Extra To Protagonist-Chapter 45: Outing (2)

Merlin stirred his drink absentmindedly, watching the light reflect off the surface. The café was quiet, at least compared to the crowded streets.

The hum of conversation from nearby tables, the occasional clinking of glasses, the distant sounds of vehicles passing by—it all blended into a dull background noise.

It wasn't terrible, but he still wished he were somewhere else.

Nathan and Seraphina were casually discussing their training schedules, while Elara was preoccupied with her holopad, scrolling through some list of materials she still needed to buy.

Merlin didn't bother joining the conversation.

He exhaled, leaning back in his chair.

'This really isn't my thing..'

His gaze drifted across the street. Pedestrians moved in waves, their figures blending together under the artificial lights of the city.

Most were ordinary—students, workers, the occasional adventurer with a weapon strapped to their back.

Then his eyes landed on someone different.

A man, standing perfectly still amidst the moving crowd.

White coat. White hair. Pale skin. And dark eyes.

Glasses that reflected the city lights.

Merlin's fingers tensed around his cup.

The man's expression was unreadable, his face almost devoid of emotion. But his eyes—Merlin could feel them, sharp and unwavering, locked onto him with a level of intent that set off alarms in his mind.

'Who…the hell?'

The moment stretched. The crowd moved around him, yet the man remained as if he were detached from the world around him.

Then—

He turned.

And disappeared.

Not in a sudden burst of speed. Not in a flash of magic.

He simply stepped into the crowd, and within seconds, he was gone.

He remembered the villains of the novel, the antagonists, but none of them looked like the guy he had just seen.

Merlin shot up from his seat, eyes scanning the streets. His heart wasn't racing, but there was a deep, gnawing instinct telling him to move.

'What the hell was that?'

Something wasn't right.

"…Merlin?"

He barely registered Elara's voice. His focus remained on the spot where the man had stood.

Nothing.

"Merlin!"

A hand touched his arm.

His body tensed before he recognized the voice of Elara.

He turned slightly, catching her narrowed silver eyes. She had noticed.

"You saw something?" she stated rather than asked.

Merlin let out a slow breath and sat back down. "…It's nothing."

Elara didn't look convinced. But she didn't push.

Seraph frowned. "You're acting weird. What happened?"

"Nothing," Merlin repeated. "Just thought I saw someone I knew."

Nathan, who had been mid-sip of his drink, raised an eyebrow. "You have friends outside of us?"

'Is he serious?'

Merlin shot him a deadpan look.

Nathan grinned. "Kidding. Mostly."

Elara waved a hand. "Alright, alright, if it's nothing, let's just enjoy the rest of our food."

Merlin gave one last glance toward the street.

But whoever that man was—he was long gone.

—

They left the café after another half hour of wandering conversation.

The city night was alive with artificial neon lights, transports, and the steady hum of mana-infused technology powering everything around them.

The streets were still full, people moving in and out of shops, bars, and entertainment hubs.

It felt normal.

And yet, Merlin kept glancing over his shoulder.

Just in case.

Elara, walking beside him, nudged his arm. "You're acting weird again."

"I always act weird."

"Yeah, but now it's extra weird."

Merlin sighed. "I told you, it's nothing."

Elara narrowed her eyes, then suddenly smirked. "Ohhh, I get it now."

"…Get what?"

"You were staring off into the crowd earlier." She leaned in with a grin. "Did you see someone interesting? Perhaps a girl you fancy?"

Merlin gave her a blank look. "If by 'interesting' you mean 'probably a threat,' then sure."

Elara scoffed. "Okay, mister paranoia."

He didn't bother arguing.

Seraphina, walking just ahead of them, glanced back. "You don't seem like the type to react like that over nothing. Who did you see?"

'I have no fucking idea. That's the problem..'

Merlin hesitated.

He didn't know who the man was. That was the problem. He had read the novel before, knew every major character, every key event. But the man in the white coat wasn't in the story.

