Chapter 138 : Scared of someone too

Chapter 138: Chapter 138 : Scared of someone too The sound of water droplets echoed faintly through the opulent 10th-floor apartment as Alex stepped out of his private bathroom, a towel draped casually around his neck. His skin steamed faintly, his silver hair damp and tousled, framing his face with accidental perfection. The warm lights of the room reflected gently off the polished marble floors. He stretched his arms above his head, letting out a long sigh. "Ahhh, yeah... I feel very refreshed." As he reached for his EtherPad on the nearby table, he called out, "Zara, what’s the time?" The gentle voice of his AI assistant echoed through the room. {It is currently 10:07 PM, April 24th.} Alex paused mid-motion, blinking. "It’s already night, huh?" But then, something clicked in his mind. "...Wait—what did you say the date was?" {April 24th.} Alex froze. "...Crap!" he shouted, gripping his head in panic. "How the hell did I forget that?!" He spun in place, panic flashing across his face. "I haven’t even prepared anything! I’m doomed. I’m going to die—for real this time." Just then, a calm, slightly smug voice echoed in his mind. [What happened, host? Don’t you wanna train?] Alex glared at the ceiling, mentally responding, ’This is more important than training, you damn system! My life is on the line here!’ With hurried hands, he grabbed his EtherPad, already halfway through opening his contacts when Zara’s voice interrupted again. {Alex, your friends are outside. Do you want me to grant them entry?} He paused. "It’s ten at night—why the hell would they come now?" He rubbed his forehead, sighing in defeat. "As if I’m not screwed enough already." "...Grant them entry after 10 minutes, Zara." --- Meanwhile, outside Alex’s apartment... Charlotte Evans Avaloria stood in front of the large, wall-like door, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. She had rushed here the moment she felt that cosmic tremor earlier—but now, standing here, doubts flickered in her mind. Just as she reached toward the intercom, the elevator behind her hissed open. She turned, just as a short but sturdy figure bolted out, wearing a hoodie, pants, and boots too fancy to not be enchanted. It was Draven Storm Everforge, prince of the dwarves. His face twisted in panic as he ran forward—until he saw Charlotte. He slowed, blinking. "What are you doing here?" Charlotte blinked innocently, pretending to examine the silver wall in front of them. "What do you think? This door is absolutely gorgeous. I came here to admire it. You too, right?" Draven’s mouth twitched. "...Can’t you just answer normally?" Charlotte gave him a smirk. "Why would you think I came here?" "To meet him," Draven said flatly. "Exactly. So why are you asking dumb questions?" "...Okay, I give up. You win." Charlotte grinned in victory. Draven walked beside her, arms crossed. "For what reason did you come he—" The elevator behind them hissed open once again. Both turned to see a girl with mesmerizing blue hair stepping out. Seraphina Starlight. She wore a casual dark violet jacket over a sleek black crop top, paired with high-waisted star-patterned pants and boots. Her blue hair was tied loosely behind her, with small glowing pins that looked like falling stars. She blinked as she saw the two standing near the door. "What are you two doing standing in front of the door?" Charlotte and Draven glanced at each other, then simultaneously looked at Seraphina. "Admiring the door. Wanna join?" they said in unison. Seraphina’s mouth twitched. "Sorry, I avoid doing things that useless and crazy people often enjoy doing." This time, both Draven and Charlotte’s mouths twitched. Seraphina smirked victoriously. Just as Charlotte was about to retort—"Who are you calling craz—"—the elevator chimed again. This time, it was Alden and Ava. Alden wore a dark-blue shirt with silver trims, sleeves rolled up, and loose black slacks. Ava had on a pastel-pink cardigan over a white dress with floral accents, and soft flat shoes. They were talking, smiling—holding hands, too focused on each other to notice the growing audience ahead. Seraphina tilted her head with a smirk. "I can’t believe Alden is holding hands with a girl and smiling like a fool." Charlotte folded her arms. "I couldn’t agree more. Before this, he just flirted with every girl he saw—usually to pick a fight with angry boyfriends." Draven blinked. "Seriously? Alden was like that?" Both girls nodded with mischievous smiles. Suddenly, Alden and Ava noticed the trio ahead of them. They dropped each other’s hands faster than lightning. Alden looked away immediately while Ava’s face flushed a brilliant crimson. Trying to deflect, Alden cleared his throat and asked, "W-What are you guys doing here at night?" Charlotte, who had long forgotten the reason she came, grinned devilishly. "What we should be asking is—what you two were doing together at night." Her eyes narrowed. "Were you two alone at Alden’s apartment?" Alden’s eye twitched. "What were you two doing here alone, huh?" Charlotte asked. All three of them—Charlotte, Draven, and Seraphina—smirked like they’d just caught culprits red-handed. Ava, looking overwhelmed, simply lowered her head, her blush growing stronger. "That’s enough, you bastards!" Alden snapped. "We just went shopping because she wanted to thank Alex for something!" Charlotte clicked her tongue. "So nothing happened?" "Of course nothing happened!" Alden yelled. Seraphina stepped forward and hugged Ava protectively. "Don’t worry, dear. These bad guys won’t trouble you anymore. I’m here now." "You’re one of them!" Alden shouted, glaring. "Stop acting like you’re the good girl!" A vein throbbed visibly on Seraphina’s forehead. Seraphina’s fingers moved subtly, her lips murmuring an incantation under her breath. A soft shimmer of magic pulsed in the air. Alden’s mouth snapped shut—his expression turning to pure outrage as he tried to speak... but no words came out. He tried again. Still nothing. Draven watched nervously, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. ’Alex was right... It’s never a good idea to provoke Seraphina.’ Breaking the hug with Ava, Seraphina tilted her head and looked toward Charlotte and Draven. Her voice was calm, but edged with suspicion. "So... for what purpose did you two come here?" Charlotte blinked. Then froze. Draven’s eyes widened too. ’Oh right! That’s why we rushed up here in the first place!’ Both of them broke into a flurry of motion, stumbling toward the intercom. Just as Charlotte was about to press the button— {Permission granted.} The massive wall-like door slid open with a gentle whoosh. The five of them stepped into the apartment. The hallway was sleek and polished, lights dimmed with elegant golden hues. But there was no sign of Alex. "Where is Alex?" Seraphina asked, glancing around. {He’s inside his room putting his clothes on,} Zara answered evenly. At that exact moment, a soft click echoed through the corridor. The inner door opened, and Alex stepped out. "Guys, I don’t know why you came here, but I’m heading out," he said calmly. "Otherwise, my life might genuinely be in danger." All five of them turned. And froze. Alex was dressed in a midnight-black jacket lined with silver runes, half-zipped over a fitted charcoal shirt. His pants were sleek, and his boots shimmered with starlight patterns that matched the elegant glove on his right hand—woven with threads that glowed subtly like constellations. As he came out of his room, everyone noticed. He had changed. Drastically. He had grown taller. His once bright-blue eyes now held a deeper shade of blue—like they contained entire galaxies, stars swirling in the depths of each gaze. His posture carried a newfound gravity, like someone who could shift the world with a word. And his face... He wasn’t just handsome anymore. He was ethereal—so stunningly captivating it bordered on unreal. As if a divine sculptor had carved him from cosmic grace. Even the mermaids and angels would second-guess themselves. The five stood frozen, their breaths caught. Mesmerized. Alex blinked. Then sighed. Clap! He clapped his hands. Everyone jolted as if awakening from a trance. They still stared. Alden, still under Seraphina’s spell, tried to speak—only to remember he couldn’t. Draven stepped forward, voice cautious. "What... happened to you?" Alex raised a brow, then realized what Draven meant. He looked down at himself. ’Oh right. My appearance has also been affected.’ He smirked. And just as his inner narcissist was about to leap out in full glory— [Host, it’s already 10:40 PM. Won’t you be late?] Alex clicked his tongue. ’I hate it when you’re right.’ [...] He looked back at the others. "Guys, I have to go. Something urgent came up. We’ll talk later, okay?" Seraphina, finally snapping out of her daze, stepped forward. "Wait—what happened? Is there a problem?" Alex nodded seriously. "Yeah. A huge one. I need to solve it immediately. My life is on the line." He turned to leave when Ava stepped forward, holding out a small box wrapped in soft red foil. "Alex, before you go... take this." He paused. "I brought chocolate cake for you." She bowed slightly, her voice soft. "And... thank you for helping Henry. I’ll always be grateful." Alex stopped in his tracks. His head slowly turned. "...What was that?" he asked. Ava blinked. "What was what?" Alex’s voice was gentle. "What you just said." "I said... I’m grateful?" "No, before that." "Thank you for saving Henry?" "No. Before that." "I brought cake for you?" Alex’s eyes lit up like stars. In a flash, he strode forward and hugged her tightly. "You’re such a lifesaver, Ava!" His grin widened. "You’re the most usefu—I mean—the bestest friend among all these useless people standing here!" Pop. A vein throbbed on each of the four behind him. Before any of them could retort— Whoosh! A gust of air exploded behind Alex. Alden shot forward like a bullet, his eyes blazing with icy fury. His foot arced toward the back of Alex’s head in a brutal kick. But— Snap! Alex casually turned around mid-hug, caught Alden’s leg with his bare hand like it was nothing. The impact cracked the air, but Alex didn’t even flinch. Eyes narrowing, he raised a fist— Then stopped the punch right in front of Alden’s face. Alden stared in disbelief. ’Impossible... How did he react so fast?’ Alex looked down at him. "You trying to die attacking me out of nowhere?" Alden gurgled something but couldn’t speak. Alex scoffed. "Say it clearly, you mute bastard." He looked at the others. "What happened to him?" Seraphina sighed, stepped forward, and tapped her fingers together. A gentle shimmer of light flowed toward Alden. The moment it touched him— "Don’t you dare touch her, you bastard!" Alden yelled, his voice back. Seraphina raised a brow. "What’s the rush, anyway? You’re acting like you’re being chased. Why do you need that cake so badly?" Alex scratched his head. "Oh, that? It’s my sister’s birthday on April 25th." He looked deadly serious. "And if I’m not there at midnight with a chocolate cake, she’ll disown me. And worse—kill me." Charlotte blinked. "Wait... so there’s actually someone in this world you’re scared of?" Alex stepped back slightly, eyes darting. "...Yes," he said with a nervous laugh, like he’d just confessed a national secret. Draven, Seraphina, Alden, and Charlotte all looked at each other. And then... They grinned devilishly. Then simultaneously— "We’re coming with you too," they said in unison.