...

I decided to continue our conversation despite the fury that was building up within Add.

"You're most welcome, Adel." I smiled with sophistication.

"Who's that handsome young fella beside you, pong? Oh, he must be the the fortunate man that has the key to your heart!" the Ponggo gave us a thumbs up.

My cheeks were dusted with a pinkish-red colour. "N-No! I-I'm afraid that you're very much mistaken!" I stuttered. This wasn't like me at all! I was usually proud and confident, what was wrong with me?!

The mole chuckled. "Am I? Haha, pong!"

"YES! Yes, you are, you infuriating monster! I couldn't care less about this woman, and now you're randomly making assumptions that I supposedly have the 'key to her heart'?! I call bullsh**! Are all Ponggos this nosy? Tch! Mind your own business, thank you very much." Add snapped, it was both surprising and extremely mirthful.

"Sorry, pong! My, I didn't know teenagers were so insolent and impertinent nowadays! I will cease to pry into this case any further, pong!" Adel still maintained his jovial disposition.

"We're both nearly adults." Add corrected him.

"Still teens nonetheless, pong!"

I laughed. "Calm down, Add."

After muttering a few words quietly to himself, he obeyed my command.

"I shouldn't waste too much of your time now, pong! I'll see you later!" After waving goodbye, the chief shut the door behind him.

...

We started travelling once again, but suddenly, Add stopped walking mid-way.

"I HATE Ponggos! I absolutely loathe them to the extent that I can't stand looking at one for more than thirty seconds!" he scowled angrily. We were far enough from the nearest Ponggo for him to have offended them because of his hurtful words. It was clear by now that he had a strong feeling of detestation towards the Ponggo race.

"Yet you're here in Altera?" I scoffed.

He rolled his eyes. "Don't mock me! I'm only here for the wonderful invention otherwise known as the Nasods!"

"Right, right." I simpered.

"Ugh! You're starting to piss me off, too!" he glowered.

I grabbed his shirt collar with my dominant right hand, easily lifting him up into the air. He was surprisingly light for his height and age.

"What did you just say? I'm apparently pissing you off? My, that can't be possible, now can it? I'm an innocent, fragile, and delicate being." I smiled.

"Let me down!" he yelled.

"You know, I've had enough of your behaviour and attitude, as well~ So we're on the same boat." I decked him onto the hard, pavement-like ground.

Add stood up. Luckily, there were no casualties yet.

He laughed maniacally. "Kekeke! So I see you want to fight, hmm~?! Bring it on! Prove to me that you're the true Ruler of Darkness!"

"Alright~ Let's begin our friendly quarrel. Will you really live up to your title of the 'Mastermind', I wonder?" I smirked, my entertainment was standing right before me!

I summoned my spear. "Rakshasa Stance 2: Energy Burst!" I shouted, as a chain of spirit energy orbs shot out.

Add hopped onto his dynamos and maneuvered out of the way. "Install - Starfall!"

A mini drone appeared over my head, as it rained down thin laser beams repeatedly in several directions. I sped around to avoid the beams, my agility was thanks to High Speed.

As our quarrel continued, however, it seemed as if somebody was watching over us from a distance away. Not a Ponggo, but a human-like figure. Was it a humanoid Nasod, perhaps? Or was it another adventurer, just like us? Anything was a possibility.

...

—-[CHAPTER 6 - FRIENDLY QUARREL : END]—-