Which meant he was either a minor nobody—unlikely, given the way he acted—or something else entirely.

"…I don't know," Merlin admitted.

Seraphina's expression didn't change, but she didn't press further.

Nathan stretched his arms behind his head as he walked. "Well, if it's someone who looked at you funny, that's their problem. You probably just scared them off with your charming personality."

Merlin ignored him.

Nathan grinned. "Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

'Do not ever say that again..'

Merlin didn't answer as his gaze flicked to Nathan who looked away.

—

Merlin wasn't entirely sure how it happened.

One moment, they were walking through the streets, the conversation drifting from idle chatter to vague discussions about their next assignments.

The next, Elara had latched onto his arm with a determined grip.

"Come on," she whined. "We've been walking for a while. Let's do something fun before we head back!"

Merlin cast her a wary glance. "Define fun."

Nathan, standing beside them with his hands in his pockets, smirked. "That's never a good question."

Seraphina, walking slightly ahead, didn't even turn around. "If this is about drinking—"

"We can't drink," Elara huffed. "And it's way better than that."

Merlin already had a bad feeling.

Then, with a far-too-excited look, Elara turned to Nathan. "Karaoke?"

Nathan chuckled. "Yeah, alright. Sounds fun."

Seraphina, to no one's surprise, sighed. "I'm not singing."

Merlin crossed his arms. "Neither am I."

Elara pouted. "Oh, come on, don't be boring!"

"Not being boring and actively humiliating myself are two different things," Merlin replied.

Nathan nudged him. "What, scared you'll be bad at it?"

Merlin gave him a blank look. "I know I'll be bad at it."

Elara was already dragging him forward. "Great! Let's go."

'What's the point of even trying.'

Merlin sighed in defeat.

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—

The karaoke lounge was a private room—dim neon lighting, a plush couch, and a holo-screen displaying the song choices.

Drinks and snacks were already on the table, which meant Elara had somehow arranged everything before Merlin could even think about escaping.

Nathan grabbed the song selection tablet and leaned back on the couch. "Alright, who's first?"

Elara already had a mic in her hands. "Obviously me."

Merlin sank into the seat, sipping his drink as the inevitable chaos unfolded.

—

Elara, to no one's surprise, was actually good at singing.

She picked an upbeat pop song, and by the time she hit the chorus, Nathan had jumped in, turning it into an off-key but enthusiastic duet.

Seraphina, true to her word, remained seated with her arms crossed, looking as unimpressed as ever.

Merlin?

He sat there, quietly sipping his drink, pretending this wasn't happening.

At least, until Nathan turned to him with a wide grin.

"Alright, Merlin. Your turn."

Merlin didn't even look up. "Pass."

"Nope," Nathan said, handing him the mic. "Not how it works. Everyone sings at least one song."

"That was never a rule."

"It is now."

Elara leaned in, smirking. "Are you scared?"

Merlin met her gaze, deadpan. "No."

"Then pick a song," she said sweetly, shoving the mic closer.

Merlin exhaled sharply. "This is pointless."

Nathan grinned. "That's what makes it fun."

Seraphina finally glanced at him. "Just get it over with."

Merlin sighed, reached for the song tablet, and scrolled through the options. If they were going to force him into this, he might as well pick something easy.

The moment he selected a song, Nathan burst out laughing.

"A ballad? Seriously?"

Merlin ignored him, took the mic, and started singing.

And—to the visible shock of everyone in the room—he was actually good.

Elara's mouth fell open. Nathan looked like he'd been personally betrayed. Even Seraphina, who had barely reacted to anything all night, looked slightly surprised.

Merlin finished the last note, set the mic down, and took another sip of his drink as if nothing happened.

Nathan blinked. "What the hell?"

Elara stared. "Why didn't you say you could sing?"

"I didn't know," Merlin replied simply.

Seraphina shook her head. "You didn't know? Unbelievable."

Merlin shrugged. "Can we leave now?"

"Nope, it's my turn!" Nathan got up and grabbed the tablet.