Darkness.
Nothing but darkness filled the room.
And blood.
So much blood.
It covered the floor, spreading in every direction.
Two men were tied to chairs, their bodies riddled with countless holes.
Standing before them was a man shrouded in shadows, his silhouette impossible to make out.
Only his golden eyes could be seen as he silently watched them.
Zhua suddenly jolted awake.
He sat upright in bed, covered in cold sweat.
“What was that…?” he whispered.
Another nightmare…
or another memory?
No…
calm down, Zhua.
He took several deep breaths, trying to steady his racing heartbeat.
Turning his head, he saw Han Luen sitting nearby.
She looked at him with her usual calm and gentle expression.
“Ah, you’re finally awake. You slept for quite a while.”
“What happened?” Zhua asked.
Han Luen nodded.
“You fought one of the monsters that escaped from the dungeon. It was probably the dungeon’s boss. But you completely lost control during the fight. When the authorities arrived, they put you to sleep and dealt with the remaining monsters that were still coming out of the rift.” Read the latest chapters at novelping dot com.
Just thinking about the incident gave Zhua a headache.
I’ll probably have to write a report…
A few moments later, Han Luen left to inform the officers who had subdued him that he had awakened.
Not long afterward, they arrived.
The conversation was brief.
Zhua simply gave them his report before leaving.
Walking through the streets of the capital, he thought.
“I need to prepare for the academy entrance examination.”
Eventually, he returned to the inn Han Luen had rented.
He climbed the stairs, entered the room, and noticed that there were two beds.
“Hm… at least there’s that,” Zhua muttered quietly.
Just then, he heard someone stepping out of the bathroom.
Han Luen walked out, wrapped in a towel secured around her chest.
Without hesitation, Zhua immediately turned his head away and walked back outside.
“Get dressed, you pervert.”
He heard Han Luen laugh teasingly from inside the room.
“Sorry. I have a younger brother about your age, and he’s never minded. We grew up together, so I figured you’d react the same way. We know each other a little by now, don’t we?”
“You’re both weird,” Zhua replied flatly.
A few minutes later, Han Luen called him back inside after getting dressed.
As he entered, she looked at him.
“I’m confident I’ll pass.”
Han Luen sighed, looking worried.
“You’re exactly like my idiot little brother. The two of you have far too much pride.”
Zhua answered with a provocative smile.
“Why should I worry about mere insects? Every kid taking that examination will be nothing more than pathetic insects that I can crush. I’m simply better than they are, so I have nothing to fear.”
In reality, there was only one thing Zhua truly feared.
Being kidnapped because of his appearance.
Ever since he was a child, that possibility had genuinely terrified him.
He considered himself a golden jade beauty, and strangely enough, that was the only fear he couldn’t laugh off.
As for the academy entrance exam?
If the test involved combat, he simply didn’t care.
In his own mind…
He was the best.
Zhua stared at Han Luen for a long moment before saying,
“Don’t be afraid. Look at me.”
A confident grin spread across his face.
“I am the best.”
Han Luen couldn’t help but laugh.
“You narcissist.”