Ding! Bam!
My fist smashed the alarm clock with one hit as my eyes opened slowly. In a month and one day, all I’ve had is eighteen cans of beer, so it’s only natural I wasn’t in a good mood.
Last night and this morning’s events left ntally exhausted, so I slept through the day. I set my alarm for 2 p.m., but even now I don’t feel satisfied with the amount of sleep I got.
Sitting up chanically, I noticed my door was slightly open—and Jake was peeping. The mont our eyes t, he yelped and slamd the door shut with a loud thud, causing my frown to deepen.
"Life has been really stressful lately," I sighed, only to notice the door opening again.
"Big bro, I’m sorry to interrupt, but your friends ca over and they prepared so food for you," Jake explained. "I just wanted to let you know."
My brows furrowed at his words as my hazy brain tried to process what he just said.
Friends?
"What do you an, friends?" I asked. "I have no friends."
Clank!
The door yanked open and Jake blinked repeatedly before yelling at .
"Don’t say things like that, I’m your friend!"
Bam!
The door slamd shut, leaving bewildered.
Did he just yell at ?
He must have been hurt when I said I had no friends.
"If I can survive living with these people, nothing else can kill in this life."
Sliding off the bed, I headed straight for the bathroom and filled the bathtub with steaming hot water. I didn’t even bother taking my underwear off before stepping in.
Aaaah...
A small smile blood on my face as the heat from the water washed away the perpetual cold that plagued this body. Feeling the stabbing pain in my chest fade, I felt at peace once again.
Instinctively, my thoughts drifted back to last night when I got ho. I checked the date and realized only four days had passed, even though I spent four weeks in the Solinthar Empire. This made realize ti moved differently in that world.
Unlike Nightfall Dominion—where a day on Earth was equivalent to months there—a week in the Solinthar Empire was equivalent to a day on Earth.
This tiline wasn’t as beneficial as that of the Nightfall territory, but it was better than nothing. This ant I would have less ti to spend in that world before people noticed I was gone.
"Maybe I should build a cabin in the mountains and go there for ditation occasionally. With that excuse, I can escape everyone and focus on building my territory," I muttered.
However, the word territory reminded of my eting with Lee Bai. A whole new world was revealed to through our short conversation—and I won’t say it was a positive one.
The fact he called a warrior rather than a leader pissed off, even though I didn’t show it.
"I built a billion-dollar rcenary group and led them through countless bat..."
My voice trailed off as I rembered I never really led them.
We had a strategist, and we all followed his plans. I simply fought alongside them because the thrill of fighting was much better than sex to .
That was why I couldn’t keep my company or my family. I wanted to be the man fighting on the front lines—not the one who sent people into them.
"I am truly a warrior," I muttered, brows knitted.
Even now, I don’t know what’s in the territory building shop the system offers—because it doesn’t interest . The only person I have ever trusted is myself, and that is what I plan to continue doing.
But can I truly win against soone like Lee Bai, who hides behind his army?
"Is a warrior inferior to a leader?" I muttered, slowly shutting my eyes tightly.
Sighs...
Letting out a heavy sigh, I looked toward the bathroom door as nurous thoughts poured into my mind.
If I fought Lee Bai there, would I have won?
Does being a leader an I must remain weak?
Do I have to work with him?
If not for the threat of the Dark Keepers, I wouldn’t even consider the thought. However, the fact that the heavens sent more than one Gatekeeper to Valefor due to the threat of dark entities made anxious.
To send multiple Gatekeepers ant a Dark Keeper may be involved. That ant I’d be coming in contact with the terrifying traitors Lee Bai spoke of.
And I’m only level 10.
"Gosh..."
I lowered myself into the black water and stayed there for a minute or so.
In there, I kept my eyes shut and shut off my mind. I really needed to rest a bit and get my head off the countless problems that will never end.
I also needed to get back to Solinthar as soon as possible. Because a week away must have left the people anxious. Without anyone attacking, I won’t know what’s going on.
Splash!
I erged from the water with determination in my eyes and resolve in my heart.
"There is no single path to heaven," I quoted a popular saying on Earth.
Just the sa way Lee Bai has gotten this far through his leadership skills, I’ve survived this long as a warrior—and I’m not about to change that for anyone.
Nothing kills quicker than comparison.
Just understanding that Lee Bai and I are two different people is all I need to stop second-guessing the path I’ve chosen.
Erging from the bathtub, I entered the shower for a proper bath.
A few minutes later, I exited my room—topless, in black cargo pants. I let my hair fall to my shoulders and walked straight to the staircase.
The aroma of grilled turkey filled the entire building, accompanied by laughter and chatter. As soon as I began walking down the stairs, all eyes shifted to and the room went silent while my eyes scanned everyone in the room.
Jake, Mandy, Natasha, Dayvon, Kenza, and Pala?
Cough!
Pala began coughing aggressively as our eyes t.
"Only a thief runneth when no man chaseth," I muttered.
Her guilty conscience was eating her up. My gaze shifted back to Natasha, then Dayvon, before narrowing.
Thud.
A plate filled with mac and cheese, egg-fried rice, so turkey wings, and tal utensils hit the glass table—attracting my gaze to Kenza.
She seed nervous but still approached with a small bag, the contents of which I couldn’t see.
Kenza walked up the stairs and stopped just one step away from . Her lips moved as she spoke softly:
"I’m sorry. I really didn’t an to hurt you."
She muttered before offering the bag in her hand.
From here, I could see the contents: my trench coat folded neatly—and so drugs?
)
"I thought you may still be in pain," she muttered again and lowered her head.
Everyone—except Dayvon—had their heads perked up in our direction. They wanted to hear what she was saying, but her voice was low enough for just the two of us.
I shifted my gaze back to Kenza and let out a heavy sigh. She’s made consistent efforts to apologize. Turning her away again would make look childish.
I’ll accept her apology but maintain a respectable distance—to show I’m comfortable around her and let her work her way back into my life.
But while I do that, I might as well hurt so people just for the fun of it.
Gently, I touched her cheek and she slowly lifted her face to et my gaze. Her eyes were filled with genuine surprise and her face flushed red.
"You don’t have to keep apologizing," my voice was low as well. "And thank you for the painkillers."
Cough! Cough!
This ti it was Natasha coughing aggressively, while Dayvon patted her back. Everyone turned their gaze to her, but Kenza’s eyes were pinned to mine.
Nothing could distract her from this mont.
"Your hand is cold," she said, pressing my arm closer to her face with hers.
"Unfortunately, it’s not sothing I can help," I said, and she nodded slowly.
"It’s all right," she responded with a smile—which made sink inside.
Each ti I see monts like this, it makes hate love more.
Because how can soone betray another person they shared a mont like this with?
Instinctively, I retrieved my hand and took a step back.
"I’ll be back," I said, breaking eye contact. "Let drop this off in my room."
Not waiting for a response, I turned around and walked away.
I know what I want in this life, and love is not one of them.
I won’t let myself get distracted.
Reviews
All reviews (0)