「2 days later...」
The storm raged through the quiet streets of Pyrros.
The rain dampened the air while the thunder screamed, almost as if the Earth itself was crying in pain.
But it wasn't that. No, it was something more human.
Laura ran through the dark streets, her breathing staggering with each turn she took.
Her eyes were wet and red, not from the rain, but from the excessive crying she had been doing. Her younger sister had run off, after all.
Her legs had carried her as far as they could. She collapsed and cried while on her knees, her face burning with anger and sadness.
She sat in solitary, the distant thunderclap echoing, deepening her loneliness even further.
Then, footsteps approached her from the front.
She slowly raised her head, her heart beating a little softer as a wave of calmness overcame her.
A man donning a black suit with a white tie, along with an emblem that had the number 7 on his chest, stood above Laura.
His skin was as tan as hers but slightly darker, and his eyes were a piercing gold that was both threatening and alluring.
Another bald man wore a poncho and some rain boots. In his hands was an umbrella he held up for the man in the suit.
He crouched and extended his hand towards Laura, his nails painted black with a large scar that almost severed 3 of his fingers in the past, and a soft smile on his face.
She slowly, hesitantly, reached for his hand and placed her palm against his, allowing him to lift her.
He removed his jacket and draped it over her, feeling her cold shoulders on the tips of his fingers.
The man took the umbrella from the man I'm the poncho. "Leave us," he commanded, his voice deep and raspy.
Without any arguments, the man walked away, leaving Laura behind with the enigmatic figure.
"Genesis..." Laura muttered under her breath, relieved to see him.
"What are you doing here alone?" Genesis inquired in a soft voice, leading Laura to an abandoned building to keep warm. "I thought I told you that the others would look for Lindsey."
Laura sighed wearily. "I couldn't just sit at home. I don't even know if she's eaten or if she's safe, wherever she is."
Genesis nodded. "If my beloved family member was taken from me, I'd go through hell and back just to get them back."
He tipped her chin and gently ran his thumb over Laura's lips, her heart beating faster with each passing second. "But I'd never leave someone who loves me behind. Not like you just did to me."
Laura lowered her gaze, a wave of shame hitting her.
"You are the only thing that grounds me in this crazy world. Don't make me second guess your loyalty," he concluded.
Laura nodded slowly. "I'm sorry..."
Genesis shook his head and wrapped his arms around Laura, embracing her.
"You don't have to hold everything on your own. Not tonight," he whispered.
Laura slowly held his tie and pulled him closer, whispering, "I know what you're doing to me. But still, I want you. All of you."
Genesis placed his lips against Laura's, their tongues exchanging their saliva as they passionately kissed.
Laura's cheeks reddened as Genesis grabbed hold of her waist, reeling her closer to his body, as he continued kissing her.
They stopped kissing.
Genesis ran his hands across Laura's clothes, undressing her, unravelling her like the gift he had been dying to open.
"You have no idea what this is doing to me," he whispered, rubbing his lips against Laura's shoulder, and kissing her. "Knowing that this is all mine?"
He lowered his pants and slid inside her slowly, his breath hitching as she welcomed him.
Her figure twitched along with her legs, heaving before Genesis could move his hips.
Genesis placed his hands on her hips, grabbing them with a familiar sense of ownership before thrusting once into Laura.
She moaned and panted, her breathing quickening and her arms shaking. Before she could catch her breath, Genesis thrust once more and turned her head to face him.
"Have faith in the number 7, Laura. You're mine, and I'll look out for you..."
"Then prove it," she whispered in between breaths. "If you're going to own me, act like it..."
***
The black clouds turned grey when Nico and Lindsey stepped through the doors of the Adventurer's Guild.
When Lindsey first joined Nico, her clothes were way too short for comfort.
Swapping out her short skirt and crop top, Lindsey began wearing long pants and a red hoodie, which happened to be her favourite colour.
