Merik had to hold his breath for several moments to control his blazing emotions pouring out from his heart onto his fist.

  He did choose the game with his own set of rules but to think that out of all people, Merik had to choose the person Soran knew!

  His mouth was full of tragically bitter taste – he wasn’t even happy in the least that he got two of the facts correct.

  Meanwhile, Soran feigned ignorance with a smile and started to choose his target.

  “Hmm, let me see, let me see. Choosing a guy is just plain boring. I wouldn’t even want to breathe the same air with you guys, bah. Nope. Not you, nope. No, again. Boring, no. Pretty for a guy but still no...”

  “But how are you friends with the old man Brad, then? Don’t tell me bald spots are your weakness?”

  Soran’s finger paused a little, after that, he only responded with just a grin. Reminded of a certain alluring lady, Merik gritted his teeth again and chose not to engage in conversations with the guy anymore.

  Soran kept pointing at anyone who came in for a while – saying he wasn’t finding anyone to his liking, but Merik knew that he was just stalling for time while waiting for someone familiar to enter.

  Though late, Merik kept finding faults with his own game. Granted, at least, the previous opponent wasn’t this petty, no... he was petty. However, in the end, it was his own fault for not making the rules more strictly.

  Then, suddenly, Soran’s eyes shone with excitement and pointed to someone – a beautiful lady with beautiful amounts of flesh peeking through her fancy attire.

  Carrying a bright smile and herself lightly, she greeted everyone that came her way, made one think she was a sort of celebrity or at least someone with high authority.

  “That lady shall be my target for I’m infatuated with her the moment my very eyes take hold of her beauty. This must be fate, oh, fate indeed.”

  Merik’s unnecessary responses to Soran’s every little nose-crunchable behavior stopped long ago. He needed to really focus now if he were to acquire what he wanted.

  Soran at least pretended to ponder intently and slowly, both their contemplations reached an end.

  “Then, I shall make my statement, first.”

  Merik nodded.

  “She... she’s a single mother of two, she likes to have fun with men – especially younger men and where she works is... umm...”

  Soran’s eyes widened as if he was a child who forgot what he memorized while reciting on stage in front of everyone.

  Merik waited patiently with a slightly raised brow and his arms, folded. Soran struggled and struggled but to no avail.

  “Soran, why do your face look like it’s about to burst? You have bowel problems?”

  “Shut up... she works with... ugh, fuck. I know it, it’s on the tip of my tongue.”

  “Your tongue is pretty long, I’ll admit.”

  “Shut up... you’re going to fail again, anyway...”

  “Then, shall I say it first?”

  “Sure, why not? At least, try not to copy my facts.”

  Merik innocently smiled and calmly said,

  “She’s a single mother of two, she likes to have fun with younger men, and she works for Brownmourn Times, the famous newspaper company.”

  “Oh, right, Brownmourn Times, how could I forget? Ahem. I mean, sure... whatever... let’s go ask the lady and confirm the facts... wait...”

  This time, they didn’t need to approach the lady, since the pretty woman herself approached them!

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  “Oh, wow. Mr. Overseer. Fancy meeting you here.”

  “Miss. Jennet. Indeed. It’s nice meeting you again. We haven’t seen each other since the last case. Does this evening favor you so far?”

  “Mhm. I guess so, since Mrs. Mandy, my beloved neighbor is kind enough to take care of the kids so, I’m just here to...”

  While Merik and the attractive lady called Jennet were engaged in their conversation, Soran was torn between multiple, contrasting feelings. But in the end, his annoyed expression vaporized and returned the charming smile.

  “Hello, my lady. You’re as lovely as always.”

  “Huh, Soran, oh, wow. I didn’t notice you... Nice meeting you. Again.”

  Jennet winked at Soran and slightly chuckled, then her gazes went back and forth between Merik and Soran.

  “I never knew you guys were close. Are you two friends?”

  “No.”

  “No.”

  Jennet blinked for a few times at the gentlemen’s behaviors before smiling and said goodbye to them.

  “Well, then, I’m going to enjoy my long-awaited evening, free from all tiring dramas and endless stalking. Also... feel free to join me, boys. I think I’m still able to handle a pretty, vigorous boy or two.”

  Merik slightly coughed and bade farewell to the... scary lady. After she left, though her curves hooked the ogling eyes of Soran for a while. Then, he jolted back to senses and started accusing Merik.

  “You cheated.”

