NOVEL WEB Chapter 43: Idea
"…Somewhat milky sweet when tasted. It's powdered."
A boy wearing a mask, holding what seemed to be popcorn, was standing in front of a shop trying to describe something.
Behind him stood a slim guy, watching like a bodyguard. The boy kept explaining to the shop owner, a bag of popcorn in one hand.
The shop owner, who had been listening to the boy, gave him a puzzled look.
"Erm… you mean powdered milk?" he asked, pointing to a tin on his shelf clearly labeled POWDERED MILK in bold letters.
Tarkan turned his head from side to side, making sure no one was around except for the slim figure. His face flushed slightly, embarrassed, but he kept his composure.
Cough cough
"Yes," he said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Give me two, please."
Tarkan quickly paid, took the goods, and dragged Slim away from the scene.
"Well, that was embarrassing," Slim muttered under his breath.
Tarkan, with his heightened senses, caught the words. "Did you say something?" he asked, turning toward Slim with an exaggerated surprise, as if he had just been accused of something heinous.
"I was just wondering what the milk is for," Slim replied smoothly, his face as calm as ever.
Tarkan shook his head. "Oh, I thought I heard something else."
He pulled the powdered milk from its casing and handed one to Slim. "Pour a quarter of it into your popcorn and shake it up," he instructed, already pouring the powder over his own snack.
"Pump Corn, huh?" Slim said, as though reminding Tarkan of the name.
Tarkan's expression soured. "Yeah, yeah, call it whatever you want. It sounds better as popcorn."
Tarkan with a fed-up look. Every time he tried to name something from his past life on Earth, it never matched the names here. But the one time he tried to describe it instead of naming it, he ended up sounding like a fool.
"Please, sir, let me in! I'm only 30 silvers short!" A desperate voice snapped Tarkan from his thoughts.
"F*** out of my face!" came the harsh reply from the gatekeeper. "Next!"
Tarkan's attention shifted to a commotion up ahead. A huge crowd was lined up in front of what looked like a massive stadium.
A teenage boy, looking well-to-do in his clothes, had just been turned away. His expression showed clear defeat.
"Excuse me," Tarkan called out, approaching the boy.
The boy stopped, casting a quick glance at Tarkan before continuing his walk, the weight of his defeat clear in his movements.
"I can help you with those 30 silvers," Tarkan offered, his voice casual, though he wasn't bothered by the boy's attitude.
The boy instantly stopped, whipping his head around as if he'd just seen a savior.
He walked over quickly his posture now filled with eagerness. "How can I help you, Mister?" he asked, his entire tone changed.
Tarkan noticed the sudden 180 and chuckled inwardly.
Sure enough, what money can't do, more money will.
"What's going on there?" Tarkan asked, tilting his head toward the crowd and the line in front of the stadium.
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The boy stared at Tarkan's mask like he was some alien from space.
Tarkan wasn't offended. Lately, he'd been getting that look more and more. But it was still annoying.
Slim stood quietly behind him as usual, Now munching on his pump corn, face smeared with powdered milk.
"You're serious? You're telling me you don't know what's going on.."
"30 silver," Tarkan interrupted, already losing patience..
Cough cough
The boy quickly faked a cough, then nodded. "Ah, right. Every three years, ascenders from across the continent gather here in Tharn to battle for a million gold coins.
They also showcase their talents for a chance to ascend to a higher-tier world, where they can access better resources and opportunities,"
A longing look flickered in his eyes.
Eh?
Tarkan raised an eyebrow, surprised. He had heard that after reaching the second dimension, everyone could meet in the Prime Ascension Realm. Why would they need to go to a higher world for more resources?
"Hmm," he murmured, pushing his thoughts aside for the moment. His gaze shifted to the boy's wrist. There was no mark there, a sign of ascension. "You don't seem like an ascender to me," Tarkan commented, his voice probing.
"I wish I was. Me and most of the people here are just hoping to get a ticket to watch, to broaden our horizons.
But the gate fee is insane. Last year, it was priced at 4 gold, Now it's 7.
I've been saving up for five years just to gather the 4 gold, only to find out I'm still 30 silver short."
The boy's voice fell into a dejected tone.
Tch
Tarkan clicked his tongue in thought.
What a scam. People from all over the continent coughing up 7 gold coins each, for a prize pool of one million? That's more than robbery.
Sure, maybe the higher world was the real prize… but still. It made no sense to him. To fight and spill your blood just for some fat slob with a big belly to rake in billions while you get a million and a pat on the back.
And maybe, if you're lucky, someone from that higher world picks you and turns you into their slave for life.
Tarkan had zero interest in that kind of competition.
"I was planning to use the extra gold I saved to bet and make up the difference, but now I don't even have enough for a ticket to watch the fight," the boy added with a defeated look in his eyes.
Tarkan's ears perked up at the mention of betting.
Betting? he thought, his interest piqued. He'd been searching for ways to make money. Since he hadn't been able to inside the dimension for now, and now, the idea of gambling struck him as an opportunity he hadn't considered.
"Betting?" Tarkan asked, his voice sharp with curiosity. "How does it work?"
The boy seemed to brighten. "Yeah, betting on the fight and other things. It's a big event, and people bet on the winners."
"And… Umm, can I get the money now?" the boy added, his voice slightly anxious. "I want to get in before the match starts."
Tarkan nodded. "Sure."
Tarkan took the boy's ID and transferred the 30 silvers.
As soon as the funds were received, the boy dashed off without looking back.
Tarkan turned to look at Slim, who was happily munching on his popcorn. His face was smeared with powdered milk, and he looked sheepish when he caught Tarkan's gaze on him.
"Er, do you want something, Master Tarkan?" Slim asked, his voice filled with an odd mixture of guilt and curiosity.
Tarkan merely shook his head. "Me? Nah, nothing."
...
Hope you enjoyed the chapter 😹
Erm... I'm currently being admitted to the hospital 😔 but I should be fine soon! If I feel a little better, I might drop an update tomorrow, just letting you all know so no one thinks I dropped the novel 🤣
If there's no update… maybe the God of Death claimed me (I hope not though 😅).
Wishing everyone a blessed week ahead! 💫
Also, I kinda found a solution to the privilege issue, I made a mistake setting it up the first time and can't edit the price until next month. Much love for your patience and support 💖
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Desolate_33
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