"Horikiri Kannon-sama, hmm... He's so popular with the girls that he's so overwhelmed because of them." Mike muttered what he saw.
"Hmm? Are you jealous, Mike-sama? Even though you already have a stunning beauty in your arms and two beautiful girls ready to serve at your beck and call?" Kisa couldn't help teasing Mike furtively with a whisper.
"I don't know, but he emits a mysterious aura almost all the time." Mike just thought it was a teasing joke and didn't think much of it.
Right after that, the hall lights suddenly dimmed gradually. Only the lighting on the stage was still brightly lit as if asking everyone's attention to go there.
"Ah, the show is about to start. Let's go to our seats." Yuna beckoned, and her group agreed.
The four of them went to an empty round table just right for four people. Yuna was quite satisfied that no man approached to look for trouble. It seems those annoying men were trying to find out about her fake boyfriend's identity, or maybe, just looking for the right opportunity.
Anyway, she knew that their efforts would be in vain no matter the outcome. After all, her best intel couldn't even find much information about Mike other than his birth data and some minor thing.
"You look happy, Yuna." Mike noticed the happy expression of the girl on his right.
"Ye, it's because of you. But, it's just the beginning because the night is still long. Please take good care of me~" Yuna put her arms on the table and rested her chin on her hands. She smiled sweetly to look at Mike.
"I see. I'm also happy if you feel happy. Anyway, where did 'that man' go? I thought he'd be looking for trouble or arguing with me." Mike scanned the hall in one glance without making any meaningful movement. He needed to act like someone with authority, not the inexperienced yet over-curious little boy.
"Who knows. I'm also curious because I also thought that annoying man would explode in annoyance. Maybe, he hasn't paid his fake girlfriend for this bet?" Yuna tilted her head slightly as she felt it was also a bit strange.
But then, the stage curtain opened. Kannon was there with a friendly smile in front of everyone. He was like an emcee under the spotlight.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. On this glorious night of beauty, I, Horikiri Kannon, on behalf of the Horikiri Clan, express our respect to all of you.
On this occasion, Horikiri Auction House has the theme of shining young generation! Therefore, this auction event is exceptional because all tonight's items are specially prepared for the young generation under twenty-five to shine. We--" Kannon started the event early with a casual but polite sounding welcome.
Mike paid attention to all of Kannon's words. He didn't even miss that mysterious white-haired man's every move.
However, his hunch alarmed him instantly. He looked to the side and could see that Austin and co were not far from him.
'Just a death glare from a jealous man. What might he have planned for me? Women are a source of trouble and often make a man's life difficult. I know that, but you can't think about that, Mike. Not just for you, but for Yuna's good as well as your sense of responsibility.' Mike muttered in his mind to take his resolve to the next level.
He just gave an indifferent attitude and looked back at the stage.
Although Mike has prepared himself to face all the problems to complete his side quest, Lady Fortuna seemed to wish another plan for him.
A familiar pleasant girl's voice suddenly sounded right into Mike's ear to deliver a surprise.
*Ding*
[Side Quest: Become the main character of the night. Penalty: Crippled with a broken dantian.]
"Ugh..." Mike felt the weight on his shoulders get so much heavier than it might squash him flat.
'Holy! I'm just playing a role and protecting Yuna from any danger like your side quest. Here you're asking for something impossible to complete? Oh, the kind and graceful lady system, what do you expect from me who is just a nobody?' Mike screamed full of grievances, albeit internally.
[Nothing is impossible, and you are not just a nobody.]
'Then, please give direction and enlightenment to this inexperienced boy. At least a clue as to what I need to do. The main character of the night is such an ambiguous thing.' Mike heaved a subtle sigh and tried to check the details of his new side quest.
<| Side Quest: Become the main character of the night | Penalty: Crippled with a broken dantian | Reward: Unknown |>
Mike felt himself become weak and helpless. He just received good news: his Exquisite Supreme Body, promising talents, nice affinities, and new techniques. However, the penalty for this side quest said that everything would be destroyed if he failed?
Mike waited a few seconds, and it instantly turned into minutes. However, the lady system did not answer his request.
'Sigh, at least the lady system doesn't give me the silent treatment anymore.' Mike tried to console himself.
'Do I just have to seduce her? Praise her a lot to get an answer to my request? Romantic words or a shower of compliments? Or, perhaps, a prayer-like request?' Mike put the idea into consideration. He finally decided to take one of the tricks to seduce particular girls from Kisa's teaching into practice.
'Most esteemed lady system, my redeemer, please listen to my humble prayer. Please enlighten me so I can save lives and others. I ask this with my utmost respect and full of supplication. O the giver of love. Please honor me with your almighty love.'
Despite saying that prayer with reverence and hopeful intonation, Mike didn't show any expression on his face other than calm. He was aware that he was being watched by several pairs of eyes.
[The most important gentleman under everyone's attention. Your words mean the world. No one dares to question your command. Your confidence has no bounds. Realize your will with no worries in mind.]
Mike widened his eyes because of two reasons. First, the trick successfully received clues from the lady system. Second, it was the clues that were no less difficult to interpret!? His life experience did not give him the knowledge to translate it into a language he could understand.
In the end, he didn't know what to do and could only speculate it using his gut feeling.
'The main character of the night, huh... Could it be-' Mike mumbled in his mind as he watched Kannon's welcome speech come to an end.