Love is not as fun as World of Warcraft

Ichinose Shizuka, who had been feeling a little uneasy ever since Shirasaka mentioned the name, finally chose to continue talking about the topic, as if she could no longer bear the throbbing in her heart and needed to find someone to vent to.

And she also knew that the reason why Shirasaka didn't ask this again was just because he was concerned about his own condition. This didn't mean that he didn't want to explore. After all, he was not the kind of person who was good at hiding his emotions. Whatever he was thinking was basically written on his face.

"Is it not possible to just go check it out?"

Shirasaka shrugged his shoulders. He felt a little embarrassed that his little secret was exposed, especially when he was planning to go alone without telling Ichinose. It seemed like he was planning to eat alone and get caught.

Originally, Shirasaka planned to go to Kitami Natsuka to ask for the address of the so-called Rose Garden after separating from Ichinose, and go there at night to check it out and find out the specific situation.

After hearing what Ichinose said, he felt a little embarrassed to go alone.

"No... I just want to ask, if you have a way to get in, can you... take me with you?"

Taking a step closer to Shirasaka, Ichinose Shizuka was like a child at a loss. She lowered her head and reached out to grab the corner of Shirasaka's clothes, with a fragile look on her face that she had never had before. It was the first time that Shirasaka saw such a helpless look on her usually cold little face.

"I know it sounds presumptuous of me to say this. We don't know what dangers are hidden in that courtyard. Asking you to take me with you would be like taking on a burden. But please, I really want to be able to get in there. This is extremely important to me."

The slender white little hands turned pale because of being clenched too tightly. Ichinose Shizuka looked at the boy in front of her. She had no doubt that Shirasaka would eventually have the possibility of entering the rose garden. Even though no one had been able to truly enter this garden for many years, she was extremely convinced that Shirasaka was different from those before him.

Ichinose Shizuka had no idea where this young man's power came from or what kind of power he could exert, but she always believed in Shirasaka. Her intuition told her that he was the one she had been waiting for, the one who could fulfill her wish.

"..."

"I will tell you why I need this, and I will also tell you why I have such a strong reaction to the Rose Garden. As long as it is something you want to know, I will do my best to help you complete it. So please, can you promise me?"

Without waiting for Shirasaka to answer, Ichinose had already told Shirasaka everything she wanted to ask but was too embarrassed to say directly. This girl has always been like this. Even when it comes to things that may reopen her wounds, she is still so decisive and Shirasaka doesn't need to worry about it.

At this moment, she grabbed onto Shirasaka like a drowning person grabbing onto the last straw. The emotions reflected in her azure eyes were stronger than at any time in the past.

"I didn't say I wouldn't take you with me... If you really have a reason to go in, then how could I not help you? After all, we are companions, right?"

Shirasaka looked at her, who seemed afraid of being abandoned by him. Although he wanted to take out his phone to save the scene that he might not be able to see for many years, considering the current atmosphere, he forced himself to suppress the idea.

Just as he said himself, Shirasaka had no intention of abandoning Shizuka Ichinose. His original plan was to secretly investigate why Shizuka Ichinose was so sensitive about this place after completing the scouting. If possible, he wouldn't mind helping her resolve this issue.

No matter what, Ichinose Shizuka was his trusted companion, and as a companion, Ichinose had indeed done the best she could.

Anyway, Shirasaka has never met a companion as reliable as her in his life. If her personality was not really incompatible with his XP, Shirasaka would have pursued her.

Therefore, for Shirasaka, helping friends is something he is willing to do. Even if Ichinose didn't say this, he would still take her with him when he went to the Rose Garden in the end.

"Really?"

Ichinose Shizuka originally thought that Shirasaka might put forward some harsh conditions, but the answer she got in the end was really beyond her expectations.

In her impression, Shirasaka should be a more realistic person. This is the best time to make a request to her. It is unlikely that he would give up such a good opportunity.

But in the end, when she saw Shirasaka nodding helplessly but with some determination, Ichinose Shizuka's fragile little face finally melted like an iceberg, and finally bloomed into a perfect smile that Shirasaka had never seen before, which made him stunned.

"Why would I lie to you? Okay, okay, explain what that place means to you. It seems like whenever you mention the Rose Garden, you're completely different from the you I know. I'm really curious about what happened there."

After a long time, Shirasaka finally freed herself from this guy's charm. She slapped her face, turned her body to the side, and stopped looking at her unintentional smile. Then she continued to ask her question.

