Chapter 255 - TENSION IN THE AIR

ANNOYANCE and disgust flashed through Luo Yan's eyes but he immediately hid it. He made sure that nothing could be seen in his eyes before reaching to Alucard's arm holding his waist and then throwing him over his shoulder.

Both Tang Xun and Xu Ru were dumbfounded by this sudden action. Especially Xu Ru who could only blink at the ceiling. 

"Brother Ru, are you alright?" Tan Xun asked, immediately helping Xu Ru up. "Why did this NPC suddenly become violent? Is she bugged?"

"This humble one apologized but the courtesans of our pavilion are trained to react that way in the face of unwanted advances," Luo Yan said, trying his best not to show anything in his voice. "This humble one hoped that this distinguished guest would not try to do something like that again. The distinguished guest has already been warned. Two more strikes and this distinguished guest will be blacklisted from our pavilion. So, this humble one suggests that this distinguished guest quell any perverted desires he has."

What he said was not that strange. NPCs in this game had a protective function in them that would automatically activate once unnecessary actions against them were committed. It's to prevent players from beating up or sexually harassing NPCs. Of course, Luo Yan's NPC employees also had the same function. It's even more important for his employees because most of them were acting as courtesans.

"Wait- are you saying that Brother Ru is a pervert?" Tang Xun said in a bit of a childish manner as if he couldn't believe that someone, even a mere NPC, would say that about Xu Ru. Because it was the truth. Anyone who received Xu Ru's attention would always feel flattered.

"This humble one did not say it so directly," Luo Yan only said, not changing the expression on his face. "But if this distinguished guest wanted to interpret it that way, then you are free to do so."

Tang Xun tilted his head. Why did it feel like this NPC was being cheeky?

Xu Ru stared at this NPC interestingly. He wasn't mad that he was thrown. In fact, he became even more interested when that happened. The more he stared at this NPC, the more he felt like he'd seen 'her' somewhere. It was those pair of peach blossom eyes. It looked so similar to that of a certain white-haired elf. The one who just joined team Yunyue – Noctis.

 He was still a bit annoyed that he didn't manage to snatch that beauty to be part of his team. Being rejected so thoroughly, of course, he would remember him. After all, it's not everyday that he was rejected. 

When he first watched the advertisement, he had a feeling that the black-haired elf looked familiar. But he didn't think much about it. Now that that NPC was standing right in front of him, that familiar feeling just intensified. He had a hunch that this NPC was that Noctis. But the only way to prove that guess was for him to remove that veil covering the lower half of 'her' face. Sadly, before he could even do that, he had already been thrown to the ground.

"I apologize, my sweet. I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to see the whole of your beauty. But I couldn't do that with that veil covering your face. So, could you let me have a glimpse of the beauty hiding behind that veil?" he said, smiling at the NPC.

Luo Yan just felt goosebumps all over. Why does this guy always speak like this? Was his brain just full of honey pot or something? He tried his best not to show any excessive reaction and just said, "This humble one apologized but she's not allowed to do that."

"Oh?"

Luo Yan didn't expect that after he said that, Alucard would suddenly extend his hand. He was obviously trying to grab Luo Yan's veil. It was so sudden that even if he tried to move, there was still a chance that Alucard's hand would reach his veil. In that split second, he was thinking if he should just use one of his skills and entered his shadow. But then he immediately refuted that idea. Because if he did that, the fact that he was a player and not an NPC would definitely be revealed.

While he was pondering what he should do, another hand suddenly extended and grabbed Alucard's wrist. Preventing the other from grabbing Luo Yan's veil. 

"Are you so depraved that you even resorted to harassing NPCs?" said a very familiar cold voice.

Luo Yan turned his head sharply to his side and saw Shen Ji Yun. He was looking at Alucard with no temperature in his eyes. This was different from his usual 'cold stare'. It was more like he was looking at a bug that he was ready to crush. No, wait- the more important thing was what was Shen Ji Yun doing here?

Xu Ru was only slightly surprised seeing YUN suddenly appearing here. Because of his appearance, his suspicion just became even greater. Even though he felt like his wrist was about to get crushed, he didn't show any discomfort on his face. He even smiled and pulled his hand back despite the pain.

"YUN, I never thought that you would care for a simple NPC. Or was it because this NPC is a little special?" he said meaningfully.

"I simply have higher moral grounds than you," Shen Ji Yun simply said.

"Are you saying that my Brother Ru is immoral? You're not allowed to say that!" Tang Xun said pointing at this YUN. Even though this guy looked cool, Xu Ru was cooler. So, he would always take his Brother Ru's side.

Luo Yan glanced at this blue wolf beastkin as if he's mentally impaired or something. He felt like this guy had a bit of a brain hole. If not, then how could he say those things that repeatedly pitted his own team mate? 

Shen Ji Yun glanced coldly at the kid who just spoke. "I could say whatever I want."

Tang Xin was immediately frightened by that cold look and he unconsciously hid behind Xu Ru.

"Now, now, don't pick on a kid," Xu Ru said, still smiling. "Why don't you just tell me how special this NPC is to you?"

The two stared at each other – one smiling and the other all cold. But there was no doubt about the tension that suddenly filled the air.