Modern Weapons Cheat in Fantasy World-Chapter 39: Moments in the Night

It was six o’clock in the evening and Marcus was waiting outside of the adventurer’s guild. Any moment now, Elaina would come out. And as if on cue, she came out, but not dressed in her typical receptionist uniform but a dirndl.

Marcus didn’t move for a second.

He just looked at her.

Elaina stepped out of the guild doors and paused when she saw him already waiting. The warm light from inside the building spilled behind her, outlining her figure before she stepped fully into the evening street.

The outfit was simple, but it suited her.

A white blouse with soft sleeves, slightly loose but fitted enough to show her frame. Over it, a dark bodice that shaped her waist, held together by neat buttons down the front. The red skirt fell cleanly below, layered and modest, but it moved naturally as she walked.

Her hair was tied differently too.

Neater.

A braid resting over one shoulder, held in place with a ribbon.

Marcus exhaled quietly.

"...Wow."

It slipped out before he could stop it.

Elaina blinked, then her cheeks tinted slightly.

"Is... something wrong?" she asked, instinctively checking herself.

Marcus shook his head once.

"No," he said. "Nothing’s wrong."

He looked at her again, this time more carefully, like he was confirming what he was seeing.

"You just... look different."

Elaina shifted slightly where she stood, hands coming together in front of her.

"I don’t usually wear this," she admitted. "It’s just... something for outside work."

Marcus nodded slowly.

"...It suits you."

That made her pause.

Then she smiled, a bit more relaxed this time.

"Thank you," she said.

There was a brief silence between them.

Marcus cleared his throat lightly and straightened.

"So, shall we go get dinner?"

"Uhm, how about we go to the marketplace and taste different food there?" Elaina suggested.

Marcus nodded without hesitation.

"Sounds good," he said.

Elaina’s smile widened slightly, then she turned and started walking down the street. Marcus followed beside her, matching her pace as they moved away from the guild.

The evening had settled in fully now.

Lanterns were being lit along the roads, casting a warm glow over the stone streets. The air felt cooler, carrying the mixed scents of cooked food, spices, and smoke drifting from different parts of the city.

As they got closer, the noise grew.

The marketplace came into view.

Stalls lined both sides of the open space, each one set up with wooden counters and hanging lanterns. Some had small grills set up in front, others had pots simmering over open flames. People moved between them, stopping, ordering, eating where they stood.

Marcus slowed slightly as he took it in.

"...This is busy," he said.

"It’s always like this in the evening," Elaina replied. "Most people come here after work."

They stepped into the crowd.

The first stall they passed had skewers lined up over a charcoal grill. Meat sizzled as fat dripped onto the coals, the smell sharp and inviting.

"Grilled pork! Fresh off the fire! Ten kinah per stick!" the vendor called out.

Next stall—

Flatbread being pressed and flipped on a hot surface.

"Five kinah! Hot bread!"

Then another—

A large pot filled with stew, steam rising steadily.

"Beef stew! Fifteen kinah a bowl!"

Marcus glanced around, taking note.

"...Not bad," he muttered.

Elaina looked at him.

"You’ve never been here before, have you?" she asked.

"Oh I have been here," Marcus said.

"Really?"

"Yes...so what do you want to eat? My treat."

"No, it’s my treat," Elaina said, her tone firm this time.

Marcus glanced at her.

"...You sure?" he asked.

Elaina lifted her chin slightly, a hint of pride in her expression.

"Yes," she said. "My salary just came in today."

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"That explains the confidence."

"It’s not just confidence," Elaina replied. "I’ve been saving for a while now. I can afford this."

Marcus looked at her for a second, then gave a small nod.

"Alright. I won’t argue."

Elaina smiled, satisfied.

"Good."

They stepped aside from the flow of people as another group passed between stalls. Elaina looked around, thinking about what to get next, while Marcus studied her quietly.

"...How much do you even make?" he asked after a moment.

Elaina paused mid-step.

Then she looked at him.

"That’s confidential," she said without hesitation.

Marcus let out a short breath.

"Of course it is."

Elaina smiled slightly, then leaned in just a bit, lowering her voice.

"But I’ll give you a hint," she said.

Marcus waited.

"It’s enough," she continued, "for me to finance a house in the city... and live comfortably without worrying about money."

Marcus’s expression shifted slightly.

"...That’s more than I expected for a guild receptionist."

Elaina straightened again.

"We handle more than just paperwork," she said. "Information, coordination, priority contracts... it’s not as simple as it looks."

Marcus nodded once.

"Fair."

She glanced at him again.

"So don’t hold back," she added. "Order what you want."

Marcus looked around the stalls again, then back at her.

"...Alright. Let’s test that."

Elaina let out a small laugh.

"Go ahead."

They moved deeper into the marketplace, stopping at another stall where a vendor was slicing roasted meat directly from a rotating spit.

"Roasted lamb! Twenty kinah per serving!" the man called out.

Marcus pointed.

"I’ll take one."

Elaina nodded.

"And one for me too."

Coins exchanged hands before Marcus could even reach for his own.

Elaina had already paid.

She handed him the plate. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Like I said," she said lightly. "My treat."

Marcus looked at her, then at the food in his hand.

"...Not bad."

And while eating their dish, Elaina spoke.

"I must admit, I admire you for getting those girls to safety," Elaina said. "Prioritizing them before reporting to Mr. Hale."

"That is what is supposed to be done right?" Marcus said, looking at her.

"Yes, but still, it’s admirable," she said, her cheeks flushing.

"Hmm, you know what. I know we have had this conversation before where I asked a lot of questions and I have been meaning to consider it."

"Consider what?"

"Starting my own shop, a mercenary group," Marcus revealed.