A burst of laughter erupted instantly as everyone watched Stev’s ridiculous antics.
"Stev, did you forget to take your meds or what? You’re straight-up hallucinating!" Boni snickered, shaking his head.
Another friend quickly joined in. "A motorcycle turning into a dragon? What’s next, a car turning into Godzilla? Hahaha!"
Waves of laughter echoed through the air, leaving Stev utterly red-faced in the middle of the crowd.
Panic in his eyes and breath coming in ragged gasps, Stev shouted desperately, "I swear, brodie! I’m not lying!"
Seeing Stev’s growing anxiety, Dongbin stepped forward. He patted Stev’s shoulder gently and spoke in a calm, firm voice, "Stev isn’t lying."
"WHAT?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"
Shouts of disbelief burst out from everyone present.
"So... you really are a mage?!"
Dongbin merely curled his lips into a faint smile. At that exact moment, his divine power surged, instantly absorbing and processing the entire scope of the Blue World’s technological knowledge directly into his mind.
"I simply embedded AI technology and long-range sensors. I put a master chip in a device on my left arm," Dongbin lied with a completely straight face. "Take a look at this."
Dongbin raised his left hand and pressed a hidden trigger on his wrist.
Vroom!
Without anyone riding it, the motorcycle glided forward on its own, coming to a smooth halt right in front of them.
Every pair of eyes widened, completely stunned by the sight before them.
"This is purely technology. Everyone, put your faith in science," Dongbin continued calmly. "As for what Stev saw, it was actually just a visual hologram response triggered whenever someone tries to strip down this bike."
Hearing Dongbin’s logical explanation, the group immediately turned their gaze toward Stev, their expressions hardening into sharp scowls.
"Hey, Stev. We’re local street kids, not damn thieves!" one of them hissed.
Looking down at the hands clutching his shirt, Dongbin offered a calm solution.
"How about this, Stev? If you truly want a motorcycle like mine, bring your bike to me later and I will modify it for you. But for now, I need to follow Mei to check out that rental place."
Stev froze, his harsh glare melting away in an instant. "Wait... serious, bro? You’ll actually mod my ride?"
"Of course," Dongbin replied with a smooth, reassuring nod.
"Alright! Man, you’re the best!" Stev grinned ear to ear, completely forgetting his rage as he let go of Dongbin’s collar. "I’ll call Mei later to check up on you whenever you’re free!"
Watching Stev practically bounce on his heels with excitement, Dongbin shook his head slightly.
This spoiled kid has a dangerously reckless streak, Dongbin noted in his mind, recalling the high-end clothes and arrogant attitude Stev carried. Clearly raised with too much money and zero discipline.
"Yeah, Stev. You seriously went too far this time!" another chimed in, shaking his head.
"Honestly, Stev... I’m really disappointed in you," Mei added, her voice cold as she crossed her arms.
Stev stood there, utterly lost and panicking. On one hand, his mind was completely fried from the terrifying sight of an actual living dragon. On the other, he was now being exposed as a cheap bike thief in front of his entire crew.
Anger and embarrassment boiling over, Stev snapped. He lunged forward and grabbed Dongbin by his collar.
"Bro, don’t you dare slander me like that!" Stev growled, his knuckles turning white.
Dongbin merely offered a faint, unbothered smile. "Does it truly look like I am slandering you?"
"He’s right, man," Boni chimed in from behind. "There’s no way he’s lying. Look at the high-tech stuff he’s packing."
The words only poured gasoline on the fire. Veins bulging on his forehead, Stev tightened his grip on Dongbin’s shirt, glaring sharp daggers straight into his eyes.
Without wasting any time, Dongbin turned to Mei. "Shall we go, Mei? You do not have a vehicle with you, correct? You can ride with me."
Mei paused for a second, glancing at the sleek black machine before offering a warm smile. "Ah, right! Sure thing, Dongbin. I’ll show you the way to the vacant place next to mine."
She stepped closer and hopped onto the back seat. The moment Dongbin twisted the throttle, the motorcycle shot forward, gliding seamlessly down the street with incredible speed.
"Whoa, okay!" Mei gasped softly, grabbing onto his waist for balance. This ride is ridiculously smooth!
Meanwhile, back at the hangout spot, Stev was practically bouncing on his toes, completely lost in his own fantasy.
