CHAPTER 161: THE THANATOAST CAFE?

The streaks of light blinded our faces as the huge gate to our mansion opened.

For a second, my mind almost blanked as I saw the light twinkling through the tall building in front of us.

"Oh shit—" I realised, ’wasn’t there supposed to be the Assassination hall right in front of our mansion?’

Realisation hit me like a truck as my memory was rebranched.

I’d been so lost and depressed these days that I had forgotten to notice all the changes happening around me.

There was no assassination hall in front of me, not a speck of what I had demolished.

Nope.

Now there stood a huge, shiny building with bright lights flashing all over it. It looked like a party place—a mix between a fancy hotel, a casino, and a nightclub.

The building had glass walls, glowing signs, and 2 statues of what looked like phoenixes made of purple marble standing at the gates like some watch guards.

There were colourful lights that blinked everywhere, and loud music came from inside every day when those 2 scrawny-looking guards opened the gates.

’Don’t think of them as weak, boy. If anything, they have such a large pool of mana energy surrounding them that I guess they’ll even be able to give your family elders an equal fight.’ Damien said, shocking me.

Every single member in our family was one above the other.

We weren’t called one of the 7 Commandments for nothing, and the fact that this half-god, sentient of a system was babbling about how these 2 guys could match our house elders’ strength made me rethink my image of this Auction house.

On top of the building was a big golden sign:

Lapui Family’s Royal Auction House

"That’s new," I questioned.

Aurelia pushed her sunglasses down and looked at the building. Her Hazel eyes shining under the lights, as some of her loose brown hair stuck to her cheek.

"My dad knows people inside," she said. "I can get us tickets to the big auction tomorrow if you guys want-"

Dario’s eyes lit up like a kid. "No way! For real? I heard there’s a yearly auction event happening tomorrow!

In fact, this is gonna be their first big launch after resettling to this place~"

"Lapui Family?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "They don’t seem to be of this place—"

Seraphina nodded, glancing at the humongous building as well.

"They are originally a French family that had shifted here after the Gods descended. I’ve heard that they have come here personally to increase their influence here while also amassing wealth.

If anything, I believe tomorrow’s event is certainly going to be a hit."

Now that got my attention.

I was starting to feel curious.

"Fine," I said, smirking at Aurelia. "Get us those tickets. I’ll forgive you for yelling at me earlier."

"I wasn’t yelling," she replied, snorting. "That was just passionate talking."

We walked past the loud building and into the city streets.

Even though the place looked more modern now, with floating lights and shiny signs, our culture still lived in every corner.

The walls had graffiti painted on them, like some ancient scriptures, while the people sold food from carts.

You could still smell spices in the air and hear temple bells in the background.

The mix of magic and tradition made the place feel alive.

Seraphina walked beside me, sipping something from a clay cup. She had her black-blue hair tied in a loose bun, with a silver pin stuck in it. Her pale skin glowed under the sunlight.

Her black crop too made her look astonishingly hot with that choker, but then again, everyone in Uncle Felix’s family was pretty.

"Hey," she said, nodding to a small street to the left of us. "What’s that café?"

We turned and saw a creepy-looking sign hanging with the help of chains.

It said: Thanatoast Cafe—Where Dead Things Brew Better.

Dario didn’t wait. The boy instantly disappeared past our figure and reappeared in front of the shop.

"We’re going in!" He exclaimed, hair messy and panting.

All of us couldn’t help but sigh as we saw how this idiot still couldn’t control his abilities properly. And of course, we still followed.

The place was dark inside, not the type that would make you shit your pants...but the one you would look with awe and amazement.

Purple candles floated in the air, and there were shelves filled with fake skulls, bones, bottles and books that glowed.

A light, spooky ’ding’ sounded in the utterly silent atmosphere, making us feel weirded out.

Not because we were some cowards or anything, but the fact that we could see everyone sitting in skull-shaped benches and laughing together...yet all that sound somehow didn’t seem to exist.

It was almost like I had gone deaf?

I glanced at Dario and Aurelia, who seemed to be just as surprised when Seraphina broke the silence.

"All these skull-shaped benches seem to be soundproof cabins-"

Even Erza’s eyes widened as she realised the fact, pointing a 2 workers walking out from a door behind the bar.

"Look at that!" She said as we all saw the workers holding trays as they served weird-looking drinks while wearing long robes and fake fangs.

Noticing that this occurrence seemed to be normal, and the crowd seemed to be gathering behind us since we were still standing on the main door, Erza was the first one to walk ahead, her red hair tied up with the one piece and boots on.

Even in a creepy place like this, she looked like she belonged in a fashion magazine with that glaringly revealing dress.

We walked toward the seats in the back.

Every table was shaped like a giant skull, with the mouth open for people to sit inside. We picked a round booth near the back and slid in.

Aurelia sat beside me, her frock covering more space than the whole of me was.

The girl looked relaxed, leaning back like she owned the place.

Dario sat across from me, already flipping through the menu. "Guys... the drinks are crazy," he said, laughing.

I looked at the menu and what I saw completely did not make sense-

Soul Sucker Slushie

Grave Mocha

Cursed Mango Lassi

Death Before Decaf

Witch’s Bubble Brew – may include sarcasm

"I’m getting the Revenant Root Beer," Dario said, excitedly.

"It says I might see ghosts for five minutes, lol."

"I’ll take Skull-chai," Seraphina continued, thinking long about it.

"Says it’s strong enough to wake the dead..."

"Aurelia smiled, giving us all a sheepish grin. "I’ll have a Mana-rita. Because why not?"

Erza just rolled her eyes. "Everything here sounds like it’s trying too hard." She said.

I grinned, totally loving what all was going here. "I’m getting The Blood of My Ex." I said, adjusting my white T-shirt a little as I gave myself some breathing space.

Aurelia, clearly noticing that she had taken most of the space, burst out laughing, clearly ignoring my situation at hand. "Of course. You always go for the dramatic stuff." The girl exclaimed as I made a mocking sad face, purposely sitting over her frock to annoy her.

"It’s therapy," I said, "Let me heal."

While we waited for our drinks, we talked about the auction, the city changes, and who would win in a fight—Seraphina or Dario.

Dario said he would win. Seraphina just stared at the guy for 2 seconds, shutting him up like a loose screw.

Jusr looking at Seraphina being so comfortable with us and not the usual shy mode made me feel better as I raised my eyebrows at the increasing feeling that there was some hidden chemistry between the two.

I leaned back and looked at this stupid bunch of cousins.

Just maybe...joining the training sessions wasn’t that bad of an idea.

As for the Champions competition or whatever?

I’m sure we wil pull through this phase together.

As for what the Author thinks or wants?

He can go to hell for all I care.

Aurelia nudged me through her arm as she smiled at Dario’s weird jokes while Seraphina just continued staring at the guy like she wanted him to shut up already.

Erza was fanning herself, looking bored but still listening to the guy.

And me?

I was sitting inside a skull-shaped booth, drinking artificially coloured blood like I was some chunni kid talking about ghost drinks and auction fights.

Lololol—

I’d realised that I have been smiling a lot lately.

Maybe it’s because now I’ve got people to talk my bullshit knowing they won’t take me seriously.

Yeah, maybe I’d forgotten how to smile properly the last few years.

But right now?

This was exactly what I needed.

***

P/S: I’m sorry for the late Chapter, guys, not feeling well since a while lately, will be right back on track soon. And don’t worry, I’ll be uploading everyday no matter what—

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Also, 1 Golden Ticket left for a bonus Chapter!!