Biting his lips, Wayne handed over the hairpin, his eyes burning with fire.
"The coppers?"
Wayne glowered before pulling a silver coin from his pocket. He flicked it with his thumb, and it rolled across the ground until it landed at Mike's feet. But Mike didn't flinch.
Instead, he bent down calmly, picked it up, and pocketed it without a word.
"We'll use this to carry the ladies," he said, glancing at Rafael and Sterling.
The two immediately erupted into cheers, their noisy excitement grating on Wayne's ears like nails on stone.
At last, Mike held up the picture, Wayne's prized possession, and casually flicked it through the air. It floated in a perfect arc before landing in the trash can.
Wayne's face went crimson. He rushed to retrieve the photograph, glancing around in panic, fearful that someone else might see it.
"Pfft." Rafael couldn't help but snort. Then Sterling joined, and both boys broke into loud, uncontrollable laughter.
It was rare to see Wayne so rattled, and they were absolutely relishing it.
Meanwhile, the latter glared at them ferociously before storming out of the room.
"Let's go," Mike said, turning without a backward glance. The others followed him out into the open.
The moment they stepped into the sunlight, the chatter began.
"Damn, Mike, aren't you too gutsy?" Sterling cried out with utmost admiration. Everything that happened just now seemed like an opera, one he absolutely enjoyed.
"You're the slickest guy I've ever met," Rafael added, grinning. "The way you dealt with him? Man, I wish I had some melon and a front-row seat."
"You're also really brave. I never thought you'd blackmail that dude."
"Yeah, we struck it big. A whole hundred copper!" Rafael whooped. "We can drink like kings and take the finest women in this town to bed! Woo-hooo!"
Mike lips' curled into a smile. He was used to their loud energy now. It didn't bother him at all. In fact, he felt satisfied.
However, Sterling suddenly elbowed him. "By the way, I thought you were going to punch that annoying face of his. Who would've thought you'd actually ask for something else? You're really smart, bro."
Mike silently shook his head. He knew his place.
He couldn't fight anyone yet, not unless he wanted a brutal beating.
He had already finished the mana manual and was able to draw some mana into his body. However, he still secretly felt lacking compared to the original elves. Moreover, there had been no breakthrough, despite secretly practicing every time Rafael slept.
If it weren't for the fact that he could feel the mana in his consciousness, he would've thought something was wrong.
"Unlike you, always seeking trouble, Mike knows when to stop. If he can't win with his fists, he'll win with his brain!" Rafael joked.
"Are you calling me brainless?" Sterling snapped.
"Did I mention 'brainless' in my sentence? Tsk tsk, seems like you are."
The two started bickering again, teasing each other as they walked out of the palace.
They walked for a while before finally arriving at the new brothel, where a magnificent board boldly displayed its name:
FLOWER HOUSE — WHERE BEAUTY NEVER WILTS
Mike was a bit excited to see what a brothel in ancient times would look like.
There weren't many elves outside during the day, but a few men still lingered in front of the brothel.
"Let's go in!" Rafael said, stepping forward and entering.
Inside felt like an entirely different world. The brothel was dimly lit with soft amber lanterns, the air thick with alcohol, incense, and flirtatious laughter.
Drunk men passed by them with beautiful elves in their arms, the women dripping with coyness as the men fondled with them.
Velvet curtains swayed gently with the breeze, and the scent of sandalwood and wine floated lazily in the atmosphere.
Men lounged on embroidered cushions, their arms wrapped around sultry elven beauties. Wine sloshed from cups. Laughter and moans mingled with the beat of slow drums in the background.
A courtesan in a silk robe greeted them with a slow bow that gave them an ample view of her milky cleavage. Gold decorated the tips of her long ears, and her painted lips curled in a knowing smile.
"Welcome to Flower House, young sirs. Seeking warmth or simply comfort?"
Rafael and Sterling were already halfway through the lounge before she finished speaking. They hollered in awe, tossing coins into the air as giggling girls welcomed them deeper into the house.
Mike looked around. Onstage, scantily dressed women danced to the rhythm of a low, hypnotic drumbeat. Their robes barely brushed the tops of their thighs, some transparent enough to show the full curve of their hips and the swells of their breasts beneath. Each dancer was a unique enchantment, one had long sapphire-blue hair and eyes like stormclouds, another had dusky skin and eyes that sparkled like gold dust.
They spun, twirled, and dropped low in unison, the movement of their hips fluid and controlled. Their backs arched, their busts spilling dangerously over tight corsets, drawing wild cheers from the crowd.
Then, with a flick of the music, they turned around and bent low, their shapely behinds swaying with deliberate seduction. The hollers from the crowd became deafening.
"No panties!" Rafael shouted, stunned at the sight before him.
Mike followed his gaze, and indeed, one of the dancers was wearing nothing. Her naked pale butt giggled, as if asking for their attention.
Some men climbed onstage, laughing as they rocked and ground against the dancers. The girls welcomed them like a game, the one with no panties even allowing the man to insert a finger into her before slipping away with feline grace.
Mike smiled and followed behind his friends, who moved with the ease of regulars. It was obvious they came here often to pass the day.
Mike figured he might as well enjoy himself with the elves. Wouldn't it be regretful to visit the Elven lands and never sleep with an elven beauty?
Besides, he wasn't even sure what would happen tomorrow.
So he might as well enjoy life while he could.
A few girls had already entwined themselves with them.
Rafael had a gorgeous blonde on his arm. Her nose was pierced with a glinting emerald stud, and her black-painted lips curled wickedly. Rafael grinned and gently pinched her nose.
"Your nose ring is beautiful."
The woman giggled and pressed her ample chest against his arm. "I pierced my nipples too. Want to see the rings?"
"Will you let me?"
Sterling was with a softer-looking girl, her skin flushed like rose petals and her cheeks apple-red. Her large, innocent eyes sparkled, but she didn't shy away from his wandering hand. In fact, she leaned into his touch, coy smile dancing on her lips.
And Mike?
What did he get?