Since Ichinose Shizuka has taken the initiative to explain to him the reason for all this, Shirasaka will not be polite. No matter what the reason is, it is considered as information to him. No matter whether it is useful or not, it is always right to eat melons first.

"...Actually, Rose Garden was once my mother's home."

After suppressing the smile that had unintentionally appeared, Ichinose Shizuka turned back into the calm and collected girl in Shirasaka's memory when she talked about serious matters. With just one opening, she dropped a bombshell in front of Shirasaka.

No wonder Kitami Natsuka said that if she wanted to go to the Rose Garden, she only needed to get Ichinose Shizuka's consent. So this place is her mother's hometown?

But combined with what Kitami Natsuka said before, after the sudden appearance of darkness in that place more than ten years ago, it swallowed up everything around it. This may also mean that the fate of everyone in the lineage of Ichinose Shizuka and her mother is probably a bit hellish...

Shirasaka pinched her chin and looked at Ichinose Shizuka with a bit more pity in her eyes. Twelve years ago, this girl might have lost her relatives when she was five years old, so it was inevitable that she cared so much about monsters.

It would be fine if he had never enjoyed maternal love or other family affection from the beginning, but the key is that at the age of five, when he was receiving all the love from his parents, he suddenly lost everything due to an accident. Who can accept this?

Anyway, Shirasaka definitely expressed his understanding.

"When that tragedy happened, my mother had returned to the family for the Xingbu clan's annual family reunion."

As if unwilling to recall this memory that was like a nightmare to her, Ichinose closed her eyes, readjusted her breathing, and then cast a firm look at Shirasaka.

"After that, no one left the Rose Garden. So no matter what, I wanted to confirm whether she was still there."

Chapter 95: It's not a prison, why do you like helicopters?

"This isn't just my wish; it's also the final wish of my father, who has been depressed his entire life because of investigating that courtyard. With all this in mind, I must fulfill it."

Ichinose Shizuka looked at the young man in front of her indifferently. She knew in her heart that if she relied solely on herself, she might not have this opportunity in her lifetime. But the young man in front of her was different. The power he possessed was the necessary requirement to achieve a miracle.

"Now that you've said that, if I don't help you, am I still a human being?"

Shirasaka took a deep breath. What Ichinose Shizuka said was basically the same as his previous guess. However, after adding a paragraph from his father's last wish, it became even more heavy.

It's no wonder that she has become so expressionless now. If anyone goes through all this, it would be good if they are not autistic. She can still be so sensible and reliable. It can only be said that this is her nature.

Shirasaka really couldn't think of any reason to refuse her. Chang'an must go, and the monster must be killed. In that case, what could be wrong with helping his companion?

After patting Ichinose Shizuka's shoulder again and promising her that he would definitely help her, Shirasaka reached out and pinched her little face, which was calm yet a little sad.

After trying to squeeze her little face back into the smiling expression she had just had without success, Shirasaka finally gave up the idea.

"As a reward, another smile? Consider it an advance payment."

Shirasaka doesn't know how to comfort a girl, but he knows how to comfort his companions. As a famous saying goes, at this time, all you need to do is smile, and leave the rest to him.

Ichinose Shizuka was stunned for a moment when Shirasaka suddenly pinched her face, but after hearing his answer, she did not resist. Instead, she let his hands rub her face for a while, then she pulled the corners of her mouth and gave Shirasaka a somewhat stiff smile.

"Forget it, forget it. You look like a fake person to me. Anyway, leave the rest to me. As long as I can find a way to enter the Rose Garden, I will definitely take you with me. Is that okay?"

As Shirasaka spoke, he moved his fingers away from Ichinose Shizuka's delicate little face, which was as smooth as a cooked egg white, and raised his little thumb to her.

Ichinose Shizuka looked at Shirasaka's action in confusion, until he mentioned the agreement, then she seemed to realize something, and also raised her little hand, hooking Shirasaka's fingers with her slender little finger.

After completing a rather childish agreed action, Ichinose Shizuka held her palm, looked at the little finger that had just touched Shirasaka, and fell into a silent daze.

"Hey, do you look like yourself now? Give me the address, I'll go check it out. What on earth is that so-called Rose Garden? I don't even know what it is like or how to get in. It's not going to be easy for me."

