Before going out, he let Old Nors know that he might be going out.
He didn’t say why or where.
He just let him know for his own safety.
After that, he leaves to meet everyone on the designated place that they agreed upon in the morning.
It does take too long for him to reach that place and find out that others have already arrived.
‘Always first when it comes to stuff like this.’ He lampoons and greets everyone there.
He doesn’t act like a gentleman.
Instead, just a reserved kid who doesn’t actually know how to start a conversation.
In the group, there were Poen, Mar and even Kek is here.
This surprises him a little as he didn’t think that he would be coming.
Kek always pretend to be such a devotee to the Goddess that see him here really makes him question few things.
But he doesn’t bother with this much as he knows that everyone has a different side to them.
Everyone has their own secrets.
After greets, they all leave to go to the illegal bazaar.
According to Poen, they will meet his brother on the way.
His name is Ziggy.
He did warn everyone that he would be a little drunk.
So, it would be better to not talk with him.
Just let Poen deal with him instead.
Joy has no problem with that.
He welcomes others dealing with things instead of him.
While walking, Mar comes closer to Joy.
He looks nervous and has his hands clutched into a fist.
Thinking that it would be rude to ignore someone who is nervous and clearly wants someone’s support.
Joy speak with a little concern.
“Are you okay?”
Mar jumps a little.
He then adjusts himself and answer.
“Not really. I… I don’t know what would be happening there you know. So, maybe the fear of unknown is scaring me.”
Joy speaks to reassure him.
“Don’t worry about it. Poen did say that his big brother is reliable. Nothing will go wrong. We are just be going to take a look at things and be back by midnight.”
At that, he touches his chest left to right like he is praying to Goddess for his safe returns.
Joy isn’t sure what does that mean.
Mar answers whispers in Joy ears.
Making sure to not let the other two hear him.
“You haven’t met Ziggy yet. He is really scary and always calls me names like Puny butt or Sissy boy. It is even worse when he is drunk. Sigh. Please be with me. Maybe he will go easy on me or ignore me if he thinks that I am friends with you. You are still young and are so much braver than me. I am so jealous.”
Joy has already assumed this to be the one of the possibilities.
But this confirms it that Poen’s brother is going to be a bother.
Now only thing that needs to be known is how much.
‘Also, I am not brave.
I am the biggest coward.
Don’t hide behind me.
Let me hide behind you.
You are two years older than me.’ He doesn’t say that part out loud.
Both continue following behind Kek and Poen who are also talking to each other about random stuff.
A hotel that looks like that it isn’t for children of their age.
Even Kek who is the oldest found this place surprising.
Everyone also closes their nose as there is such a strong stench of alcohol in the air.
Even Poen found it unbearable and he is the one who brags about going to such places all the time.
Joy also closes his noses.
But he doesn’t feel the stench to be that strong or unbearable.
It is unpleasant but not impossible to adjust into.
He wonders if Purity has also affected his sense of smell.
Nothing was said about that in the book though.
It is surprising but not an unwelcoming of a side effect of the ritual.
Poen who is at the first of the group has his eyes lights up as he finds his brother sitting on a table.
There are a few empty glasses on his side and two more people siding on that table.
These two people are Blankie and Balie.
It doesn’t surprise him as he has seen these two many times with him many times.
He isn’t sure if they’re friends or just drinking buddies.
Is there some difference between the two?
Probably.
According to his brother he is too small to understand it yet.
Poen gestures everyone to follow him.
Blackie sees some children approaches and recognizes Ziggy’s brother.
So, he shouts and welcomes them.
“Little Ziggy is here. How you all doing? You even brought some of your friends? Don’t corrupt them like yourself.”
Poen frowns and replies.
“Man, can you please not call me that… I have bought my friends with me.”
Blankie smiles and shows all his pearly white teeth.
Then he speaks.
“Maybe grow up and get a woman with big hookers of a size of your head. Then I will stop calling you little Ziggy. You are practically a copy of your brother… Did she pop out the other half of Ziggy later…haha.”
This made Balie laugh out loud.
It is unclear if he understood anything because he looks so drunk.
Ziggy on the other side just drinks the alcohol.
He enjoys every sip.
Poen just sighs and isn’t sure what else to reply with.
After teasing him a bit, Blackie moves to other three.
“Kek and Mar, Long time no see, huh? Oh wait, I think I did meet you last Sunday…. Haha. How are you two working in the Goddess temple? Do the priests let you rest? I am telling you come and work in labor. You will get much more money and freedom.”
Both deny his offer.
They already know that he is drunk so it is just idle talk with no really meaning behind.
They could say Yes or no, it wouldn’t really make much sense.
Blackie drinks another cup of alcohol and then looks at Joy.
His eyes don’t seem to be looking straight at him.
Perhaps, because of the alcohol too.
“Hey, you are also from the Goddess temple. How is everything going little sh…MMM…boy?”
Joy just nods to greet and say that he is fine.
He has gathered that talking is pointless.
It is much easier to just nod.
Also, this man looks happy and very easy going.
So, he also didn’t feel any pressure.
Blankie smile and seems to be talking to himself.
He seems to forget what to say after that and just chugs more drinks.
Ziggy sees that the other party has gone quiet.
So, he speaks while leaning towards the group a little.
“What a dumbass, right? They would be paying all the bill now. Let’s just leave… But before that, let me have one more. This is how adults work. You got that, Poen?”
He nods like he understood everything that his big brother said.
Other three just look at him and wanted to say that “You are just stealing from them”.
But they didn’t say it out loud.
Another two drink comes to the table and Ziggy takes one.
He enjoys it bit by bit.
Every sip is like another step to the heaven.
In between sip, he says.
“Any of you three ever drink alcohol?”
They all shake their heads.
Even Poen shakes it as he also has never tried it before.
Not because he is pure or anything.
But because drinking needs money and he doesn’t want to use his money on it.
Ziggy is also the same.
But as tonight, the drinks are basically free.
So, he put a little bit on four glasses for everyone.
“Here you four, this is my treat. Enjoy.”
In his mind, Joy corrects his words, ‘You means treat of these two?’
As the glass are placed in front of them.
Poen is the first to pick up and try the drink.
Then Kek picks one too with some hesitation.
Mar seems to be very nervous and so the third one to pick up the glass is Joy.
Seeing that he has picked up the glass.
Mar also forces himself to pick it up and drink it up.
Joy sighs and also drinks it.
As he drinks it up, his mouth feels no taste of alcohol.
It is due to the ability that he gained, Purity.
His taste buds are unresponsive.
Poen reaction to drink is a face that shows it all.
He hates it dearly and wants to spit it out.
But he doesn’t as to show to his big brother that he can handle it.
Kek also hates it but after one or two more sips.
He also leaves the glass on the table and shakes his head.
Indicating that he can’t drink it anymore.
Mar couldn’t even swallow it properly.
He just spits it out into the bank.
He doesn’t dare to make too much noise.
He looks at his side towards Joy and sees that he is clutching his chest tightly.
His face is puzzled but it isn’t cause of disgust.
It also looked like he has frozen still in time.
Mar thinks about asking what is wrong.
Then suddenly, he notices Joy jolt violently on the seat.