking my every step. With the place so crowded, I couldn’t pinpoint who it was, but it kept me on edge.
"Yeah... how about a soak in a hot spring and some food?" a voice called out from one of the booths. I was about to ignore it when a sudden growl from my stomach reminded me of just how hungry I was.
"Alright," I said, catching the man’s eyes, which widened in surprise. "Really?" he asked, as if in disbelief. I frowned. "Yeah... but how much does that cost?"