He could already picture it now: Dongbin turning his ordinary bike into a high-tech beast. He’d be the coolest guy in the city, winning every illegal street race, pulling all the girls, and stacking up endless cash.
"Hahaha! Man, I’m gonna be a bloody legend!" Stev blurted out, laughing like a maniac to the open air.
His friends slowly backed away, staring at him with pure disgust and concern.
"Yeah... he’s officially lost his damn mind," Boni whispered, shaking his head as the rest of the crew nodded in silent agreement.
-***-
Guided by Mei’s directions, Dongbin navigated through the vibrant city streets as twilight began to settle over the Blue World. Streetlights flickered on one by one, casting a warm golden glow across the pavement.
He pulled up in front of a modest residential compound. Directly adjacent to Mei’s house stood a charming little unit with a small garden and a sign on the gate that read: For Rent.
"Wait here for a second, I’ll call the landlord," Mei said, hopping off the bike.
A few minutes later, an elderly man in a relaxed polo shirt and sandals ambled down the pavement, holding a thick ring of keys. His name was Pak Kasmir, a local landlord known around the neighborhood for being quite firm with his prices.
"So this is the young man?" Pak Kasmir squinted through his wire-rimmed glasses, inspecting Dongbin from head to toe. "The rent is eight hundred credits a month. Water and electricity not included. Paid upfront on the first of every month."
Dongbin blinked, completely blanking on the concept of modern currency. Eight hundred credits? Was that expensive? Or cheap?
Seeing Dongbin’s momentary silence, Mei immediately stepped in front of him, crossing her arms with a competitive smirk.
"Come on, Pak Kasmir! Eight hundred?" Mei argued, shaking her head. "Look at the gate hinges, they’re slightly rusted. And the paint on the porch needs a touch-up. Give my friend a discount! Say... six hundred?"
Pak Kasmir gasped as if personally offended. "Six hundred?! Little girl, this is a prime location! Seven hundred fifty, not a single credit lower!"
"Seven hundred, and he pays three months upfront," Mei countered smoothly, leaning in with an authoritative glare. "Plus, I’ll personally help him maintain the front yard so your property stays pretty."
Pak Kasmir groaned, rubbing the back of his neck as he realized he was outmatched. "Ugh, fine, fine! Seven hundred it is. You really drive a hard bargain, Mei."
After a quick exchange of agreement, Pak Kasmir handed over the brass key, collected the down payment that Dongbin pulled from his pockets using his subtle spatial magic, and shuffled back down the street while muttering to himself.
"There! Saved you a hundred credits a month," Mei said proudly, turning to face the front door. "Let’s check out the interior."
They stepped into the house. The interior was compact and simple, paved with aged white tile flooring that had begun to yellow around the edges over the years.
While Dongbin walked toward the center of the room to inspect the high ceiling, Mei stood near the doorway, staring intently at his back.
He really is strange, Mei thought, drifting off into a daydream as she watched him. He acts like an ancient scholar, has no idea how money works, drives a bike that sounds like a dragon, yet he’s so calm... Who is he really?
She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t realize Dongbin had suddenly stopped moving.
"Is there something on my back?" Dongbin asked, abruptly turning around.
"Huh—?"
Before Mei could catch her footing, her momentum carried her forward. Dongbin instinctively reached out to steady her, but his heel caught the edge of a low coffee table.
Both of them stumbled, ending up just inches apart, their eyes locked in a sudden, breathless freeze.
Clack!
The wooden screen door unexpectedly swung open.
"Ah, Mei, I almost forgot to tell you about the water bill—" Pak Kasmir cut himself off mid-sentence, his jaw dropping as he took in the scene.
Mei snapped back to reality, her face turning bright red as she instantly shoved herself away from Dongbin, almost tripping over her own shoes.
"P-Pak Kasmir!" Mei squeaked, wildly waving her hands. "It’s not what it looks like! He was just... falling!"
Pak Kasmir squinted through his glasses, looking between the flustered Mei and a completely expressionless Dongbin. He gave a knowing, weary sigh and tossed a small slip of paper onto the counter.
"Right, right. Young people these days," Pak Kasmir muttered, shaking his head as he backed out the door.
"Water bill is on the counter. Lock the door when you leave!"
As the door shut, awkward silence filled the room once again.