Show Me Your Stats!-Chapter 59

In the battlefield of psychological warfare, the pebble shone.

Even when Ayra had the chance to rake in a huge payday, he never got greedy. He deliberately lost small amounts—just enough not to arouse suspicion—while skillfully winning far more than he lost. Though his mana reserves were depleted, his pouch of mana stones was brimming.

After cycling through several tables for two to three hours, Ayra found himself holding a hefty sum—15 Cells. The pebble on the back of his hand raised its tiny fist triumphantly.

Ayra gave it a fond pat and carefully tucked the mana stone pouch into his subspace. It would’ve been nice if he could earn money this easily every day, but that was nothing more than a fantasy. Every gambling den eventually grows wary of patrons who win too much. He decided to be satisfied with what he had. He was already beginning to feel the occasional suspicious glance.

Feeling he'd earned enough, Ayra went looking for Janus. Finding him was easy—there weren’t many heads in the room with hair as blazing red as fire.

As Ayra approached, he saw Janus tossing his cards dramatically onto the table with a loud groan and both arms raised in surrender.

“Ugh, I blew it all. I’m totally broke now.”

The person playing with him chuckled and raked in the pile of mana stones, teasing,

“Janus, how do you always lose every time you come here?”

“You gotta lose money for gambling to be fun.”

He grinned, spouting nonsense, then reached a hand back without even looking and pulled Ayra in close. Since gambling dens prohibited long sleeves or flowing garments, Ayra had left his robe behind. Though silver hair wasn’t particularly rare in Bolni—unlike in Sobletz—Ayra still attracted curious glances, likely because of Janus.

“You win anything?”

“Enough to be satisfied.”

With a smile, Ayra handed Janus 1 Cell. Not a coin more. The other 14 Cells were off-limits. He hadn’t even finalized the brand yet. It would take at least a month to mine the stone, sign contracts with traders, and start generating revenue. He planned to use the 14 Cells toward this month’s loan interest. The thought of paying Bolni’s debt with money won in Bolni made it all the more satisfying.

Janus, who’d just received the coin, tilted his head back and gave Ayra a lopsided smirk.

“Then how about a kiss for luck, for your poor, unlucky boyfriend?”

A kiss, here, in the middle of all these people? It was a bit much. But Ayra was in high spirits from his winnings—15 Cells, after all. So he boldly kissed Janus on the lips. Janus, grinning, slid his hand behind Ayra’s head and deepened the kiss. It was long and languid before he finally let go, leaving Ayra with a strangely pleasant feeling.

Whether they’d mistaken Ayra for a woman or were just used to strange sights in this gambling den, the people around them barely reacted—only tossing a few teasing jeers their way.

“Alright. I think I’ve got a good feeling about this round.”

Looking very pleased, Janus began to gather the scattered wooden cards with a clack clack—when someone suddenly called out:

“Hey, Janus! Fancy seeing you here!”

A man strolled over noisily, slapping Janus on the shoulder and leaning in with boisterous familiarity. Ayra, who wasn’t particularly sociable himself, couldn’t help but wonder how Janus had so many acquaintances. From what he’d seen, the man had at least three-digit connections. He must’ve spent day and night mingling, never sleeping.

“Long time no see, Mishio. You’ve gotten even more handsome.”

Janus tossed a mana stone onto the table and waved. The man scratched at a scar on his cheek and grinned.

“Got a little scratch hunting ma-beasts.”

“I thought you were living in Sobletz. What brings you to Bolni?”

“Picked up a contract, so I’m just passing through.”

Mishio laughed, slinging an arm around Janus’s shoulders. Even with a rather nasty scar on his cheek, he had a friendly face and puppy-like demeanor as he eagerly greeted everyone around him. Eventually, he turned to Ayra as well.

“Hi there! I’m Mishio.”

“Ayra.”

The moment Ayra gave his name, Mishio’s green eyes sparkled, and he smiled as bright as the sun.

“You seemed pretty close to Janus earlier. Are you two dating? How long’s it been? Where are you from? How old are you? Win anything? I saw your pouch looked pretty fat earlier—beginner’s luck?”

Without taking a breath, he fired off question after question, and then launched into a personal info dump no one had asked for. An unbelievable chatterbox.

