Jayden walked out of the alley, the weight of his new discovery pressing lightly on his mind like a secret he wasn’t quite sure how to use yet.
Sohow, the system had rewarded him exp for beating up a man till his health points remained one. He didn’t know if it was a glitch or a miracle, but either way, he was going to make use of it.
He glanced back once at the remaining unconscious n still sprawled across the alley floor, bloodied and broken.. but still had more than 10 exp. He contemplated doing the sa to them, but quickly discarded the thought.
He decided to leave them there. They weren’t worth his ti. Not yet.
By the ti he got ho, the world was quiet again. He slipped into his room and sank into his desk chair, tapping open his tablet and diving into research. The beasts in the forests around the city had beco too aware of him. They won’t even fight him. He needed new hunting grounds.
He lived in Erald City, one of the ten major cities of Athens, a vast and powerful continent—one of only three on earth. The closest city to Erald was Jade City, but it was nearly 80 kiloters away.
Jayden groaned and flopped back onto his bed, arms stretched above his head. "No way I can go there every day," he muttered.
Still thinking about the logistics, about the energy, the ti, the efficiency.. he slowly drifted off to sleep, his mind looping through ideas, strategies, and half-ford plans.
The next morning
He woke up early.. muscles stiff, brain still buzzing with plans. Without wasting ti, he threw on his tracksuit and laced up his sneakers. Another jog to the park. Another round of boulder lifting. Another tree climbed. Another quest complete.
Sa routine. Sa discipline.
When he got back ho, the scent of breakfast floated through the air, but he was too focused. He freshened up, ate quickly, and returned to his room, locking the door behind him.
He sat cross-legged on his bed, gaze hard with focus. Then he began research on a familiar topic.
The Chthonix.
It was the beast he needed—the rare, powerful creature whose ability could tip the scales for the upcoming intra-school tournant. He needed its powers. But he didn’t even know where to find it yet. And with only telekinesis and poison secretion in his arsenal, he didn’t feel prepared to show his hand... not yet.
He needed more. More power. More stability.
His thoughts wandered to the ability he already had—the Wolverine Stalker gene. It wasn’t flashy, but it was brutal, adaptable, and proven in the wild. He considered the idea. If he couldn’t find a better power... why not evolve the one he had?
But to do that, he’d need more crystals.
And only one na ca to mind.
Penelope.
He sighed. He knew she’d offer help. He knew she had access. The only question was whether he was ready to accept her offer.
After sitting with the thought for a long while, the decision finally clicked into place.
Jayden stood, dressed up in clean, fitted clothes, tossed on a jacket, and left the house. The sun was bright and relentless above, and a breeze followed him all the way to Penelope’s neighborhood.
By the ti he reached the mansion gates, his hands were tucked into his pockets, but his heart was steady.
He rang the bell.
The gate opened with a soft chanical hiss.
And standing there at the gate—leaning casually against the stone pillar, arms folded and that signature smirk dancing on her lips—was Cassandra. She wore a cropped purple top that hugged her petite fra, paired with sleek black joggers and matching purple sneakers. Her hair was tied up ssily, a few strands clinging to her face from the morning breeze.
"Hey, Jayden," she greeted with a soft wave.
Jayden stepped into the compound with a relaxed smile. "Hey, Cassie. You look stunning."
Cassandra laughed and rolled her eyes. "Stop with the flattery, Jayden. I haven’t even showered yet."
He gave her a sly grin. "Still think you look good."
That made her chuckle, but instead of replying, she just stared at him—quietly, deeply. As if, for that mont, his face was the only thing in her universe.
Jayden cleared his throat. "Um... is your mum ho?"
Cassandra blinked out of her trance and nodded quickly. "Y-Yeah. Mum’s ho. Do you want to say hi?"
Jayden rubbed the back of his neck with a slight smile. "Actually, I ca to see her."
Cassandra’s face fell a little. "Oh... so you didn’t co to visit ?"
Jayden hesitated, still struggling to crack the ever-elusive enigma of what do girls want to hear.
"Well... would it make you feel better if I said I ca to see you too?"
She frowned, arms folding again. "No, it won’t. ’Cause that ans you’re lying. Lying to a girl isn’t good."
