On the Ark.

Upon seeing that Lin Ye was from Rhodes Island, the expressions of the Guardians softened somewhat, though they were still generally ashen. They had probably guessed that Lin Ye had been eavesdropping, but they didn't know what to say. They simply said a few words and then left, clearly not wanting to stay any longer.

As Lin Ye watched the Royal Guard leave, a strange feeling welled up inside him as he wondered whether he should tell Kal'tsit and the others what he had overheard.

It was as if someone was watching them.

He turned his head instinctively.

He thought it was his imagination, and he thought he wouldn't notice anything, but then he saw a thin person across the street with a hood on his head.

Lin Ye saw blue crystals on his bare wrist.

"Hey!" Lin Ye had just called out when the other person immediately turned around and quickly disappeared into the bustling traffic.

Author's BB:

Where can I find accurate information about the Ursus Empire? I've been searching for a long time but haven't found anything.

Chapter 48 Ifrit (Part 1)

Was that person infected?

Lin Ye was somewhat puzzled, wondering if he had misread it. Although he already knew that Lungmen treated the infected much better than Chernobog, that was only relative. Wasn't it a bit of an exaggeration to let the infected roam freely in the streets?

However, it seems the other person wasn't just running around randomly, since they were covering their body quite well.

I hope no one finds out.

Thinking this, Lin Ye put the issue of the infected person out of his mind and walked alone into the coffee shop across the building.

As mentioned before, sugar is a rare commodity in this world, so any food or drink containing sugar can be considered a luxury, affordable only to a select few. Lin Ye was clearly not among that select few; he hadn't eaten much sugar in the two years he spent in Chernobog, but he had certainly eaten his fair share of dog food (a metaphor for romantic displays of affection). Although he was initially quite uncomfortable, he gradually got used to it. Just when he thought he had forgotten about sugar, he unfortunately ate a few chocolate chip cookies at Jessica's place.

And then, that was it. Those few chocolate chip cookies made Lin Ye realize again that he was actually a person, someone who needed sugar, not some livestock that could be easily dealt with with dog food.

So after enduring it for a day, he decided to indulge himself in the coffee coffin!

I walked into the coffee shop, found a sunny spot by the window, snapped my fingers at the waiter who was wearing white stockings, and laid out a large wad of cash on the table as the waiter came over.

"A cup of black tea and a sugar cube, please."

His polite tone made him sound like the most distinguished nobleman in the world... just kidding.

If you were to ask what the combination of black tea and sugar cubes is, there's really only one answer: it's cheap.

No matter which coffee shop you go to, black tea with sugar is always the cheapest option.

Of course, this combination wasn't Lin Ye's original idea; it's simply the most common choice for the vast majority of ordinary people in the world who want to get some sweetness at a coffee shop. After all, other desserts are just too expensive, far beyond the reach of ordinary people. So, when faced with the dazzling array of desserts on the menu, the response of the vast majority of ordinary people in this world is: "Is black tea all you have?"

If possible, "then let's add another piece of sugar."

It's somewhat funny, but also somewhat heartbreaking.

As the waiter left with the unopened menu, Lin Ye looked at the few remaining bills in his wallet and sighed softly. He really longed to return to the days when he could freely indulge in sweets; he missed the old-fashioned popsicles that cost a dollar each outside his elementary school. In terms of comfort alone, the world now was far inferior to the world of his previous life.

But since he was already here, he might as well make the best of it. Lin Ye was quite open-minded about it. Apart from feeling a little sorry for his parents and the huge litter of cats at home, he felt like he had been given a second chance at life. Only someone who has died once can truly understand the preciousness of life.

The black tea was served, and Lin Ye immediately tossed a sugar cube into the teacup, then gently stirred it with a spoon while gazing at Lungmen outside the café. The afternoon sun shone on Lungmen's wide streets, where crowds flowed endlessly. This made Lin Ye wonder if, instead of dying suddenly, he had lived to graduate from university, would he be living a similar life?

Unfortunately, this is a question that will never be answered.

Lin Ye picked up the teacup and took a small sip of tea.

The bitterness of tea leaves and the sweetness of sugar cubes are intertwined abruptly.

Lin Ye savored the taste, closed his eyes, slightly raised his head, and suddenly had an epiphany…

Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have put sugar in the tea, it tastes awful!

Lin Ye was filled with regret. Adding sugar to black tea not only ruined the tea but also the sugar. Just as he was hesitating whether to splurge on a blueberry sandwich, a girl's voice suddenly came from the counter.

"I wouldn't try to dine and dash! I really just forgot my money!"

Lin Ye looked in the direction of the sound and saw a girl in a gray robe standing in front of the counter. The girl had long, light blonde hair tied into two braids, with two black horns beside the braids, making her look somewhat similar to Nightingale. She also had a wheat-colored complexion. At this moment, she was standing in front of the counter, standing on tiptoe, with her hands on the counter, facing the salesperson with an aggressive air.

Is she a demon too?

Lin Ye felt that since leaving Chernobog, he seemed to see demons everywhere. Could it be that this world is a place where demons roam freely?

"Sir, paying for your meal is a matter of course..."

"I know, and I didn't mean to renege on my debt!" the girl said. "I just really didn't bring enough money. Can't you just let me go back and get it now?"

