บท 14: Let’s Make It Flashy.
Walking through the slightly busy streets, the figures of two ordinary-looking people could be seen talking as they picked up a few items.
"I told you if you want us to kill that piggy, you have to cooperate," a man said, wearing a white mask with a black treble clef symbol on its right side.
Unbothered by the man's ranting, a youth about fourteen years old with glossy dark skin and medium-length black hair replied, "Even if I did, you'd just toy with it, giving it the chance to escape."
"I have no memory of that," the man said, his hands in his pockets. Glancing at the woman in the shop, he added, "He was so scared he almost pissed himself."
After finishing his sentence, he let out a pleasant-sounding laugh while looking at the attractive woman before him.
"Oh, I see," she chuckled before ignoring the duo who were arguing in front of her shop.
As long as they had no plans to buy something, whatever they were talking about was none of her business.
"Keep lying to yourself," the youth replied in a tone that sounded rather rude.
Annoyed by his tone, a woman who looked to be in her late sixties suddenly grabbed hold of the boy's ear. Pulling it fiercely, she yelled, "You should learn to respect your elders!"
"That's if they deserve to be respected," he responded, unbothered by the woman roughly kneading his ear.
Although it was painful, he had experienced so much since he came here that something like this wouldn't make him wince.
"Now say you're sorry," she said. Irritated by his reply, she pulled his ear even more.
"Come on, lil' Tega, apologize," Lauren teased, making funny sounds after he finished speaking.
Aware of Lauren's annoying personality—which was now better than how it was four years ago—Tega ignored him and shot a glance at the granny who was pestering him.
At first, he was unbothered by her actions, but he was slowly getting irritated after she kept on doing it while continuously talking.
He didn't let out a single word but just kept on staring at the old lady.
"Youths these days are so scary," the lady muttered. Frightened by Tega's frigid gaze, she spared his ear and left where they stood.
"Are you pleased with yourself? You scared the old lady!" Lauren yelled, faking anger while barely holding back his laughter.
"I never expected she'd be so faint-hearted," Tega replied honestly, staring at the greenish fruit in his hand.
"How much are you selling this for?" Tega asked, holding up the emerald-green fruit to the shop attendant.
With a mysterious glint in her eyes, the lady soon took on the look of an experienced businesswoman—or rather, an experienced saleswoman—and said, "Two gold coins and nine silver coins."
While she spoke, she had a calm smile on her face, which further heightened her attractive features. But to Lauren, it looked no different from the smile of a devil.
"Just rob us!" Lauren yelled, slamming his hands on the desk. He added, "Just say it's three gold coins!"
Unwilling to let her rob them in broad daylight, Lauren continued, "I know a place where they sell for just two silver coins."
"Um… that's impossible," Tega muttered, staring at the attendant, who was slowly losing her calm.
"Why don't you just buy from them?" she retorted. Barely stopping herself from smacking Lauren, she added, "It is two gold and nine silver. Final offer."
Amused, Lauren chuckled and taunted, "Tell me, have you ever counted three gold coins?"
"Forget that—even if you stayed on the streets all night, I doubt anyone would pay a single bronze coin just to burst a load," Lauren said, waving his hand casually.
Speechless, the lady could only stare at Lauren with an agape jaw.
"We'll take it," Tega finally spoke up after seeing most people were now looking at them.
He didn't want too much attention, and apart from that, he also knew the habits of unscrupulous businessmen. They might obtain an item cheaply, yet sell it at thrice the price they got it for.
"Tega, we can't let her cheat us!" Lauren yelled, his tone sounding as though he was fighting for justice.
Knowing the type of person Lauren was, Tega paid no heed to his over-the-top acting and handed her the money.
"Thanks for doing business," she replied politely. Shooting a nasty glare at Lauren, she harrumphed and turned her head to the side.
"Who would want to look at the face of an ugly chick like you?" Lauren yelled, his back towards her as he waved his hand.
---
"We can't let those mercenaries find out how to capture the Gray Rock-Plated Bear," Tega said after they had walked out of the rowdy market.
With his amber eyes fixed on Lauren, he added, "So don't joke all the time, or else something awful might happen."
"You boring old man," Lauren muttered, paying no heed to everything Tega had said.
Safely keeping the fruit in his bag, Tega replied, "Stop being so childish. People would think you're insane."
Pulling a map out of his bag, Tega placed a finger on his chin and added, "Well, that isn't far from the truth."
"You little rascal," Lauren cursed, finding no suitable words for a dramatic comeback.
Pissed that he couldn't find a better-sounding insult, Lauren twisted his lips under his mask. How the hell did Tega get the better of him? This was meant to be his field!
"Is that all you got?" Tega teased, a grin spreading across his lips.
He had almost forgotten about this side of himself after his reincarnation. He found himself grinning more often these days, especially when Lauren's antics got the better of him. It was strange—comforting, even—to share moments like these after all they'd been through.
Having the grin on his face disappear soon after, Tega took on a serious expression. "We're here."
"Shall we barge in?" Lauren suggested, laughing as he remembered some awfully painful memories.
"Hell no. Anytime you do that, something dies," Tega joked, his seriousness faltering after hearing Lauren's suggestion.
"Let's make it flashy," Lauren chuckled. Cracking his knuckles, he brazenly walked into the forest that had an atmosphere screaming keep out.
"Let's," Tega replied simply, his gaze fixed on Lauren's.
Soon, the duo's figures faded into the forest's thick canopy as the wails of beasts filled the air, frightening all those who ventured too close.
Four years had passed since that fateful day. Life hadn't grown any easier, but at least it was quieter—until Lauren decided to make things lively, as usual.
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