Descending Into A Novel

Chapter 184:Mission Bonanza (4)

In the end, Ellen slept for way longer then an hour.

About four and a half hours to be exact. All spent snoozing on his shoulder, while he occasionally had to adjust her head to prevent her from slipping off. He’d feel bad if her sleep got interrupted from her head abruptly falling.

It wasn’t all bad, since he mostly spent that time just on his phone playing games.

By the time Ellen finally did wake up, he hadn’t even noticed it until she lifted her head off of him.

"...h-how long was I asleep?"

He answered without even turning to see her, "Four hours, thirty seven minutes and seventeen seconds."

For some reason, she stuttered slightly, and her face was turning a faint red. Likely just because she hadn’t gotten proper sleep. Sleeping on his shoulder couldn’t have been more comfortable then a bed after all.

Looking around at all the people around them. She asked, "Why didn’t you wake me?"

"You looked tired."

It wasn’t like it was such a big deal anyways, the restaurant they were in were kind enough to let them stay for several hours even after they were done eating earlier with the others. It had a nice cosy atmosphere as well, so Raymond actually felt quite comfortable here. With time passing by quick as he played his games.

"I didn’t want to interrupt you, and besides."

He briefly turned and winked at her, "You looked cute while sleeping."

"?!?"

Ellen quietly moved away from him, so her body wasn’t completely leaning on him like it was for the past few hours. Her flushed face showing her emotions clear as day to anyone observing her. Except for Raymond, who was still absorbed in his game and couldn’t see her expression.

"One of the waiters came by while you were sleeping, she said you looked really cute."

To be exact, the water had actually said ’You two are so cute together.’ but Raymond was transcribing it for Ellen.

It was only after Raymond explained it that Ellen finally felt her heart begin to come to a rest. For a moment, it seemed as if Raymond was the one who had said that...

She shook her head, removing that entire train of thought from her head.

But Raymond’s words also brought her a lot of stress. Because it was indirectly telling her, that a lot of people had seen them. Watching her sleep on his shoulder, for hours on end. As if they were a c-c-cou-

She had to shake her head again to derail that train of thought as well.

The strange tickling feeling welled up on her stomach again, like a butterfly flapping its wings inside of her. Causing her to unknowingly clench her fists and bite her lip.

"Let’s go back to our room now."

"Okay."

***

"You look much more energized today Ellen."

"...thanks."

She knew that Lucy didn’t have any hidden meanings behind her words like other noble children might. But her words still felt off to her regardless.

Especially so when she kept secretly smiling, having to turn her head away or put her hand to her mouth.

Last night had been better at least. Raymond had volunteered to sleep on the floor so that she could get some better rest, and while she normally would have declined such an offer for politeness sake. She also didn’t want to be stuck in such a situation ever again.

"These clothes feel uncomfortable."

"Just bear with it for now. You can change after a few hours."

"Easy for you to say."

Currently, they were planning on infiltrating a club where the criminals from yesterday would receive their orders from. Hoping to uncover any helpful info or clues to help them find the leader—who was their main target for the mission.

Because of that, Ellen, Lucy, Noelle, Audrina and Raymond had been selected to actually infiltrate the club while the rest stayed outside ready to bust in if help was needed.

It wasn’t decided at random either, Lucy, Noelle and Ellen were all from recognizable Families. With their last names holding significant power behind them. Considering most nightclubs like this one held strict entry requirements for first-timers, it was an east way to guarantee entry. No one would suspect a few rich kids going out to have fun after all.

Audrina was also selected since she could follow them while hiding in the shadows. Essentially acting as their scout and lookout while they walked around. Searching through the areas where clubbers weren’t allowed.

Finally was Raymond, who was selected for his magic. Unlike the others, his versatility was something that could only be matched by Lucy. Making him someone that could easily fit into any team he was put into.

Although Ellen did have one minor complaint...

"I know this is for a mission, but do we really have to wear this?"

"It’s already pretty similar to what we occasionally wear is it not?"

Currently, the main trio were wearing clothes that were...not appropriate for combat.

Showing up to a nightclub in combat attire wasn’t exactly subtle after all. So the three had to ditch their long, breathable and most importantly, functional clothing for skirts, heels and in Noelle’s case, a dress.

At least for Noelle, she had the comfort of being able to summon her armor at any time with her innate power. As well as creating her spear whenever she needed it. Same thing for Lucy, who had a plethora of Arts—especially with Sparky still hidden on her body inside her clothes somewhere.

But Ellen felt completely bare, she couldn’t bring her Kairos bow for obvious reasons, nor any arrows, not even her daggers. While she knew basic hand-to-hand combat, she wasn’t as proficient as the others when it came to that. It also didn’t help that Raymond kept looking at her.

"Why do you keep looking?"

"What? I’m not even doing anything."

He really wasn’t doing anything particularly different, but for Ellen—who was in a heightened state of alarm from the outfit, she was more sensitive to Raymond looking.

Before she could do anything however, Noelle interrupted the two of them.

"While we would love to watch you two fight and all, can you do it after this? Focus on the mission please."

"St-

Raymond put a mouth to Ellen’s mouth before she could say anything, otherwise the rest of them would be stuck listening to her argue with Noelle for the next hour.

"Sorry about that, let’s just go now."

They were all gathered in an alley outside the club anyways. So it was only a short walk to the entrance.

To be honest, Raymond had only ever visited a club once in his life. Back on Earth when he had followed a coworker there after work. It was definitely an experience he wasn’t eager to repeat ever again.

It was also where he had received that legendary ’I love you but I also hate you.’ a sentence he still couldn’t understand to this day.

He had sealed the system on Earth so he was just a completely normal person there. Even still, he felt that some of the people he encountered there were more inhuman that himself.

As far as he was aware, this was also Ellen’s first time. Since this mission didn’t actually exist in the previous timeline.

It was however, exactly the same as what Raymond remembered on Earth. Bright neon lights that damaged the eyes, dark walls to hide the stains, and a big burly bouncer standing at the entrance.

"Stop. I need to see some age verification."

"My last name is Asteria."

"Please come in."

It was good to know they at least tried to verify your age. Even a place like this had its morals, however sketchy they were. Not that it mattered, he folded faster then an omelette the moment he heard that last name from all three of them.

Including Audrina, who was inside of one of their shadows currently. The four of them easily managed to walk inside.

Raymond tried to follow them, only for a hand to stop him.

"I’m with them."

"Age?"

"I’m twenty three."

He raised an eyebrow at him, his face a clear expression of ’who are you trying to fool?’.

Just then, another group of girls behind him proceeded to walk past the two of them. With the man not even bothering to check them, despite them looking to be around the same age as Raymond.

"You didn’t check their ages!"

"They’re regulars. I already know their ages."

No, clearly you don’t!

But he didn’t say that. As much as he wanted to.

Another girl came running, trying to catch up to the earlier group. This time she was stopped however.

"Age?"

"I’m thirty."

"Go ahead."

Mind you, this was all done right in front of Raymond’s eyes.

"She is clearly not thirty!"

"You’re causing a lot of ruckus, if you don’t leave. I’m going to have to make you leave myself."

As confident as Raymond was in being able to absolutely demolish him in a fight, they weren’t here to fight. But to gather intel, and their fight would destroy significant parts of the club and definitely scare off any remaining members. So absolutely no fighting.

Well, he already had an idea on how to enter based on what he had just witnessed anyways.