The waiter shook his head: "How do we know you won't run away?"

"Huh?" The girl looked incredulous. "How much is this? Would I, the dignified Lady Ifrit, possibly cheat you out of such a small amount of money?"

“Every customer who tries to renege on their bill says the same thing,” the waiter said coldly. “We can’t believe you based on just one person’s story, and infected people are always untrustworthy.”

Infected person?

Lin Ye immediately looked over and indeed saw some black crystals on the girl's legs.

The waiter's words not only attracted Lin Ye's attention, but also... no, to be precise, ignited the emotions of everyone in the cafe, who all focused their attention on the girl.

"Infected?! How could there be infected here?" A bald man with a large belly immediately threw away the spoon in his hand, his face full of disgust, as if there was Originium virus on his spoon.

"What's wrong with this cafe?! Why did you let an infected person in?!" said a woman with a shrill voice and a dog-like appearance.

"Infected people, get out of here!" A voice came from who-knows-where.

The girl probably hadn't expected that something so simple would instantly turn her into the target of everyone's condemnation. Amidst the cold words and harsh criticism, she clenched her fists tighter and tighter.

"Pay up quickly and get out," the waiter said coldly. "It's also our fault for not looking carefully. If we had known you were infected, we wouldn't have let you in. No matter what other stores do, infected people are not allowed here."

Lin Ye couldn't help but shake his head.

He was already used to this scene. In Chernobog, this kind of thing happened every day. He had originally thought that Lungmen, which was relatively enlightened in its treatment of the infected, wouldn't have such a thing, but he was wrong.

Let's leave before things escalate.

As Lin Ye put down his teacup and prepared to leave, he suddenly noticed the tower symbol on the girl's clothes.

Wait... that's Rhodes Island?

……

“If you can’t pay, I’ll have to call the police.” Just as the waiter was about to make the call, someone grabbed his hand.

It was Lin Ye.

"I'll pay for this child's bill," Lin Ye said with a smile to the waiter.

The waiter frowned: "You?"

Ifrit also looked up, glancing at Lin Ye with some confusion.

“Yes, we’re from the same place.” Lin Ye took out his wallet. “Give me the bill.”

As the waiter turned to get the bill, Ifrit slowly said, "I don't know you."

Lin Ye took out his ID card from his wallet and waved it in front of Ifrit: "You haven't gone back yet, have you? I'm the new psychologist."

Before Ifrit could speak, the waiter returned with the bill and pushed it toward Lin Ye: "Are you really going to pay for her? I think you'd better not meddle in other people's business."

“How could this be a trivial matter? Someone once told me that I am responsible for taking care of all of them.”

Lin Ye flashed his standard smile at Ifrit and the waiter while taking the bill, then opened it, glanced at it, and his smile gradually disappeared.

"gentlemen?"

Lin Ye took a deep breath, closed the bill, and returned it.

"I'm sorry, but after thinking about it, I'm just an intern who's been here for less than half a month. I don't know this girl well, so I won't pay for her. Goodbye."

Author's BB: Should I update three times today...?

Chapter 49 Ifrit (Part 2)

Lin Ye lifted his leg, intending to slip away.

However, he didn't get his way. Ifrit grabbed the back of his collar, preventing him from leaving, and said in a rather annoyed voice, "What's wrong with you? Are you even from Rhodes Island? Why haven't I seen you before?"

"I already told you I'm a new intern... my ID can't be fake."

"Then you pay for it for me, and I'll pay you back when I get back."

"Sorry, I don't have any money."

Ifrit was about to lose her temper: "Why did you come out here if you have no money?!"

Lin Ye was also furious: "You think I don't want to help you?! Who knew you could eat so much?! Is your stomach even human? Oh, your stomach is demonic... So what's with eating so much?! I'm afraid I'll have to stake myself here if I pay for your food."

"You can leave it here. I'll go back and get the money, and I'll come down to redeem you in a bit."

"It's clearly your bill, why are you leaving me here?!" Lin Ye said. "Why don't you just let me go, and I'll go upstairs and get the money for you."

“You bastard!” Ifrit said, “Are you trying to mess with me? I’m warning you, I can breathe fire, so don’t mess with me.”

"How novel! I can even spit out water," Lin Ye said dismissively. "So, are we going to go rescue Grandpa together? Your joke is so old..."

Before Lin Ye could finish speaking, he saw Ifrit raise her hand, and a crimson flame shot out from her palm, which startled him greatly.

She really can breathe fire!

Demons can breathe fire... No, shouldn't demons be able to breathe fire?

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Ye still asked, "Are you a caster operator?"

"Otherwise what?"

"So you're a Sarkaz?"

"You can't even see that?"

"You're lying to me. The Sarkaz are all medical operators," Lin Ye said. "Demons are all healers, not murderers and arsonists. You're a fake demon! Why should I be afraid of a fake demon? Let me go."

Ifrit was stunned by Lin Ye's words: "What are you talking about?"

At this point, even the waiter couldn't stand it anymore and glared at Lin Ye: "Are you going to pay or not?"

"It wasn't me who ate it..."

"Then why did you come out to join in the fun?"

Lin Ye suddenly felt like he was swallowing a bitter pill, unable to express his suffering.