Descendant of Sloth
Chapter 65: Modern Wonderland

Chapter 65: Modern Wonderland

The city stood at the center of the world, a dazzling marvel of modern technology and ancient magic seamlessly fused together. Towering skyscrapers with neon signs stretched into the sky, while creatures of legend roamed freely in between bustling streets. The roads were endless, splitting off in different directions, leading to unknown wonders.

City, full of excitement, twirled around in circles, trying to take in everything at once.

"Where should we go? What should we do first? Should we eat somewhere?" Hina chirped, her eyes shining with excitement. "There are lots of unique-looking taxis here as well! Look! Elves are there too!"

She bounced on her heels, throwing questions left and right without pausing for a breath.

Serina chuckled at her enthusiasm, but I couldn’t help but feel weird as people started to stare at us. She was drawing too much attention. Before she could make any more of a scene, Serina and I exchanged a knowing glance and took her hands, leading her forward.

"Calm down, Hina. You’re acting like a kid at a festival," I said, shaking my head.

"But this place is amazing! Look at all the glowing signs! Look at the floating cars!" she whined, barely resisting the urge to pull free.

Just as I was about to respond, a woman suddenly stepped in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. My eyes widened as I took in her appearance—a stunning girl in a revealing bunny suit, her long legs emphasized by sheer stockings, her lips curled into a flirtatious smile. She pressed a brochure into my hand.

"Sir, would you like a brochure guide? It will help you with navigation," she said in a sultry voice, tilting her head.

"Hmm?" I blinked, caught off guard.

"Yes, yes! We want one!" Hina spoke up instantly, reaching for a brochure.

"Ahh... This will be helpful. Better than strolling around randomly," Serina agreed, taking one for herself.

I accepted mine, flipping through the glossy pages. The brochure listed a variety of attractions—modern tech showcases, enchanted gardens, massive holographic dance shows, and even dragon races. The city was a place where technology and magic intertwined, a playground of innovation and fantasy.

"We should check out the Dragon’s Fire Goblet performance," Serina pointed out.

"I want to see the tech expo," Hina added.

"I don’t know anything so anything is fine for me." I shrugged.

As we started walking, the real fun began.

The streets were filled with modernized people dressed in stylish outfits—some wore high-tech exosuits, while others flaunted enchanted jewelry that sparkled with stored mana. The girls’ fashion was noticeably bold, skirts barely covering anything, and couples were openly engaging in intimate moments at street corners.

Hina, ever the innocent one, suddenly gasped and reached over, covering my eyes with her hands.

"Don’t look!" she scolded.

I sighhh. "But you’re looking yourself, aren’t you?"

She stiffened, her fingers trembling slightly. "I-I was just making sure you weren’t looking!"

"Sure, sure," Serina teased. "You’re staring too much, you know?"

Her cheeks burned red, and she puffed up in embarrassment. "I wasn’t!"

Serina chuckled. "Hina, you are staring too much. It’s wrong."

Hina groaned, trying to suppress a giggle as she removed her hands from my face. I ruffled her hair in amusement.

As we moved forward, we decided to check out some of the attractions.

First stop—The Tech & Magic Pavilion.

Inside, I was bombarded with things I didn’t understand. Giant floating screens displayed advanced AI companions, while magical gadgets levitated on display. I reached out to touch one, only to get zapped.

"Ow! What the hell?!" I flinched, rubbing my hand.

Hina and Serina burst out laughing.

"Esther, that’s a hologram, not a real object," Serina said between giggles.

Hina wiped a tear from her eye. "You’re so dumb sometimes."

I huffed. "How was I supposed to know?!"

Moving on, we found ourselves in a restaurant that promised "Multi-Dimensional Dining Experiences." The menu was filled with strange options—food that could shift flavors, dishes that altered your mood, and drinks that made you float for a few seconds.

"I’ll have the Elemental Steak," I said, intrigued by its description.

"I’ll take the Ethereal Noodles!" Hina grinned.

Serina went for a classic mana-infused smoothie.

As we waited, I noticed a floating screen replaying highlights of a recent dragon race. Enormous winged creatures soared across a fire-lit track, flames trailing behind them as they weaved through obstacles. The city was truly a mix of fantasy and sci-fi.

When our food arrived, Hina took a bite of her noodles, and her face instantly shifted through multiple expressions—joy, confusion, sadness, and then back to joy.

"Hina... what the hell?" I raised a brow.

She shivered. "This... tastes like my childhood... and then like heartbreak... and now like victory..."

Serina and I exchanged glances before breaking into laughter.

After finishing our meal, we decided to explore a few more attractions. The fire goblet show was breathtaking—dancers moved with flames swirling around them, controlled by elemental magic. Even I had to admit it was mesmerizing.

As evening fell, we found a cozy cafeteria with large windows overlooking the cityscape. The warm golden glow of the lights made the space feel comfortable. We sat by the window, sipping on our drinks and recapping everything we had seen.

"This city is incredible," Serina said. "And we’ve barely scratched the surface. There’s still so much more to explore."

Hina nodded eagerly. "I can’t wait to see what’s next!"

I leaned against the window frame, half-listening to their conversation. My gaze drifted outside, where the streets were still alive with energy. People hurried about, lights flickered, and floating vehicles glided through the air.

That’s when I saw them.

Two men in black suits stood near an alleyway, their hands around the shoulder of a small woman. She had an unusual greenish hue to her skin and wore a denim short with a bra-like top. But what caught my attention was her hair—or rather, the lack of it. Instead of strands, a fiery energy seemed to flicker and move like living flames.

Her expression was tense, her lips pressing together as she glanced around nervously. She swallowed hard, and even from a distance, I could see the fear in her eyes.

Something wasn’t right.

I looked at them straight, my fingers tightening around my glass.

Who was she? And why did those men look so... threatening?

As she gulped again, her shoulders stiff with unease, I knew one thing for sure—this city wasn’t just about wonders. It had its secrets too.