Chapter 121 Envy and Resentment

Without wasting any time, the two of them headed straight to the guild. Upon arriving, Suzuka immediately spotted Isaac who was leisurely enjoying a piece of fruit at a nearby table. She quickly left David behind and hurried over to Isaac, offering a warm wave to her quest coordinator, Lisanna, as she passed by.

David cast a hateful glance at Isaac, his eyes filled with seething jealousy, as Isaac was sitting at a nearby table, a stunning example of masculine beauty. He stands at an impressive height of six feet tall with a lean and muscular physique. Isaac's chiseled features and striking green eyes are framed by tousled, golden blonde locks that fall in soft waves around his face.

His confident and self-assured demeanor is only enhanced by his impeccable fashion sense. He is always dressed to impress, favoring high-end designer suits and tailored shirts that show off his broad shoulders and sculpted arms. His shoes are always polished to a gleaming shine, and his accessories are tastefully chosen to accentuate his good looks.

The mere sight of Isaac was enough to ignite a fire of envy within David's heart. It was as if Isaac effortlessly commanded the attention of every woman in the guild hall without saying a single word, and it made David seethe with frustration.

David couldn't help but notice how the women's eyes followed him hungrily. David gritted his teeth in anger as he watched them ogle Isaac's handsome body, their gazes lingering on his chiseled features and athletic build. He couldn't understand how someone like Isaac, who had never struggled a day in his life, could have so much effortless charm and good looks.

"Hey, Isaac!" Suzuka greeted him with a smile. "What are you up to today? Found any good quests maybe?"

Isaac chuckled as he finished his fruit. "Nothing much to do, I'm afraid. All the good quests are gone. Unless you want to waste some time for a silver coin in return."

"Well, that's unfortunate. I spent all of my remaining coins on registration to fight in Coliseum. Now I'm left with 4 silver coins in my pocket. I was really hoping for a well-paying quest. This suck's."

"Indeed it does. But anyhow, since the present moment allows for some leisure, why not indulge in the pleasure of conversation? How about we take this opportunity to acquaint ourselves better?"

Isaac continued in a polite manner, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, dear Helen. As one who has observed your martial prowess in the arena, I am confident that you are a warrior of great skill and valor. But there is one aspect of your character that I am yet unfamiliar with."

Isaac continued after a short pause, "In my past experiences, I have encountered individuals who were not of the most trustworthy nature, and I seek to avoid such misfortune once again. Tell me, are you a person of integrity and honor?"

Suzuka dropped on the chair at the table and said, "What? Are you talking about that piece of shit Clive? And to answer your next question, yes, I have met the bastard. He told me a well-fabricated story about you ruining the quest and getting his whole party killed. But hey, I know he was talking out of his ass."

"Helen," he said in a voice that was smooth as silk, "From the way you speak of Clive, I can safely assume he is not a friend of yours. May I inquire as to the nature of your relationship with this individual? How did he wrong you?"

She answered with a slight sarcasm in her voice, "Oh you know, not the pleasant one. He just robbed me and left me to die in the forest. Left me as bait for razor rabbits to feast on and bailed as fast as he could."

Isaac, with his charming and charismatic voice, addressed Suzuka with poise. "My dear, I'm terribly sorry to hear about your encounter. It appears that not all adventurers who roam these forests have the best intentions at heart. However, that is precisely why I am in need of trustworthy allies such as yourself."

Suzuka smiled warmly at his words, and replied with sincerity, "Don't worry, I'm not a quitter. I will stand my ground. I wouldn't stab you in the back, you can trust me."

Isaac, being the astute judge of character that he was, scrutinized Suzuka's appearance from head to toe. He then spoke with a polite yet assertive tone, "Very well then, may I see your hunter card, my lady? I would like to assess your accomplishments and see if you meet the standards of my expectations."

Suzuka obligingly pulled out her card and handed it to Isaac, while adding, "Here you go, but I must warn you, I've only been an adventurer for a few months. I don't have much to show."

Isaac deftly examined the card for a minute, his eyes darting back and forth as he took note of every detail. Finally, he looked up at Suzuka and said, "Call me impressed, my lady. In less than four months as an adventurer, you have risen to the esteemed rank of Rookie 3. And not only that, but you have also garnered an impressive array of titles and achievements. I have no doubt that you will prove to be a valuable asset. I will gladly form a mutual party with you."

Suzuka said with joy and a pinch of sarcasm, "That is great, if only there were any quests to go on."

David sat at the table in the back of the guild hall, his teeth gritted in envy as he watched Suzuka and Isaac chatting away so joyfully. His eyes narrowed as he observed their easy banter, feeling a deep resentment bubble up inside him. 

He saw Isaac as someone who has always been the golden boy, who was effortlessly charming and talented in everything he did. David, on the other hand, felt like he was constantly struggling to just survive the day, always face down in the mud. Seeing Isaac laughing and joking with Suzuka, who David had trying to be friends with for months, made his jealousy burn even hotter.