Shirasaka didn't dare to say that he could get in right now. Although with the mechanism of Warcraft, it didn't seem to be a difficult problem to cross some inaccessible barriers, the problem was that he hadn't drawn anything yet. So even if he agreed to Ichinose Shizuka, he had to go and check it out first.

"Well, I'll take you with me."

Ichinose Shizuka was awakened from her thoughts by Shirasaka. She put down her little finger somewhat at a loss, then nodded hurriedly and turned to walk towards the door.

It was rare to see Shizuka Ichinose Shirosaka like this. Looking at her leaving back, he couldn't help but smile.

How should I put it? It turns out that she is not a person with expressionless nature. If she occasionally shows her emotions, she does look unattractive.

Following Ichinose Shizuka to the door, Shirasaka's smile quickly froze at the corners of his mouth.

"Well, do we have to sit here?"

Watching Ichinose Shizuka skillfully straddle the motorcycle, Shirasaka almost had reluctance written on his face, especially after he had just experienced the helicopter brought by Kitami Natsuka, he didn't want to ride this thing even more.

The main thing is that Ichinose's cycling skills are so desperate that it can't be said that he is racing, he is just flying too low.

In addition, since it was obvious that this bus was going to the city, Shirasaka had even less desire to take it.

"..."

"That's all I have."

Ichinose Shizuka held the motorcycle and pondered for a moment. Seeing Shirasaka's reluctant expression, she nodded with understanding. Then, in front of Shirasaka's surprised gaze, she pushed out an old bicycle from the garage nearby.

Patting the back seat of the bicycle, Shizuka Ichinose looked at the boy in front of him and gave him the most sincere invitation.

"No, I mean, can't we take a taxi? Or do you really not have a car at home?"

Shirasaka sighed, but did not stop what he was doing. After moving Ichinose Shizuka to the back seat, he couldn't wait to sit on the old-fashioned bicycle.

Come to think of it, he hadn't ridden this thing for a while. The price of this thing in Neon was not affordable at all. The money to buy one of these things alone was enough for Shirasaka to take hundreds of trains.

"That place is always dark, so it's difficult for ordinary vehicles to enter."

Ichinose Shizuka, who was pushed to the back seat by Shirasaka, did not feel annoyed. She just obediently reached out and lightly supported the waist of the boy in front of her, and sat sideways on the back seat, as obedient as a girlfriend going out on a date.

"As for the Ichinose family...my grandfather won't provide me with any help when it comes to matters related to monsters."

Slowly resting her forehead on Shirasaka's back, Ichinose Shizuka answered Shirasaka in a somewhat low voice. This was the first time she took the initiative to mention something about her current relatives.

"So that's why I have to be the driver? I think we should just work directly with Kitami Natsu from now on. After all, we can still fly a helicopter when we go out."

Seeing that she was in a bad mood again, Shirasaka quickly pedaled the old-fashioned bicycle with force. The familiar breeze blew past him, and the feeling of freedom of riding a bicycle as a child returned to him again.

Well, he doesn't mind riding a bicycle occasionally. After all, pedaling a bicycle is a very enjoyable thing.

Especially when there is a beautiful girl sitting behind you and people along the way look at you with envy, it makes you feel even happier.

"Do you really want a helicopter?"

However, Shizuka Ichinose was completely focused on another thing. Seeing that Shirasaka seemed to really like traveling by helicopter, she asked him in a negotiating tone. It sounded like as long as Shirasaka said yes, she would buy one immediately.

In fact, Shirasaka had no doubt that she could really do it.

If you think about it, the helipad that Kitami Natsuka parked on is the one at Ichinose's house. Does this mean that this guy has this thing at home? It's just like she said, because her elders don't let her use it.

Damn it, I almost forgot that this girl is actually a truly wealthy woman who can go home and inherit billions of dollars at any time.

"I'm not a geek, so why would I like helicopters? They're not very useful in the city. I just want a better way to get around."

After Shirasaka gave a look to express her dissatisfaction with these evil rich people, she slowly answered Ichinose Shizuka's question and rejected her idea of really getting a helicopter.

In fact, the motorcycle that Shizuka Ichinose usually uses is one of the most useful means of transportation for traveling in the city. It is convenient and fast, and it is also very easy to store. If Shirasaka wants, she can even put it in the inventory and carry it around.

But there was a problem. Shirasaka had no experience in riding a motorcycle. If he asked Shizuka Ichinose to drive, he would think she would fly too low.

