WebNovels

Chapter 31 - Batman?

Alex looked at her deeply for a moment.

Then pulled out a spirit stone.

Handed it to her.

"For you."

Ivy froze.

"This..."

"You helped me."

Alex smiled.

"You deserve it."

He turned to leave.

Plus...

Might earn another believer!

Gotta build them up one by one!

Ivy stared at the glowing spirit stone.

Her hand shaking.

This is...

Half a month's salary...

She looked up.

At Alex's back.

That R18 Batman mask.

Walking away.

"Wait!"

She called out.

"Can...can I get your number?"

Alex waved without looking back.

"I'm a wanderer."

His voice casual.

"Never leave phone numbers."

He paused.

"It's to protect you."

Then turned his head halfway.

Smiled.

"If fate wills it..."

"We'll meet again."

He disappeared into the crowd.

Ivy stood there.

Hands on her racing chest.

Face flushed.

Heart pounding.

He's...

He's so...

Suddenly—

Footsteps.

Alex came back!

Ivy's face lit up.

She opened her arms—

Alex walked past her.

Grabbed a few more masks from the box.

"These are so comfortable!"

He stuffed them in his pocket.

Then ran off again.

Ivy stood there.

Arms still open.

"..."

She slowly lowered her arms.

Face red.

Not sure if embarrassed or amused.

But she smiled.

Looking at the spirit stone in her hand.

What a weirdo...

But...

She touched her lips.

Kind of amazing...

Meanwhile.

System notification appeared.

[Female Believer +1!]

[Current Believers: 60]

Alex grinned.

Nice.

He hummed a tune.

Walking down the black market street.

Lights everywhere.

Stalls on both sides.

People everywhere.

And—

Everyone staring at him.

Alex was tall.

Good build.

Walked with confidence.

People naturally looked at his face.

Then—

Saw the mask.

That bra mask.

Eyes went wide.

Heads turned.

100% attention rate.

"Bro, you look sick!"

Someone called out.

"Hey man!"

A guy rushed over.

"You gay? Me too!"

"Wanna—"

Alex walked faster.

"Nope!"

Another person shouted:

"Bro! Where'd you buy that?"

"Gonna get some for my wife!"

A group of girls giggled.

"Oh my~"

"He's so bold~"

"Wearing THAT in public~"

One girl whispered to her friend.

"He's actually hot though..."

"Even with that mask..."

"Kinda makes it hotter..."

Another person squinted.

"Batman?"

"Adult Batman?"

Alex kept walking.

Chin up.

Confident.

Let them stare.

I look good.

He passed a mirror.

Checked himself out.

Damn right I do.

Alex walked down the street.

Humming.

Then—

A smell hit him.

Strong.

He frowned.

But...

Wait.

Is that smell...

Yellow?

The scent had color.

Yellow smoke floating.

He looked up.

Big neon sign:

"💩 POOP PALACE 💩"

Alex froze.

...

I gotta see this.

He pushed open the door.

Inside—

Everything poop-themed.

Staff wore brown uniforms.

Hats shaped like... the swirl.

Packed with young people.

All laughing.

Taking photos.

Alex sat down.

Suddenly—

WHOOSH!

A server slid over.

On his knees.

Stopped right at his table.

"HEYYYYY THERE!"

Name tag: "KENNY"

Big grin.

"First time?"

"Nice mask, bro!"

He slapped down a menu.

Shaped like toilet paper roll.

Alex looked.

"Number One" - Chicken soup

"Number Two" - Chocolate curry in a toilet bowl

"The Skid Mark" - Brownie with ice cream

"Diarrhea Delight" - Spicy stew

Kenny leaned in.

"Most people go for Number Two!"

"FULL EXPERIENCE!"

Alex laughed.

"Alright."

"Number Two."

"LET'S GOOOOO!"

Kenny slid away.

Shouted:

"ONE NUMBER TWO FOR THE BRA BATMAN!"

Everyone turned.

Stared.

Started clapping.

Alex sat there.

What is happening.

Kenny slid back.

Holding a toilet bowl.

Full of brown curry.

Steam rising.