"My apologies," he muttered sheepishly.
Cassandra shook her head. "I don’t need your apology. You owe another box of chocolate."
Jayden blinked, then laughed. He’d forgotten about the chocolate bet from their chess ga. "Alright."
Cassandra smirked. "Good." She turned and began walking toward the gate. "I was just about to go for a jog before you ca. Make yourself comfy and finish your business with Mum. We’ll talk when I get back."
Jayden nodded. "Okay."
"Bye," she called with a cheerful wave, then jogged out of the compound, the gate closing behind her.
Jayden turned and made his way into the mansion. The foyer greeted him with warm light and clean elegance. One of the maids t him in the living room and politely offered him a seat while she went to inform Penelope.
Upstairs, Penelope was in her room when the maid knocked and announced Jayden’s arrival.
The mont she heard his na, Penelope’s heart skipped. A familiar heat flushed through her cheeks as her thoughts drifted to that night. The kiss. The way she’d acted. Her fingers subconsciously touched her lips.
"Oh God," she muttered, rising from the bed. "How am I supposed to face him? Maybe he won’t bring it up. Yeah... maybe if I don’t say anything, he won’t either. Please don’t bring it up, Jayden... I might actually die."
But even in her panic, she freshened up quickly, applying light makeup and slipping into a stylish but form-fitting blouse with a pencil skirt that accentuated her natural curves. She adjusted her earrings, checked her hair twice, and only then, did she walk downstairs.
Jayden stood when she entered. And for a long mont, he didn’t say anything... he just stared. Admiring. Drinking in her presence like art.
"Hello, Jayden," she greeted, voice smooth but restrained. She tried to hide the butterflies.
"Hello, Miss Isley," he replied politely. "You look beautiful today."
Penelope smiled, cheeks coloring just slightly, but a part of her wilted inside. He had called her Miss Isley. That assured her that he wasn’t going to bring it up. That kiss would be brushed under the rug. She told herself she preferred it that way... but deep down, she wasn’t so sure.
Even though she said she didn’t want him to bring it up, she also kind of hoped that he did. She didn’t just want him to forget everything they had together that night.
"Thank you, Jayden. Let’s get down to business," she said, sitting down and crossing her legs gracefully like a model in a fashion spread.
"I take it you’re here to accept the offer?" she asked as a maid arrived with tea for both of them.
Jayden nodded. "Yeah, I’ve thought about it. I think your offer is great. I’ll accept it... but only on one condition."
She raised a brow curiously. "Which is?"
"I can’t always be available," he said plainly. "There’ll be tis when I have my own plans... training, school stuff, family.. and I won’t cancel them for work. Can you accept that?"
Penelope smiled softly. "Of course, Jayden. I know you’re busy preparing for the tournants. I don’t want this to overwhelm you."
She paused and exhaled. "Honestly... I wanted you to be Cassie’s bodyguard because I hoped it would motivate her."
Jayden tilted his head. "Motivate her?"
Penelope nodded slowly. "Cassandra’s strong, but lately she’s lost interest in pushing herself. She slacks off more than she should, and I’m worried she’ll fall behind. I’ve tried to help her, but... she’s stubborn."
"So you actually want to train her?" he asked.
"Train her and protect her," Penelope confird. "During your ti together, challenge her. Spar with her. Teach her a few things... martial arts maybe. I’ve heard you’re quite the natural."
Jayden paused, thoughtful. Then he gave a small exhale. "Alright. I’ll try my best."
Penelope smiled brightly, her relief visible. "Thank you, Jayden I really appreciate."
Jayden smiled back. "So... are there any papers I need to sign or...?"
Penelope chuckled lightly. "Oh no, I don’t do formal agreents. It’s too boring."
Jayden raised an amused eyebrow. The more he got to know Penolope, the more fascinated he beca.
"Why don’t we shake on it instead?" she offered, standing and extending her hand.
Jayden rose too and took her hand in his. They shook firmly.
"So... we have a deal?" she asked.
"Yes," Jayden replied. "We do."
"What deal?" a voice rang out from the living room entrance behind them.
They both turned to see Cassandra, sweaty from her jog, standing in the doorway, eyes wide with curiosity.
User Comments
0 comments from readers