1,000,000 Karma: My Reward Is a Quiet Life-Chapter 57: The Eccentric City of Ballou

"Didn’t think there was a city this big on our way to the World Guild," Noah remarked.

A couple days after the trials of the ghost town, the party found themselves in a lavish city that didn’t seem to slow down at all even beneath the curtain of dusk. In fact, it seemed the streets were livelier than Tiras even at its peak, with performers juggling blades and breathing fire.

"Hah! Look at that!" Astrid pointed out in awe.

In front of the ivory fountain at the city’s center, a tamer guided what looked like a lizard multiple times the size of the performer, having it catch apples in the air with finesse.

"A minor dragon?!" Redrum remarked in disbelief, slightly on guard with his arms raised as if ready to defend himself.

"Woah, what’s with that reaction? It looks like it’s just a pet," Noah laughed it off.

The orc calmed down, "In my homeland, minor dragons are quite vicious creatures...Their primary meal of choice is goblins."

"Oh," Noah said, understanding the four-armed orc’s reservations now.

The twins were already in front of a street magician where a small crowd had formed, watching the blue-haired clown flicking sparks in the air that turned into bright, blue fireworks.

"What a pretty spell!" Astrid remarked with her hands together.

While everyone in the party seemed enamored with the lively city, Rain only yawned tiredly without any interest.

Noah noticed the lack of enthusiasm from the exorcist, "Not too interested in this sort of thing?"

"It’s not that, it’s just not my first time in Ballou. Honestly, the theatrics just get a bit tiresome after awhile," Rain said with a tired exhale. "On that note, we should check into an inn. We’ve been on the road for days–I’m pretty exhausted. I know a good place."

"Alright, sounds good to me," he said.

Gathering the twins, or rather, prying them from the magical display of the clown, they ventured through the streets built on glistening, cerulean cobblestone. Everything about Ballou seemed eccentric, from the colorful construction, with vibrant buildings built of a plethora of colorful materials, sapphire to amber, dazzling under the moonlight.

It stuck out like a sore thumb among the shining buildings: an old, dilapidated structure with dusty pillars and a completely boarded front.

"Err..." Astrid said, looking at the sealed entrance. "I don’t think this place is open."

"Looks like it’s been closed for a hundred years, if I’m being honest here," Noah remarked.

Rain shook her head, "No, no, I was just here...two years ago. Ah."

"Shame," Otto said, tapping his boot against the chipped steps leading to the front door. "Doesn’t look like business did well the past couple years."

"Where will we stay, then?" Astrid asked, looking around.

The question left a sour look on Rain’s face as she contemplated for a moment before answering, "I suppose...we can find another inn..."

"Why do you sound so afraid of that?" Noah asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, you’ll see," Rain sighed. "The places in this city sure are special."

The abandoned first option led the party across the soulful city to an inn that somehow resembled a hotel straight out of the Las Vegas strip, in Noah’s mind, even with glistening lights provided by mana crystals.

The entire front of the exuberant building was layered with velvet carpeting, draped with gold threads that magnified the eccentric exterior.

"Welcome to the Shooting Star Inn!" A man in a vibrant, red suit introduced with his hand in the air, greeting the potential patrons with utmost enthusiasm, stepping forward almost too close to Noah. "Ah, a party of hardworking adventurers? For the heroes that defend this land, the first night is free!"

"Free?" Noah repeated.

"Free!" The ginger-haired inn promoter confirmed with a finger in his face.

Enhancing the concierge’s every word was an ever-present band lining the entrance into the hotel, playing trumpets in a soulful jazz tune, much to the surprise of the man from a different world.

Without any of them managing to think about it, they were already following the concierge through the front doors. The interior was lavishly built on sparkly, oak floorboards, lined with velvet. The roof was built of glass down the middle with a direct view at the night stars in the far distance.

Otto shrugged with his arms folded, "Nothing is free."

"It’s got some sort of strings attached–" Rain added.

The promoter immediately interjected the doubt, practically swaying his way through the group with danceful steps, "Not a single coin will get between you and a bed, that I promise!"

"I mean, there has to be some sort of catch, right?" Noah wondered out loud.

As if waiting for that prompt, the scarlet-suited man snapped his fingers as his white glove dazzled, "No catch, my good sir! In addition to a special suite suited for our certified guests, you’ll get access to complimentary drinks and our finest meals!"

"Then–" Noah began to say.

While the trumpets played, the enthusiastic concierge cut him off with a snap of his fingers, stepping in like a suave dancer, "That is, there is a special event being hosted by the Shooting Star Inn, that only certified adventurers like yourselves can join in on."

"An event?"

"A flashy one," the concierge confirmed with a smile, clapping his hands. "The Clash of Stars! A tournament within the establishment’s very own colosseum!"

By some act of coordination, at the announcement of the tournament, sparks ignited into colorful fireworks above the building, followed by confetti that rained down.

"Wait, the Clash of Stars is in this city?!" Otto exclaimed in disbelief and sudden interest.

"You know about it?" Noah asked before immediately shaking his head. "Wait, of course you’d know this sort of thing."

Like a kid obsessed with the drama of professional wrestlers, the archer was completely invested in anything related to adventurers.

"Where can I sign up?!" Otto enthusiastically asked.

The Concierge waved his finger, "Just a moment. The minimum requirement to participate is Behemoth rank."

All of the energy was sapped from the young elf with that singular stipulation. It left everyone else’s eyes right on him, even though Noah had somewhat zoned out of the concierge’s sales pitch.

"Oh, c’mon Noah, you gotta!" Otto urged with his hands together as if entirely begging.

It was like being pestered by a younger sibling, as all Noah felt like doing after the prolonged journey is take a nice, warm bath and sleep in a soft bed. He looked around, finding Astrid not particularly pushy, but giving him a look as if saying "Who knows, it might be fun?"

Redrum had no interest in any kind of combat, and Rain looked completely exhausted by the theatrics.

"I’ll pass–" Noah said.

As if nothing had left his lips, the enthusiastic concierge interrupted him, "One thousand gold."

"A thousand gold?" Noah repeated in quiet disbelief.