"Then, I'll teach you how to ride a motorcycle?"

Ichinose Shizuka is indeed the most reliable and sensible companion that Shirasaka has chosen. After just a brief thought, she seemed to understand why Shirasaka said that and quickly gave her own solution.

Judging from Shirasaka's current attitude, he definitely has no objection to being allowed to ride the bike by himself.

"That's what you said, so I'll come to see you when I'm free."

Shirasaka would not be polite with her on this matter. Sooner or later, he would have to find a means of transportation anyway. If he used the mounts in Warcraft, it would be a bit too ostentatious and arrogant. Learning how to drive a motorcycle would be a good choice.

As for how long it would take to learn, Shirasaka didn't care at all. He was resistant to falls and had an intelligence bonus, so how long would it take him to learn the stance of a motorcycle?

When he learns a skill like sacrifice in the future, he will be able to ride a motorcycle and cosplay as Ghost Rider. Just thinking about how cool it would be is enough to make him look forward to it.

Just thinking about this, Shirasaka felt even stronger in his legs as he pedaled the bike.

Chapter 96: So Sensible That It Makes People Distressed

Just as Ichidose said, the so-called rose garden was indeed not very far from her home, but it was unexpectedly a bit remote.

After all, most people wouldn't build their own garden inside a forest park, right?

Of course, the ideas of rich people are always so strange. Shirasaka doesn’t think there is anything wrong with doing this. On the contrary, if it were him, he would also hope to build his hometown in the deep mountains and forests, which would feel more impressive.

There are still many forest parks in Neon. Even in the urban area of Kamihama, there are several parks of various sizes. However, the fact that there is actually a hidden place called Chang'an here is really beyond Shirasaka's expectations.

Shirasaka was even more surprised when he arrived at the place given to him by Ichinose Shizuka and saw the classical Japanese castle tower located on the hillside of a mountain.

Such a big thing, so huge that it can cover an area of more than ten miles in darkness, is just placed here, and no one knows about it?

But on second thought, it seemed that the constant darkness really did have this function. In particular, the more powerful the monster, the greater the constant darkness it formed, and the stronger its ability to drive away idle people. Instead, it protected the ordinary people scattered in the park, making it impossible for them to notice that there was such an extremely abnormal thing around them.

"I finally understand why Kitami Natsu said this is a famous building in Kamihama. Anyone who has seen this will find it hard not to remember it."

Shirasaka looked up. The courtyard was located on a mountain surrounded by forests. Even though he was still far away, he could see the huge thorny vines growing suddenly around it. It was like a castle parasitized by thorns, and there was a strange atmosphere everywhere.

The power of darkness contained within it obscured the entire area. From the outside, except for the conspicuous thorn courtyard, the rest was pitch black.

"Those thorny rose thorns are the fundamental culprit that prevents anyone from entering. They will actively attack anything that comes close. At the same time, they will grow almost infinitely, making it impossible to destroy them from the outside."

Ichinose Shizuka also looked towards the courtyard with a complicated expression, but she did not forget to tell Shirasaka what she knew about the rose thorns.

"Well, so that means only that courtyard is surrounded by thorny roses, and there are no such things in the eternal darkness around it?"

Shirasaka pinched her chin, but the question she asked was somewhat different from what Ichinose Shizuka had expected.

"Yes, but even so, the power gathered in this Ever Darkness is far more intense than in other Ever Darknesses. Even with the use of boundary talismans, ordinary people simply cannot move within it for long. Even those Onmyoji who specialize in this area are helpless in the face of Ever Darkness of this scale."

Shaking her head, a look of disappointment flashed across Shizuka Ichinose's eyes, as she had obviously tried it before. These were not things she learned from ancient books, but the conclusions she and her father had drawn after countless attempts and failures.

"So there's such a huge cave, isn't there anyone guarding it? What if something gets out?"

Shirasaka nodded. Ichinose Shizuka's description was within his expectations. Chang'an's suppression power over ordinary humans was still very strong. Not everyone had resistant skin like him and could ignore the invasion of the mixed monster power.

But the problem was that after he looked around, he didn't see anyone who was responsible for monitoring this area of darkness. You know, the darkness formed by a hungry ghost at his doorstep was managed by Shizuka Ichinose, which was equivalent to a giant darkness of nuclear bomb level. But those people ignored it?

This is a little unreasonable, isn't it?