Under the scorching sun, Chen Fan was lounging on a beach chair, wearing sunglasses, looking as if he were asleep. However, behind the dark lenses, his eyes darted around. "Oh, that one's huge, definitely a 36D, right? Wow! That one's even more incredible, probably an E-cup."
"Pffft." A sudden nosebleed gushed from Chen Fan's nose. He quickly and nervously wiped it away. "Is that the legendary 'F'? Why didn't I discover such a beautiful place before? My life is truly tragic!" Tears of regret streamed from behind his sunglasses.
Natsu and the others were having fun nearby when Erza suddenly walked up to Chen Fan. "Come on, play with us! It's so boring just sitting here."
"I don't want to!" Chen Fan answered bluntly.
"Hmm?" Erza's expression immediately darkened, a terrifying aura surrounding her.
"I... I'll go..." Chen Fan instantly wilted. With no other choice, he followed, venting his frustration on Natsu. They had fun all day, and Chen Fan unconsciously forgot about his older mental age, playing with the same carefree spirit as the others.
It made Chen Fan feel young again. As he played, his body and mind felt relaxed, like a shinobi who could release a heavy burden of chakra, or a shinigami who for a moment forgot his duty to maintain the balance of souls.
Happiness always feels short-lived. Night quickly arrived, and Chen Fan returned to his room to rest. Perhaps because of his mental age, a whole day of playing had left him exhausted. Erza also returned to her room, while Lucy went to change.
Natsu, Gray, and Happy seemed to have some energy left and went to an underground amusement park.
Chen Fan didn't know what time it was when he woke up. After drinking some water to clear his mind, he headed to the amusement park. As soon as he arrived, he easily spotted Natsu, who was shouting "17 points!" at a game machine, with Happy cheering him on.
Glancing around, he saw Gray, and there was even a girl next to him. 'Could this guy have finally learned to pick up girls?' After a closer look, Chen Fan remembered that the girl was Juvia, one of the Phantom Lord's Four Elements. Chen Fan had a good impression of this girl; after all, beauty always receives special treatment, even for the wisest of Kage.
Walking further, Chen Fan saw a crowd of people gathered, and he knew it had to be Erza and Lucy.
"Awesome! Erza is incredible!" Lucy said with admiration from the side. "Oh... truly amazing."
"Indeed, very amazing," said the people nearby in awe.
"Hmph... I'm really lucky today," Erza said proudly, making a 'V' sign with her thumb and index finger on her chin.
"The dealer has changed," a voice was heard. "Yes... yes," the person who had been dealing the cards said with a hint of sadness. It was unacceptable for someone in their line of work to lose too much; they could even lose their job, like a fatal S-Rank mission failure.
Chen Fan looked up and saw a young man with blond and slightly dark skin, wearing earrings. Chen Fan rubbed his chin, 'This must be Erza's younger brother, Sho.'
Erza said to Lucy with a bit of self-satisfaction, "Now, no matter who my opponent is, I won't lose."
"That's right."
The sound of cards being shuffled echoed. "Then... how about we play a special game?" Sho said, dealing a card to Erza.
Erza looked up in surprise and saw the word 'DEATH' printed in large letters on the back of the card, her expression freezing.
The voice continued, "Let's play... with our lives as the stake, Big Sister Erza." His eyes stared at Erza, his hands spread out to the side.
Erza stared straight ahead, her voice trembling slightly as she said, "You... Sho... Is that you, Sho?"
"It's been a long time, Sister."
"Sister?" Lucy looked at Erza, confused. Erza's body trembled slightly, similar to someone who suddenly came face to face with a bad memory hidden deep within their soul, like a Shinigami seeing a Hollow they once fought.
Erza didn't seem to hear Lucy's voice and continued to stare at Sho. "Are you... okay?"
"Okay?..." Sho's body leaned forward, a sign of danger.
"Thump!" The sound of the lights suddenly going out echoed, and the entire underground amusement park became pitch black. Gunshots were also heard.
"Thump!" All the lights came back on, but everyone around had disappeared, except for Lucy, Erza, and... Chen Fan, who was completely ignored.
"Gunshots?"
"What happened?" Their eyes were still adjusting after the lights turned on again.
"Sho!" Erza called out.
"Right here, Sister," Sho said, his cards falling in succession, trapping many people inside. They screamed for help.
"Magic?" Erza said in astonishment.
"Do you think it's unbelievable? It is. I can also use magic, Sister," Sho said, holding a card where someone was begging for help.
"Meow..." As the sound was heard, a magic circle appeared under Lucy's feet, and a rope suddenly bound her.
"Lucy!" Erza screamed.
"Are you okay, the strongest one?"
"Millianna, you too... can use magic now." Erza then turned her head toward Sho and his group. "Quickly, let Lucy go, she is my friend."
"Friend? We used to be friends too, Big Sister, huh?" Sho said to Erza.
"Um... excuse me, may I interrupt your family reunion?" Chen Fan finally spoke, completely unable to bear the feeling of being ignored.
"Chen Fan!"
"Chen Fan, why are you here? Weren't you sleeping? When did you get here?" Lucy said to Chen Fan, simultaneously letting out a sigh of relief.
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