Not long after, they stopped in front of a ring toss stall.
"This one looks easy." Ray said confidently.
It was not.
His first throw bounced off the target. The second missed entirely. The third somehow landed
behind the stall.
Evelyn covered her mouth. A laugh slipped out before she could stop it.
Ray was taken aback at this.
"…Did you just laugh at me?"
"I'm sorry," she said, still smiling.
"You're just… very bad at this. hehehe."
"That's rude."
She stepped beside him.
"You're throwing it wrong. Like this."
She showed him an angle as she moved her hand.
Ray tried again. Failed again.
Evelyn started giggling more loudly now. The stall owner was too grinning while Ray was
suffering.
"Alright," Ray said finally.
"Then you do it."
"You're challenging me?"
"Yes. People who laugh at others should also be laughed at."
Evelyn took the rings.
One toss. Clean.
Second toss. Perfect.
Third, Fourth. Fifth.
Ray stared in silence.
Moments later, she placed a small teddy bear into his hands.
Well…
____
They walked on.
Evelyn walked just a step behind him, telling herself it was nothing.
Just a festival. Just a walk. Just fun.
Ray, meanwhile, was still staring at the teddy bear, replaying every missed throw in his head.
Was all that training for naught? Or is it something only people who are [SS] rank can do.
The crowd felt louder now. Heavier.
He slowed his pace and glanced upward, toward the rooftops above.
"…It's kind of noisy," he said. "Want to go somewhere quieter?"
Evelyn looked up at him.
After a pause, she nodded.
From the rooftop, the city looked unreal.
Eternal Sky stretched endlessly beneath them, layers upon layers of glowing streets stacked
like a sea of stars turned upside down. Lanterns floated gently through the air, drifting between
towers and bridges, while golden lights traced every road and spire.
The festival below had softened into a distant murmur, lively yet muted.
Ray leaned against the low ledge, letting the sight sink in.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
But silence wasn't awkward.
The night air was cool but pleasant, carrying faint traces of incense, roasted sweets, and
something floral he couldn't quite place.
For once, there were no duties to discuss. No politics. No Training. No systems, factions, or
responsibilities weighing on his shoulders.
Just two people, resting beneath the moon, enjoying the moment.
This is… nice.
Ray thought.
Still, something felt missing.
'To truly perfect a night like this, it would've been ideal to have a drink. '
Something slow, something warm. Something to sip while watching the city glow. He was just
about to chuckle at the thought when—
Clink.
The sound was soft, almost deliberate.
Ray turned his head just in time to see Evelyn lift her left hand. A faint shimmer rippled around
the ring she wore, and a moment later, a wine bottle appeared in her grasp, its glass dark and
etched with delicate golden runes.
Ray stared.
Then he laughed.
"I didn't know my secretary had a knack for wine."
Evelyn glanced at him, then down at the bottle.
"I like collecting rare ones," she said calmly.
"Though I don't usually drink them."
"Oh?" Ray raised a brow then added.
"Busy woman."
She uncorked the bottle with little ease.
"Wine like this shouldn't be wasted on casual moments."
As she poured, a deep, rich aroma spread into the air. It wasn't sharp like ordinary alcohol. It
was warm but felt strangely sweet.
Ray took a sip.
The wine bloomed across his tongue.
It wasn't overwhelming, yet.
Warmth spread slowly through his chest, then outward, settling deep into his bones. It felt less
like drinking alcohol and more like being gently wrapped in heat.
"…Excellent," he said, impressed. "But it's not your average wine right?"
"It's over a thousand years old," Evelyn replied. "Fermented with rare ginseng and spirit herbs.
Since ordinary wine wouldn't affect us anymore."
Ray let out a low whistle. "And you just… carry this around?"
She nodded. "I never really had the chance to drink it."
"Why?"
She hesitated, then answered softly. "Wine tastes better when you have someone to share it
with."
Ray grinned. "So you've been imagining yourself drinking wine with other guys too?"
Evelyn blinked, then laughed. "It could be women. Or friends."
"Tch," Ray clicked his tongue.
They drank again.
Conversation flowed naturally after that, drifting from one topic to another without effort.
"Oh, there was that time too."
Evelyn giggled, "ehehehe, you had to hide inside a waterfall."
"I stayed there for forty-two hours, you know. The son of a beast wouldn't get tired."
"hahahaha."
"It wouldn't leave," Ray said helplessly. "Every time I tried to move, it roared."
Evelyn stared at him, then burst out laughing. "That's what happens when you disturb monsters
during mating season."
"What? You told me to hunt it yourself."
"They hold grudges," she said between laughs. "Especially when interrupted."
Ray groaned. "You could've told me that before I went for it.."
They laughed together. The wine warmed them further, loosening more of their thoughts.
They talked about small things after that. Embarrassing training moments. Ray losing his way in
the Lost Lands more times than he cared to admit.
Evelyn teased him gently, her usual composed demeanor melting away.
At some point, the words slowed.
They stopped talking and simply watched the city.
The wine had settled comfortably into their bodies. Not overwhelming, but present. Their
shoulders were closer now, close enough that Ray could feel the faint scent coming from her
body.
Evelyn rested her chin lightly on her hand, eyes reflecting the moonlight.
"…Ray."
"Yeah?"
She didn't look at him right away. "Do you ever wish… things could stay like this longer?"
Ray thought about it for a good amount of time. It was peaceful.
"Yeah."
She smiled faintly.
Another sip.
Eventually, Evelyn leaned back, eyes drifting upward toward the sky. Her voice was quieter now,
carrying a subtle boldness the wine had drawn out.
"…Wanna do it?"
Evelyn glanced at him, eyes shaking, and a deep blush resting on her cheeks.