“I’m a friend of Janus’s. We’ve known each other for about... five years now?”

“Six, in one more month.”

Still playing with his cards with a grim expression, Janus chimed in. Mishio smiled warmly at the losing Janus, offering a sympathetic look.

Ayra found it curious—just like in Solar, the mercenaries here all seemed to genuinely like Janus.

“Mercs I met in Solar didn’t seem too eager to work with him.”

“Oh, yeah. He’s unpredictable as hell. You never know what he’s gonna do next.”

Hearing things about Janus he didn’t know made Ayra perk up and listen more closely.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

“But once you’re on a job with him, it’s a relief. You might lose an arm or leg, but you probably won’t lose your head. He’s terrifying as an enemy but amazing as an ally.”

That was definitely true. Ayra had felt it himself in Dalum Gorge—how reliable Janus’s strength was, even if he did go and provoke a nest of sleeping Ocampanians for no reason.

“He’s always down to clown, treats people to meals, fun to hang out with. Solid guy.”

“When did you first meet Janus?”

“Back during the Grand Subjugation in Sobletz, I think? He probably took down the most ma-beasts out of anyone there.”

Ayra listened carefully. This five-year friend of Janus’s had a lot to say.

While they chatted, Janus, who’d once again been cleaned out, reached out toward Ayra.

“Can I borrow 1 more Cell?”

Even if Ayra lent him all 14 remaining Cells, it would be a waste—so he slapped Janus’s hand firmly. It obviously didn’t hurt—his HP didn’t drop a single point—but Janus yelped dramatically and shook out his hand before standing up.

“Ayra, from now on, you’re responsible for me. Your boyfriend is completely broke. I can’t even afford a drink.”

Despite being totally wiped out, Janus didn’t look frustrated or defeated. Well, he was an elite mercenary—he could make a fortune any ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) time he felt like hunting.

“Come on, it’s been a while. I’ll treat you guys to a drink.”

Mishio laughed and clapped Janus on the back with a bold, familiar gesture. It made Ayra uncomfortably aware of how close they were—just like when he saw Nadal back at the mercenary office in Solar.

The gambling den also served food and alcohol, and the bar area was already packed with gamblers grabbing bites between games. Mishio cheerfully bought drinks and snacks for both Ayra and Janus. After making a few rounds, they finally managed to snag a free table.

Clinking his glass against Ayra’s, Janus asked with a grin,

“So what brings you out here? Weren’t you planning to stay in the south for a while?”

“I was. But then a sudden job came in. It was supposed to be Chefi’s, but that idiot broke his leg, so I took over. It’s a long-term contract, so I’ve been at it for a few months now...”

Janus and Mishio began exchanging stories only the two of them would know. The Great Subjugation in Sobletz. Getting lost in the forest thanks to ma-beasts. Fighting side by side in a territorial war. Stories about their families...

Having known Janus for barely over a month, Ayra couldn’t really join the conversation—so he just sat quietly and listened, sipping his drink.

The two of them weren’t just acquaintances—they looked like real comrades who had shared life-and-death battles together. A faint sense of isolation crept in. Ayra drained the rest of his glass and rose from his seat.

“I think I’m a little tipsy. Gonna get some air.”

He mumbled a vague excuse and headed outside. After weaving through the crowd and reaching the entrance, a chilly breeze slapped his face. He dodged a few drunks stumbling about, then settled at the corner of a dim alley beside the building. Even standing still for a moment, the cold quickly set in. Ayra rubbed his arms for warmth.

...A friend? Or an ex?

Knowing how many ex-lovers Janus had, Ayra couldn’t help but grow suspicious whenever someone close approached him. It stung his pride a little—but strangely, a part of him hoped Mishio was an ex.

Janus clearly wasn’t the kind to stop someone from coming or chase them when they left. The kind to love lightly and let go just as easily. And someday—maybe not too far in the future—Ayra himself might end up just another “old friend” or acquaintance. He could already picture a future where they became like Mishio.

Guess I really am drunk, thinking dumb stuff like this.

He gave a small, bitter laugh and was about to head back when—suddenly—a hand reached out from the shadows.

Ayra hadn’t sensed anything. He was dragged into the alley before he could react. He was about to turn the assailant into roast meat on the spot—when he saw a familiar pair of crimson eyes.

Janus.