After killing twelve people, Noah’s mind got excited as if it had successfully conquered the most challenging math problem. His logic deed it an excellent achievent. Nevertheless, it is nearly emotionless. His heart grew hollow.
The jolt of emotions that usually surged through him after killing people no longer ca. No excitent. No guilt. No thrill. Nothing. The only feeling he had was an eerie sense of calm, knowing it was a calculated victory.
Standing near his car, waiting for Seven and his team to arrive, he pulled a nthol cigarette from his pocket and lit it. He inhaled deeply, filling his chest with as much smoke as he could, then exhaled slowly, his eyes fixed on the distant treeline.
He was still annoyed with his system.
Even after all the knowledge he had gained, his experience bar crawled forward like a sloth. Too slow.
Without unlocking the weapon shop, he couldn’t purchase the one thing he truly needed: a spirit weapon capable of killing his real enemy—the devil. Human weapons were useless against those creatures. Their souls had to be severed, not just their flesh.
Sigh!
Noah let out another deep breath, smoke trailing from his lips as his frustration built.
Then,
The sound of engines echoed faintly in the distance. He spotted several vehicles approaching.
Zoe had already inford him: Seven and his team had arrived.
...
Noah exchanged only a few words with Seven, giving a brief rundown of the situation, then walked to his car and left.
He drove at a steady pace, trying to clear his head, when his phone buzzed. It was Jason.
"Sorry to bother you, Noah," Jason said quickly, "but I wanted to let you know that Alice visited your house."
"Oh? When did she get there?"
"She’s been waiting since lunch. Since you haven’t returned, she’s thinking about heading ho now," Jason reported.
Noah frowned and glanced at the ti glowing on the dashboard. Nearly 4 PM. He hadn’t realized how much ti had passed. Dealing with a pack of ard gangsters had eaten through his entire afternoon.
And he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. His stomach growled as if to remind him of that.
"Where is she now?"
"She’s resting in the guest bedroom."
"Jason, I’m on my way ho. I should be there in about an hour. Please ask Alice to stay for dinner. And let her know I’ll drive her ho myself. Thanks."
Ending the call, Noah pressed harder on the accelerator. While whispering to Zoe, "Help with the traffic lights. Let’s get ho quicker."
’Already on it, sir...’
The traffic lights ahead began to shift, just in ti.
Almost an hour later, Noah’s car finally reached the gate just as the sky began to darken. He spotted Jason standing at the main entrance, looking visibly worried.
Noah stepped out and handed him the car key. "Is my sister still resting?"
"Yes, she’s still in her room," Jason replied, taking the key from his hand.
Noah gave him a quick glance. "And... Why do you look so grim, Jason? Did sothing happen?"
He walked into the house with Jason trailing behind. The unease on Jason’s face grew more apparent with every step.
"Noah," Jason said hesitantly, "I heard everything from Matthew—"
Noah slowed his pace and turned to him with a faint smile. "Oh my... So Matthew’s been quite chatty, huh? He told you everything before I even got ho."
Instead of answering directly, Jason blurted out a protest. "Noah, can’t you just not go around alone? I feel like I’m earning your money without doing anything. It kills that I’m never beside you when you’re actually in danger..."
Noah chuckled and raised an eyebrow, amused but understanding. He knew Jason’s concern wasn’t just professional—it was personal. He had never once relied on Jason when his life was on the line.
"I’ll rember that, man," Noah said with a half-smile to reassure him. Then he added, "Oh, right, Jason... Prepare yourself. We’re flying to Opal City..." He didn’t get to finish.
A familiar voice chid in from behind, cutting him off.
"Brother, are you planning to return to Opal? When? Why?" Alice asked, her voice filled with curiosity, and a flicker of worry in her eyes as she stepped closer.
Noah offered a slight smile at his sister’s worried expression. He moved closer, then paused, standing just a step away from her.
He ignored her question entirely and asked instead, "Are you hungry? Let’s eat sothing while we talk..."
Then, without warning, he reached out and ruffled her hair before casually walking off toward the dining room.
"Geez! Why are you avoiding , brother!?" Alicia huffed, hurrying to catch up. "I’m not even hungry... Can’t you just answer first? Huh!?"
She struggled to keep pace with his long strides. He was so tall, one step from him felt like two for her.
