Lin Ming sat on the bed, panting heavily, his face pale. He propped his forehead with one hand and realized he was drenched in sweat. His fists clenched tightly, and a trace of crimson flashed in his dark pupils—but only for an instant.
Perched on the edge of the bed, he muttered, "Why am I having this dream again now? I haven’t had it in ages."
"Could it be because I saw Yuhan He’s silver hair?" he asked himself with a bitter smile. He recalled meeting Yuhan He earlier that day, stunned by her wind-swept silver locks—they were just too similar.
"Whatever. Not worth dwelling on," he sighed, lying back with his hands behind his head. "This mission dredging up old memories? Total rip-off."
"Hope nothing goes wrong tomorrow. Or things could get really ugly when I snap," he added flatly. Bad memories had soured his mood.
After lying there a while...
Lin Ming shot upright, his expression gloomy. "Damn it! Can’t sleep. What time is it?"
He grabbed a clock from the bedside. 00:05 glowed on the display. He slammed it face-down. "Seriously? Only two hours of sleep? I’m screwed."
His cowlick suddenly stood straight up. "Might as well visit Lord Song’s treasury tonight. That fancy car cost a fortune—he must’ve skimmed plenty over the years. Heh heh heh."
A sinister grin spread across his lips. He slipped out of bed, tiptoeing to the door. Lin Ming didn’t wear pajamas—he kept his black school uniform on. Perfect for sneaking around.
He closed the door soundlessly and crept down the corridor. Halfway through, he froze. "Crap. Darknight—that effeminate guy—never showed me around City Lord’s Mansion. Where’s the study? Can’t just blast through walls one by one. Too noisy."
Scrapping the treasury plan—he didn’t even know the layout—he decided to wander the mansion instead. Wide awake anyway.
Lin Ming roamed everywhere: the grand plaza, the backyard, the parking lot. He nearly flattened a luxury car he recognized, fists trembling with rage. Why not steal it? Naive! He just hated the bourgeoisie. He fled the lot fast—too many fancy cars there. He’d lose control.
Near the plaza’s pond, he spotted a familiar figure. The man sat on a rock by the water, surrounded by small dishes of peanuts and bottles of sake. He sipped leisurely, munching peanuts under the moonlight, utterly at ease.
Lin Ming walked over and plopped down beside him, grabbing peanuts without asking. "Still up, old man? These peanuts are good."
Rosen blinked in surprise, then chuckled. "Kid, weren’t you asleep? What’s with the midnight stroll?"
Lin Ming scowled. "Fell asleep, then woke up. Can’t drift off again."
"Oh? Woke up suddenly? Bad dream?" Rosen teased, studying his face.
Lin Ming’s smile turned bitter. "Yeah. A nightmare."
Rosen gave him a long look. "You’ve got history, kid."
"Here. Drink with me. Enjoy the Moon." Rosen pulled a delicate cup from his Storage Ring, filled it with sake, and handed it over.
"Strong stuff?" Lin Ming asked quietly.
Rosen burst out laughing. "Ha! You were all tough during our duel. Now scared of a little alcohol?"
Lin Ming hesitated. "I just came from the parking lot. Afraid if I get drunk, I’ll smash those cars. Liquid courage and all."
Rosen rolled his eyes. "Kid, this is sake. Low alcohol."
"Sweet." Lin Ming grinned, downing it in one gulp. The taste was mild—faint sweetness, a hint of sour, rice aroma. Refreshing. Really good.
"Where’d you get this sake? Tastes amazing," Lin Ming said, savoring it.
"Kitchen. Peanuts too," Rosen replied.
Lin Ming’s eyes widened. "You know where the kitchen is? I searched forever!"
Rosen stared at him like he was an idiot. "Ever think to check the map in the mansion’s main hall?"
"Map? Haha..." Lin Ming laughed awkwardly. He’d never considered a map—he’d originally planned to loot Lord Song’s treasury.
Rosen said nothing. After a day together, he knew Lin Ming: impulsive, obsessed with mission rewards. Not evil, just... direct.
"By the way, kid," Rosen poured another cup for Lin Ming, then one for himself. "Earlier, you said the deputy wasn’t trustworthy. Why?"
Lin Ming sipped his sake, smacking his lips. "His aura’s off."
"How so?"
"Too much Death Energy clinging to him. Either a weird Mage or a serial killer." Lin Ming stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Death Energy? Officials in City Lord’s Mansion dabble in Darkness all the time. Normal," Rosen said casually.
Lin Ming shot him a surprised glance. "You know a lot, old man."
"Kid, don’t overthink it. Everyone in this game knows the rules," Rosen said mildly.
Lin Ming’s lips curled slightly. *If only that Death Energy were that simple.*
He poured himself more sake, drank it, then gazed at the sky. Sleepiness crept in. "I’m turning in. Got stuff tomorrow." He stood to leave.
"That kid," Rosen muttered, shaking his head. Then it hit him—tomorrow meant Lin Ming strolling around town with Yuhan He. His face darkened instantly.
