Chapter 350 (2/2)

“Ahem… well, let’s give them some privacy, and get this started. I’m Cale Tass, Mr. Ghosthound. It’s a pleasure to finally… meet you.”

This was a man that Randidly instantly knew that he would not like. There was… a sleaziness to him, a pragmatic dishonesty to the way he smiled. Randidly shifted his attention to the other man.

“Andre,” The man grunted. “Really though, I’m sure you know what we want to talk about. The Raid Dungeon.”

Randidly nodded slowly, eyeing Andre. This man was much more direct, and also much less dangerous because of it. Or perhaps more so, but in ways Randidly didn’t fear. But of course, this was also the man that would make Randidly’s job that much easier, if he would allow them to handle the Raid Dungeon. But as Randidly opened his mouth to answer, Cale interrupted.

“Andre, let’s at least eat first. Plus, Denise has taken a little flight of fancy… we should at least wait for her to return.”

Andre gave Cale a long look. Then he nodded. As if on cue, several waiters and waitresses streamed forward. It gave Randidly a slightly sticky feeling, an awkward feeling. He enjoyed cooking for himself, and letting these people wait on them was a bit….

What made things even more uncomfortable for Randidly was that the waitress was a beautiful woman who bore a startling resemblance to Helen. But when that woman introduced herself with a bright, fake smile as Candy…

Well, Randidly wanted to burst out laughing, imagining the pure revulsion and anger that Helen would feel, to find herself with such a doppelganger that was so fake and superficial. Sure, this was a beautiful woman, one that was no doubt carefully selected for him, which was slightly disturbing. And from the gaze of Cale, he did not have to look far for the culprit. But no, comparing this woman to the substance and fire of Helen…

She was just flat. But, she was very pleased that Randidly was so amused by her, and quickly chatted up a storm, about her life, how much she enjoyed being here, how much an honor it was to meet him…

Which only made Randidly laugh harder, feeling how ridiculous this situation was, imagining how strange a coincidence it was that these two similar looking women grew up so different. Maybe it was there world, but maybe it was also something more, an inherent treasure, animating a truly ideal woman.

You miss. Neveah thought with amusement. Randidly’s mouth twisted in a wry smile. Today was just a day for frivolous thoughts, he supposed.

Frivolous fun.

But Candy and Cale seemed very pleased at his good cheer, and she began to hesitantly reach to touch his shoulders as she took his order. But the woman’s wrist was snatched out of the air before she could make contact.

“He thinks you are amusing in the same way one would view a clown,” Decklan drawled, his eyes sharp, his smile jagged. Candy opened her mouth then faltered, glancing at Randidly who only chuckled, saying nothing. Although he felt somewhat bad, encouraging her would not be a smart idea, at this point.

Although Randidly wanted to be kind to people, it would be even more of a hassle if he had to deal with their continued attempts. So he felt a certain thankfulness towards Decklan, but also a wariness. What just happened displayed a surprisingly insightful action on Decklan’s part. Randidly had been read like a book, and he did not enjoy the feeling.

More than that though, it made him experience a strange tickle of warning on the back of his neck. Which, in a queer way, relaxed Randidly. An enemy aiming to kill him at least was something that Randidly could understand, he had dealt with many of those. But something in his heart warned him that this was more complicated than that. Decklan was not just trying to hurt him in order to absorb a portion of his stats.

Although that might certainly be a temptation…

The meal was… honestly quite good. More so than Randidly had expected. He had considered himself something of a fine cook, but up tasting the food here, he realized that he was only a middling cook, if one that had access to a level of base ingredients and spices a level higher than most people had access to.

It was just… Bob Evans cuisine, so…

Candy and the other waiters pulled back, as if on cue, and Andre leaned folded, his hands clasped together.

“So… about the Raid Dungeon. Please assuage my worries, Mr. Ghosthound.”