  “Did I?”

  Soran scoffed and said,

  “Tsk. So much for a game of guessing... well, anyway, what’s a mere battle when I’m supposed to win the war tonight!”

  Soran’s head tilted towards Miss. Jennet and exclaimed. After that, he asked Merik,

  “Well, then, shall we play the last round? It’s your turn to choose, right?”

  “Sure, but let’s add a rule. This time, the person we’re going to choose will be someone both of us will agree on.”

  “Needless to say, I was going to say it even if you didn’t.”

  No, you weren’t.

  Soran then added,

  “Fine, let’s go with it. This way, it can be a real gamble this time. At least a game of guessing’s people facts over a game of guessing our own intentions, huh?”

  Merik nodded and started to choosing his target. Granted, being overly cautious over another’s pettiness, it didn’t work for a while.

  However, all of a sudden...

  A man came in. The first thing Merik noticed about him was his striking presence. It was unlike anyone in the pub or even anyone he had ever met.

  The air felt heavy the moment he entered the room.

  Even though he was wearing a black, rugged hood, Merik could see the sharpness in his glaring eyes and strong jaws. He was calmly and cautious faring through the crowd, in the same manner as Merik but more swift and more elegant.

  Still, a drunk man bumped into him without any warning which made the hood to come off and revealed his face. Once he saw the man’s face clearly, he instantly noticed the huge scar spanning from his left forehead to his right lips.

  What’s strange was that despite the grotesque scar, the mighty build, tall stature, the aura he was emitting – despite his seemingly brute ruthlessness, Merik could unveil a glimpse of gentleness and kindness beneath his intimidating appearance.

  The drunk man while not apologizing, started to antagonize the scarred man, who was twice the size of the drunk man.

  Everyone became worried for the poor, drunk man but to their surprise, the scarred man apologized until the drunk man was satisfied and swiftly avoided trouble.

  Merik smiled and instantly said,

  “I will choose that guy. The man with the scar.”

  “Umm, sorry again, Merik. I understand your sentiment, but I will deny your affection and urge you to choose the beautiful lady behind him.”

  “Lady?”

  Merik looked near the entrance again. Only this time, he saw a hooded figure, slowly following behind the previous scarred man.

  I was focusing too hard on the man, I completely didn’t notice he had a company.

  However, Merik frowned the next moment.

  “A lady? Are you out of your damn mind, Soran? That’s a man no matter how you look at it. Out of all people, how could you have mistaken a woman with a man?”

  Soran wasn’t offended – instead, he even smirked and kept staring at Merik as if his eyes were ridiculing him.

  “Listen, no matter how often I screw up, there are mistakes even a vampire like me won’t ever commit. And one of them is being wrong about people’s genders, especially when it comes to such beauties. Come on, Merik, don’t you see? It’s a girl, a lady and a freakishly beautiful one at that. And listen and look, she’s different – different than anyone around here. She’s one of a kind, I tell you. Hmm, you don’t believe me? Wanna bet with me over this, too?”

  “But all you see is a hooded figure, Soran. How can you even know all those features of hers? If she really were to be a “her”?”

  “Just a humble vampire’s instinct.”

  Now, he’s humble.

  Merik glanced at the presumably lady again and hesitated. He wanted to choose the scarred man because something inside him resonated with the man, or it was a flick of curiosity, he felt that could lead him somewhere forbidden.

  But seeing how the guy next to him is the king of pettiness, Merik believed if he were to choose the scarred man, Soran would deliberately persist and reject it.

  “I want to choose the scarred man.”

  “You want to choose him so bad, huh? Don’t tell me you know him, or is he your type?”

  “I don’t and he’s not. What about you wanting to choose the lady, then?”

  “Oh, my, Merik. When would I never choose a lady? You still got your beloved revolver, right? Just put some bullets in my head once I start choosing guys. I’d rather be buried alive. You’re the weird guy choosing the scary. Anyway, my decision stays firm. The lady and only her.”

  As expected, Soran didn’t relent. Merik pondered while keeping his gaze on the two figures slowly reaching their destination – a secluded table in the corner.

  It was too less of an advantage for him to choose the lady but, a part of him wanted to, despite the impending failure.

  A certain glint of light flashed over Merik’s eyes and he decided to agree on their target.

  “The hooded lady it is, then.”

  Soran nodded with a satisfied smile.

  After slightly deliberating for a moment, Merik calmly muttered out his three facts.