Chapter 47: Taking the Unbeaten Path
It turns out that playing games really is the best way to waste time.
Unbeknownst to them, Night Star and the Administrator were so engrossed in their gaming marathon that they didn’t realize it was already sunset.
Now, Night Star has reached Level 20 in the game, and even the Administrator managed to reach Level 30.
They stood at the exit of the gaming entertainment area, about to leave.
Night Star looked content. Even though she had boundless energy usually, she was now thoroughly exhausted after the afternoon of gaming.
“What a satisfying day~ Who knew I’d lose track of time for so long? Games certainly can steal your hours away without you even noticing.”
The Administrator nodded gently.
“Yes, indeed. But they also bring great satisfaction.”
“Mmm hmm, this must be one of the perks of gaming.”
With that said, Night Star turned to the Administrator with her crimson eyes glowing with anticipation.
“The last entertainment district is the food street; it’s time for dinner.”
“Sure.”
By the end of the day, they were both worn out and genuinely hungry. Though they bought some snacks along the way, they weren’t nearly as filling as a proper meal.
Time flew by as they entered the night market of the food entertainment district.
As expected, nighttime is when food lovers rule, and most people leave work early. It’s even more popular among those who crave midnight munchies.
Thus, quite a crowd filled the outer area of the food street.
Night Star and the Administrator found themselves in the midst of the bustling masses.
To avoid losing each other in the crowd, they took hold of hands naturally.
“Oh boy, there are too many people out here! Let’s head over to the inner area or somewhere closer to the center.”
“Fine with me.”
After deciding, they slowly moved deeper into the heart of the district. Fewer people passed by as they went further inside.
By the time they reached the inner area, the streets were much less crowded.
“Phew,”
Night Star breathed out.
They probably wouldn’t need to venture deep into the heart of the district anymore.
Knowing that half the Night Watchers’ lair was situated there, Night Star wasn’t too keen on going further.
Maybe the watchmen were just celebrating the end of their shifts within the establishments nearby.
If they got spotted, that would be super awkward!
So the inner area was perfect.
While the food here might not be as exquisite or magical as what was in the core section, the taste couldn’t be beat—they were affordable, unlike the extortionate prices in the core region.
Many ordinary folks would splurge here if they wanted to indulge.
In any case, tonight’s dinner would be settled here!
Night Star and the Administrator stepped into an average restaurant and began ordering food.
They sat down at a table, waiting for their dishes to arrive.
During this lull, an unusual quiet settled between them, a momentary silence.
Night Star subtly glanced at the expression on the Administrator’s face and noticed she seemed lost in thought.
She had this feeling that the Administrator had spent a lot of her day spacing out as if pondering some other matter.
What could it be?
Hmm…
Night Star hesitated for a moment before deciding to ask.
“Um, Sister Administrator, what were you thinking about?”
Hearing this, the Administrator seemed to snap back from her thoughts, her eyes showing signs of nostalgia.
“Just reminiscing about the past.”
“Mmm hmmm, wasn’t most of your time spent in the library, though?”
Night Star found this odd.
The Administrator certainly looked in her twenties, yet her youth couldn’t have been spent entirely in a library, could it?
But then again, Ice Lixie mentioned she only had one friend since ten years ago, suggesting she spent a good deal of time in the library.
That’s bizarre.
Quietly, the Administrator replied, “Even I have cherished memories from the past. Inviting me out today made me recall them, and I’m glad.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it’s true.”
Night Star then flashed an adorable smile.
“Glad you’re happy, that’s my goal. If I couldn’t make you happy, I thought it was all my fault.”
A faint smile tugged at the Administrator’s lips as she studied the relaxed little girl.
Such innocence and cuteness were truly rare.
If she compared her current companionship with what her old friend might offer, perhaps this care would rank high.
It was sad she might be inflicting the biggest wounds on her.
Before long, the food they ordered was brought out.
They ate in silence, finishing their meal before heading back to the calligraphy and painting entertainment district.
However, as they prepared to return, Night Star stopped them.
“Hmm, someone was tailing us earlier. The bad guys might be waiting right where we’re entering. To avoid being spotted, we shouldn’t take the main entrance.”
“And you?”
“Don’t worry, they won’t find me,” Night Star declared confidently.
And what is the Rising Sun Theater anyway?
It’s a magical little independent space, something even the Night Watchers can’t track, let alone some criminals.
“True, but there’s risk at other entrances too, so we’ll stick to the unconventional paths. Afterwards, you should get Ice Lixie to investigate these trackers; she’ll be glad to help being a Sunlight Night Watcher.”
“Alright.”
Everyone could’ve predicted the tails were likely from the Sunset Research Institute. After all, they quickly suspected her the instant she stepped out of the library and into the sunlight.
Who asked for such a slight change?
The Administrator brushed off the concern and more interested in what ‘unconventional path’ the Audience Performer meant.
At that moment, Night Star initiated their plan.
She led the Administrator to an invisible blind spot and touched the wall with one hand revealing a dark, eerie passage.
“Let’s see if we can get through.”
Night Star had no idea if she could take the Administrator through safely, but maybe holding her hand would work.
The Administrator’s face showed surprise but followed Night Star in without resistance.
Inside, it was pitch-black, almost like a passage to hell—yet she trusted the cute girl with her whole heart.
Having trained for a long time, she figured she could discern that the Audience Performer was one of the rare few kind-hearted yet foolish individuals.
She held onto this thought.
Soon, they emerged from the passage and entered a new space.
The Administrator looked around, recognizing it instantly—it was a theater.
She’d visited other theaters before, so she knew what to look for. This was definitely a theater, albeit one she hadn’t expected.
Her journey through the decline of culture had brought her to theaters before.
Performances were always part of that experience.
Just as the Administrator drifted into her thoughts, Night Star resumed.
“Mmm, let’s head out now.”
“Alright…”
Once they left the theater, coming full circle, the Administrator realized they had returned to the calligraphy and painting entertainment district.
This blind spot was surprisingly close to the library.
Was this what the Audience Performer meant by taking the unconventional path?
Indeed, it was.
