Unexpected Invitations Part .2

As they awaited the delivery, Hyemi shifted her attention away from her phone, staring at the ceiling and getting lost in her thoughts.

She glared at Soo-Ah and remarked, "They are about to arrive."

The two girls promptly rose from their seats as the bell rang above the door of the Karaoke Room. Heading to the front desk, they received their orders — Korean fried chicken with sweet potato fries, and spicy pork belly with rice noodles, along with a couple of drinks — from the kind staff member on duty.

They brought their order to the room, settling down on the sofa to enjoy their meal together while chatting in low voices about nothing in particular. The atmosphere became more relaxed as their meal progressed.

Liu Yemui's eyes occasionally scanned the room, but his focus remained fixed on the words "They are about to arrived?" The phrase echoed repeatedly in his mind, pulling him into a contemplative state. He couldn't shake the feeling that this held significance for him somehow, but the reason eluded him, leaving a sense of mystery and uncertainty in his thoughts.

Liu Yemui's thoughts raced, wondering if someone else was coming, and if so, who it might be — a boy or a girl. Questions swirled in his mind. What was happening? Who was this mysterious figure?

As his thoughts delved deeper, a strange feeling built within him, heightening his awareness.

Shortly after, the doorbell rang, swinging open the door to the room where Liu Yemui was settled. A group of figures walked in, one male and one female.

"Welcome back!" the male and female greeted in unison.

Soo-Ah stood up and offered her greetings, "Hi... hi.."

"Hey guys," Hyemi responded with a casual wave before resuming her seat.

Liu Yemui observed the male figure, dressed in a white T-shirt with a black vest, dark hair, and eyes. His height was average, with a slim build.

"Hello," the newcomer greeted Hyemi, extending his hand toward her. "I'm Lee Kang. Nice to meet you," he said, offering his hand. Hyemi shook it with a firm grip, replying, "Nice to meet you too, Lee Kang."

Once introductions were done, Lee Kang turned to Soo-Ah, a bit apologetically. "And you must be... ah, sorry, I forgot your name."

Curious, he asked, "So, what brings you here?" Lee Kang shifted his attention between Hyemi, Soo-Ah, and himself.

However, things took a turn when he glanced at Liu Yemui, a smirk playing on his lips. Mocking laughter escaped, catching Liu Yemui's attention, who responded with a disgusted expression.

Quick to diffuse any tension, Liu Yemui admitted, "No... no, it is my fault. We haven't exchanged names yet. I am Liu Yemui. And you?"

Lee Kang chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "Ha! No worries, Liu Yemui."

After a moment of silence, Lee Kang proceeded to introduce the rest of the group to Liu Yemui. He cast a quick glance toward the female companions standing beside him, both dressed in casual yet stylish attire that exuded elegance and sophistication.

Among them were two close friends: Jung Ae-Shin, Lee Kang's girlfriend, and Kim Hye-Eun, his sister. Jung Ae-Shin, usually seen in a black dress highlighting her curvy figure, stood gracefully. On the other hand, Lee Kang's sister, Kim Hye-Eun, had long, silky, straight brown hair that flowed down to her mid-back. She preferred keeping it in a neat low ponytail.

Once the introductions wrapped up, Kang Lee turned his attention back to Soo-Ah. "We are all here because we have been invited to a party tonight."

Soo-Ah squinted at Kang Lee suspiciously. "A party?"

Interrupting the conversation, Hyemi chimed in, "You were going to a party, and I thought you got no plans, so I invited you over here to hang with us." She stared at Lee Kang with a mischievous grin.

Kang Lee glanced at each person present before responding to Hyemi. "Yes, well... actually, yes, that is correct. But we've decided to change our plans. Instead of attending a party, we will invite you guys to join us to attend the party."

With a nod, Hyemi added, "It's only fair since you're always inviting us to parties."

Lee Kang chimed in, smiling at Soo-Ah, "Indeed. That is true, but you got one good-looking boy there."

Soo-Ah blushed, glancing away in embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed even redder when she noticed Liu Yemui's amused smile.

In response, Soo-Ah retorted, "He doesn't even know me!"

Confused, Liu Yemui inquired, "Why did you say that?"

Soo-Ah shot him a glare, replying, "Because I don't... Just never mind!"

"Don't worry about it," Kang Lee interjected with a laugh. "Anyway, let's eat first."

After the conversation and their meals concluded, the group returned to their discussion and agreed to attend the party. They met on the dimly lit sidewalk in the bustling, lively night, painted with the colours of the colliding festivities.

The air carried the cold touch of the evening breeze, bringing with it the sea's scent and the mingling odors of the bustling crowd.

As they strolled through the diverse group of individuals, casting glances at people passing by, the city came alive. People of all ages and sizes filled the streets, engaging in hushed conversations or boisterously discussing their lives. Some were reveling in the moment, their joy evident, while others stumbled about, clearly affected by alcohol.

Liu Yemui, walking beside Soo-Ah, observed his surroundings with curiosity. The varied scenes of the city unfolded before him, but his focus remained on his own thoughts, contemplating what the upcoming hours held in store for them.

As they strolled through the city, Liu Yemui couldn't help but notice a couple of motorbikes zooming past them, accompanied by the occasional car speeding by. The roads were surprisingly clear, which made sense considering the hour— not many people ventured out this late into the night.

The sky was bathed in the soft glow of the moon and the twinkling stars scattered across the vast canvas of space. However, the motorbikes zooming past Liu Yemui's group seemed to carve out a pocket of darkness around them, casting a shadow that stretched from the group onto the pavement in front of them. The contrast between the illuminated night sky and the dark silhouette created an intriguing play of light and shadow.

They stopped for a moment, their eyes drawn to the wonder of the stars. As they gazed at the celestial display, a sense of tranquility washed over them. However, the serene moment was abruptly shattered when they turned back to each other.

Liu Yemui and the others, in a quick scan, noticed a local gang emerging from the shadows. Clad in dark clothes and sunglasses, the gang members menacingly approached, some brandishing metal-barred bats with sharp edges. Others held knives and clubs, clear signs of their intent to intimidate.

In an instant, Liu Yemui's world transformed as the ominous reality of the situation set in.

[SystemAlert:DangerLevelHigh ]

� Display Screen: [Liu Yemui's Interface]

Alert Message: "Liu Yemui, you are now in a high-risk situation. A local gang of menacing thugs has surrounded your group."

[Quest Alert: Making Alive Out Here]

Objective:

Ensure your survival and protect the group from the impending threat posed by the thug gang.

Host Message: "I wish you the best out here, dear host. Your ingenuity and resilience will be crucial in overcoming this challenge. Remember, your survival is paramount. Good luck, Liu Yemui." ]

Suddenly, a quest notification appeared in front of Liu Yemui's face, adding to the confusion. The quest was titled "Making Alive Out Here," and the message emphasized the importance of "Your ingenuity and resilience will be crucial in overcoming this challenge. Remember, your survival is paramount." Liu Yemui couldn't help but wonder how his host knew about the dangerous situation unfolding around him.

Driven by curiosity, he tried to access the quest description in his journal to gather more information. To his surprise, he found himself unable to decline the quest. It seemed that his host was not only aware of his location and predicament but also had a direct influence on his ability to accept or reject the challenge. The quest came with a timer, ticking down the minutes he had left to complete it.

The countdown started ticking down immediately after Liu Yemui accepted the quest. He swiftly tapped the clock icon next to the task and discovered that he had a mere five minutes left until the deadline.