Chapter 577: PAID

"Kyahhh—!"

A piercing scream rang out, sharp enough to stab into one's ears.

I instinctively turned my head toward the direction of the sound.

It didn’t seem to be too far away. Yet, despite the scream, the bustling street remained lively, filled with chatter and movement.

In the midst of this lively chaos, a few others, much like myself, turned toward the source of the sound.

‘They’re all martial artists.’

It was obvious. Those capable of hearing such a sound amidst the noisy street likely had their sensory perception heightened by martial training.

‘Did something happen?’

A scream like that clearly indicated trouble. However, despite the implications, I found myself largely indifferent.

‘They’ll handle it.’

This wasn’t just any place—it was Hanan, the headquarters of the Alliance. Whatever trouble had arisen, it would be resolved quickly.

With that, I turned my attention back to Paejon, ready to continue our earlier conversation.

“Elder, you were saying—huh?”

When I looked to my side, Paejon was nowhere to be found. I glanced around, wondering where he had disappeared to.

And then I spotted him, walking in the direction of the scream.

“…Where are you going?”

I called out, and Paejon tilted his head slightly to glance back at me. His eyes gleamed with a peculiar, unreadable interest.

“My disciple.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know what the most entertaining thing in the world is?”

“Watching me make money.”

“…”

I answered without hesitation, and Paejon’s face twisted in displeasure.

Why? That really was the most entertaining thing, wasn’t it?

“…You really have no sense of romance, do you?”

I couldn’t help it. My life had been far too grounded in reality for such luxuries.

“And what’s the most entertaining thing, then?” I asked flatly, humoring him.

Paejon’s lips curled into a smile, clearly pleased that I had asked.

“The most entertaining thing in the world,” he began.

“Yes?”

“Is watching other people fight.”