David tried to focus on something else, but his mind kept drifting back to Isaac and Suzuka. He couldn't help but compare himself to Isaac, feeling like he fell short in every way. Why couldn't he be as charming and witty as Isaac? Why couldn't Suzuka be laughing with him instead?

As time passed, David's envy only grew stronger. He found himself sneaking glances at Isaac and Suzuka whenever he thought no one was looking, feeling a mix of resentment and longing until he heard the words from Isaac. 

"It has been an absolute pleasure conversing with you, my dear Helen," spoke Isaac, his tone exuding the refined elegance of a high-positioned nobleman. With a graceful rise from his seat, he deftly took her arm and bestowed upon it a gentle kiss, a true gentleman in every sense of the word.

Suzuka was taken aback by the charming and charismatic aura that surrounded Isaac, feeling herself blush under his gaze. "The pleasure was truly mine, Isaac," she replied, her voice soft and demure.

As Isaac prepared to depart, Suzuka couldn't help but ask for his whereabouts, curious to know how she might cross paths with him again. "Might I trouble you for a moment longer, Isaac? I reside at the Mystic Oasis Inn and often frequent the Magic Box University. May I ask, where and how might I find you?"

With a reassuring smile and a hint of mischief in his eyes, Isaac responded, "Worry not, my dear Helen. I too am lodging nearby, at the esteemed Bear's Claw Inn. And when I am not there, you may find me within the confines of the guild." With a final bow and a flourish of his cape, Isaac made his exit, leaving Suzuka.

As soon as Suzuka was free, Lisanna rushed over and took a seat next to her. With a graceful twirl and a contagious giggle, her energy and enthusiasm were on full display. 

She beamed at Suzuka, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she exclaimed. "The arena match!" Lisanna shouted with excitement, "You were amazing out there! You held your ground against the Grand himself! And don't even get me started on that fight with Isaac - it was like watching two gods clash! Oh my goodness, where do I even begin?! Your fights at the Coliseum were incredible! You defeated Leonidas, the top fighter from one of the best guilds in Rockmine, and even took down Maximus, our very own champion. It was such a thrilling event!"

Suzuka tried to slow Lisanna down a bit, reminding her that she ultimately lost. But Lisanna wasn't about to let that put a damper on her mood. "Hey, losing is just part of the game, right? Besides, you got yourself a handsome man out of it, so it's definitely not a total loss," she teased, giving Suzuka a playful wink.

Suzuka couldn't help but laugh at Lisanna's infectious personality. "Well, he is pretty easy on the eyes, I'll give you that," she admitted.

Lisanna leaned in eagerly. "Ooh, tell me more! I want all the juicy details about this hunk of yours!"

Suzuka remained calm and composed as she replied, "Unfortunately, there is not much to tell, I just met him today. All I know is that he is a 5-star MBPU and his name. That is all."

Lisanna let out a disappointed sigh, her excitement slightly dampened. "Well, that is indeed unfortunate," she said. "But at least we know he's a charmer, right? A real man, unlike some curtain who's sitting in the back sulking." She deliberately raised her voice to make sure she was heard, her tone turning mean as she referred to David.

Upon hearing Lisanna's mean remark directed at him David felt like he had been pierced by a sharp knife, the pain of her words cutting deep into his already fragile ego. He flinched, not knowing how to react, as Suzuka laughed at Lisanna's joke.

As David listened to Suzuka and Lisanna talk about Isaac, he felt a knot forming in his stomach. Suzuka agreed with a subtle laugh, "Yes, he looks like a real man, or more like a prince from a fairytale. A prince charming." She chuckled playfully, and David could feel his face growing hot with anger.

Lisanna added half-jokingly, "If I wasn't married with my hunk of manly man, I would have a go on him if you know what I mean." David clenched his fists, feeling a sudden urge to punch something.

Suzuka giggled with a shy demeanor and said, "Well, he is handsome and all, but I am not looking at him with that intent you're implying. I am dating Olivia, and we are going towards something a little bit serious." David felt a pang of envy as he heard this. Why couldn't Olivia or Suzuka look at him like that?

Suddenly everyone's attention was pulled towards the entrance of the guild as the boisterous laugh echoed through the hall lifting everyone's spirit, especially Davids. All eyes turned toward him, and the room was immediately filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. David's face lit up at the sound of Larry's infectious laughter.

"Hello there fellow adventurers, rest assured! Laughing Larry is here to save the day from the boredom, another day, another adventure!" Larry exclaimed in his spirit-lifting voice. "Who is ready to go exploring with Laughing Larry and have an unforgettable experience, eh?" His confidence and charisma were on full display as he swaggered through the hall, drawing the attention of everyone around him.

Even Lisanna couldn't resist turning her head to see what all the commotion was about. "Would you look at this, another man showed up," she commented to Helen, before excusing herself from the conversation. Suzuka simply smiled and didn't mind being left behind. 

Without missing a beat, Larry made his way over to Lisanna and placed the quest paper on the table. "Here you go, Lisanna, looking as beautiful as ever by the way," he said with a wink. "I've got a feeling that this adventure is going to be one for the books."