Modern Weapons Cheat in Fantasy World-Chapter 41: What the Heck?

Elaina studied him for a second, then gave a faint smile.

"You’re really not going to say anything, are you?"

"No."

She exhaled lightly through her nose, but there was no annoyance in it. Just acceptance.

"Fine," she said. "Then I’ll wait."

The tension between them eased after that.

Not gone, but set aside.

Elaina shifted her attention back to the marketplace, her eyes scanning the stalls again.

"Since we’re done talking about serious things," she said, tone lighter now, "we’re not done eating yet."

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"We’re not?"

"No," Elaina said without hesitation. "We’ve barely started."

Before Marcus could say anything, she stepped forward and stopped at another stall. This one had a wide pan filled with something sizzling in oil—thin slices of meat mixed with vegetables, the smell rich and sharp.

"Two servings," Elaina said.

Coins exchanged hands quickly.

Marcus watched as she took both plates and handed one to him.

"You eat," she said.

Marcus looked at the portion.

"You’re getting another one?"

"Yes."

She turned immediately to the next stall.

This one had fried dough stacked in a tray, golden and crisp.

"Three," Elaina said.

Marcus blinked.

"Three?"

Elaina nodded casually.

"One for you. Two for me."

Marcus stared at her for a second.

"Where does all that go?"

Elaina paused, then looked down at herself briefly before looking back at him.

"I don’t know," she said. "But it works."

Marcus let out a short breath, almost a laugh.

"That’s not an answer."

"It’s enough," Elaina replied, already taking a bite from one of the fried pieces.

Marcus watched her for a second.

She ate without hesitation. He could definitely tell that she was a glutton from this but how is she able to maintain her slim and sexy figure of hers?

It didn’t make sense.

Marcus took another bite from his plate, eyes still on her.

She wasn’t even pacing herself.

No sign of getting full.

Just eating whatever she picked up like it was normal.

"You do this often?" he asked.

Elaina glanced at him, still chewing, then swallowed.

"Not always," she said. "Only when I have time."

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"And this is you with time."

"Yes."

He looked at the two empty skewers in her hand, then at the fried dough she was already halfway through.

"That’s a lot."

Elaina shrugged lightly.

"I work all day," she said. "Sometimes I just eat what I feel like eating."

Marcus nodded slowly.

That part, at least, made sense.

"You’re hiding something," he said.

Elaina blinked.

"What?"

Marcus gestured vaguely.

"This," he said. "You eat like that and somehow it doesn’t show."

Elaina stared at him for a second.

Then her cheeks flushed slightly.

"That’s not something you should say out loud."

"I’m just saying what I see."

Elaina looked away briefly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Maybe it’s just how my body works," she said. "Not everything has an explanation."

Marcus gave a small nod.

"Right."

He didn’t push it further.

Instead, he took another bite of what she bought earlier.

The food was heavier than what he was used to, but it was good. Well-cooked, seasoned properly, and filling.

"This one’s better than the skewers," he said.

Elaina looked back at him.

"Told you," she replied.

She finished the last piece in her hand, then immediately turned to another stall without pause.

Marcus let out a quiet breath.

"Are you still eating?" Marcus asked, his stomach feeling full.

"Last one, only drinks," she said.

Marcus looked at her for a second.

"You said that three stalls ago."

Elaina didn’t deny it.

"This time I mean it," she said, already stepping toward a stall lined with clay mugs and glass bottles filled with different colored liquids.

Marcus followed anyway, slower now.

"Two," she said.

The vendor handed over two drinks—one darker, one lighter. The darker one had a strong, roasted scent. The lighter one looked chilled, slightly frosted at the surface.

Elaina passed the lighter one to Marcus.

"Try this."

Marcus took it and looked at the liquid inside.

"What is it?"

"It’s just a juice."

Marcus took a sip.

The taste hit immediately—slightly sweet, slightly sour, and cold enough to cut through the heaviness of everything he had just eaten.

He exhaled quietly.

"That’s good."

Elaina smiled, taking a sip from her own drink.

"Told you."

Marcus leaned back slightly, letting the drink settle.

"Yeah. I needed this."

They stood there for a moment, not moving, just drinking.

The marketplace continued around them.

People passed.

Vendors called out.

The noise blended into something steady.

Marcus glanced at her again.

"You’re really done this time?"

Elaina nodded.

"Yes. Now I’m done."

Marcus let out a small breath.

"Good."

Elaina looked at him, amused.

"You sound relieved."

"I am," Marcus said. "If you kept going, I’d have to keep up."

Elaina laughed softly.

"You didn’t have to."

"I know," Marcus replied. "But I would."

That made her pause for a second.

Just a second.

Then she looked away, taking another sip from her drink.

"You’re strange," she said quietly.

Marcus shrugged.

"Maybe."

They finished their drinks without rushing.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Elaina glanced toward the center of the marketplace.

"Come on," she said. "There’s something else."

Marcus followed her gaze.

People were gathering in a loose circle ahead. Not crowded, but enough to form a small audience.

"What is it?" he asked.

"You’ll see."

They walked closer, weaving through the people until they reached the edge of the circle.

At the center.

A man sat on a wooden stool, holding an instrument Marcus recognized immediately.

A guitar.

Worn, but well-maintained.

The man’s fingers moved across the strings with ease, the sound carrying cleanly through the air.

Then he started singing.

Elaina’s steps slowed.

"Oh," she said quietly.

Marcus glanced at her.

Her eyes were fixed on the performer.

"He’s good," she added, almost under her breath.

Marcus listened.

Yeah.

He was good.

Elaina took a small step closer, like she didn’t want to miss anything.

"That’s really good" she said, more clearly this time.

Marcus crossed his arms lightly.

"He’s decent."

Elaina looked at him.

"Decent?"

Marcus shrugged.

"Yeah."

Elaina blinked.

"He’s really good."

Marcus looked back at the bard for a second, then spoke casually.

"I could do better."

Elaina froze.

"What?"

Marcus didn’t even look at her.

"I said I could do better."

Elaina stared at him.

"You’re serious?"

Marcus nodded once.

"Yes."

Elaina looked back at the bard, then back at Marcus.

"You can sing?"

"Yeah."

"With that?" she asked, pointing subtly at the guitar.

"Yeah, do you want a sample?"