The next morning, the sun beamed brightly through the trees, casting dappled light across the forest floor. Alex woke up feeling refreshed, ready to seize the day. He started with his morning exercise routine, performing a series of stretches and strength-building movements that left him invigorated and focused.
Once he finished his workout, he moved on to preparing breakfast. He made sure to whip up a hearty meal, including omelets filled with fresh vegetables, crispy toast, and a refreshing fruit salad. The aroma of sizzling eggs soon filled the air, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment as he set the table for both of them.
After enjoying their breakfast and sharing a few lighthearted moments, Alex approached Nyx, who was sitting quietly nearby. "I think it's time for a haircut," he said, running his fingers through his messy hair.
Nyx glanced at him, her expression remaining calm and focused. She nodded, and without hesitation, she retrieved a pair of scissors from her belongings.
With a steady hand, she began to trim his hair, her movements precise and efficient. Alex watched in the reflection of a nearby pond, surprised at how professional she looked as she worked. Nyx seemed completely focused, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration as she skillfully shaped his locks.
As she finished, Alex couldn't help but admire the transformation. The messy, unkempt hair was replaced with a clean, well-groomed style that suited him perfectly.
"Wow, Nyx, you did an amazing job!" he exclaimed, genuinely impressed.
Nyx simply shrugged, a hint of satisfaction flickering in her eyes.
"It was nothing," she replied, but Alex could see the pride in her demeanor.
Feeling refreshed and ready for whatever the day had in store, Alex expressed his gratitude once more before going toward the lake to take a refreshing bath before their departure.
Two hours later, the duo was prepared to leave for civilization. With no emotional attachment to the place, they swiftly dismantled the log house, reducing it to rubble in an instant. Alex was dressed in all black casual wear, while Nyx donned a striking black gothic lolita dress. Without exchanging a word, they decided to engage in a kick race.
In perfect synchrony, they kicked up a cloud of dust as they sprinted forward. Their speed was astonishing; they easily covered the distance of 100 kilometers in under a day.
Ten hours later, they emerged from the forest, and in the distance, the towering walls of a massive city came into view.
"Hah! Hah!" Alex paused to catch his breath, feeling the strain of the physical exertion. It had been a while since he had pushed himself like this, but he was glad for the challenge. Glancing over, he noticed Nyx standing beside him, completely unfazed, her breathing steady and her expression calm.
He couldn't help but chuckle bitterly; it seemed he had lost this little race. He promised himself he would treat her to a delicious meal in the city, but first, they had to deal with some unwelcome pests lurking nearby.
Raising his head, he wiped the sweat from his brow with a flick of magic. His expression turned ice cold as he sensed the approaching figures; their thick bloodlust made it clear they had no noble intentions. He hadn't anticipated a cliché scene of being ambushed by bandits as he neared the city, and it put him in a foul mood. Encountering these nuisances was unwelcome, and he was determined to squash them thoroughly.
Calmly, Alex waited for the bandits to reveal themselves, and soon twelve rugged men emerged, surrounding them with a variety of weapons drawn.
"Oho, lucky me! To encounter two fine specimens after a day of striking out," the apparent leader sneered, his demeanor suggesting he was both stronger and better armed than the rest. There was no need to waste time on the details of such a ragtag group; he was merely a supporting character in this unfolding drama.
The leader licked his lips in a lecherous manner as his gaze roamed over Nyx, his desire so blatant it was almost vulgar. Instantly, Alex marked him for death; that lecher would not meet a gentle end.
"Wow! She's stunning! I've never seen a woman so beautiful—she's top-tier. She'd fetch a hefty price. Like a porcelain doll!" another bandit exclaimed, and the others nodded in agreement, their lewd thoughts laid bare.
"Hand over your valuables, handsome boy, and we'll be gentle with you," said another thug near the leader, his lust unmistakable and making Alex's skin crawl.
Nyx observed the scene in silence, her expression unreadable.
The mob leader began to sense something was off. Though he was only a level 3, he was used to instilling fear with his bloodlust. Yet, these two showed no signs of panic—only a cold indifference, especially from the heterochromia-eyed boy. It was as if they regarded him as nothing more than an insect. Just as he considered retreating, a flash of light caught his attention, followed by the sickening sound of bodies hitting the ground.
Thud! Thud!!!
Before he could comprehend what was happening, pain erupted in his groin, and everything turned into chaos.
"Ughaaa!"
The mob leader rolled on the ground, clutching at what remained of his familiar jewel, the pain overwhelming. He couldn't even muster a proper word or beg for mercy before a bullet pierced his neck, causing him to bleed out slowly in agony, pooling in his own blood. It was a brutal end.
"Let's go, Nyx!" Alex said, his voice steady as he turned to leave.
Those were the last words the dying man heard before the couple disappeared into the distance. Indeed, as the saying goes, what goes around comes around. He had spent his life stealing from and killing others, and now he had finally met his match. The irony was palpable; the one who had ended him hadn't even bothered to take his valuables—they simply walked away as if it wasn't worth, they truly treated them as nothing than bugs.
In those final moments, he reflected on the meaningless life he had led, filled with greed and violence. As darkness enveloped his consciousness, those thoughts faded into oblivion forever.