Bloodline Evolution: I Can Choose Opposing Paths

Chapter 158: Local Whispers

Compared to the quiet isolation they had just come from, the city felt a bit more alive. Not overwhelmingly so, but enough.

"...Huh," Miu muttered as she tapped her train card against the gate scanner. "This place feels way more normal than I expected."

Aren remained silent, eyes moving across the station as he tried to check around for any suspicious activities.

They made their way out of the train station and into the main streets of Misarck. The city itself was more reminiscent of something they’d seen in the Eastern Dominion, a bit more modern and minimalistic as opposed to the historical architecture that a lot of the buildings in the capital of the Dominion, Hysian had.

"Wait, you’re just leaving us?" Miu said, jaws wide open as she stared at Stella.

But almost immediately afterward, she looked at Aren and added: "Don’t do anything reckless."

"Good."

For a moment, the two of them stood there in silence.

Aren reached into his coat, pulling out the newer certificate once more. His eyes scanned the address before turning to his left.

***

It didn’t take long for them to track down the street listed on the certificate. Aren slowed the moment they turned the corner.

Miu followed his gaze.

Shen’s Noodles

And yet...as they approached, one thing became evidently clear: The entire restaurant was empty.

Aren looked around at the street. It wasn’t like the entire district was empty, no. People were still hustling and bustling along the road.

Miu gulped. "Haha Aren...maybe, you know maybe we should wait for Stella! She’s actually part of law enforcement so she has rights. We’re just civilians!"

But before he could put any force into pushing the door forward, a voice cut in from the side, causing Aren to pause.

"...You two aren’t from around here, are you?"

But Aren cut in and answered first.

The man nodded slowly. "Figured. You might want to rethink going in there."

The man sighed before pushing himself off the wall, stepping a bit closer to them so they could hear his whisper.

Aren’s eyes sharpened slightly. "Used to?"

Miu glanced back at the empty interior. "...That doesn’t look like the case anymore."

"That’s why I was surprised when they opened another branch in Misarck. With the same name and owner too."

"But the food," the man shook his head. "It’s not the same as it used to be."

"Not just bad."

"And people still eat there?" Aren asked after a while.

"...Like what?" Miu said. But at this point, she was pretty much hiding behind Aren, just peeking out enough to ask.

"Could just be bad sourcing..." the man added quickly. "Or the guy losing his touch.

Miu shifted slightly. "...Maybe we should just—"

The man nodded slowly before turning back.

"Every movie ever tells you to never walk into suspicious and shady restaurants! Especially ones with bad rumors lingering around them!"

Miu paused for a moment before sighing. "Now I know why you’re such a trouble magnet..."

And just like that—