121 The Originals 2

The heart of the city was still as brightly lit as hours ago. However, activities did decrease since not many could stay awake at 3:56 am. The number of cars on the highways also lessened and people walking on the sidewalks were now as rare as raindrops in summer. It was actually a given. If they don't have to work at this hour, why wouldn't they want to sleep and have their deserved rest? Why would they spend their nights in the cold outside when they could just stay under the comfort of their blankets?

Hah, the majority would even think that asking the obvious was stupid!

This was why even at the center of the city, aside from some 24/7 convenience stores, less than five shops and restaurants could be seen open. But fortunately, one such restaurant was still operating which also happened to be in front of the Alina Victory Hall building.

A beautiful girl with mid-back length hair wearing a long-sleeved peach-colored shirt and blue denim shorts walked into the place. One of the waiters at the side who was initially dozing off due to sleepiness instantly had his mind fully awakened when he caught sight of her face and figure. He immediately got up from his seat and eagerly greeted her.

She gave him a dazzling smile then sat at a table nearest to the glass window. The spot was purposely chosen because she wanted to watch the people going in and out of the building across this restaurant.

Of course, whether the ones she would like to observe sneaking in would really use the entrance, that was a different matter altogether.

"Good morning and welcome to Cristy's, ma'am. May I know your order?"

"Oh, hi. Good morning too," she smiled as she accepted the menu book.

Right after she said her orders to the same waiter, a voice echoed in her mind, asking.

Her gaze went to the scene outside. With her elbows against the table's surface and her fingers interlocked, she placed her chin above it before letting out a soundless giggle.

She knew the system was asking her about the phone call she just had with Gio Albarez thus she answered,

'What's wrong with what I did? Can't I do things without reasons? Hey, 101, I'm still an immoral host you know? If that boy who kept pestering Clarissa can throw bombs at her without any justification, why can't I tease that man without one too? Anyway, it's just a fake threat. Putting that aside, I'm just a normal host who can also be occasionally playful!'

She chuckled, 'You mean, her? Haha. Uhh, no. Clarissa is not really a moron. It just so happen that she has no way to defend herself against someone with that skill.'

The woman pouted, 'That'd be really stupid then. Why do you hate so much? Do you think I didn't notice you always asking me that? Hey! It's hard to raise her, okay? It took me a year! And she's just three missions away from Level 5. Why would I discard her now? I'm just leaving her there to teach her a lesson. She's become quite complacent because she never encountered higher level host before that kid. But after this, I'm sure she'll learn that being always prepared and guarded is the only way to not end up like a lab rat again in the future.'

Her AI still tried to defend itself,

If only this AI had a body, the woman would have already given it a dirty look.

'Remember, you want me to snatch another host's main supporter. Why else? Of course, he's now my target. After all, he's in the same city.'

The woman did not immediately reply because the waiter finally came back with her order which was on the tray in his hands. This was not a fast-food chain restaurant so it was quite a puzzle how this employee managed to produce everything within three minutes. However, the girl acted as if this was not a rare occurrence.

Yup, this was not. Because everywhere she goes, this always happens.

Her system could only comment that this world was really driven by lookism.

It was one hundred percent sure even if its host ate and ran, it wouldn't matter because many here would gladly pay for her bill.

"Here's your Butternut Squash-Apricot Chicken Noodle Curry and Classic Milk Bubble Tea With Tapioca Pearls," politely delivered by the waiter despite being puzzled why the beautiful lady chose the noodle curry for breakfast. Later on though, he shrugged, thinking a reason must be behind this. Even if there's none, in the end, it wouldn't matter because a goddess is always right.

She nodded, then smilingly looked at her two-seater table which was now no longer empty. When the waiter left, she picked the spoon up, only to play with it, rubbing its handle's slightly cold surface while observing the eye-friendly glimmer its curve part refracted.

'System,' she started. 'I resent you for reminding me, but you are right. Tomorrow is my flight, and this made me hate you more for issuing this 'Host's Partner Snatching' mission just when I'm about to leave.'

The woman giggled, leaving her companion speechless. It didn't know how its reminder turned into a funny punch line, leading it to wonder why human brains work differently from what was sometimes calculated. Fortunately, it knew Host 101 was at least not as stupid as that Clarissa. She would sometimes do irrational things but at least there would be no bad repercussions. It was just not a nice experience having to endlessly guess what was running in her mind.

Shortly after, the pretty socialite stopped giggling and instead began to look seriously at the opposite building. The food and drinks were not left untouched even as she glued her eyes to the place. However, from time to time her hands holding the utensils would pause in the air then drop atop the table. This continued for two minutes until a big smile blossomed from her perfectly shaped cherry lips.

With her eyes twinkling from satisfaction, she said to the system, 'I like him. He's smart and very efficient when doing work. He's not the least bit inferior to my assistant.'

Her system did not reply. It couldn't believe that its advice was ignored. At the same, it also found her silly for doing all of this just to see how capable her target was.

The woman continued smiling and staring at the building as if she could see everything happening within. She added, 'Look, not even thirty minutes passed and he already had his men sent to the floor where the contestants stay. I thought it'll take him two hours at least. And his underlings are efficient, cold-blooded and powerful too. The poor girl who replaced me there is shot to death without mercy! Haha!'

The one she was speaking with remained silent for a couple of seconds before it said, its tone higher than usual,

She finally looked away from the upper floors of the Victory Hall and went back to eating. Her mood was very good when she replied, 'Actually I have two goals. Unfortunately, the first is an epic fail because I didn't even hear his voice even though I threatened him with Conrad's name. Haha. It's sad but not everything goes the way we want. But, yeah, no point thinking about it. At least, I know now that he's qualified to be with me...'

'And he'll only need to suffer being with that unbearably stupid host for a little more than a week. After that, once I'm back, I'll start snatching him away from his useless and naive host woman. Hey, system. When that time comes, reward me handsomely, alright? Remember, you owe me a favor for accidentally wasting my hundred thousand points last Tuesday.' she carefreely added.

No reply came because, around that time, it was actually internally grumbling and complaining about a lot of things, Sofony's system AI being one of them. Its host cheerfully added one to it when she suddenly paused and fluttered her long lashes, her face showing that an idea suddenly crossed her mind.

'Hmm, I think it's best to at least see him once before I leave. Alright, let's sneak a peek to our future moneybag later!' she giggled.

On the other side of the street, on the fourth floor of the extension building next to the stand-alone hall.

Using the ability bought from the skill shop, the girl then amused herself watching how efficient Gio's men were. It did not even take them more than five minutes to do all the killing and cleanup. One could only click their tongue in amazement at the sight, wondering how many times had they done this before in order to be this proficient. It was simply amazing, at the same time, frightening. Especially if the one watching was an ordinary human.

While the few people around observing her joyful eating were guessing if she was like that due to this place's food, the woman was actually just happy to see those three men bringing the corpse away. Time passed until she saw the black car carrying Gio's men and the dead body speeding away.

A notification rang in her head and when she checked, it was her expected message.

.....