Today, the Veyron team went to the night market.
Some people looked at them joyfully, though none dared to take photos. That's because the citizens of Netora had been strictly forbidden by the mayor to interview, photograph, or even ask for autographs from the Veyron members. It was believed that doing so might interfere with their missions.
These rules, however, could be broken—only if the Veyron members themselves allowed it.
---
Roy: "Ah, I can't believe this! So much food here—sugar-dusted cookies, fried shrimp, skewered hotpots, hot dogs! Ooooooh, I can't wait to taste all of them! It's like a royal banquet!"
Cris: "Yeah, every time there's a night market, you're always the most excited about the food, Roy."
Lyn: "That's true. Just a little advice—don't eat too much, or your stomach might explode."
She said while winking her left eye.
Roy: "You're joking! I'm gonna try everything!"
Roy ran off toward the food stalls and quickly bought several skewers.
Roy: "Sir, I'll take this one, that one, and... that one too!"
Vendor: "Ooh, Roy, you're really excited, huh?"
Roy: "Do we know each other, sir?"
Vendor: "Of course not. But you're a Veyron! How could I not recognize you?"
Vendor: "Here, take these for free. But could you sign this? My son's a huge fan."
The vendor whispered and handed Roy a poster with Roy's image on the cover.
Roy: "Ooooh, really, sir? Thank you! See you around!"
Roy gladly signed the poster, took the food, and returned to the team.
Roy: "Guys, look! I got free food from the vendor!"
He immediately started chomping down on the skewers.
Cris: "Of course you did. You're a Veyron."
Roy: "Oh, okay. Want some? It's delicious!"
He cheerfully shared the food with his teammates.
Cris: "Totally. The hot dog's the best."
Cris grabbed a skewer and took a bite.
Cris: "Mmm… this is really good."
Roy: "You guys try some too!"
They exchanged looks, then tried the food.
Noa: "Yeah, this is delicious."
Ken: "And there's so much flavor."
---
After finishing Roy's food, they started deciding where to go next.
Glen: "So... where to now?"
Cris: "I-I think we should ride the Ferris wheel. The view up there must be amazing!"
Noa: "No, no! We're going to the haunted house first!"
Cris: "What?! I don't agree! Ferris wheel first!"
Noa: "I'm not changing my mind! Haunted house!"
Cris: "I refuse!"
Cris raised his voice, attracting attention from nearby onlookers. Glen quickly pulled them aside to a quieter spot.
Glen: "Guys! Calm down!"
"Hmph."
Noa and Cris turned their backs on each other. Lyn and Ken exchanged uncertain glances, while Roy continued munching happily.
Glen sighed and facepalmed.
Glen: "Alright. Let's vote."
Glen: "Who votes for the Ferris wheel?"
Cris, Lyn, and Glen raised their hands.
Glen: "And who votes for the haunted house?"
Noa and Roy raised theirs.
Cris: "Haha! I win! Ferris wheel first!"
Noa: "Wait! Ken hasn't voted yet!"
Glen: "Ken? What do you think?"
They all looked at Ken, expecting a quick answer.
Ken: "I vote for... the haunted house."
Cris: "Ken, seriously?!"
Noa: "So, it's a tie."
Glen: "Ooooh…"
Cris: "Fine, let's settle this like adults!"
The two stepped back, preparing to duel.
Glen: "Guys, really…"
He tried to mediate, while Lyn and Roy stood watching calmly.
Cris: "Ready?"
Noa: "Absolutely."
"Hyaa—BAM!"
Both showed paper, but Noa suddenly switched to rock while Cris had scissors—Cris lost.
Glen: "Ooooh…"
Roy, amused, walked over to Glen.
Roy: "Surprised? Yeah, they're unpredictable. That's just how they are, right Lyn?"
Lyn: "You're still new, Glen. You'll get used to it."
Glen: "Okay, that was shocking."
Noa: "I win! Haunted house it is!"
Cris: (sad face) "Alright…"
Noa: "Let's go!"
Everyone smiled and happily followed Noa.
---
Inside the haunted house
Noa led the way with a cheerful grin.
Drrrrrr—
Suddenly, a man dressed as a psychopath appeared, wielding a chainsaw.
Cris: "WAAAHHH!!"
He quickly hid behind Ken.
Noa: "Oh hey, Mr. Den! How are you?"
Noa casually offered a handshake.
The man lowered his chainsaw and shook her hand.
Psychopath: "Hey Noa, as always, you recognized me—even with a different costume."
Noa: "Well, if you changed your concept, maybe I wouldn't! Mr. Psychopath!"
Both laughed.
Psychopath: "You're right. I always go for similar costumes when I cosplay ghosts, though today's slightly different from yesterday."
Noa: "I'm just lucky I recognized you. Otherwise, my friends and I would've freaked out. Right, guys?"
Cris: "Noa, can we move on? I really want to ride the Ferris wheel!"
Noa: "Alright, alright. See you, Mr. Den!"
Psychopath: "Take care, Noa!"
---
They moved deeper into the haunted house.
Roy: "You really love thrilling stuff like this. No wonder you're so used to it."
He glanced around, then whispered to Ken.
Roy: "Noa lives for this kind of spooky challenge, buddy. So don't be surprised."
Ken nodded.
Glen: "Let's get through this quickly, Noa."
Roy: "Alright, let's do it!"
Roy walked beside Noa, both taking the lead.
Cris, walking at the back, kept turning his head nervously.
Lyn: "Glen, where should we go after the Ferris wheel?"
Glen: "Anywhere, as long as we're together."
Lyn: "Okay!! Being together sounds fun!"
THUD!
Cris bumped into a strange pole. Curious, he looked up—and immediately froze, his body trembling.
Cris: "WUUUAAAAA!!! MONSTER!!!"
He sprinted away at top speed, leaving the others behind.
Noa: "Cris, wait!"
They turned to see what scared him.
What they saw made their skin crawl: a towering 4-meter creature with four legs and a human-shaped body, resembling a spider. Its smile revealed sharp teeth like a shark's.
The creature crept toward them.
"HUUAAAAAH!!"
They all dashed after Cris.
Noa: "Cris! Calm down! There's nothing to be afraid of!"
Roy: "Noa, how can you say that when you're scared too?!"
Noa: "I don't know!"
Roy: "Let's stop. Let's face that thing!"
Roy turned around bravely, followed by the others—except Cris, who kept running.
Glen: "Roy, this is a haunted house! Of course there are scary things! What if you burn the whole place down?!"
Roy: "I don't care, Glen! Don't stop me!"
Someone suddenly grabbed Roy's shoulder. He assumed it was Glen trying to stop him.
Roy: "Don't try to stop me, Glen!"
But when the others saw who grabbed Roy—they stepped back in fear.
Glen: "Roy! ROY!!"
Roy: "What?!"
He turned around angrily—only to realize his friends were far away. So who was behind him?
Slowly, he looked at the hand: long, bony fingers with sharp claws made him shiver.
With all his courage, he turned his head—
And saw a towering 6-meter creature smiling silently…
Its smile—eerily identical to the Absolute Being's Smile.
Roy screamed and ran with record-breaking speed.