WebNovels

Chapter 184 - DSMW [184]

"Fried glutinous rice balls? At a time like this? Ren-chan, how can she be so relaxed?"

Ren did have a not-so-hidden foodie side, but in this kind of disaster-level fog, she still went to get the royal capital's specialty fried glutinous rice balls... though the name alone did sound delicious.

Alice helped explain, "You can't put all the blame on little Ren. After all, the fog was still light this morning. Who could have known it would turn into this?"

"Is Ren still trapped in the fog?"

As a teacher at Fusion Academy, even during vacation, Professor Field couldn't just watch his student fall into danger.

Especially since this fog was no longer just a simple natural disaster.

Hidden within the dense fog was darkness brimming with both malice and killing intent.

"The royal capital's specialty fried glutinous rice balls, if I remember right, are at the third shop to the left in the South District's shopping street."

Immediately activating his Beaconbugs for navigation, the level of detail in Professor Field's input startled Aisha.

"Professor, why do you know that so well? Don't tell me you also really like fried glutinous rice balls..."

Somehow, this kind of commoner street snack didn't fit at all with the professor's stern image.

In Aisha's mind, as an instructor from the Special Forces, Professor Field's meals should be nothing but big chunks of raw beef with black rye bread.

"Stay put in the mansion. I'll go bring Ren back myself!"

In a life-threatening crisis, he took the task of saving his student entirely upon himself. From what Miles had seen in his life, even before crossing worlds, it was rare to find a teacher so responsible.

Miles couldn't help but feel respect for this steadfast, powerful veteran who was already over fifty.

Miles said, "We can't let Professor Field go alone. You know as well as I do, Aisha… Shadow Games aren't something ordinary people can handle."

Without the support of a Millennium Item's dark power, a normal person in a Shadow Game would have their soul completely drained after only a few turns.

"Yes, I know, Mr. Miles." Aisha nodded firmly.

"Professor, I'm also a duelist at Fusion Academy. I'm going with you to bring Ren-chan back!"

To show her resolve, Aisha had already loaded her Deck into her Spirit Eyes.

"I can fight too, Professor! Ren-chan is my best friend!"

"Aisha Carlos..."

Seeing the determination in the girl's eyes, Professor Field made his decision.

"Alright, having one more person means more strength. I acknowledge your ability. Come along, Aisha."

"I'm going too!"

Probably overhearing from next door, Ilon Austin burst in from outside, his face full of anxiety.

As the elder brother who had brought Ren to the capital, there was no way he could just watch his little sister be in danger for no reason.

Aisha said, "Ilon, too many people might actually hinder us."

Suddenly, Alice interjected with her own suggestion.

"In that case, let's split up."

"Split up?"

"Because I just remembered… little Ren said she not only wanted fried glutinous rice balls, she also wanted fried shrimp cheese toast from the North District."

"North District? That's the complete opposite direction from the South District!"

To go that far across the entire capital just for food... that was exactly the kind of foodie thing Ren would do.

Alice added, "That's probably why she's taken so long to come back. We just don't know whether she went to one side first or the other, or where she is now."

From Alice's information, Ren could be trapped near either the South or North District. Splitting up really was the best choice.

Alice smiled and concluded, "If the four of us pair up, our efficiency will be highest."

"Four of us?" Aisha's ahoge curled into a question mark. "What four?"

"The four in this room, of course."

Alice lifted her slender finger, pointing one by one, ending with her fingertip resting under her own lips.

Aisha immediately objected, "You're going too, sister? Without Spirit Eyes, won't it be dangerous?"

"Precisely because I don't have Spirit Eyes, those Shadow Duelists might not target me. Besides, if real danger appears..."

With a sweet smile and eyes that seemed to ensnare souls, she glanced at Ilon beside her.

"If danger comes, you'll protect me, won't you, Ilon?"

…Who could possibly resist that!

Naturally, Ilon—who already harbored childhood-friend feelings for Alice—stood no chance.

"Leave it to me, Alice. I'll protect you no matter what!"

Following Alice's plan, the groups were clear.

Aisha continued on with Professor Field to the South District, while Ilon and Alice headed to the North District.

After setting coordinates into their Beaconbugs, under the blanket of thick fog, the "Rescue Foodie Ren Task Force" officially set out.

Meanwhile—

With a bag full of fried glutinous rice balls in her arms, Ren, just as everyone feared, was wandering lost in the fog.

"What do I do? I didn't even notice the fog had gotten this thick. (munch munch)"

Frowning as she searched for direction, Ren still didn't forget to take big bites from the rice balls in her hands.

Completely unaware of how serious the situation was, she even felt that since the fried glutinous rice balls were so tasty, it was worth being trapped in the fog.

"Red-haired cutie, what delicious treat are you eating? How about letting me have a taste?"

After wandering aimlessly in the mist for some time, Ren finally heard someone speak to her.

Though it sounded like they were trying to "steal food" from her, in this situation, finding someone to team up with was reassuring, and sharing a rice ball wasn't a big deal.

The only strange thing was that the voice sounded oddly familiar, but she couldn't quite place where she had heard it before.

A voluptuous figure clad in a black robe slowly emerged from the fog. Even the loose black cloak couldn't hide her alluring curves.

On that beautiful face was a black eyepatch covering an empty eye socket.

"You're... not just here to get food from me, are you?"

Immediately setting down the fried glutinous rice balls, Ren's gaze grew serious when she saw the speaker.

If only hearing the voice wasn't enough to identify her, then seeing her in person made Ren remember at once.

"Barrier Mage Megan… this fog is your doing, isn't it?"

The first Shadow Duelist that she and Miles defeated together after their initial Soul Exchange.

"Didn't think you'd come looking for trouble again."

The fear from before was long gone.

Ren admitted that back then, her Deck didn't even have Fusion, and she couldn't defeat Barrier Mage Megan without Miles's help.

But now it was different—after half a year and special training from Miles, her HEROes had been completely reborn!

...

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