The figure was extremely cautious.
Every movement blended perfectly with light and shadow, and even the footsteps merged with the wind.
Tick, tick.
On the clock spire beside the dome, the hand advanced second by second. After the second hand completed a circuit, the minute hand gave a slight jump.
Tick.
The sound was barely different from the ticking of the second hand.
Yet the approaching figure recoiled as though struck by lightning.
Clutching his right hand, the figure forcibly swallowed his scream. Only after entering a deserted alley did he let out a low growl.
"You've 'won' again!"
"But I don't believe you'll win every time!"
The figure glanced back at the Dome Clock Tower once more, then ran straight toward the Harvest Tavern.
As he approached the Harvest Tavern, the figure resumed his "original" appearance.
Once again, he hummed a cheerful tune.
When he pushed open the door and entered the Harvest Tavern, someone he knew greeted him.
"Hey, Boer, want a drink?"
"No. I don't have enough points to indulge in drinking my fill here."
The man named Boer headed toward the bar.
As luck would have it, just as he passed the drunken Lawless, Lawless slid out of his chair again.
Boer caught Lawless.
"Are you an idiot?"
Having spent several days here, Boer naturally knew what was going on. Shaking his head as he made the remark, he settled Lawless back into place, then said to Rachel behind the bar, "I'd like a glass of your cheapest honey water. Plain water is fine, too."
"Chilled lemonade. On the house."
The tavern owner handed him a glass as she spoke.
Boer cradled it in his hands as though it were a priceless treasure, thanking her repeatedly. "Thank you."
Watching Boer, the tavern owner frowned. In the