The Forsaken-Grade Cultivator-Chapter 48: The night is young, but we are even younger!

"I’m sorry Vin, but I just got a call from work, regarding some really important... stuff. Can we reschedule? Here’s my number... I’m really sorry though, next time. Byeeee~~"

Those were the last words Arianne said to Vincent before running off that night. They didn’t even get a chance to talk, and since then it’s been three days...

Amidst a bustling urban plaza, a sleek water fountain stood as the centre piece design. The aesthetic structure, which was a seamless blend of polished stainless steel and glass, reflected the innovative skyscrapers, while its magnificent sprinklers captivated visiting passerbies.

Such was the beauty of Darwin City’s town square... Vincent sat by on a bench, dressed remarkably nicely as stared – seemingly mesmerized by the fountain, but really just lost in thought.

[6:37]

’It’s getting late.’

Vincent surmised as he checked the time on his phone. It was only natural, as he couldn’t afford a watch.

’I’ve already been waiting here for an hour. Did I get stood up? Nah, Arianne isn’t that kind of person... but then again, people change....’ Ying glanced idly, allowing his thoughts to lazily circle back to Cultivation Climax.

He thought about the Xiao’s, he thought about the Zhao’s, heck he even thought about his Talent, about the one that called himself the Prince of Pandemonium – unsettled hatred started seeping in... 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Fortunately or not, that didn’t last very long.

"Mommy... there, that man won’t stop looking at me weirdly." A random kid suddenly yelled, pointing at Vincent with his scarred hand.

’Nani?!’ Vincent heard the accusation, but confused, he decided to look up. A bad decision, considering he was dealing with a black mom...

Whack!

"Oof-!"

Vincent’s neck snapped back to the force of a designer handbag. ’OUCH!’ he yelled, caressing his red cheeks ash he stared dumfounded, "That hurt goddamit, what the hell did I do?" He inquired. But she didn’t respond him – simply stomping away like some sort of melanin Orc.

As the duo left, the still perplexed Vincent caught sight of the little imp. He was... Did he just... raspberry?? Vincent’s mouth hung open.

’W-what the-?!! What did I ever do to you, you little.... Sigh, you know what, never mind... ’Vincent sighed, begrudgingly suppressing his hate. ’It’s already dark; I guess Arianne really won’t be coming... I’m not mad, just a little... disappointed. Yeah, I’m just a bit disappointed, nothing else.’

Vincent got up from his seat, his face glum. He rubbed his hands together to try and ward of the biting cold, then taking one last glance around he turned awa –

"Vinny, over here!"

All of a sudden, a voice emerged from a distance. Vincent, recognizing it instantly, looked ahead – a rather stupid looking smile creeping up his face.

Of course, it was Arianne, she ran over to him.

"Hey! Ah, you waited for me didn’t you? I’m really sorry, I had to be at the office, really important stuff started going on. But, I’m here now, all yours for the rest of the evening. Hurray!" Arianne clasped her hands jovially, a cute smile on her whitewashed face.

"Yeah..." Was all Vincent could manage, with a forced smirk.

"Alright then. Hey, you’re still in college, but you’re older than eighteen right? Let’s ditch the restaurants and go have some real fun. No need for all that boring nonsense, since we’re already friends... right?"

"Yeah..."

"Great! Now let’s wipe that fake smile off your face and take advantage of our adolescent (wink) IDs, I know a good place ’round here, and don’t worry.... I’m paying, since I made you wait and all." Arianne said as she grabbed Vin’s arm.

"F-fake? How did you –"

Vincent tried to ask, but was quickly cut off. "Have you already forgotten? I was the only one amongst us that you couldn’t fool... all those years ago. Compared to back then your deceptive skills are much duller, honestly."

"Huh? Wai–!"

And with a forceful tug, Arianne dived headfirst – alongside Vincent – into the adolescent side of the new world.

*****

"Hmm, if they were to really fight, like a really fair fight, then I’d say... Godzilla would probably beat Kong. He simply has stronger abilities." Said Ying as he placed a finger on his chin, stroking a non-existent beard in false deliberations.

’....’

"Whaaaaaa –!"

Ari puffed from behind him – on his back – her rosy cheeks fully flushed, "No way! Kong is going to win, gorillas are the strongest! I should know, I’m a reporter that’s been chasing a serial arson over the past week!"

"I –!"

"–Go big monkey! Go big monkey! I’m rooting for you!" She exclaimed childishly, flexing her feminine biceps foolishly.

"Ugh, you... don’t move around too much, or else you’ll fall off of my back! You look small, but you’re actually very..." Vincent stopped speaking, realizing what he had done... he’d made a fatal mistake.

He held his breath, praying to some god, hoping by some divine intervention that the silence would drown the reality of his errs, but alas, Fate could never be so kind.

"...ehn? Actually what? Go on." Ari’s voice suddenly turned ghastly, Ying paled as he felt her sharp nails lurk around his Adam’s apple.

He swallowed hard.

’Not sober enough to walk on your own two legs, but somehow still able to spot even the faintest hint of misogyny? You women are really something else.’ Ying mused in undeniable fright.

"Well, I’m waiting..." Ari spoke firmly. The tipsiness had seemingly vanished into thin air.

"Please don’t kill me." Vincent whispered meekly. He had no choice, considering what Arianne was capable of; it was simply the best course of action. Vincent would know, considering they’d been friends for years now.

’This girl’s a monster, an absolute freak. One time, when we were kids, she singlehandedly beat the sh*t out of five older guys from the city. And for what reason? Said she didn’t like their faces... These are supplement taking males by the way.’

While Vincent pondered the potential of his own peril, a mature, refined voice suddenly called out to him from a short ways.

"Huh? Ari? Is that you and... That face... Vin? Vincent Carter? Unbelievable! I didn’t know you lived in Darwin." A burly man, who looked strangely similar to Arianne, exclaimed from the porch of a nice terrace house.

This was Arianne’s home... Her brother’s to be exact. Arianne herself owned an apartment somewhere else, as did her parents, and she was crashing at her brother’s place due to to work.

Hearing the words, Vincent could only smile softly then replied, "Yeah, that’s right, Benson. I actually go to school here, so..."

"Ah? I see... Would you like to come in? That ruffian seems completely knocked out, so come inside let’s have some drinks an–!"

Benson was cut off.

"Hey! Who you callin’ knocked out eh? Raaargh!" Arianne yelled, then.... Roared?

’You know, normal ladies would just pout cutely. But I guess that’s too much to ask when it comes to you, isn’t it?’ Vinny thought, a nervous expression adorning his face. He looked up and saw Benson approaching them.

"Oh? You’re still awake? How about..." Benson’s calm voice trailed as his hands suddenly moved.

Whoosh

Thwack

Like lightening, Benson’s arm flashed, colliding with his sister’s neck and retracting so quickly that Vincent almost couldn’t keep up. Arianne passed out from the skilful strike, leaving Vincent dumbfounded.

When did Benson learn such a technique? Was he always that skilled?

’Well, knowing who his sister is, it isn’t much of a surprise really.’ He concluded as he passed the knocked out Ari to her brother.

He turned around, about ready to take his leave, when –

"Vincent? Leaving already? C’mon join me for a drink! You see, I smuggled some really top quality wine from work a few days back, so come, let us enjoy the gift of youth! The night is still young, but we are even younger!"