"Little sis, I’m starving," Noah replied carelessly. "I haven’t eaten since this morning. I might faint if I don’t get food soon."
"Oh, may... Why didn’t you eat lunch?" she asked, frowning. When Noah didn’t answer, she turned to Jason with a pleading expression on her face.
"Jason, could you ask soone to cook sothing for him? I don’t want my big brother to die because he skipped lunch!" she said with a dramatic pout and a playful grin.
Noah was speechless.
Jason nearly burst into laughter.
"No need," Noah said, smiling. "They already prepared it for him."
"Thank goodness..." Alicia sighed in mock relief, hurrying after her brother again as they made their way to the dining room.
The mont she stepped inside, she was hit with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly prepared food. The chef and a few staff mbers had just finished setting up a warm and delicious spread.
Her appetite, which she swore didn’t exist, instantly woke up.
Suddenly, a soft growling sound escaped from her stomach, and she froze.
Noah raised an eyebrow, grinning.
"Tsk... Tsk... Alice... you’re hungry too? Co on, stop with the dieting already, huh!? You’re so skinny, I’m worried your legs might break when you walk."
He teased her while pulling out a chair, gesturing for her to sit before signaling Jason to join them. Then he took his own seat across the table.
"I’m not on a diet!" Alicia rolled her eyes and slumped into the chair, acting all dramatic. "Don’t worry, big bro... I’d NEVER turn down a free al."
Their lunch was lively, with Alicia sharing with Noah and Jason everything she’d been up to during the short break before college started in just a few days.
She also enthusiastically talked about her friendly neighbor, a woman who owned the Star Café next to her apartnt.
"Bro, you won’t believe how sweet Sister Lizzy is to . She treats to dinner or supper in her café almost every night. She even gave a special card for free drinks all year round because I helped her out a few tis when the custors were swarming..." She giggled before continuing another story in the Star Cafe.
Noah hid a knowing smile.
He was the one who’d asked Matthew to open their company’s café there so Lizzy could work undercover as the "owner."
Free als? That was his idea, too. At least he never had to worry about his little sister skipping dinner—Lizzy made sure Alicia ate.
He let Alicia chatter, only responding when she threw a question his way. He enjoyed listening to her talk about the things she did every day; it cald him, sothing he had rarely felt lately.
Then Alicia circled back to what concerned her as she narrowed her gaze at Noah.
"Okay, big bro... enough with the chitchatting. Now get to the point," she insisted. "You must tell what’s with the sudden trip to Opal City? Did sothing happen there that made you fly hurriedly?"
Noah took a long sip of water before replying, "Oh, that. Relax. It’s just business. One night eting, in and out."
Technically true—though not the whole truth. He wanted fresh opportunities to gain his experience to level up, and Opal City had plenty.
More importantly, getting out of town ant dodging the brewing Morgan and Graham family clash.
He’d already thwarted his Uncle Jared’s last assassination attempt; no need to get drawn further into that family blood feud... for now.
However, deep down, he promised himself Jared Morgan wouldn’t escape his cri.
Although the system stopped offering new revenge quests, he will handle him personally.
...
Alicia’s brow furrowed, worry still flickering in her eyes, she didn’t buy what Noah said.
"But brother, I could see the stress in your eyes... Augh..." Alicia couldn’t finish her words as she felt her head hurt. "Noah Morgan! Why are you flicking my forehead?" she protested, rubbing her forehead in frustration.
After Noah reached across the table to gently flick her forehead, he then sat back in his seat and smiled at her.
"Hey, I’ll be fine. Besides," Noah flashed a faint grin, then continued, "When have I ever let trouble catch ? I have mighty Jason following around now..."
Jason snorted. "Pretty sure trouble keeps away from you, boss." He said playfully, but he feels bitter inside, as Noah never once faced trouble when he was around.
He only rembers helping Noah once, and it was before he officially beca his bodyguard.
Noah laughed. "Thanks to you, Jason... You are my dependable bodyguard."
The night grew darker, and dinner finally ended.
At first, Noah intended to drive Alicia back to her apartnt alone, but Jason insisted on taking over the wheel.
This ti, Noah didn’t object to his request to drive. It has been a long, exhausting day. A break from driving could help him recover faster.
He felt grateful to be alive after all that had happened today!
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