Smelled amazing though.

Spoon shaped like a tiny plunger.

"BON APPÉTIT!"

He moonwalked away.

Alex looked at it.

Here goes nothing.

Took a bite.

...

Holy shit.

It's delicious.

Rich.

Spicy.

Tender meat.

He kept eating.

A girl at the next table grinned.

"First time?"

Alex nodded.

"You'll be back."

"Everyone comes back."

Her friend added:

"Once you go brown..."

"You never back down!"

They high-fived.

Alex shook his head.

Smiling.

This city is insane.

He walked deeper into the black market.

Reached the stall area.

Absolute chaos.

Vendors everywhere.

Shouting.

Screaming.

"CONTRACT BEAST EVOLUTION PILLS!"

"ONE BITE - STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN!"

A fat guy waved a bottle.

"YOUR BEAST WILL ASCEND!"

"GUARANTEED!"

Another vendor jumped up:

"SPECIAL POTION!"

"MAKES YOUR BEAST SPRAY!"

"SPRAY WHAT?!"

"EVERYTHING!"

"FIRE! WATER! POISON!"

"SURPRISE YOUR ENEMIES!"

A woman shouted:

"ANCIENT BLOODLINE AWAKENING SERUM!"

"YOUR F-RANK BECOMES S-RANK!"

Alex walked away faster.

Then—

One stall caught his eye.

Quiet.

No shouting.

Simple sign:

"Ancient Era Treasure"

On the table—

A colorful stone.

Seven colors swirling.

Glowing faintly.

Old vendor.

Gray beard.

Reading newspaper.

Alex stopped.

Walked over.

"How much?"

Old man looked up.

Saw the bra mask.

"..."

"10,000 spirit stones."

Alex blinked.

"One spirit stone."

"Are you deaf?"

"I said 10,000."

"And I said one."

Old man put down paper.

"This stone—"

"Ancient Era treasure—"

"Very rare—"

"Two spirit stones."

Old man's face twitched.

"This can enhance—"

"Your contract beast—"

"Unlock hidden—"

"Three."

"STOP!"

He slammed the table.

"Found in Celestial Palace ruins!"

"Guarded by Grade 1 beast!"

"My master died—"

"Four."

"YOU—"

Deep breath.

"Pure energy inside!"

"Ten thousand years!"

"No impurities—"

"Five."

"I'M NOT DONE!"

"Six."

Hands shaking.

"Resonates with beast core!"

"Amplifies abilities—"

"Seven."

"BY TEN TIMES—"

"Eight."

"NO SIDE EFFECTS—"

"Nine."

"YOU LITTLE—"

Stood up.

Face red.

"10,000 SPIRIT STONES!"

"NOT NEGOTIABLE!"

"TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT!"

Alex shrugged.

"Ten spirit stones."

"GET OUT!"

Alex turned.

Walked away.

"Wait!"

Kept walking.

"WAIT!"

Stopped.

Didn't turn.

Old man gritted teeth.

"..."

"Come back."

Alex turned slowly.

"Yes?"

Old man looked pained.

"..."

"Ten spirit stones."

"Deal."

Alex walked away.

Behind him—

The old vendor smiled slightly.

Started packing up.

His eyes changed.

Clear.

Like stars and galaxies.

Deep.

Ancient.

He looked at Alex's back.

"Good luck..."

"Fated one."

Then disappeared into the crowd.

Alex kept walking.

Finally—

Saw what he came for.

A small shop.

Sign outside:

"SHOP RENTAL - NEGOTIABLE RATES"

Perfect.

He looked at his system bag.

The vine potions inside.

Time to make some money.

He walked in.

Inside—

Simple setup.

Counter.

Empty shelves.

An old boss behind the desk.

Bald.

Reading a magazine.

"Yes?"

"The rental."

Alex pointed outside.

"How much per day?"

Boss looked up.

"100 bucks."

"Per day."

Alex nodded.

Not bad.

Sell one vine potion...

Make a few thousand.

Easy profit.

"Deal."

"Good—"

"I'll take it for 200 a day."

A voice.

From the corner.

Alex froze.

Turned around.

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