Genesis had all the women working for him wear short clothes as a form of strategy against the enemy.
Of course, Nico didn't buy into any of that bullshit. In his eyes, Genesis was nothing but a pervert.
In Lindsey's case, it was way worse because she was underaged while Genesis was suspected to be way older than some of the girls.
'Thanks to Lindsey, I marked the territories of the small-time thugs that Genesis controls. I'll beat them up for some information and get Genesis to tell me himself about how he managed to kill a god.'
The duo reached the receptionist's desk with Lindsey walking behind Nico.
"Nico, you're back," Melissa greeted him with a warm smile.
"So are you. Haven't seen you in a minute," he responded.
"I've been... busy, to say the least."
Lindsey snickered behind Nico, who glared at her. She stopped giggling and cleared her throat, whistling while she walked away.
"Ignore her," Nico suggested.
"It's kinda hard not to," Melissa replied. "Anyways, what can I do for you?"
"I found this while exploring a nearby dungeon. How much can I get for it?" Nico queried as he handed Melissa a purple gemstone.
The shape was irregular with jagged edges that could cut someone if they weren't careful.
But, it was beautiful, which meant it could fetch a decent price in the market.
"I don't think you want to sell this," Melissa cautioned. "I have an appraisal skill, and this gem stone can enhance any weapon of yours."
"No shit," Nico said as he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "But, how can I do that?"
"Simply cough up æ50,000 coins, hand me the weapon, and I'll upgrade it for you."
Nico paid Melissa and decided to hand him his basic longsword. Thanks to the Carnage Gauntlets, he had little use for the longsword.
"You're gonna love the new sword! Be sure to pick it up in about 12 hours, okay?" Melissa suggested as she smiled brightly at Nico.
He nodded and thanked Melissa before she turned on the NPC and walked to the back. Lindsey joined Nico and crossed her arms while pouting.
"You and her seem to get along," Lindsey commented.
"It's better than the shit you and your sister did to her," Nico retorted.
"You like her, don't you? And I don't get why! My boobs are bigger than hers, you know?! And since we're sharing a room to save some money, you shouldn't be afraid to make a move!"
Nico pinched Lindsey's cheek and dragged her away while she cried and tried to pry herself free.
They stepped out of the guild and found a bunch of players wearing ponchos waiting outside patiently.
Lindsey's eyes widened and her heart beat faster.
Nico simply raised a single eyebrow in curiosity. "There are more of these clowns?"
"Shit..." Lindsey mumbled.
"I guess they're here for you. What do you want to do?" Nico asked Lindsey dismissively, almost as if he didn't care what decision she made.
"I know I'm a bit of a handful, but..." Lindsey stuttered.
"Say no more," Nico reassured as he fist-bumped himself, causing black lightning to trickle across his fingers.
Then, black scales appeared and covered his entire hand, forming clawed gauntlets with a feint purple colour.
The men in the ponchos chuckled. One of them stepped forward and removed his hood, revealing his blonde hair and green eyes.
"You can put those away. We have no intention of fighting you for the bitch," the man said as he scoffed.
"Too bad, I am," Nico retorted as he ran towards the man in the poncho.
He threw a punch, one the man effortlessly redirected and backhanded him straight into a wall.
「HP: 290 / 310」
Nico groaned and ran towards the man agains, who pulled out his staff and blocked Nico's punch, sending the pool of water on the ground away like a wave in the ocean.
'He's skilled and unpredictable,' Nico mused.
He then spun his staff around, deflecting Nico's attacks and poking him back until he swept him off his feet and jabbed him.
Nico gagged and skidded backwards.
「HP: 260 / 310」
By the time he recovered, Lindsey was already out of his line of sight.
"You're pathetic. And you're supposed to be the Blood Fiend of Pyrros," the blonde teased as he disappeared through the wind, his stealth skill at play.
Nico smirked and allowed his gauntlets to return to his inventory. "All according to plan."